The Health Bureau plans to begin matching eligible patients with community pharmacies by the end of October, starting in four districts. Patients who register may choose from designated pharmacies, where they can collect dispensed medicines and speak to a pharmacist about their medication and health.
The first phase covers Eastern District, Yau Tsim Mong, Sha Tin and Yuen Long, with five pharmacies selected in each. The 20 pharmacies were chosen for their proximity to residential areas and shopping malls or other convenient locations.
The first phase will involve designated family doctors participating in the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network, as well as Hospital Authority family medicine clinics. The bureau will invite participating network doctors and eligible patients to join. Patients must register before they can be matched to a designated pharmacy of their choice. The bureau will explain the arrangements for dispensing medicines and repeat dispensing.
The bureau says repeat dispensing is intended to reduce the amount of medicine people keep at home, improper storage, medication errors and waste. Pharmacy medicine charges will depend on the patient group: Co-care Network participants will follow the community drug formulary arrangements, while Hospital Authority patients will pay the authority’s existing charges.
The planned second phase covers Southern District, Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun, North District and Tai Po. The third phase will cover the other eight districts, with expansion to all 18 districts planned for the fourth quarter of 2027.
Separately, annual consultation co-payment adjustments at Co-care Network service points take effect on 1 November. Of 1,239 service points, 1,022 will keep charges unchanged, 28 will lower them and 189 will raise them.
Nearly 90% of the increases will be HK$50 or less. After the changes, 773 service points—more than 60% of the total—will charge HK$150 or less for treatment-stage consultations; the median co-payment remains HK$150.