HKU Community Pharmacy: Revolutionizing Pharmaceutical Services
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has taken a groundbreaking step in the field of pharmaceutical services with the establishment of its community pharmacy at the medical school’s campus in Pok Fu Lam. This innovative initiative, which merges pharmaceutical services with education and research, sets it apart from traditional medical dispensaries in the city.
A New Era of Pharmacy Services
Opened in November, the HKU community pharmacy caters primarily to Queen Mary Hospital patients, as well as HKU staff and students. Offering a wide range of prescription-only medications and drugs for minor ailments, this medical facility stands out as the first teaching community pharmacy on a university campus in Hong Kong.
Jovan Wong, a third-year pharmacy student at HKU, shared his enriching experience at the community pharmacy. He highlighted the valuable soft skills he acquired through observing pharmacists interact with patients. Wong emphasized, “My biggest takeaway from [working at] the community pharmacy is actually the soft skills I acquired during my time here… I have more opportunities to have a glance of how community pharmacies operate.”
Empowering Students Through Education and Research
Professor Ian Wong, an esteemed figure in pharmacology and pharmacy at HKU’s medical faculty, shed light on the multifaceted mission of the community pharmacy. He emphasized that the facility transcends the conventional role of serving patients in need. Wong stated, “The main duties and core functions of a university are teaching, research, and knowledge transfer. Our pharmacy’s mission is also to [give] the best education to our students, and secondly, is to make use of this pharmacy to conduct research, so that we can help our patients and citizens to optimize the use of medicine. And finally, providing services is actually a knowledge transfer, so that we make use of our knowledge to treat our patients.”
Impact Beyond the Walls of the Pharmacy
The HKU community pharmacy is not merely a space for dispensing medications; it symbolizes a holistic approach to healthcare that prioritizes education, research, and community well-being. By integrating these pillars, HKU is pioneering a new era in the field of pharmaceutical services, setting a precedent for other institutions to follow suit.
In conclusion, the HKU community pharmacy stands as a beacon of innovation, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the realm of pharmacy services. As it continues to serve the community with excellence, this visionary initiative sets a new standard for the integration of education, research, and patient care in the healthcare landscape.
