The Government today said the supply of medicines containing paracetamol in Hong Kong remains stable and urged the public not to stockpile relevant medicines.

In addition to monitoring the local supply of medicines containing paracetamol, the Government noted that it has been closely communicating with suppliers, local manufacturers and community pharmacy associations.

In view of the surge in demand for such medicines in late December 2022, the Department of Health met pharmaceutical and pharmacy associations early this month to discuss measures to maintain the steady supply of the medicines in the retail sector.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors have been monitoring the stock situation and will continue to step up the manufacturing or importation of medicines containing paracetamol to meet the demand.

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy (HKGCP) will also urge its members to only supply a reasonable quantity of medicines with paracetamol to customers in accordance with their medical need.

The Government explained that paracetamol is used for the symptomatic relief of pain and fever and an overdose of paracetamol may cause serious liver injury. A normal adult should not consume more than 4,000mg of paracetamol within 24 hours, while children and people with certain medical conditions should reduce the dosage.

As such, unless otherwise advised by a doctor, the supply of paracetamol products at the retail level to customers for pain and fever relief not exceeding 60 tablets or 300ml of liquid preparations for each user is considered reasonable.

The Department of Health understands that medicine retailers, including HKGCP members and major chain stores, will take into consideration this reasonable quantity when supplying the medicine.

Currently, there are a total of 756 pharmaceutical products containing paracetamol registered in Hong Kong. Among them, 684 products are over-the-counter medicines which could be purchased without a doctor's prescription.

The Government has stepped up public education on the use of paracetamol and uploaded a list of such products on the Drug Office's website to assist the public to differentiate these registered products.

It also stressed that the public healthcare system has a sufficient stock of medicines containing paracetamol. Citizens are advised to avoid stockpiling any medicines, including those with paracetamol, and panic buying certain brands of medicine.

Separately, the Government said that the two types of registered COVID-19 oral drugs can only be supplied to healthcare institutions and doctors in public and private sectors.

Patients can only be prescribed such drugs by registered medical practitioners when needed, while drug retail outlets cannot procure relevant oral drugs from suppliers nor sell them to the public.

It is an offence to illegally possess, sell or resell COVID-19 oral drugs, including supply without payment. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.