Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ4: Stockpiling and distribution of antiviral drugs
Following is a question by the Hon Albert Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(November 23):
Question:
To prepare for a possible outbreak of avian flu pandemic in human beings, the
Government is increasing the stockpile levels of various antiviral drugs, with
that of Tamiflu to be increased to 20.56 million capsules. The authorities have
also reached an agreement with the drug supplier to deliver the Tamiflu capsules
in batches. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has formulated any policy on the distribution of Tamiflu in the event of
an outbreak of the pandemic; if so, of the details, particularly on the
prioritization of different categories of people in the distribution of drugs,
and whether priority will be given to front-line health care workers and
high-risk groups;
(b) it has conducted any surveys on the current stocks of Tamiflu kept by retail
drug stores, private medical practitioners and private hospitals; if so, of the
respective stocks; and
(c) it has assessed if the supplier of Tamiflu can deliver the drug to Hong Kong
according to the agreement in the event of a worldwide outbreak of the pandemic,
and how it can ensure that there will be a sufficient stock of Tamiflu in Hong
Kong to deal with the pandemic?
Reply:
Madam President,
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends health authorities to stockpile
antiviral drugs against influenza, including Tamiflu and Relenza, as one of the
preparedness measures against pandemic influenza. The Department of Health (DH)
has worked out the target level of antiviral drugs stockpiling with reference to
the infection rates of past influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong.
Stockpiling of antiviral drugs constitutes part of our contingency efforts to
tackle influenza pandemic. In the event of a pandemic, the Administration will
take other effective public health measures, such as heightened surveillance and
implementation of port health measures, to control the outbreak. Meanwhile, the
public should always seek to achieve better personal hygiene, ensure a clean
living environment and lead a healthy lifestyle so as to boost their body
immunity.
(a) In order to maximise our efforts in containing the pandemic and protecting
the general health of the public, and according to the recommendations of the
Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (SCEZD) under the Centre
for Health Protection, the major considerations in the distribution of antiviral
drugs to people during an influenza pandemic will be the potential level of
infection risk they face and their need to take the drugs.
While the actual priority for the distribution of antiviral drugs should be set
in light of the actual situation in the event of an influenza pandemic, the
following situations will be given priority in the use of antiviral drugs on the
recommendation of the SCEZD:
* To give medical treatment to patients;
* To provide medication to healthcare workers as well as other essential service
providers as prophylaxes;
* To provide medication to workers engaged in the live poultry culling operation
as prophylaxes; and
* To provide preventive medication to those who have come into contact with the
virus as prophylaxes.
The priority as set out above has taken into account the need of the frontline
healthcare workers and high-risk groups.
(b) Early this year, the Administration urged the healthcare sector including
private medical practitioners and private hospitals to stockpile antiviral drugs
against a possible influenza pandemic. We understand that since the beginning of
2005, the amount of Tamiflu supplied to the healthcare sector is five times of
the total amount supplied in 2004. However, we do not have the figure showing
the total stock of antiviral drugs kept by the healthcare sector at the moment.
(c) The Administration has formulated a preparedness plan to tackle influenza
pandemic. Under the plan, we propose to increase our stock of antiviral drugs to
over 20 million capsules. At present, we have a stock of about 3.5 million
capsules. We have signed an agreement with the pharmaceutical company to ensure
that our additional order of antiviral agents will be delivered to us in
batches. It is expected that another shipment of 4 million capsules will reach
Hong Kong early next year.
We will monitor the epidemic closely and keep track of the latest developments
in the use of antiviral drugs and WHO's recommendations, so as to refine our
strategy for stockpiling antiviral drugs accordingly.
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:48
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