Government reviews medical ad law amid cross-border concerns
On.cc · 4 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the government will from time to time review the coverage and enforcement of the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance to see whether the law should be refined for more effective regulation. He said the review would take account of overseas regulatory experience, views from the trade and the community, and the need to balance public health protection, the public’s right to information and proportionality in regulation. The remarks came in a written reply to a Legislative Council question about regulation of overseas medical advertising and protection for Hong Kong residents seeking treatment outside the city. Over the period from January 2023 to September 2026, the Department of Health reviewed more than 150,000 advertisements across different media in Hong Kong and issued more than 1,600 warning letters, nine of them involving promotion of overseas medical services.
Key Points
- In a written Legislative Council reply on 21 October, Lo Chung-mau addressed concerns over overseas medical advertising, consumer protection and risk reminders for cross-border treatment.
- The Department of Health said all medical advertisements published in Hong Kong, whether for local or overseas services, must comply with the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance
- Between January 2023 and September 2026, officials reviewed over 150,000 advertisements and sent more than 1,600 warning letters; nine concerned overseas medical services.
- Authorities said all advertisements covered by those nine warning letters were removed after the warnings, and prosecutions may follow if recipients refuse removal.
- The government said the Customs and Excise Department may also act under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance against false descriptions or misleading omissions in promotions
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong residents increasingly considering treatment outside the city, the issue is not only whether advertisements are removed, but whether people can judge medical necessity, risks, follow-up care and total costs before committing. The government’s emphasis on cross-border notification channels and complaint referral mechanisms suggests that enforcement inside Hong Kong is only one part of protecting consumers when services are ultimately delivered elsewhere.