TTGassociations Publications January 2019 | Page 13

How competitive is Hong Kong’s phar-
maceutical industry?
Last year we did a survey on Hong
Kong’s clinical trial attractiveness and
identified other countries like Singa-
pore and South Korea that have already
exceeded us, so we have to catch up. For
example South Korea has a dedicated
department – the Ministry of Food and
Drug Safety – which takes a one-stop-
shop approach to attract clinical trials.
But this is not happening in Hong Kong
yet. We have to apply for approval from
ethics committees, negotiate with inves-
tigators and apply for procedures – all of
which takes a longer time.
We have submitted proposals to the
government to have a faster setup of
clinical trials in Hong Kong.
HKAPI has a close working relation-
ship with Meetings and Exhibition
Hong Kong (MEHK). How does this
partnership work?
MEHK has long been a super-connector
for and a long-term supporter of HKAPI.
We work across many facets and main-
tain a long-term partnership in elevat-
Chan (far right) spent time with her peers at HKAPI’s 50 th anniversary calebrations last April
“ HONG KONG HAS RISEN
HIGHER IN STATUS AS
A MEDICAL HUB IN
ASIA DUE TO HER HIGH
COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CODE OF PRACTICE.
HKAPI HAS LAID
DOWN STANDARDS
FOR ALL MEDICAL
CONFERENCES TO BE
HELD IN HONG KONG.”
ing Hong Kong’s profile in the world’s
pharmaceutical industry.
As MEHK extends its business net-
work through HKAPI to bring even more
pharmaceutical events to the city, HKAPI
takes on the role of city ambassador.
And when HKAPI hosts its local
events, MEHK conducts study missions
to international association meetings
and functions as a bridge to connect us
with international association partners
and event organisers for global exposure.
MEHK’s efforts include securing speaker
line-ups and opportunities for us to join
industry networking events.
When MEHK organises study missions
for association executives, I am often
invited to speak about my experiences in
running associations in Hong Kong and
in Asia-Pacific.
As well, MEHK always helps to advise
medical event organisers on compliance
with our Code of Practice.
Is HKAPI affiliated with regional as-
sociations?
We are a member of the International
Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufac-
turers and Associations (IFPMA) since
1970 as well as a member of the steering
committee of the Asia Partnership Con-
ference of Pharmaceutical Associations
(APAC) since its establishment in 2011.
Do these affiliations help HKAPI in
connecting members with global peers
or be involved in global activities?
I am myself a member of the working
group and mentor of the three-day APEC
Business Ethics for SME Forum since
2012. It’s tough from the outset as it was
a small group of trainers and therefore
required high involvement from mem-
bers. My role varied every year, working
with members and mentors and taking
on speaking, training and facilitating
responsibilities.
This year, the APEC Business Ethics
for SME Forum was held in Japan and
the theme was Promoting a Code of
Ethics – Identifying the Relevant Stake-
holders. I was a speaker at the opening
and closing Japanese sessions and was
also involved with mentor assignment
and tables. I would say this was the most
sustainable meeting I have (been part
of), and I am so happy to see our group
growing stronger with more members.
For years, we worked hard on promot-
ing the Code of Practice and were re-
warded by more Asian countries joining
us. The Philippines issued an Administra-
tive Order for the code in 2014. Recently,
Does HKAPI have a major annual con-
ference that brings international phar-
maceutical professionals together?
We seldom do but our members may
work with different associations to hold
theirs. We may also support related
conferences.
For instance, the Pharmaceutical
Society of Hong Kong will host the 2020
Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical
Associations Congress, drawing 2,200
delegates. HKAPI will definitely support
it and details of our involvement are usu-
ally announced at a later stage.
Hong Kong has risen higher in status
as a medical hub in Asia due to her high
compliance with the code of practice.
HKAPI has laid down standards for all
medical conferences held in Hong Kong.
We produce and distribute unbiased
promotional leaflets and advertisements
to prevent patients from being affected
by inaccurate, outdated or missing infor-
mation (regarding medicine). Also, we
specify that medical conferences cannot
take place in resorts where gaming op-
portunities are present.
member categories have become more
diversified, attracting law firms, device
companies, communications, researchers,
PR firms and even local big companies.
We hope they provide better services for
our members, and understand us more
through HKAPI (and the) platform (we
provide) for training and exchange of
best practices and experience.
Since HKAPI also focuses on intellec-
tual property such as patents, members
like Baker & McKenzie has helped us a
lot on law-related discussions.