The Hong Kong Association of the

Pharmaceutical Industry

Issue 1 /3 2014 Jan - Mar 2014

In This Issue

46th Annual

General Meeting

HKAPI 45th

Annual Dinner

Forum on

Patient

Empowerment

for Diabetic

Patients

2014 Policy

Address and

2014-15 Budget

IFPMA Code

Workshop:

Hands-on

Compliance

Training

HKAPI 46th Annual General Meeting (Click here for more photographs)

HKAPI’s 46th Annual General Meeting was held on 24th March with the participation of

31 Full and Affiliate members and 6 Associate member companies. After confirming

the minutes of last year’s AGM, Dr Sian Ng, President, and Ms. Kelly Lam, Vice

President delivered the Board of Directors Report for the term 2012-2014, which

highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Association in the key focus areas and

the progress we have made with the results achieved.

During the term of 2012-2014, the Board has identified through a member’s survey that

drug enlistment, drug access through subsidized programs, drug registration system,

code of practice and patent system are the key areas of focus. The HTA and

Enlistment Taskforce has been exchanging views with relevant stakeholders on the

development of HTA and ways to expedite the enlistment process. Seminars such as

PhRMA HTA Workshop and luncheons were also organized to enhance members’

understanding on HTA and the drug enlistment process.

Regarding drug safety and drug registration, HKAPI has been playing an active role in

working with the Drug Office on improving the efficiency of the drug registration system

and measures that safeguard drug quality and safety such as a code of practice for

wholesalers. From time to time, we also invited experts on various regulatory issues

such as pharmacovigilance, product quality assurance, biosimilar registration to share

with members and the health authority their experience in managing these regulatory

issues.

The HKAPI Code of Practice was revised last April and the Code of Practice Taskforce

worked on promoting the Code both internally to member companies through

members’ meetings and train the trainer workshop as well as externally to relevant

stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, patients groups and Government

departments.

First

Roundtable on

Rare Diseases

Policy in Hong

Kong

2014 CUHK

Career Fair

Editorial Board

Sabrina Chan

Jenny Wan

Contact Us

Tel: 2528-3061

Fax: 2865-6283

http://www.hkapi.hk/

info@hkapi.hk

The Board members and the Executive Director have continuously served on various

Government Bodies and Committees including the Pharmacy and Poison Board,

Business Facilitation Advisory Committee to provide our views on healthcare policies

and regulations. In the coming term, HKAPI will continue to focus our efforts on

improving drug accessibility, drug safety and working on the patient empowerment

program as well as promoting clinical trials and medical research in Hong Kong.

During the 46th Annual General Meeting, the following members were duly elected to

the Board for the term 2014-16.

President: Mrs. Rachel Frizberg (Roche)

Vice President: Dr. Sian Ng (Novartis)

Board members:

Ms. Joanne Fan (AbbVie)

Ms. Joanna Yao (Baxter)

Ms. Wyeman Tan (Eisai)

Mrs. Margaret Rumpf (GSK)

Mr. Richard Holloway (Medinova)

Ms. Geraldine Ip (Pfizer)

Ms. Kelly Lam (Sanofi-aventis)

Ms. Dora Mo (Takeda)

The HKAPI would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Board members as well

as all HKAPI member companies for their continuous support to the Association, in

particular, their participation in various Taskforces which have made tremendous

contributions to the work of the Association.

Dr. Sian Ng presented the President’s Report for

2013.

Ms. Kelly Lam talked about initiatives on drug

registration and patent system.

Ms. Sabrina Chan, HKAPI Executive Director,

chaired the 46th

AGM.

31 Full members and Affiliate members attended

the AGM and cast their votes.

Mr. Henry Wheare, Legal Advisor explained the

rules of the Board of Directors election and Mr.

Samuel Wong from BMS and Ms. Monique Lee

from Dechert were appointed as scrutineers.

Newly elected Board of Directors and our Honorary

Legal Advisor, Mr. Henry Wheare.

HKAPI 45th Annual Dinner (Click here for more photographs)

This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of the HKAPI. The HKAPI

Annual Dinner, a gala event of the industry, was held on the 15th January. The

Association was very honoured to have Professor John Leong, Chairman of the

Hospital Authority to join our celebration as the Guest of Honour and we were very

delighted by the presence of more than 250 distinguished guests including legislators,

consuls, government officials, healthcare professionals, pharmacists, scholars, friends

from patients’ organizations and HKAPI members.

The Annual Dinner started with the welcome address from Dr. Sian Ng, President of

HKAPI. In the speech, the importance of partnership and collaborations among all the

stakeholders in the delivery of high quality healthcare services was emphasized. Over

the years, the industry has been working closely with our partners in the areas of drug

innovation, drug safety, patient education as well as drug accessibility. With the

opening of the two Phase I Clinical Trials Centres in HKU and CUHK, the industry is

looking forward to more collaborations with the Government, and academic and

research institutes in the research of innovative medicines in Hong Kong. Regarding

patient education, the industry is very glad to have the opportunity to work with the

Hospital Authority, patients’ organizations on an empowerment program for diabetic

patients in Hong Kong, and our collaborations will certainly be extended to other

categories of chronic disease. On drug accessibility, we have been working closely with

the Drug Office and the Hospital Authority to improve the effectiveness of the

registration and enlistment system. The Association will continue to provide

constructive views to ensure patients have expedient and equitable access to

innovative and effective medicines.

Professor Leong, in his address, shared the three major missions that he would like to

achieve during his term of office, namely providing world-class and excellent medical

services to the Hong Kong citizens, provision of training to medical doctors and

providing a congenial environment for medical research and innovation. The Hospital

Authority appreciates the support from the industry in the implementation of various

initiatives that have enhanced the drug procurement systems and quality assurance.

More collaborative projects in areas such as clinical research, patient empowerment

program will be developed in future.

Ms. Kelly Lam, Vice President of HKAPI, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the

Association. The industry is very thankful for the support from all the stakeholders in the

healthcare sector and our joint efforts with the Hospital Authority and Patients’ Groups

in improving drug safety and accessibility as well as patient education that will continue

definitely. The community of Hong Kong and all the stakeholders can be assured of the

continued support from the pharmaceutical industry in the provision of effective and

quality healthcare services.

Following the toasting and cake cutting, we had great performance from our

partners in healthcare: Tai Chi performed by patients and a nurse in diabetes

mellitus, a cappella performed by Medi-pella, singing performance from Mr. and

Mrs. Chan Kwok Wa, Dr. Alan Ng, Dr. Tse Hung Hing, Dr. Henry Yeung, Professor

Joyce You, Dr. Joseph Lee. The enjoyable evening ended with the HKAPI Board of

Directors singing together with our guests from the Hospital Authority.

Last but not least, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism

Board for sponsoring the drumming performance, the Annual Dinner organizing

committee led by Ms. Wyeman Tan, Board of Directors and our members’ tremendous

support.

The Board of Directors welcomed Prof. John Leong,

Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Dr. Cheung

Wai-lun, Director (Cluster Services) and Ms. Margaret

Cheung, Head of Corporate Services.

Dr. Sian Ng, President of HKAPI, delivered the

welcome speech.

Our Guest of Honour, Professor Leong delivered his

speech at the 45th Anniversary Annual Dinner.

Ms. Kelly Lam, Vice President of HKAPI, delivered

the vote of thanks.

Drumming performance sponsored by the Hong Kong

Tourism Board.

Singing performed by Mr. and Mrs. Chan Kwok Wa.

Tai Chi performed by patients and a nurse in diabetes

mellitus.

A cappella performed by members of Medi-pella:

Dr. Jeff Pong, Dr. Aziz Kam, Mr. Jack Wan, Dr.

Victor Yeung and Dr. Alan Ng.

Ms. Wyeman Tan, Board of Directors and Dr. Alan Ng

singing duets.

Prof. John Leong and colleagues from the Hospital

Authority were invited on stage.

Forum on Patient Empowerment for Diabetic Patients (Click here for

more photographs)

On 18th January, 2014, the Hong Kong Alliance of Patients’ Organization, the Hospital

Authority and the HKAPI joined hands to organize a Forum on Patient Empowerment

for Diabetic Patients. The program aims to gather both local and overseas experts’

opinions on the direction and strategies for empowering diabetic patients and their

carers in the disease’s management.

Site visits to both public and private healthcare service providers of diabetic care and

patient empowerment program were arranged between 16-17th January for the

participants to understand the current services provided to diabetic patients in Hong Kong

and the empowerment programme provided by various non-government organizations.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Sophia Chan, JP., Under Secretary

for Food and Health. Government of the HKSAR, Professor John Leong, Chairman of the

Hospital Authority, Mr. SL Yuen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance of Patients'

Organizations and Dr. Sian Ng, President of HKAPI.

During the forum, overseas speakers Prof. Ruth Colagiuri, Director of Health &

Sustainability Unit, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, the University of Sydney as well as

Prof. Robert Anderson from the Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan

Medical School, shared with the audience their experience on patient empowerment and

education in Australia and the United States.

In the subsequent roundtable discussion, overseas experts, healthcare professionals,

specialist nurses in diabetes mellitus as well as representatives from non-government

organizations, patient groups, as well as pharmaceutical industry, presented and

exchanged views on strategies for the effective prevention, treatment and disease

management of diabetes in Hong Kong. The valuable recommendations and suggestions

generated from the forum will be consolidated for formulating the policy direction for

diabetic care in Hong Kong.

The HKAPI would like to thank the following member companies for supporting and

co-organizing the event.

Boehringer Ingelheim (HK) Ltd

Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Limited

Eli Lilly Asia Inc

Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson (HK) Ltd

Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) Ltd

Novartis Pharmaceuticals (HK) Ltd

sanofi-aventis Hong Kong Limited

Takeda Pharmaceuticals Hong Kong Limited

Officiating guest: Professor Sophia Chan, JP., Under

Secretary for Food and Health. Government of the

HKSAR.

Officiating guest: Professor John Leong, Chairman

of the Hospital Authority.

Officiating guest: Mr. SL Yuen, Chairman of the HK

Alliance of Patients' Organizations.

Dr. Sian Ng extended a warm welcome to all the

distinguished guests and participants of the Forum.

Prof. Robert Anderson and Prof. Ruth Colagiuri

shared their overseas experience on patient

empowerment.

Ms. Joyce Chiu of Eli Lilly, member of the program

committee, shared the industry’s experience on

diabetic patient education.

H

Ms. Kelly Lam, HKAPI Vice President delivered the

closing remarks.

Over 200 participants attended the Patient

Empowerment Forum.

2014 Policy Address and 2014-15 Budget

The Policy Address for 2014 was presented on 15th January followed by the delivery of

the Budget 2014-15 by the Financial Secretary on 26 February. The following links

provide details on the key policies and budget proposed on the public and private

healthcare services.

http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2014/eng/p71.html

http://www.budget.gov.hk/2014/eng/budget35.html

Before the formulation of the Policy Address, the Chief Secretary and the Food and

Health Bureau have invited the Association to provide our views on healthcare policy. In

our views, the government should further expedite the accessibility of new drugs in the

public healthcare system in Hong Kong through the following measures:

1. To review if the current administrative meetings and procedures other than scientific

evaluation in the drug registration process are necessary and beneficial. We believe

the drug registration process shall be based on scientific evaluation and should not

be delayed by administrative procedures.

2. Hong Kong should take reference from advanced overseas countries to develop an

effective process for introducing drugs for rare disease, including a simplified drug

registration procedure and enlistment in the HA drug formulary to enhance drug

accessibility for patients with rare diseases.

3. To extend the subsidized list of drugs in programmes such as Samaritan Fund and

Community Care Fund to cover more drug items and relax the clinical guidelines for

prescribing new and effective drugs so that patients can have effective treatment as

early as possible to increase the cure rate as well as improving their quality of life.

IFPMA Code Workshop: Hands-on Compliance Training

On 31st March, IFPMA organized the Code Workshop: Hands-on Compliance Training in

Manila. Ms. Sabrina Chan, Executive Director of HKAPI was invited to be a training

facilitator to share with the participants cases and hands-on experience in relation to

interactions with healthcare professionals. Sabrina also presented the key challenges

and achievements in healthcare promotion and communication in the subsequent Forum

on Ethical Business Practices: Fostering Integrity and Good Governance in the

Healthcare Sector.

Ms. Sabrina Chan was invited as a panel presenter at the Forum on Ethical Business Practices.

First Roundtable on Rare Diseases Policy in Hong Kong

Organized by the Hong Kong Alliance of Patients’ Organizations and supported by

various rare disease concern groups and members of HKAPI, the first Roundtable on

Rare Diseases Policy in Hong Kong was held on 27th February. The Roundtable brought

together overseas and local experts to share their views and experience in formulating a

rare disease policy. Prof. Li Ding-guo, Chairman, Rare Disease Specialty Society,

Shanghai Medical Association presented on the development of rare diseases policy in

China and the difficulties they encountered, illustrated with his experience in Shanghai.

Dr. Gu Hyun Min, Head of Information Management of Korea Orphan Drug Center,

discussed the orphan drug policy in South Korea and the role and organization of Korea

Orphan Drug Center. Dr. Lee Koon Hung, Chief Manger (Cluster Performance), Hospital

Authority shared with the audience the current system and challenges in treating public

patients with uncommon disorders.

In the second part of the event, two panel discussions were held, one from the medical

perspective and the other from the angle of patients’ suffering from rare diseases. The

panellists from the medical group, which include a pathologist, a paediatrician, a

pharmacist and clinicians, gave their views on the definition of rare diseases, how to

increase public awareness and physician knowledge on rare disease, the screening of

new-borns for rare diseases and the establishment of a database in Hong Kong.

The discussants from the patient panel include patients with rare diseases, carers,

nurse, social worker, representatives from organizations providing rehabilitation

services and special education. Patients and their carers talked about the problems they

face in the diagnosis and treatment of the rare disease, rehabilitation and voiced out the

medical, social and community support they need from the Government.

The presentations and discussions from the Roundtable has provided a lot of insights on

how to enhance the development of rare disease policy in Hong Kong.

Representatives from the supporting organizations

of the Roundtable.

Overseas and local speakers of the Roundtable.

Panel discussion from the medical perspective, led

by Prof. Lam Ching Wan, HKU (Second from the

right).

Panel discussion from patients’ perspective, led by

Mr. KP Tsang, Hong Kong Alliance of Patients’

Organizations.

HA Briefing to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Supplier

2014 CUHK Career Fair

The Career Fair of the Chinese University of Hong Kong was held on 24 January. This

year, six HKAPI members, including Baxter Healthcare Ltd, Merck Sharp & Dohme

(Asia) Ltd, Novartis Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited, Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Ltd,

Roche Hong Kong Limited, sanofi-aventis Hong Kong Limited, supported and

participated in the booth exhibition and recruitment talk. The aim of the Career Fair is

to enable students to have a more in-depth understanding of the R&D-based

pharmaceutical companies in Hong Kong through face to face meeting.

During the talk, each member company introduced the background and organization of

their company, the responsibilities and the career prospect of different job functions

such as regulatory affairs, medical, sales and marketing. The presenters also shared

with the audience how they can find the right career and plan their career path. About

80 undergraduate and postgraduate students attended the recruitment presentation

session.

Mr. Walter Yung, Sanofi-Aventis Hong Kong Ltd. Ms. Rebecca Cheng, Baxter Healthcare Ltd.

Mr. Simon Yung, Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) Ltd.

Mr. Maukee Chan, Novartis Pharmaceuticals (HK)

Ltd.

Mr. Andy Mok, Roche Hong Kong Ltd.

Ms. Eugenia Ng, Pfizer Corporation HK Ltd.

Booth exhibition of HKAPI member companies.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students

attended the recruitment presentation session.