The Hospital Authority (HA) announced on Tuesday that it will launch a new medication delivery service at its specialist out-patient clinics, providing patients with an additional way to receive their drugs.

The service will be rolled out initially at Queen Mary Hospital and Tseung Kwan O Hospital specialist clinics on May 15.

The authorities said after consultations, patients can make appointments for medication delivery via the HA’s mobile app.

With confirmation of delivery arrangements before 3 pm on the day of a patient's appointment, medication will be delivered to them the following day.

All specialist clinic patients at public hospitals aged 18 or above, who do not have any new prescriptions or medication that requires immediate use, will be eligible for the service.

There will be a flat delivery fee of HK$65, regardless of the number, weight, size, or type of medications.

Most drugs can be delivered, including items that require refrigeration, but "dangerous drugs" such as antipsychotic medication will not be included in the delivery service.

The prescriptions will be packaged in a sealed bag, which will then be placed in a logistics company's external packaging bag with special labels.

The firm will contact the patient before delivery to confirm their name and delivery address, and the patient must present the medication collection QR code on their mobile app as proof of identity. The patient or their authorised representative must receive the medication personally.

The HA said once the medications are delivered successfully, pharmacists will get in touch with patients to provide consultation if needed regarding their proper use.

Dr Benjamin Lee, the HA’s Chief Pharmacist ,said the new service aims to provide patients with a more convenient way to access their medication. He expects 2,000 patients a day will use the initial service.

“At specialist out-patient clinics we have a very large volume of patients. We are currently dealing with 20,000 prescriptions every day. These patients usually have many items of prescriptions. Some of them are really bulky as well. I think that will actually help these patients with drug delivery,” he told RTHK.

He added that those who choose to collect their drugs at hospitals will also benefit. Lee hopes the new service will cut the waiting time for prescriptions at clinics, which is currently around 30 to 40 minutes .

“It’s difficult to say at the moment, but definitely we hope we’ll create a win-win situation for both types of patients.”

The plan is to extend the service to all other specialist out-patient clinics by the end of this year.