News

How to use eye drops properly?

08/06/2022

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How to use eye drops properly?

08/06/2022

A lot of people traveling to Japan will purchase decently packaged eye drops. There are articles of “10 Must-Buy Japanese Eye Drops” on the internet, introducing how refreshing this is and how lubricating another is. However, have you realized that eye drops should be properly administered? Misuse of eye drops may fail to alleviate the discomfort, but instead worsen the symptoms!

There are many types of eye drops, such as antibiotic drops, pressure-lowering drops, steroid drops and artificial tear drops. They have different ingredients and serve various purposes.

  • Antibiotic drops are used to treat bacterial infections. The patient should finish a whole course according to doctor’s directions. Misuse may lead to antibiotic resistance.
  • Pressure-lowering drops are used for treating glaucoma. It can cause side effects so always follow doctor’s instructions when using it.
  • Steroid drops are used to treat inflammation. Inappropriate or long-term use may elevate the intraocular pressure and develop glaucoma.
  • Artificial tear drops are used to lubricate dry eyes and relieve discomfort. They contain no medicated ingredients. However, some drops are not preservative-free and may induce allergic reactions.

There was once an undiagnosed glaucoma patient who did not seek medical consultation but purchase and apply steroid eye drops on his own. It exacerbated the glaucoma. Therefore, if your eyes feel unwell, visit a doctor before any irreversible consequences happen.

 

[Pharma Tips] Can I take medications with beverages other than water?

08/05/2022

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[Pharma Tips] Can I take medications with beverages other than water?

08/05/2022

As an old saying goes, “Good medicine for health tastes bitter. But the truth is, the bitterness of a medicine makes it tough to swallow. When my younger self was taking pills, wild thoughts often pop up – can we take the medicines with beverages other than water, say, milk or juices?

Most pills or capsules should be taken together with water, as some drugs might interact with food or beverages. For example, some medicines should not be taken with milk. Calcium in dairy products interfere with certain medications and affects the absorption.

Other common example is grapefruit-drug interaction. No matter it is whole fruit, freshly squeezed juice or concentrate, the interaction comes in all forms and they can all inhibit an enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 in liver and impacts the drug metabolism, hence leading to a high dose of drug in blood (eg. Statins, a cholesterol lowering drug). Some other citrus fruits like Seville oranges and bergamots will also cause the same interaction.

 

Phase 1 Study Shows Synergistic Anti-tumour Efficacy of Combination of New Drug and Chemotherapy for HCC, Warranting Further Phase II/III Studies

11/04/2022

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Phase 1 Study Shows Synergistic Anti-tumour Efficacy of Combination of New Drug and Chemotherapy for HCC, Warranting Further Phase II/III Studies

11/04/2022

[Pharma Tips] How to determine the dosing interval?

06/04/2022

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[Pharma Tips] How to determine the dosing interval?

06/04/2022

Do you follow the standard intervals indicated on the drug label and take your medicines on time? Why are some drugs only taken once daily, while some need to be taken for more than 4 times a day? Some people might also think that the more medicines one takes, the faster the recovery. Is it true?

Number of doses per day is affected by a bunch of factors, one of which is the metabolic rate of a drug in human body. If the metabolic rate is fast, the daily dose would be higher so as to maintain a steady drug concentration in your body. You should follow the instuctions and take the medications on time. Never take more or less medicines than prescribed. Overdose will cause toxicity, while insufficient dosage will affect the treatment.

The dosing interval is determined by the number of daily doses. Unless specified by your doctor, the dosing interval is as follows:

  • 1 time a day: Every 24 hours and taken at the same time every day
  • 2 times a day: Every 10-12 hours
  • 3 times a day: Every 6-8 hours
  • 4 times a day: Every 4-6 hours

 

[Study Completion] Successful Completion of Clinical Study for Sancuso® skin patch

20/12/2021

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[Study Completion] Successful Completion of Clinical Study for Sancuso® skin patch

20/12/2021

[Centre News] International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN) Steering Board Meeting and Annual General Meeting 2021

18/11/2021

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[Centre News] International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN) Steering Board Meeting and Annual General Meeting 2021

18/11/2021

The ICN Annual Steering Board Meeting 2021 took place on November 16, 2021 in the form of virtual meeting and was hosted by Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU), Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, one of the steering board members. During the meeting, all steering board members made decisions on key governance items. Mr. Henry Yau, ICN Chairperson cum Managing Director of HKU-CTC and Ms. Dr med Christiane Blankenstein, ICN Vice-Chairperson cum Director of Muenchner Studienzentrum, led the discussion on the strategic plan of ICN for the incoming year, which set out a direction for the Operations Team to work on in the year to come.

The ICN Annual General Meeting 2021 was held on November 17, 2021. Three experience sharing sessions were arranged and representatives from Cambridge University Hospitals and AstraZeneca were invited to talk about patient and public involvement as well as the influences of COVID-19 on clinical trials, which are both hot topics in 2021. Enthusiastic responses were received during the Q&A session. The next ICN Steering Board Meeting and Symposium will be hosted by Muenchner Studienzentrum, Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, in October 2022.

[Centre News] “A tour to HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre” Interview by Our Hong Kong Foundation

05/11/2021

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[Centre News] “A tour to HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre” Interview by Our Hong Kong Foundation

05/11/2021

Curious about our HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre? In the episode 1 of the interview, you will have a view of the Centre, and Mr. Henry Yau, our Managing Director, will also introduce HKU’s efforts and achievements in clinical research and novel drugs development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWzwTAenZzA

In episode 2, you will know more about the strengths of Hong Kong in conducting clinical trials, as well as the challenges we need to overcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsT8brGP_F4

Phase 1 Study Proves Long-acting Formulation of Bupivacaine a Safe Means to Relieve Post-surgical Pain

29/09/2021

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Phase 1 Study Proves Long-acting Formulation of Bupivacaine a Safe Means to Relieve Post-surgical Pain

29/09/2021

[HKU-CTC PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES] Chapter 3: The Importance of Phase 1 Clinical Trials

17/09/2021

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[HKU-CTC PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES] Chapter 3: The Importance of Phase 1 Clinical Trials

17/09/2021

A new chapter of HKU-CTC Public Education Series named “The Importance of Phase 1 Clinical Trials” was posted on HKU-CTC Facebook page on September 17, 2021.

[Study News] Now News Report: Phase 1 clinical trial of HKU intranasal COVID-19 vaccine has commenced (May 15, 2021)

10/06/2021

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[Study News] Now News Report: Phase 1 clinical trial of HKU intranasal COVID-19 vaccine has commenced (May 15, 2021)

10/06/2021

Now News visited HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre earlier to produce a report on the process and progress of the phase 1 clinical trial of “VectorFlu ONE”. Here is the report by Now News (Chinese only):