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Support for persons with visual impairment and those with sight loss at the pharmacies of Hospital Authority
As Hong Kong’s population is ageing rapidly, the number of people with chronic diseases continues to rise. According to the Government’s survey on persons with disabilities and chronic diseases in 2020, some 1 799 100 persons required long-term (i.e. lasting at least 6 months) medical treatment, consultation or medication for certain type(s) of diseases, constituting 24.1% of the total population of Hong Kong in 2020, as compared to 19.2% in 2013.
Many of these persons with chronic diseases require regular medication to manage their conditions. Yet for people with visual impairment (PVI) and those with sight loss, taking medication can be challenging, as they need to overcome the challenges of locating the medicines, reading the dispensing labels and administering the right dosage. These difficulties could lead to inaccurate dosing, missed doses and even discontinuation of treatment prematurely.
The EOC holds great concern about the challenges faced by PVI and those with sight loss. We believe that they should be provided with the necessary resources to aid them in leading an independent and healthy lifestyle, such as assisting them in their medication adherence.
According to the Hospital Authority (HA), a number of measures have been implemented to ensure that PVI can take their medications as impartially efficient and safe as other patients. These include the mobile apps ‘HA Go’ and ‘TouchMed’, which enable patients to obtain detailed drug information, such as the main indication and possible side effects of the drugs. Patients can use the HA Go app to view the drug information from their dispensing records, or they can use the TouchMed app to obtain the information. All they need to do is download and open the TouchMed app, and scan the QR code printed on the right side of the drug label to obtain the patient information leaflet including the name, main indications and possible side effects of the drug.
In addition to the above, HA pharmacy has partnered with relevant patient groups to offer enhanced dispensing service by way of a ‘Reader Pen Service’ to patients with severe visual impairment or complete blindness, who have follow-up appointments in Medicine Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOPC) in HA. This service is available in the SOPCs of 19 public hospitals. Eligible patients recruited by the patient groups will be given a portable Reader Pen device, which helps to disseminate dispensing information. During dispensing in HA pharmacy, relevant information as printed on the dispensing label will be recorded into the Reader Pen by pharmacy staff. Subsequent drug counselling session for the patient concerned will be arranged to explain how to take the medication and use the Reader Pen. Patients can scan the audio label on the drug packs with the Reader Pen to play the pre-recorded information.
Other accommodation measures by the HA include special queuing arrangement with assistance to seating; use of audio calling and counter intercom systems to communicate with patients who have difficulty in seeing a visual display; drug labels in an accessible format and enhanced version, such as large print of dispensing label in A4 paper or in the font size patients prefer; and personalised drug counselling or education session to the patient or their caregiver upon request.
To find out more information about the services, please visit the website below.
