(Photo:Nanfang Plus)

"It's more than just a better treatment, but also a financial relief," said Mr. Tian at Zhuhai's C-MER(Zhuhai) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital on March 27, who received the first injection of Brolucizumab, the first imported medicine introduced to the city under the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect".

Brolucizumab is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, an ongoing eye disease causing loss of the ability to see. It is also the first eye medication introduced to mainland cities within Greater Bay Area (GBA), since the launch of the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" at the end of 2020.

The program allows designated hospitals in mainland cities within the GBA to use drugs and medical devices approved by Hong Kong and Macao without either prior certification from the National Medical Products Administration

According to Mr. Tian he had to receive 5 or 6 injections a year in the past. With this new medicine, however, the yearly number of injections can be reduced to 3 or 4.

"Compared with the existing treatment, Brolucizumab's ability in absorbing and controlling the intraretinal fluid allows for a longer dosing interval," said the president of the hospital Dennis Lam.