Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal - HKPJ

10/12/2025

Read or download our latest issue - Volume 32 no. 2

Driving Innovation and Collaboration in Healthcare: Insights from Regulatory Advances, Cutting-Edge Therapies, and Community Engagement

10/12/2025

Editorial
HKPharm J Volume 32, NO 2 May-Aug-2025 (2025-09-07)
https://hkpj.org/en/blog-detail.php?id=98&vol=82

This edition is packed with forward-thinking insights you won’t want to miss:

Proposal for a faster OTC drug registration pathway in Hong Kong – learning from the US & Canada to boost access, cut costs, and keep safety first (with pharmacists at the centre)
In-depth review of CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma: tisagenlecleucel vs axicabtagene ciloleucel – mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and what the latest data mean for Hong Kong patients
How community pharmacies can become game-changers in the fight to eliminate hepatitis B by 2030: screening, linkage to care, and practical recommendations for Hong Kong
Highlights from the landmark PHARM+Excellence 2025 conference – quality standards, research, interprofessional collaboration, and real strategies to elevate primary healthcare pharmacy

From regulatory reform and groundbreaking therapies to community-led public health and professional unity, this issue shows exactly how Hong Kong pharmacy is stepping up to shape tomorrow’s healthcare.
Essential reading for every pharmacist, policymaker, and healthcare stakeholder!

Driving Innovation and Collaboration in Healthcare: Insights from Regulatory Advances, Cutting-Edge Therapies, and Community Engagement

10/12/2025

Editorial
HKPJ VOL 32 NO 1 JAN-APR 2025 (2025-05-12): P.3
https://hkpj.org/en/blog-detail.php?id=84&vol=78

This edition brings you an inspiring mix of history, innovation, and the future of pharmacy in Hong Kong:

In-depth interview with Prof Joan Zuo – a true pioneer with 25+ years blending Western medicine and TCM, sharing her journey and bold vision for pharmacy education
Why healthy gums matter more than you think: exploring “free gingivae,” oral-systemic connections, and the expanding role pharmacists can play in oral health
Parkinson’s disease unpacked: current challenges with dopamine therapy, adjunctive options, and why multidisciplinary, multidisciplinary care is key to better patient outcomes
Big updates on Hong Kong’s primary care revolution – spotlight on the Jockey Club PHARM+ Project and the latest Roundtable insights on standardising and elevating community pharmacy services

These articles show how pharmacists are stepping up – from research labs to community counters – to shape a healthier Hong Kong.
Highly recommended reading for every pharmacist, student, and healthcare professional!

In this issue of the Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal, we explore several key facets of contemporary pharmacy practice, highlighting both the rich history of the profession and its dynamic evolution in response to emerging healthcare needs.

10/12/2025

Editorial
HKPJ VOL 31 NO 3 Sep-Dec 2024 (2025-01-26): P.61
https://hkpj.org/en/blog-detail.php?id=83&vol=77

Special Issue of Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal – Community Pharmacy Development in Hong Kong 🌟
We are truly exciting time for our profession!
As guest editors-in-chief, we’re proud to bring you an issue dedicated to the rapid evolution of community pharmacy and primary healthcare in Hong Kong – perfectly timed with the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, the new Primary Healthcare Commission, and upcoming strategic purchasing of community services.
Highlights you don’t want to miss:

Mr Philip Kwok’s insightful journey through the past decade of primary healthcare policy and the pharmacist’s growing role
Deep dive into the groundbreaking Jockey Club PHARM+ Community Medication Service Network Project – objectives, services, and real impact across HK
Key outcomes from the JC PHARM+ Roundtable on aligning good community pharmacy practices
HKUMed’s pioneering University Community Pharmacy – a new model for education, research, and interprofessional care
Exploration of consultation models and the development of a Hong Kong-specific hybrid approach
“Gatekeepers of Community Health” – celebrating the vital work of community pharmacies in all 18 districts (in Chinese)

The message is clear: Hong Kong pharmacists are ready, willing, and able to step up as essential pillars of primary healthcare.
Let’s keep the momentum going – share knowledge, collaborate, and shape the future together!

As the guest editors-in-chief of Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal, we are honoured to present this issue, which focuses on the significant topic of community pharmacy development in Hong Kong.

10/12/2025

New Issue of Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal is out now!
Editorial
HKPharm J Volume 31 (2), May-Aug-2024 (2024-09-23): P.35

Proud to share the latest issue focusing on two hot topics in public health: Health Supplements and Herpes Zoster Vaccines.
Highlights:

▪️ Benny Lee et al.: A clear, practical overview of health supplement regulations in Hong Kong, with handy comparison tables vs drug regulations. Essential reading as more patients turn to nutraceuticals every day.
▪️ Sam Tang et al.: Comprehensive review comparing Zostavax® and Shingrix® – efficacy, safety profiles, and real impact on patients’ quality of life. Perfect timing with shingles awareness on the rise.
Whether you’re advising patients on supplements or recommending the best shingles vaccine, these articles will sharpen your practice.

Read, share, and let us know what you think! Your feedback helps us make the Journal even better.

As the editor-in-chief of Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal, it is my privilege to present this issue, which delves into two critical aspects of public health: health supplements and vaccines. Both have a profound impact on our well-being, yet they occupy distinct regulatory landscapes and evoke diff...

21/05/2024

News & Short Communications
HKPharm J Volume 31 (1), Jan-Apr-2024 (2024-04-29): P.4-6

The Hong Kong government will publish the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Regulation 2024 on January 26th, 2024, to reinforce the sales control of codeine-containing medicines. The regulation will classify all medicines containing less than 0.2 percent of codeine as Part 1 Schedule 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations... https://hkpj.org/en/blog-detail.php?id=64&vol=75

Please visit the HKPJ website at https://hkpj.org/en/index.php

Conversations with Pharmacy Leaders in Hong Kong (2) – The Future of Pharmacy: Promoting the Roles of Pharmacists, Primary Healthcare and more

03/05/2024

Editorial
HKPharm J Volume 31 (1), Jan-Apr-2024 (2024-05-02): P.3

In this issue, we continue our journey on “Conversations with pharmacy leaders in Hong Kong”. Mr. William Chui shares his vision for the future of pharmacy, focusing on primary healthcare and hospital pharmacy. For Drugs & Therapeutics, an article titled "Overview of the drug therapy of psoriatic arthritis" presents a comprehensive review of psoriatic arthritis. On the article "Primary care pharmacy - a review of current situation and future in Hong Kong," by Stephen So et al. examined the current state of primary care pharmacy in Hong Kong and the potential avenues for future development are outlined.

Please visit the HKPJ website at https://hkpj.org/en/index.php

20/02/2024

Community pharmacies as venues for immunisation are not utilised as they should be in Hong Kong. A fully implemented pharmacy-based vaccination scheme can enhance vaccination coverage and minimise health costs. Currently, pharmacists’ role in immunisation in Hong Kong is mostly limited to stock management, cold chain assurance, and quality management within community vaccination centres. Even with training programmes in place, there is still a long way for pharmacists in Hong Kong to be authorised as independent vaccinators. With at least 13 countries already enlisting their pharmacists to contribute to immunisation in various ways, Hong Kong can take reference from their policies or programmes to devise local guidance for pharmacybased vaccination.

Review of Pharmacy-Based Vaccination in Hong Kong
Primary Care and OTC
HKPharm J Volume 30 (2), May-Aug-2023 (2023-12-27): P.54

Community pharmacies as venues for immunisation are not utilised as they should be in Hong Kong. A fully implemented pharmacy-based vaccination scheme can enhance vaccination coverage and minimise health costs. Currently, pharmacists’ role in immunisation

20/02/2024

Over the past 20 years, a rising prevalence of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been observed in Asian countries including Hong Kong. Apart from anti-TNF agents adalimumab and infliximab, some newer agents such as vedolizumab for anti-α4β7 integrin receptors, and ustekinumab for anti- interleukin (IL)-12 and anti-IL-23 are also available in Hong Kong. This review aims to summarize the four monoclonal antibodies (mABs): adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab and vedolizumab, in terms of indications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing regimen, efficacy and adverse effects. The key clinical features of the mABs in treating CD are also discussed.

Drugs & Therapeutics
Review of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
HKPharm J Volume 30 (2), May-Aug-2023 (2023-12-21): P.43-52

Over the past 20 years, a rising prevalence of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been observed in Asian countries including Hong Kong. Apart from anti-TNF agents adalimumab and infliximab, some newer agents such as vedolizumab for anti-α4β7 integrin receptors, and

20/02/2024

Exploring the Different Pathways of Pharmacy – An Interview with Dr. Ann LeungIn this interview, Dr. Ann Leung talks about her experience as a clinical pharmacist in Canada and her views on Hong Kong’s pharmacy education.

In this interview, Dr. Ann Leung talks about her experience as a clinical pharmacist in Canada and her views on Hong Kong’s pharmacy education. In addition, she shares her teaching experience at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and discusses the new Mast

20/02/2024

Over the past 20 years, a rising prevalence of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been observed in Asian countries including Hong Kong. Apart from anti-TNF agents adalimumab and infliximab, some newer agents such as vedolizumab for anti-α4β7 integrin receptors, and ustekinumab for anti- interleukin (IL)-12 and anti-IL-23 are also available in Hong Kong. This review aims to summarize the four monoclonal antibodies (mABs): adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab and vedolizumab, in terms of indications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing regimen, efficacy and adverse effects. The key clinical features of the mABs in treating CD are also discussed.

Review of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease
Drugs & Therapeutics
HKPharm J Volume 30 (2), May-Aug-2023 (2023-10-25): P.36-37

Over the past 20 years, a rising prevalence of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been observed in Asian countries including Hong Kong. Apart from anti-TNF agents adalimumab and infliximab, some newer agents such as vedolizumab for anti-α4β7 integrin receptors, and

20/02/2024

Clinical guidelines recommend the use of high-intensity statins in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Yet, most clinical trials were conducted in mainly Caucasian population. This study investigated the relationship between statin intensity (low, moderate or high potency), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment and safety outcomes within 1 year of statin therapy in Chinese ACS patients.

Safety and efficacy of high-potency statin in Chinese patients with established cardiovascular disease
Drugs & Therapeutics
HKPharm J Volume 30 (3), Sep-Dec-2023 (2024-02-19): P.70

Clinical guidelines recommend the use of high-intensity statins in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Yet, most clinical trials were conducted in mainly Caucasian population.