PART III

C. Drugs

10. Prescription and labelling of dispensed medicines

10.1  All medications dispensed to patients directly or indirectly by a medical practitioner should be properly and separately labeled with the following essential information :-
  1. name of doctor or means of identifying the doctor who prescribes the medication;
  2. a name that properly identifies the patient;
  3. the date of dispensing;
  4. the trade name or pharmacological name of the drug;
    [If a generic drug is used, a doctor may add the term "generic substitute for (name of patent drug)" on the label to further facilitate identification of the generic drug. Reference could be made to the "Compendium of Pharmaceutical Products" which lists all the drugs registered in Hong Kong and is published by the Department of Health.]
  5. the dosages, where appropriate;
  6. the method and dosage of administration; and
  7. precautions where applicable.
10.2  After proper consultation, if the practitioner considers that drug treatment is appropriate, the patient will be given the choice of either receiving medicine directly from the practitioner or taking a prescription from him. In either case, the practitioner has the responsibility to decide the proper medication with appropriate duration.
10.3  The only exemptions are :-
  1. medicines for clinical trials with informed consent from patients; and
  2. situations in which it may not be in the interests of the patient to label and prescribe the medicine, such as medicines supplied solely for psychological effect on the patient.


11. Supply of dangerous or scheduled drugs

11.1  Medical practitioners are advised to acquaint themselves with the Guidelines on the Proper Prescription and Dispensing of Dangerous Drugs promulgated by the Medical Council. Disciplinary proceedings may be taken in any case in which a medical practitioner prescribes or supplies drugs of addiction or dependence otherwise than in the course of bona fide and proper treatment.
11.2  Medical practitioners are required to maintain proper records of ALL dangerous drugs, whether supplied, dispensed or administered, and in strict accordance with the statutory forms under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations (Cap. 134). Failure to follow these requirements may result in disciplinary action.

(Note : In addition, medical practitioners should, in their own interest, familiarize themselves with the laws of Hong Kong governing the supply of dangerous drugs, in particular, Regulations 5 and 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Regulations (Cap. 134) on the criminal sanction for any failure to keep proper records and requirements as to registers of dangerous drugs supplied. Appendix C sets out the Form of Register as contained in the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Regulations as at 1 August 1996. It should also be noted that if the Director of Health is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, the Director may, under section 33 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, withdraw absolutely from any person the authorization for the possession, supply or manufacture of certain or all dangerous drugs.)
11.3  Disciplinary proceedings will be taken against medical practitioners convicted of offences against the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Regulations made thereunder committed in order to gratify the medical practitioner's own addiction.
11.4  Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against any registered medical practitioner who permits unqualified assistants to be left in charge of any place in which scheduled poisons or preparations containing scheduled poisons are supplied to the public.


12. Abuse of alcohol or drugs

12.1  Convictions for drunkenness, or other offences arising from the abuse of alcohol or drugs (such as driving a motor car when under the influence of alcohol or drugs) are likely to be regarded as professional misconduct.
12.2  Where a medical practitioner treats patients or performs other professional duties while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to such an extent as to be unfit to perform his professional duties, this will be regarded as professional misconduct.

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