Scientists plan Hong Kong's own drug factory to end reliance on foreign suppliers

A group of scientists led by the world's top flu fighter are planning to set up a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to supply drugs and vaccines to Hong Kong.

University of Hong Kong Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, a leading expert in microbiology, said the absence of local production had left the city vulnerable to a global pandemic, as it has to rely on foreign manufacturers to supply rapid diagnostics, antiviral medicines and vaccines.

Yuen's remarks came as eight more people with flu died yesterday, pushing the death toll so far this year to 126. But the crucial vaccine to protect against the deadly influenza strain H3N2 will not be available to local doctors until April, as vaccine makers are currently busy producing the product for other countries.

"This is a lesson Hong Kong should learn," Yuen said. "We are currently in a very passive position as we have to ask for drug and vaccine supplies from foreign manufacturers.

"But it is natural for other countries to reserve the supply for their own use in times of a global outbreak. If we had a production plant of our own, we wouldn't need to go knocking on other doors for support."

He accused the government of neglecting the research and development needs of biotechnology.

Yuen, along with scientists from Polytechnic University, Macau University of Science and Technology and another US institute, announced yesterday that they have formed an action group to build a non-profit manufacturing plant.