Using Pharmacogenomics to Improve Drug Safety and Efficacy

Over 130 doctors, pharmacists and nurses attended the "2013 Joint Conference of Drug Safety Research Centres" on 16 October 2013 at the Postgraduate Education Centre of the Prince of Wales Hospital.    This Joint Conference becomes an important annual scientific meeting in Hong Kong to promote drug safety and rational use of drugs following the success of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 meetings.  The 2013 Conference was jointly organised by the Drug Safety Research Centres from Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Central South University, China, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.  At the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Thomas Y.K. Chan (left 1, front row), Director of Centre for Food and Drug Safety, Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Wing-Man Ko, BBS, JP (left 5, front row), the Secretary for Food and Health delivered the welcome remarks and opening address.  Prof. Hong-Hao Zhou (right 3, front row), Director of Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, the Central South University was the keynote speaker.  Other invited guests included Ms. Linda Woo (left 4, front row), Assistant Director (Drug), Department of Health.  The main theme of the 2013 Joint Conference was "Using Pharmacogenomics to Improve Drug Safety and Efficacy".