Having drugs dispensed by pharmacists instead of doctors' clinics will boost the professionalism and safety of medicine dispensation, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says.

Speaking after a symposium today, Dr Chow said the Government is studying the feasibility of having pharmacists, not private doctors, dispense medicine. Pharmacists dispense drugs in public and private hospitals and public clinics.

But for private clinics, he said the issue is complicated and involves a lot of discussion on convenience and cost, which is now being considered in the review.

"Patients might not like to go around the different settings to collect drugs. They might like to get the drugs from the doctors directly. But on the other hand, of course, working with the pharmacists involved in the whole dispensing process will increase the professional input of dispensing and also have a higher degree of safety."