The Hospital Authority will promulgate a more explicit guideline to clarify all uncertainties and potential grey areas regarding the principle on the use of drugs in immediate life-threatening emergency situations.

It will devise a mechanism to facilitate clinicians' professional judgments about the best treatment based on clinical evidence or experience.

A paper submitted to the Legislative Council Health Services Panel said a trauma patient injured in a traffic accident was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment on June 13.

To improve the patient's blood coagulation status, the attending doctor considered the potential use of a drug called Novo Seven, beyond the drug's registered indications.

Special drug

Novo Seven is classified as a special drug in the Hospital Authority Drug Formulary. Its clinical indications specified are to control bleeding in haemophilia patients or for patients with Factor VII deficiency only.

When the drug is used within the indications specified in the formulary, it will be prescribed to the patients at the standard fees and charges rate.

In the Queen Elizabeth Hospital incident, the drug was used under an extraordinary condition and beyond its registered indications, after thorough discussion with the patient's relatives. The use of the drug in such circumstances is not part of the routine clinical practice.

On subsequent review of the patient's overall condition and the potential benefit of the drug on the patient, the hospital management arranged full refund of the amount charged for using the drug on the patient.

System review

The authority said an expert panel will be set up to review and evaluate the scientific evidence of Novo Seven in terms of its safety and efficacy for use in immediate life-threatening emergency situations beyond its licensed indications for haemophilia patients.