Health Chief Highlights Benefits of Public Healthcare Fee Reform
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau revealed that the public healthcare fee reform has delivered tangible benefits to patients, with 17 drugs added to the Hospital Authority drug formulary so far this year. The reforms have dramatically reduced costs for specialist medications, including a targeted therapy for leukemia that now costs just HK$20 per four-week cycle instead of up to HK$40,000 previously. The Hospital Authority is examining ways to expand access to innovative treatments while managing the financial impact on patients.
Key Points
- Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau announced on a radio programme that public healthcare fee reforms have accelerated drug inclusion processes
- The Hospital Authority has added 17 medications to the formulary in 2026, including specialist-use drugs
- A targeted drug for leukemia previously cost patients HK$20,000 to HK$40,000 per cycle; now costs only HK$20 per four weeks when prescribed
- The Hospital Authority is studying ways to introduce more innovative drugs and medical devices under the reformed approval mechanism
- Lo described the fee reform as bringing positive changes that help reduce patients' economic burden
Why It Matters
The reform demonstrates the government's ability to balance fiscal sustainability with accessible healthcare, as targeted therapies that were previously out of reach for many patients now fall within affordable reach. With the Hospital Authority actively reviewing additional innovative treatments, the policy could set a precedent for faster approval and wider adoption of advanced medical technologies in Hong Kong's public system .
The reform demonstrates the government's ability to balance fiscal sustainability with accessible healthcare, as targeted therapies that were previously out of reach for many patients now fall within affordable reach. With the Hospital Authority actively reviewing additional innovative treatments, the policy could set a precedent for faster approval and wider adoption of advanced medical technologies in Hong Kong's public system .