Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1995

1995 : A n I m p o r t a n t Y e a r in the Histor y of P h a r ma cy i n H o n g K o n g L.A. Damani Chairman, Department of Pharmacy July 1995 represents an important landmark in the history ofpharmacy and pharmacy education in Hong Kong. The first batch of 31 students from the Department of Pharmacy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong graduated in the course ofthis month. These graduates are Hong Kong's first group of prospective pharmacists who have completed their undergraduate studies locally. They are now undergoing professional internship training in major Hospital Authority pharmacy departments, and 12 students are receiving additional training in a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company. In Hong Kong, for a variety ofreasons, the public still does not have a clear understanding of what a pharmacist is, nor an appreciation of the range of services he might provide, be it in hospital pharmacies, clinics or in community (retail) pharmacies. The CUHK Department of Pharmacy and the profession in the territory are together initiating strategies to educate the public and to strive for higher standards in all areas of pharmacy practice. What is Pharmacy? Pharmacists are concerned with the safe and effective action and use of medicines in the broadest sense. Modem medicines are extremely effective and have great potential for curing disease and relieving suffering. Indeed, many of the diseases which were major killers in the past have been virtually eliminated today. The pharmacist is at the core of the scientific, medical and sociological branches of knowledge that support the rational and safe use of medicines. On a day-to-day basis, pharmacists are involved in basic research of novel chemical structures and natural products of possible medicinal value, the development ofnew dosage forms, the production of medicines, quality and safety testing, dispensation and distribution through hospital and community pharmacies, and giving advice on their use. The pharmacy profession in Hong Kong is governed by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. This body has statutory responsibility for registering all pharmacists practising in Hong Kong. It monitors the ethics and standards of practice of pharmacists and approves their education and training. The pharmacist has a professional commitment to people and to their well-being. Today, more than ever before, ministering to the health needs of Hong Kong is a team effort involving doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and others. The B.Pharm. Degree at CUHK — Areas of Focus Prof. Kenneth Raymond was appointed the founding 1995: An Important Year in the History of Pharmacy in Hong Kong 12