New cancer drugs added to HK’s drug formulary

Patients using these drugs will pay only standard fees.

The Hospital Authority (HA) has announced that two cancer drugs have been added to the Special Drug category of the Hospital Authority Drug Formulary (HADF).

These drugs, approved under the new “1+” registration mechanism, are oral targeted therapies for treating metastatic colorectal cancer and will be available to patients who cannot use conventional chemotherapy.

Patients using these drugs will pay only standard fees. About 300 patients are expected to benefit each year, with subsidies totaling around $12m.

“With the ‘1+’ mechanism now in effect, the number of drugs successfully registered in Hong Kong would increase, thus enabling clinicians and patients to have more choices for drug treatment,” said William Chui, chief pharmacist at the HA.

He added that the HA is reviewing its drug listing process to speed up future approvals and reduce patient costs.

Moreover, the HA is also preparing to add a third new drug for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria to the HADF, with a decision expected in the coming months.