In Hong Kong, whether you wholesale medicines for human use or veterinary drugs, you need to apply for a wholesale dealer licence issued by the Department of Health. The licence application process and the basic requirements for storage and the QMS are the same. However, the key difference is that you must demonstrate your ability to handle the specific requirements of veterinary drugs. For example, your staff need basic knowledge of veterinary medicines and must be able to understand the information on their labels. Your records system must be able to trace whether medicines were sold to veterinary clinics or ordinary pharmacies. In addition, if the veterinary drugs you wholesale contain antibiotics or certain controlled ingredients, you must also apply for additional permits, such as an antibiotic permit.
HONG KONG DRUG LICENSING
What is the difference between applying for a licence to wholesale veterinary medicines and one to wholesale medicines for human use?
A complete explanation of the regulatory basis, Drew Tang’s recommendations and risk alerts. The original material dates from 2025; read it alongside the latest official requirements.
Original guide, 2025 edition: These FAQs are provided for topic-based reference and have not all been individually checked against current rules. Please confirm fees, personnel, renewal, changes and product requirements against the professional in-depth guide for the relevant licence type and the official requirements in force at the time.
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