香港藥學會持續專業發展課程

202611 -
Clinical Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine–Drug Co-use:
Evidence, Interactions and Risk Management

香港藥學會慈善基金

The Pharmaceutical Society Charitable Foundation

CPE talk : When East Meets West: The Benefits and Safety of Combining Chinese and Western Medicine

** 2 CPE points for Registered Pharmacists enrolled under the Pharmacist CPD program **
 

Speaker  :

Mr. KOO Hoi Lun, Alan (Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

(古鎧綸中醫師)

Biography & Qualifications:

* Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner
* Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) | Johns Hopkins University Dec 2026 (expected)
* Master of Philosophy, Bioscience Enterprise | University of Cambridge 2009
* Bachelor of Chinese Medicine & Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science (First Class Honours),   
   Hong Kong Baptist UniversityBChinMed & BSc, Biomedical Science | Hong Kong Baptist University

Lecture Synopsis

The concurrent use of traditional Chinese herbal medicines and conventional pharmaceuticals presents important medication safety challenges, particularly among older adults and patients with polypharmacy. Herb–drug interactions may involve pharmacokinetic mechanisms, including cytochrome P450 enzymes and drug transporters, or pharmacodynamic effects involving anticoagulation, cardiovascular function and glycaemic control. However, the supporting evidence varies considerably, from controlled human studies to case reports and preclinical findings. Drawing on clinical pharmacology, evidence-based medicine and Hong Kong's healthcare context, this lecture will critically examine clinically relevant interactions involving commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs, with particular emphasis on risk assessment, patient counselling, monitoring and interprofessional collaboration.

Learning Objectives 

Upon completion, participants should be able to:

1. Explain the principal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine–drug interactions.
2. Critically appraise the clinical relevance and strength of evidence supporting reported interactions.
3. Identify and assess potentially high-risk combinations involving anticoagulants, cardiovascular medicines, antidiabetic agents and immunosuppressants.
4. Apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) to medication reconciliation, clinical risk assessment, management, monitoring and patient counselling.

Lecture Outline

• Introduction and Hong Kong Clinical Context — Concurrent Chinese and Western medicine use, medication disclosure gaps and patient safety
• Mechanisms and Evidence Appraisal — CYP450, P-glycoprotein, pharmacodynamic interactions and evaluation of clinical versus preclinical evidence
• Clinical Cases and High-Risk Combinations — Warfarin/DOACs with Danshen (丹參) and other Chinese medicinal herbs; Gancao (甘草), hypokalaemia and cardiovascular medicines; Huanglian (黃連)/berberine and drug metabolism; selected interactions involving antidiabetic drugs and immunosuppressants
• Practical Risk Management for Pharmacists — Application of the JCPP Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process: Collect → Assess → Plan → Implement → Follow-up (Monitor and Evaluate); medication reconciliation, monitoring, counselling, interprofessional communication and Hong Kong adverse reaction reporting
• Interactive Case Discussion, Key Messages and Q&A 

***課程由香港藥學會慈善基金會有限公司營運***

***課程由香港藥學會慈善基金會有限公司營運***