New measures to ensure milk supply for Hong Kong mothers
Manufacturers unveil a system to guarantee local parents six tins of baby formula a month
Manufacturers and pharmacies have announced joint measures to guarantee local mothers six tins of infant milk formula a month, a move they hope will prompt the government to drop its export curbs.
Under the scheme, up to six coupons will be issued each month by seven major brands to local parents who sign up for a membership programme.
These coupons can be used to buy formula from designated pharmacies.
"I am confident that the measures will be sufficient to ensure a stable supply - even during the 'golden week' national holiday that starts on May 1," one proponent, Liberal Party lawmaker Vincent Fang Kang, said in announcing the scheme yesterday.
I am confident that the measures will be sufficient to ensure a stable supply - even during the 'golden week' national holiday that starts on May 1
Some retailers said their business had dropped 30 per cent since a limit of two cans of formula per departing traveller was imposed in an effort to ease shortages caused by mainland traders buying the powder to resell at higher prices.
The seven main formula brands agreed to supply an additional 1.1 million cans of formula each month, while 69 pharmacies that joined the scheme agreed to keep a box of 12 tins in reserve for coupon users.
