Thousands To Benefit From New Subsidised Medicine

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2019-03-13 HKT 18:49

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  The Hospital Authority says some patients will be able to switch to new drugs that are more effective and have fewer side-effects. File photo: RTHK

The Hospital Authority said on Wednesday that tens of thousands of people are set to benefit from a move to subsidise an extra 19 drugs from next month.

The authority said around 50,000 patients will only have to pay nominal fees for the medicines they need, and some will be able to move onto better drugs with fewer side-effects.

About 23,000 people with the condition atrial fibrillation will be able to get hold of blood-thinning drugs for just a few dollars, when at present the medication costs HK$700 a month.

Some 15,000 diabetes patients will be able to receive drugs which are more effective than the subsidised medicine currently offered, and some chemotherapy drugs that previously cost tens of thousands of dollars will also be covered.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in his budget address last month that an extra HK$400 million will be given to the Hospital Authority each year for it to expand its prescription list.