Scientific Evidence Underpins Public Health Policies in Hong Kong

Scientific evidence is the foundation of all public health policies and medical advice in Hong Kong, according to the Department of Health (DH). The DH emphasizes that any link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children is still insufficiently supported by scientific evidence. As a result, pregnant women are advised to follow their doctor's recommendations and exercise caution when taking medicines during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. The DH continues to closely monitor the safety recommendations and research findings from other international health authorities and drug regulatory authorities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Department of Health (DH) emphasizes that all public health policies and medical advice must be based on scientific evidence.
• There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
• The DH advises pregnant women to follow their doctor's recommendations and exercise caution when taking medicines during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.
• Healthcare professionals will conduct professional assessments based on the mother's health condition and prescribe necessary medicines, which may include paracetamol at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
• The DH will continue to closely monitor safety recommendations and research findings from other international health authorities and drug regulatory authorities regarding the use of various medicines.
• The provision of hepatitis B vaccination to newborns has been instrumental in Hong Kong's successful progress towards realising the goal of "hepatitis B-free generation".
• The prevalence of hepatitis B among those under 35 years old has dropped below one percent, reflecting Hong Kong's successful progress towards realising the goal of "hepatitis B-free generation".

Statistics:

• 700 registered medicines in Hong Kong contain paracetamol.
• To date, no reports have been received linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism in children.
• The current hepatitis B vaccination coverage rate among pre-school children has reached 99 percent.
• The prevalence of hepatitis B among those under 35 years old has dropped below one percent.

Sources:

• Hong Kong SAR Government.
• World Health Organization (WHO).
• European Union drug regulatory authority.
• United Kingdom drug regulatory authority.
• Australian drug regulatory authority.
• Canadian drug regulatory authority.
• Population Health Survey 2020-22.