2026-01-08 於2026月01月08日

Embracing Transformation in Pharmacy: From Community Engagement to Artificial Intelligence

Welcome to this issue of the Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal, which arrives at a pivotal moment of transformation for our profession. As we look toward the future, the articles in this edition highlight a common theme: the necessity of evolution—whether through the integration of advanced technologies, the refinement of primary healthcare services, or the continuous pursuit of clinical excellence.

Our feature interview in the "Pharmacy Education & Practice" section introduces us to Ms. Anita Chan, a pharmacist who has "blazed a nontraditional trail". Her journey—from frontline patient care in the U.S. to founding the innovative Pharm+ outpatient service at St. James' Settlement and leading executive roles in the pharmaceutical industry—serves as a powerful testament to professional adaptability. Ms. Chan’s leadership philosophy of being "like water" reminds us that while our settings may change, our foundational commitment to patient care remains the constant that drives our success.

The shift toward a more robust primary healthcare system in Hong Kong is further explored through a district-based survey and public forum conducted by the Sha Tin District Health Centre Express. These articles reveal critical insights into the medication management challenges faced by our citizens and the significant gap between the public’s awareness of community pharmacy services and their actual needs. As the government prepares to launch the Community Pharmacy Programme, these findings underscore the urgent need for pharmacists to actively bridge this gap through enhanced public engagement and evidence-based practice.

In addition, this issue features a narrative review that delves into the evolving science of probiotics. Shifting the focus beyond localized gut health, the authors explore how these microorganisms exert systemic effects throughout the human body. This comprehensive overview equips pharmacists with a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential and clinical applications of probiotics across a diverse range of health conditions.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, we also delve into the next evolution of the pharmaceutical industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our exploration of Transformers and Large Language Model (LLM) agents provides a timely guide for Hong Kong pharmacists to understand how these autonomous tools can revolutionize regulatory submissions, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder communication. While AI offers unprecedented efficiency, we are reminded that human critical judgment and specialized AI literacy are non-negotiable for ensuring patient safety.

This issue also keeps our readers at the cutting edge of therapeutic developments. Our "News & Short Communications" section summarizes landmark clinical trials, including the superior outcomes of ibrutinib-venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and the survival benefits of amivantamab-lazertinib in EGFR-mutated lung cancer.

Together, these contributions reflect a profession that is not only responding to change but actively shaping it. By blending innovative service models with cutting-edge technology and rigorous clinical evidence, we continue to elevate the role of the pharmacist as an indispensable leader in the healthcare ecosystem.

We hope this issue inspires you to remain curious, embrace new tools and stay passionate about the meaningful impact we make in the lives of our patients.

May PS Lam

Editor-in-Chief

January 2026