Apart from government fees, what mandatory or necessary charges must be paid to third-party organisations when operating a pharmaceutical business in Hong Kong?

In addition to licence fees paid directly to the government, operating a pharmaceutical business in Hong Kong involves a range of compulsory or business-essential third-party costs. These mainly include: 1. “Insurance”: you must take out employees’ compensation insurance as required by the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance. Public liability and property insurance are also strongly recommended to manage risk. 2. “Annual fees for professional bodies”: if your pharmacist is a member of a professional body such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Hong Kong, an annual fee may be payable to maintain their professional membership. 3. “Waste disposal fees”: expired or non-conforming medicines must be handled by a licensed clinical waste collector, creating an ongoing operating expense. 4. “Audit and tax filing fees”: you need to engage a practising accountant to carry out the company’s annual audit and submit its tax returns.