Government to roll out Community Pharmacy Programme in Q4

The government has launched the Community Pharmacy Programme. Among the 20 community pharmacies selected for the first phase, 19 are branches of chain stores. A pharmacy association has criticised the result they view as unfair to independent pharmacies.

Starting in the fourth quarter, the government will launch the Community Pharmacy Programme. Under the scheme, community pharmacists will provide designated medication refilling services for Hospital Authority patients.

Patients participating in primary healthcare schemes can also have their prescription filled at these pharmacies.

Pharmacists will regularly review medication dosages and efficacy, adjust quantities to reduce waste and offer services such as medication consultation and integration.

Charges will be aligned with the fees at Hospital Authority facilities as well as the co-payment amounts for the underlying primary healthcare scheme.

The authorities recently released the list of the 20 selected community pharmacies.

19 of them belong to chains such as Watsons and Mannings.

The single remaining spot was awarded to the St. James' Settlement Community Pharmacy.

A pharmacy trade association noted that the industry has upgraded its computer systems to connect with the eHealth systems.

However, despite over 100 eligible pharmacies placing bids, all failed to win a contract, leaving them deeply disappointed with the outcome.

Some experts noted that because community pharmacies are integrated into the eHealth system, the authorities must carefully consider factors such as patient privacy and data management.

They also noted that pharmacy chains hold a clear competitive edge due to their larger teams and operational scale.

Still, concerns remain that a oligopoly by major chains could ultimately hinder the broader development of the pharmacy profession.