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LCQ14: Drugs prescribed by dermatological clinics of Department of Health
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     Following is a question by the Dr Hon Pierre Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (May 24):

Question:

     Regarding the prescription of steroids and antiviral treatment against hepatitis B (anti-HBV drugs) to patients by dermatological clinics under the Department of Health, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the quantities of oral steroids prescribed by the aforesaid clinics in each of the past five years;

(2) whether the doctors of the aforesaid clinics (i) are required to arrange patients to receive blood tests to ascertain if the patients are HBV carriers when they prescribe oral steroids, and (ii) can prescribe anti-HBV drugs to patients; and

(3) whether the Department of Health has formulated guidelines on the prescription of steroids and anti-HBV drugs by the doctors of such clinics; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Dr Hon Pierre Chan is as follows:

(1) The Dermatological Services of the Department of Health (DH) do not maintain the relevant statistics.

(2) Before prescribing a relatively high dose or a prolonged course of oral steroids, doctors of the dermatological clinics of the DH will follow the prevailing practice of conducting blood tests on the patients concerned to confirm whether they are Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. Currently, drugs for treatment of Hepatitis B are not included in the drug formulary of the Dermatological Services of the DH. If patients who need to take a relatively high dose or a prolonged course of oral steroids are HBV carriers, the dermatological clinics of DH will immediately refer them to the relevant Department of Medicine of the Hospital Authority (HA) for further assessment and follow-up management.

(3) The Dermatological Services of the DH always keep abreast of the relevant latest local and international developments and guidelines, and adopt them, as appropriate, in the standard practice of the dermatological clinics for the prescription of a relatively high dose or a prolonged course of oral steroids. As mentioned above, dermatological clinics will immediately refer patients who are HBV carriers to the relevant Department of Medicine of the HA for further assessment and follow-up management. Moreover, to enhance services, the Dermatological Services of the DH have made recommendation to the Drug Monitoring Committee under the DH for including one of the standard anti-HBV drugs in the drug formulary of the Dermatological Services.
 
Ends/Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:15
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