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Emergency
The HK Government runs several large, well-equipped hospitals as well as outpatient clinics and 24-hour emergency departments. However, these public hospitals,
while providing quality medical care, may not have private rooms available. Please note that if you dial 999 for an ambulance, you will be taken to the nearest
public facility. If you wish to be taken to a private hospital, make your request to the ambulance driver.
The cost of the Government run hospitals will vary if you do not carry a Hong Kong Identity card. For private attendance you must specify that you want to be taken
to a private facility.
Warning:
It is customary here for doctors to prescribe drugs from their own pharmacies. This is certainly convenient, and means you do not have to bother having the prescription
filled at a pharmacy. However, by going to a chemist you will usually get the drugs cheaper than at your doctor’s office and it is easier to check expiry
dates. If you do, be sure to purchase drugs from chemists of good repute, as there is some risk of being sold counterfeit products here in Hong Kong.
You will find that many prescription drugs used in your home country are available here over the counter.
Drug trademarked names vary between countries, often due to translation problems. If you take a medication that you cannot find here, it may be manufactured under
another name. Ask the pharmacist to check their source book. It’s important to note that certain birth control pills are not available in Hong Kong so those
are best brought from your home country. Reputable pharmacies include the many branches of Mannings and Watsons.
In an emergency, dial 999
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