ENG-2008 — Page 220

168 Health

has also introduced a Cervical Screening Information System to collect and analyse data on cervical smears. In 2008, a total of 96 771 women, registered under the programme, underwent cervical screening.

At the district level, the Hospital Authority has a number of programmes for elderly people in their districts to reduce re-admission rates. There are also training programmes for carers to help the chronically ill better care for themselves.

Health Regulatory Activities

Healthcare Professionals

Under existing legislation, 12 categories of healthcare professionals need to be registered with their respective boards or councils before being allowed to practise in Hong Kong. As at December 31, 2008, they numbered: 12 215 doctors, 2 074 dentists, 5 932 Chinese medicine practitioners, 37 447 nurses (including registered and enrolled nurses), 4 756 midwives, 1 785 pharmacists, 109 chiropractors, 2 137 physiotherapists, 1319 occupational therapists, 2 703 medical laboratory technologists, 1 974 optometrists and 1 660 radiographers.

To become a registered Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP) to practise in Hong Kong, a person must have satisfactorily completed a recognised undergraduate degree training course in Chinese medicine practice or its equivalent approved by the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, and have passed the licensing examination before applying to be registered as a CMP. As a transitional arrangement for the registration of CMPs, people who have been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong before January 3, 2000 were eligible to become listed CMPs.

Depending on their practising experience and academic qualification, listed CMPs could be registered through direct registration, undergoing the Registration Assessment or taking the licensing examination. The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong conducted Part I and Part II of the 2008 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination in June and August respectively. By year-end, 5 932 and 2 823 Chinese medicine practitioners were registered (including 72 Chinese medicine practitioners with limited registration) and listed respectively with the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong.

Western Medicines

The regulation of western medicines in Hong Kong is stipulated under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. Acting on the authority of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, the Department of Health registers and approves the marketing of pharmaceutical products, issues licences to drug manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers, and takes action against illegal sale of controlled drugs in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force. Legislative controls are also enforced on poisons, antibiotics and dangerous drugs.

During 2008, 3 985 applications for registration of pharmaceutical products were approved. At year-end, there were 19 165 pharmaceutical products registered in Hong Kong.