Replacement arrangements for anti-hypertensive drug Valtensin to end tomorrow
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The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (August 16) announced the two-week drug replacement exercise for the anti-hypertensive drug Valtensin will end tomorrow (August 17) as scheduled. In response to the earlier announcement by the Department of Health (DH) to recall an anti-hypertensive drug, Valtensin (80mg tablets and 160mg tablets, containing the active drug ingredient valsartan), which was found to contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine, public hospitals started to provide patients with an optional drug replacement from August 4 for two weeks.
As of yesterday (August 15), over 3,000 patients had their drugs replaced under the exercise. In addition, some other patients concerned had their medications reviewed during their follow-up consultations.
The HA earlier announced the setting up of drug replacement counters at 18 designated public hospitals during the period from August 4 to 17 for patients who had been dispensed with the drug Valtensin on or before July 6 to opt for replacement with an alternative supply of valsartan tablets from other suppliers.
"The drug replacement counters at the 18 designated public hospitals will cease to operate at 9pm tomorrow. Afterwards, those who did not have their drugs replaced but would like to do so can go to the pharmacies of the same 18 public hospitals (see list below) from next Monday (August 20) for drug replacement during office hours," the spokesperson added.
All public hospitals have already ceased to dispense the drug concerned, Valtensin (80 mg tablets and 160mg tablets), since July 6 in response to the DH recall. The spokesperson stressed that according to the assessment of clinical experts, there is no immediate risk to patients for continual intake of the drug. The experts are also of the view that an abrupt stop in taking the drug might cause an adverse effect on a patient's condition. Hence, patients who were dispensed with the drug are recommended to not stop taking it until they attend their next follow-up consultations, in which the patients would be prescribed with the appropriate replacement medication after medical assessment.
"Patients who choose to replace their drugs on hand should bring along their ID card with the drugs, or ask their delegate to bring along a copy of the patient's ID card and the drugs on hand, and go to any of the pharmacies of the 18 designated public hospitals as listed below for drug replacement after verification by the pharmacist on their respective dispensing records. No payment is required for the drug replacement."
The HA will also continue to closely liaise with the DH on the matter.
The pharmacies of 18 designated public hospitals are listed below:
| Hospital | Location of Pharmacy | Enquiry Number |
| Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital | Main Pharmacy, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital | 6460 0553 |
| Ruttonjee Hospital | Pharmacy, G/F, Admin Building, Ruttonjee Hospital | 2291 2079 |
| Queen Mary Hospital | Central Pharmacy, 1/F, Block S, Queen Mary Hospital | 2255 6649 |
| Tung Wah Hospital | Pharmacy, 1/F, Centenary Building, Tung Wah Hospital | 2589 8111 |
| Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Pharmacy, 2/F, Ambulatory Care Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital |
5278 2982 |
| Kwong Wah Hospital | Pharmacy, 1/F, North Wing, Kwong Wah Hospital | 3517 2700 |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital | Pharmacy, LG, Outpatient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital | 2354 0500 |
| United Christian Hospital | Pharmacy, G/F, Block S, United Christian Hospital | 3949 4000 |
| Tseung Kwan O Hospital | Pharmacy, LG/F, Hospital Main Block, Tseung Kwan O Hospital | 2208 0111 |
| Princess Margaret Hospital | Pharmacy, LG2, Block A, Princess Margaret Hospital | 2370 0980 |
| Caritas Medical Centre | Pharmacy, LG1, Wai Ming Block, Caritas Medical Centre | 3408 6348 |
| North Lantau Hospital | Pharmacy, 3/F, North Lantau Hospital | 3467 7340 |
| Yan Chai Hospital | Pharmacy, 1/F, Block C, Yan Chai Hospital | 2417 8383 |
| Prince of Wales Hospital | Main Pharmacy, 1/F, Main Clinical Block and Trauma Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital | 5569 9855 |
| Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital | Pharmacy, B1, Block C, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital | 2689 2699 |
| North District Hospital | Out-Patient Pharmacy, North District Hospital | 2683 7561 |
| Tuen Mun Hospital | Pharmacy, G/F, Main Block, Tuen Mun Hospital | 2468 6872 |
| Pok Oi Hospital | Pharmacy, M/F, Central Wing, Pok Oi Hospital | 2401 4592 |
Ends/Thursday, August 16, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:03
Issued at HKT 19:03
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