Press Releases

SFH expresses concern over practice promotion by doctors

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (January 25) expressed his concern over the issue of practice promotion by doctors to the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Professor Felice Lieh-Mak.

Dr Chow said: "The autonomy of the Medical Council is respected. Nevertheless, I hope the council will balance public interest carefully, and review and amend its existing code of practice, particularly in relation to dissemination of practice information, as soon as possible so that it can better meet public expectations nowadays. This is to ensure that the public can obtain accurate health and medical information from their doctors. At the same time, the provision of inaccurate or misleading personal promotion and information by the profession should be avoided.

"The Medical Council should also define more clearly the professional relationship and responsibilities between doctors and other health or commercial organisations, so as to provide better guidance for the profession."

He added: "I hope that the medical profession will keep up their high ethical and professional standards and exercise self-discipline, and work together to protect the interest of patients and safeguard the rights of the public in obtaining accurate health information."


Ends/Friday, January 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:28

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