Any establishment for the care of the sick, injured or infirm or those who require medical treatment, or any premise used or intended to be used for the reception of pregnant women or of women immediately after childbirth, has to be registered with the Department of Health before commencement of operation. Thereafter, regular inspection is also performed by the Department. Please refer to the Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity Homes Registration Ordinance (Cap.165) for more information.

2. Registration of Medical Clinics

The Department is responsible for the registration and control of non-profit making medical clinics. Please refer to the Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap.343) for more information.

3. Licensing of Chinese Medicines Traders

According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, Chinese medicines traders who wish to carry on a business in the retail of Chinese herbal medicines, wholesales of Chinese herbal medicines, wholesale of proprietary Chinese medicines or manufacture of proprietary Chinese medicines shall first obtain a licence issued by the Chinese Medicines Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong.

4. Licensing of Pharmaceutical Product Traders

Manufacturers, wholesalers, importers/exporters or retailers of pharmaceutical products are required to obtain relevant licences from the Department of Health. Inspections are conducted by the Department to check if the licensed premises are in compliance with the legal requirements. Please refer to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap. 137), and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134), and the website at www.psdh.gov.hk for more information.