WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1977
CONTROL AND USAGE OF DRUGS IN GOVT. HOSPITALS MONITORED *******
THE CONTROL AND USAGE OF DRUGS IN MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IS CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY A SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEE SET UP AT EACH OF THE HOSPITALS TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE STOCKS ARE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG, SAID THIS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON IN REPLY TC QUESTIONS BY THE HON. PETER C. WONG.
DR. THONG SAID THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THE MEDICAL SUPER INTENDENT OF THE HOSPITAL, HEADS OF VARIOUS UNITS AND A SENIOR PHARMACIST.
IN THE CLINICS, HE SAID, A STANDARD FORMULARY OF THE COMMON DRUGS IS USED, WHICH AGAIN SERVES TO ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF MEDICINE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
DR. THONG SAID THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF STOCK CONTROL OVER MEDICINE IS SATISFACTORY, THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THE AREAS IN WHICH FURTHER IMPROVEMENT CAN BE MADE, AN ORGANISATION AND METHODS SURVEY IS BEING CARRIED OUT, RESULT OF WHICH IS EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
THE DIRECTOR STRESSED THAT THE PRESCRIBING OF MEDICINES IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE ATTENDING DOCTOR WHO WILL PRESCRIBE THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEDICINE FOR HIS PATIENT.
HE SAID SOMETIMES AN ALTERNATIVE EFFECTIVE MEDICINE MAY BE PRESCRIBED, BUT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF USING A LESS EFFECTIVE SUBSTITUTE.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING CONCERNING DOCTORS LEAVING GOVERNMENT SERVICE, DR. THONG SAID 87 DOCTORS HAVE RESIGNED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS FOR PERSONAL AND OTHER REASONS, SUCH AS GOING INTO PRIVATE PRACTICE, EMIGRATION, OR TRANSFER TO THE UNIVERSITY OR OTHER HOSPITALS.
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