Personalised Medicine in Practice

On 3 March 2011, a group of clinical pharmacologists, senior clinicians and scientists from the two local medical schools, Hospital Authority and Department of Health established the Hong Kong Pharmacogenetics Network with the objective of promoting collaborations in translational research, staff training and clinical practice in pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine and providing strategic advice on the optimal use of medicines and drug developments by the use of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics approach.  The Inaugural Scientific Meeting was held at the Postgraduate Education Centre of the Prince of Wales Hospital.  Dr. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, Prof. Hong-Hao Zhou, Director of Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University and Prof. Thomas Y.K. Chan, Coordinator of Hong Kong Pharmacogenetics Network and Director of Centre for Food and Drug Safety delivered the opening speech.  At the Meeting, experts from China and Hong Kong shared their insights on "Personalised Medicine in Practice" and emphasised the importance of collaborations among centres and clinicians and scientists in providing the best possible drug treatments for patients.