Breakthrough in the Primary Care Services for Pharmacists in Hong Kong

Mary Catherine Cheng



Editorial
HKPharm J Volume 30 (2), May-Aug-2023 (2023-10-25): P.35

I have just completed the 6 months’  Certificate  Course in Primary Healthcare for Pharmacists offered by HKU Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy. It is a comprehensive course with Module 1 covering the social determinants of health, health equity and medical social collaboration, the services offered by some of the District Health Centres based on a multi-disciplinary team, transdisciplinary and family healthcare management approach, health screening and assessment, telehealth and use of technology. After completion of Module 1, an on line tests consisting of multiple choice questions must be completed. Module 2 consists of pre-recorded on line lectures of different chronic diseases and the pharmacotherapies. The topics covered include management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stable angina, atrial fibrillation and use of anticoagulants; the management of osteoporosis and fall, asthma and COPD, diabetes mellitus; pharmacotherapy in special population including renal and hepatic impairment, pregnancy and breastfeeding, paediatric, geriatrics, men’s and women’ health and lifestyle medicines. The most update guidelines of USA, Europe and Hong Kong are taught and referred to. After that there were 2 clinical case studies with 1 week for preparation and then zoom on line assessments with a passing mark of 70%.

 

Module 3 consists of health-related issues and advice such as evidence-based medicine, history taking and medication reconciliation and motivational interviewing. Module 4 consists of Basic life support with assessment, smoking cessation online lectures and workshop with oral assessment and Immunization training for pharmacists with assessment. Finally, everyone has to attend an oral assessment on a clinical case. You are given 10 minutes to look up information on line and then 10 minutes for presentation in which you have to identify 2 most significant drug-related problems, suggest solutions to the problems and to provide appropriate counselling to the patient based on the provided solutions.

 

Based on the topics covered and the assessments required, I am confident that the pharmacists will be equipped with the update knowledge to provide medication counselling, conduct medication review, medication reconciliation, smoking cessation services and provide immunization services in the District Health Centres and Community Pharmacies. Moreover, it is envisaged that the pharmacists who have taking the certificate course can have their names entered into the Primary Care Register of Pharmacists and eligible for payment of services by the Government in the near future.

 

In this issue on page 38, “Exploring the Different Pathways of Pharmacy –An Interview with Dr. Ann Leung” written by CHAN, Stephanie Nok Yan; CHONG, Donald Wing-Kit, 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 and discusses the new Master of Advanced Pharmacy program, which consists of four streams through which students can tailor their course selection and experience depending on their professional needs.

 

The article on page 42, “Review of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease” written by AU-DOUNG, Phillip Lung Wai; CHAN, Jason Chi Hin; CHENG, Andrew Foon Yu; LAU, Anna Pak Yan; LEE, Dawn Kei Yan; WU, Jason Tsun Sing, SUN, Wai Yan Kiwi 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 Crohn’s disease are also discussed.

 

The article on page 54, “ Review of Pharmacy-Based Vaccination in Hong Kong” written by  CHAN, Philip Pana; LI, Johnny Chun-Wing; WONG, Janet Kit-Ting  pointed out that in overseas healthcare systems, the high accessibility of community pharmacies and community pharmacists can promote immunization rates. In Hong Kong, despite recent advancement in the training pathway for pharmacist-led vaccination, the territory-wide implementation of pharmacy-based vaccination still faces crucial barriers with regard to vaccine access, expectation of pharmacists’ roles and the difficulties for community pharmacies to fulfil infrastructure-related requirements. Overcoming these obstacles requires a constant supply of trained pharmacists, widespread distribution of vaccination-ready pharmacies, and potential updates in legislation or policies.  Continuing collaborations and engagement among healthcare providers, academia, professional bodies, pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities will undoubtedly accelerate the introduction of pharmacy-based vaccination in Hong Kong.

 

I hope you enjoy reading the articles and look forward to your comments and active participation in submission of articles.

 

 

 

Mary Catherine Cheng

Managing Editor

17 September 2023


2023-10-25 於2021月03月11日

I have just completed the 6 months’  Certificate  Course in Primary Healthcare for Pharmacists offered by HKU Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy. It is a comprehensive course with Module 1 covering the social determinants of health, health equity and medical social collaboration, the services offered by some of the District Health Centres based on a multi-disciplinary team, transdisciplinary and family healthcare management approach, health screening and assessment, telehealth and use of technology. After completion of Module 1, an on line tests consisting of multiple choice questions must be completed. Module 2 consists of pre-recorded on line lectures of different chronic diseases and the pharmacotherapies. The topics covered include management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stable angina, atrial fibrillation and use of anticoagulants; the management of osteoporosis and fall, asthma and COPD, diabetes mellitus; pharmacotherapy in special population including renal and hepatic impairment, pregnancy and breastfeeding, paediatric, geriatrics, men’s and women’ health and lifestyle medicines. The most update guidelines of USA, Europe and Hong Kong are taught and referred to. After that there were 2 clinical case studies with 1 week for preparation and then zoom on line assessments with a passing mark of 70%.

 

Module 3 consists of health-related issues and advice such as evidence-based medicine, history taking and medication reconciliation and motivational interviewing. Module 4 consists of Basic life support with assessment, smoking cessation online lectures and workshop with oral assessment and Immunization training for pharmacists with assessment. Finally, everyone has to attend an oral assessment on a clinical case. You are given 10 minutes to look up information on line and then 10 minutes for presentation in which you have to identify 2 most significant drug-related problems, suggest solutions to the problems and to provide appropriate counselling to the patient based on the provided solutions.

 

Based on the topics covered and the assessments required, I am confident that the pharmacists will be equipped with the update knowledge to provide medication counselling, conduct medication review, medication reconciliation, smoking cessation services and provide immunization services in the District Health Centres and Community Pharmacies. Moreover, it is envisaged that the pharmacists who have taking the certificate course can have their names entered into the Primary Care Register of Pharmacists and eligible for payment of services by the Government in the near future.

 

In this issue on page 38, “Exploring the Different Pathways of Pharmacy –An Interview with Dr. Ann Leung” written by CHAN, Stephanie Nok Yan; CHONG, Donald Wing-Kit, 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 and discusses the new Master of Advanced Pharmacy program, which consists of four streams through which students can tailor their course selection and experience depending on their professional needs.

 

The article on page 42, “Review of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease” written by AU-DOUNG, Phillip Lung Wai; CHAN, Jason Chi Hin; CHENG, Andrew Foon Yu; LAU, Anna Pak Yan; LEE, Dawn Kei Yan; WU, Jason Tsun Sing, SUN, Wai Yan Kiwi 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 Crohn’s disease are also discussed.

 

The article on page 54, “ Review of Pharmacy-Based Vaccination in Hong Kong” written by  CHAN, Philip Pana; LI, Johnny Chun-Wing; WONG, Janet Kit-Ting  pointed out that in overseas healthcare systems, the high accessibility of community pharmacies and community pharmacists can promote immunization rates. In Hong Kong, despite recent advancement in the training pathway for pharmacist-led vaccination, the territory-wide implementation of pharmacy-based vaccination still faces crucial barriers with regard to vaccine access, expectation of pharmacists’ roles and the difficulties for community pharmacies to fulfil infrastructure-related requirements. Overcoming these obstacles requires a constant supply of trained pharmacists, widespread distribution of vaccination-ready pharmacies, and potential updates in legislation or policies.  Continuing collaborations and engagement among healthcare providers, academia, professional bodies, pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities will undoubtedly accelerate the introduction of pharmacy-based vaccination in Hong Kong.

 

I hope you enjoy reading the articles and look forward to your comments and active participation in submission of articles.

 

 

 

Mary Catherine Cheng

Managing Editor

17 September 2023

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