Potassium supplement supply becomes steady
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The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson provided an update today (March 21) on the latest situation regarding the supply of potassium supplement in public hospitals. As the supply of potassium supplement has become steady, public hospitals will first dispense the potassium supplements from new supply sources to patients. The remaining stock of potassium supplement "Slow K" will be reserved to cope with any sudden tight supply situation in the future.
"There has not been any product recall imposed by the drug regulatory bodies in Hong Kong or other places. It is safe for patients to take the medicine according to the prescribed dosage," the spokesperson reiterated.
HA was informed by the drug manufacturer at the end of December last year (2017) about the cessation of the supply of the drug to Hong Kong. The stock level in HA at that time could approximately meet consumption of about one month only.
"There are over 30 000 public hospital patients taking the drugs concerned regularly. HA has immediately approached alternative supply sources to ensure uninterrupted patient treatment amid the sudden shortage and the need for medium and long-term supply arrangements."
The spokesperson added, "Slow K has been used in Hong Kong for over thirty years to treat patients with low potassium levels. There has not been any report on drug safety so far."
HA will gradually arrange for the dispensing of the new supply of potassium supplement tablets in all public hospitals and clinics tomorrow (March 22). "Patients currently prescribed with Slow K should continue to take the drug and should not stop the intake themselves. Low potassium levels will lead to serious clinical outcomes and could be life-threatening," the spokesperson said.
Ends/Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:16
Issued at HKT 18:16
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