HKCS Elderly Council, together with ten other elderly service groups, had formed an Action Group for the Elderly to express concern on the patient's choice item scheme introduced by the Hospital Authority. A survey was conducted to show that among the 958 respondents, 70% had not heard of or had little knowledge of the scheme; and 84% had no idea of the list of medicines available under the scheme that could be obtained from the hospital dispensaries.

In addition, the results revealed that over 60% of the respondents required to take long-term medications and that they were not receiving them from the Central Social Security Allowance (CSSA). In other words, their medical fees would not be waived. The Action Group expressed its concerns that if the most commonly used medicines taken by patients like those with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure were not on the authority's list, it would mean adding economic burdens to the elders and would make their lives even more challenging.

The Action Group strongly urges the government not to give up the obligation to care for the senior citizens. A letter will also be sent to the Hygiene, Welfare & Food Bureau to express such strong concern.