Do I need to apply for any licence if I only want to promote or display unregistered medicines temporarily at a Hong Kong exhibition?

This is a practical question, but the answer may be counter-intuitive: no. A pharmaceutical products wholesaler licence in Hong Kong is an “all-purpose” authorisation, and its application criteria and approval process do not fundamentally differ according to the types, risk levels or quantities of pharmaceutical products you intend to handle. Whether you plan to wholesale a range of high-risk prescription medicines or just one low-risk over-the-counter medicine, such as a vitamin supplement, you must meet all the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for Wholesale Dealers. This means that you still need to lease compliant premises, appoint a qualified Person-in-Charge, establish a complete Quality Management System (QMS) with SOPs, and pass a rigorous on-site inspection. The regulatory authorities’ rationale is that a licence confers a capability and qualification; once licensed, you could theoretically expand your product range, so you must meet the highest standards for managing all types of pharmaceutical products from the outset.