Deputy Director of Health Dr Leung Ting-hung hopes the existing poison information service can be provided round-the-clock as soon as possible to offer the public latest toxicological information and avoid unnecessary hospital admission or death.

Speaking on a radio talkshow, Dr Leung said the service, run by the Hospital Authority and Chinese University, has been offered to healthcare professionals 12 hours a day since July last year to raise their awareness of poisoning, improve their knowledge of clinical toxicology and enhance their capacity in tackling major toxicological incidents.

There are about 5,000 poisoning cases reported every year, with 60% of the cases related to drug poisoning, While most of the cases are suicidal in nature, some cases are related to improper drugs intake.

Dr Leung believes public education is the key to prevent drug poisoning. Providing the public with up-to-date information through the poison information service can help improve the situation.

He stressed people should seek medical advice before taking drugs and follow doctors' prescriptions. To strengthen poison prevention and control, Dr Leung said setting up a clinical team charged with the responsibilities to treat, train and provide poison information is planned. Analytical toxicology service will also be stepped up while toxicological training will be provided, he added.

On comments that household cleaners' labels do not offer sufficient safety-related information to enable timely medical treatment in the event of accidental poisoning, Dr Leung said his department will explore with other departments ways to require manufacturers to label products with vital information such as active ingredients and their concentrations.