The first point to notice is the cost of drugs, to which subject your despatch no. 12408/240 of the 2nd November last also refers.
It was decided many years ago by the then Secretary of State that the Crown Agents should procure all the drugs ordered for the colonies from the Apothecaries' Hall with the object of ensuring that only drugs of the best quality should be supplied. The Crown Agents inform me that they cannot recall any complaints from any colony on the score of quality, and I do not gather that the government analyst at Hongkong complains of the quality.