Professor Esther W.Y. CHAN 陳慧賢
Professor
Assistant Dean (Health Sciences Education)
- BPharm(Hons), MClinPharm, GradCertPharmEc, PhD (Monash), FSHP
Biography
Professor Chan’s research focuses on determining the safety and effectiveness of medicines, and expanding knowledge about the application of medicines using big data and innovative study designs. Professor Chan has completed several multi-centre randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing sedative and antipsychotic drugs for the management of behavioural emergencies. Her research findings have led to the inclusion of drug dosing recommendations in the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the addition of olanzapine to the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Accident and Emergency drug formulary. Findings from her latest multi-centre RCT were cited in the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Accident and Emergency Clinical Guidelines 2021 to support the use of intramuscular olanzapine in the management of acute agitation. (Click here for Press Release)
Professor Chan’s research has been published in leading journals including JAMA, JAMA Internal Medicine, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Gut and Annals of Emergency Medicine. Her research is supported by funding bodies including the RGC Early Career Scheme (2013) and National Natural Science Fund of China (NSFC) - Young Scientist Fund (2018); and awards including the Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award (12 awards between 2012-2024) and the Outstanding Young Researcher Award in 2018. In 2020, she was awarded the NSFC Excellent Young Scientist Fund. Professor Chan’s research is featured in the HKU Growing Human Capital through the Strategically Oriented Research Themes (SORT), HKU Bulletin as well as Medical Faculty News. Her adaptation of RCT research methodology in both teaching and research is featured in Teaching and Learning Connections, Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL).
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| Professor Esther Chan with collaborators and members of CSMPR | |
Professor Chan has taken on the role of Assistant Dean (Health Sciences Education) at the Teaching and Learning Sub-Deanery of LKS Faculty of Medicine. She is committed to collaborating with departments and schools across the different faculties of the university, to develop innovative and engaging health sciences education programs. Her primary focus is to work with program directors to continuously innovate and create new programs that incorporate multidisciplinary expertise. Professor Chan is passionate about integrating cutting-edge fields such computer science, artificial intelligence, and engineering into the health science curriculum. Her vision is to discover new and effective ways to communicate ideas to students and empower them to build upon these concepts using current and future technologies.
COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Chan led the set-up of the central dilution area in the Ap Lei Chau Community Vaccination Centre in the Hong Kong SAR. In collaboration with The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong (SHPHK) and the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing, she developed online training programme platforms for the Preparation of BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Preparation of Paediatric BioNTech Vaccine for healthcare professionals across Asia.
Memberships
- Pharmacy & Poisons Board of Hong Kong (PPBHK)
- Elected member, The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences
- Fellow, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA, Australia)
- Registered Pharmacist, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA, Australia)
- Registered Pharmacist, General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC, UK)
- Member, International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISOP)
- Member, The Pharmaceutical Society of Hong Kong (PSHK, Hong Kong)
- Member, International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR)
- Member, SHPA Committee of Specialty Practice (COSP): Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Honours and Awards
- Outstanding Project Team on COVID-19 Research Award, Health Research Symposium 2024, Health Bureau; 2024
- Excellent and Inclusive Practice Award, Centre of Development and Resources for Students, The University of Hong Kong; 2024
Video link: The Award Presentation Ceremony for the Excellent and Inclusive Practice Award 2024
Video link: Excellent and Inclusive Practice Award (Interview with award recipients 2023-24) - Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award (as team member), Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; 2023
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Excellent Young Scientist Fund (Hong Kong and Macau), NSFC; 2020
- Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme, The University of Hong Kong; 2020
- British Medical Association Award – First Prize in Cardiology for The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine (Third Edition) – Chapter 54.8, The European Society of Cardiology, Oxford University Press; 2019
- Outstanding Young Researcher Award, The University of Hong Kong; 2018
- Faculty Teaching Medal, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; 2018
- Best Original Paper Award, Hong Kong Medical Journal, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine; 2017
- Fellowship, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA); 2013
- DBL Hospira Young Pharmacist Award, SHPA; 2009
- Ian Scott PhD Scholarship, Australian Rotary Health; 2008-2010
Research Interests
Big Data for Medication Safety and Pharmacoeconomics
- Big data research: pharmacoepidemiology and medication safety
- Prospective clinical study design; clinical and practice-based research
- Pharmacotherapy management of communicable and non-communicable disease areas including behavioural emergencies and mental health; cardiovascular and respiratory health, gastroenterology, infectious diseases and oncology
- Pharmacoeconomics analyses; decision-analytic models, budget impact studies, willingness-to-pay
- Pharmacy practice and service development
Publications
Publications Highlights
Huang C†, Wei Y†, Yan VKC, Ye X, Kang W, Yiu HHE, Shami JJP, Cowling BJ, Tse ML, Castle DJ, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, Li X, Wan EYF, Wong CKH, Hayes JF, Chang WC, Chung AKK, Lau CS, Wong ICK*, Chan EW*. Vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection and related hospitalisation among people with substance use disorder: a matched case-control study. Lancet Psychiat. 2023 Jun;10(6):403-413. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00111-6. Epub 2023 May 1.
Impact Factor (2023): 30.8, (Rank: 2/276 Psychiatry), 5-year Impact Factor: 36.8.
Wan EYF, Yan VKC, Mok AHY, Wang B, Xu W, Cheng FWT, Lai FTT, Chui CSL, Li X, Wong CKH, Li PH, Cowling BJ, Hung IFN, Lau CS, Wong ICK, Chan EWY*. Effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A target trial emulation study. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Apr;176(4):505-514. doi: 10.7326/M22-3057. Epub 2023 Mar 14.
Impact Factor (2023): 19.6, (Rank: 8/325 Medicine, General & Internal), 5-year Impact Factor: 28.8.
Wan EYF, Mok AHY, Yan VKC, Wang B, Zhang R, Hong SN, Chui CSL, Li X, Wong CKH, Lai FTT, Tan KCB, Lau CS, Wong ICK, Chan EWY*. Vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 infection, hospitalisation, severe complications, cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus: A case control study. J Infect. 2022 Nov;85(5):e140-e144. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.08.008.
Impact Factor (2023): 14.3, (Rank: 3/132 Infectious Diseases), 5-year Impact Factor: 12.2.
Cheng FWT, Fan M, Wong CKH, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, Li X, Wan EYF, Tang SCW, Chan EWY*, Wong ICK*. The effectiveness and safety of mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) COVID-19 vaccines among individuals with chronic kidney diseases. Kidney Int. 2022 Aug 11:S0085-2538(22)00610-X. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.07.018.
Impact Factor (2023): 14.8, (Rank: 4/126 Urology & Nephrology), 5-year Impact Factor: 13.3.
Wei Y, Yan VKC, Kang W, Wong ICK, Castle DJ, Gao L, Chui CSL, Man KKC, Hayes JF, Chang WC, Chan EW*. Association of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics and Oral Antipsychotics with disease relapse, health care use, and adverse events among people with schizophrenia. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Jul 1;5(7):e2224163. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.24163.
Impact Factor (2023): 10.5, (Rank: 10/325 Medicine, general & internal), 5-year Impact Factor: 11.
Ye X, Ma T, Blais JE, Yan VKC, Kang W, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, Li X, Wan EYF, Wong CKH, Tse HF, Siu CW, Wong ICK*, Chan EW*. Association between BNT162b2 or CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccines and major adverse cardiovascular events among individuals with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res. 2022 Jun 22:cvac068. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvac068.
Impact Factor (2023): 10.2, (Rank: 12/220 Cardiac & cardiovascular systems), 5-year Impact Factor: 10.6.
This work was selected for press release by the European Society of Cardiology.
COVID vaccines are safe for patients with cardiovascular diseaseFung LWY, Zhao J, Yan VKC, Blais JE, Chan JCH, Li STH, Shami JJP, Kwan C, Yue Wei Y, Wong CKH, Li X, Chui CSL, Wan EYF, Lai FTT, Tse S, Cowling BJ, Wong ICK, Chan EW*. COVID-19 vaccination preferences of university students and staff in Hong Kong. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(5):e2212681.
DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.12681
Impact Factor (2023): 10.5, (Rank: 10/325 Medicine, General & Internal), 5-year Impact Factor: 11.
Law SWY, Lau WCY, Wong ICK, Lip GYH, Mok MT, Siu CW, Chan EW*. Sex-based differences in outcomes of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2018; 72(3): 271-282. Click to see abstract
Law SWY, Lau WCY, Wong ICK, Chan EW*. In reply: Sex-based differences in outcomes of oral anticoagulation: Does the antiplatelet therapy matter? J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 72(20): 2547-2548. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.023. Click to see abstract
Impact Factor (2023): 21.7, (Rank: 4/220 Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems), 5-year Impact Factor: 24.2.
English
(The University of Hong Kong) 19 November, 2018
Strategic partnership on medication safety using big data, The University of Hong Kong and UCL
(The University of Hong Kong) 19 November, 2018
Using big data to reduce the risk of stroke, The University of Hong Kong and UCL
Wong AYS, Wong ICK, Chui CSL, Lee EHM, Chang WC, Chen EYH, Leung WK, Chan EW*.
Association between acute neuropsychiatric events and Helicobacter pylori therapy containing Clarithromycin. JAMA Intern Med. 2016; 176(6):828-834. Click to see abstract
Impact Factor (2023): 22.5, (Rank: 7/325 Medicine, General & Internal), 5-year Impact Factor: 22.5.
This work was awarded the Faculty of Medicine Outstanding Research Output Award 2017.
Chan EW, Lau WCY, Leung WK, Mok MTC, He Y, Tong TSM, Wong ICK*. Prevention of dabigatran --related gastrointestinal bleeding with gastroprotective agents: A population-based study. Gastroenterology 2015;149(3):586-595.e3. Click to see abstract
Impact factor (2023): 25.7, (Rank 4/143; Gastroenterology & Hepatology), 5-year impact factor: 25.2.
This work was awarded the Faculty of Medicine Outstanding Research Output Award 2016.
Selected Publications
- Kang W, Huang C, Yan VKC, Wei Y, Shami JJP, Li STH, Yang Y, Ye X, Tang J, Lee SF, Lee VHF, Chan SL, El Helali A, Lam KO, Ngan RKC, Wong ICK, Chan EW*. Effectiveness and safety of continuous low-molecular-weight heparin versus switching to direct oral anticoagulants in cancer-associated venous thrombosis. Nat Commun. 2024 Jul 5;15(1):5657. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-50037-1. Click to see abstract
- Cheng FWT, Yan VKC, Wan EYF, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, Wong CKH, Li X, Chan CIY, Wang B, Tang SCW, Wong ICK, Chan EW*. Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 in CKD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024 Apr 1;19(4):418-428. doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000376. Click to see abstract
- Shami J, Yan VKC, Wei Y, Alwafi H, Blais JE, Wan E., Wong CKH, Cheung KS, Leung WK, Wong MCS, Wong ICK, Chan EW*. Low‐dose aspirin does not lower the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin. J Intern Med. 2023 Mar;293(3):371-383. doi: 10.1111/joim.13590. Click to see abstract
- Ye X, Huang C, Wei Y, Li STH, Yan VKC, Yiu KH, Tse HF, Ma T, Qin S, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, Li X, Wan EYF, Wong CKH, Wong ICK*, Chan EW*. Safety of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccines in patients with heart failure: A self-controlled case series study. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2023 Jan;30:100630. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100630. Click to see abstract
- Yan VKC, Wan EYF, Ye XX, Mok AHY, Lai FTT, Chui CSL, Li X, Wong CKH, Li PH, Ma TT, Qin S, Lau CS, Wong ICK*, Chan EW*. Waning effectiveness against COVID-19-related hospitalization, severe complications, and mortality with two to three doses of CoronaVac and BNT162b2: a case-control study. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2023 doi:10.1080/22221751.2023.2209201. Click to see abstract
- Blais JE, Wei Y, Yap KKW, Alwafi H, Ma TT, Brauer R, Lau WCY, Man KKC, Siu CW, Tan KC, Wong ICK, Wei L, Chan EW*. Trends in lipid-modifying agent use in 83 countries. Atherosclerosis, 2021 doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.05.016. Click to see abstract
- Zhao JX, Wang H, Li X, Yang H, Yan VKC, Wong KH, Guo Y, Cheung MK, Lip G, Siu CW, Tse HF, Chan EW*. Importance of attributes and willingness-to-pay for oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation in China: A discrete choice experiment. PLOS Medicine, 2021 doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003730. Click to see abstract
- Chan EW*, Lao KSJ, Lam L, Tsui MSH, Lui CT, Wong ACP, Graham CA, Cheng RCH, Chung TS, Lam HF, Ting SM, Knott JC, Taylor DMcD, Kong DCM, Leung LP, Wong ICK*. Intramuscular midazolam, olanzapine, or haloperidol for the management of acute agitation in the emergency department: a multi-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2021; (32)100751. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100751. Click to see abstract
This work led to the inclusion of olanzapine in the HA formulary at the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of Queen Mary Hospital (one of two public teaching hospitals in Hong Kong) two months following publication. The A&E of other hospital clusters in Hong Kong are in the process of submission for approval. - Lao KSJ, Zhao JX, Blais JE, Lam L, Wong ICK, Besag FMC, Chang WC, Castle DJ, Chan EW*. Antipsychotics and Risk of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Population-Based Cohort and Case-Crossover Study, CNS Drugs. 2020 Nov; (34) 11:1165-1175. doi:10.1007/s40263-020-00767-9. Click to see abstract
- Lau WCY, Douglas IJ, Wong ICK, Smeeth L, Lip GYH, Leung WK, Siu CW, Cheung BMY, Mok MTC, Chan EW*. Thromboembolic, bleeding, and mortality risks among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation treated with dual antiplatelet therapy versus oral anticoagulants: a population-based study. Heart Rhythm. 2020; 17(1): 33-40. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.07.034. Click to see abstract
Funding
Funding
Professor Chan has received funding and support from:
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – Excellent Young Scientist Fund (Hong Kong and Macau), Young Scientist Fund, China
- Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong SAR
- Narcotics Division, Security Bureau, Beat Drugs Fund Regular Funding Scheme, Hong Kong SAR
- Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), Hong Kong SAR
- National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC), Australia
Selected Grants and Funding as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator*:
| Year | Funding Scheme | Project Title | Approved Amount (HK$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | RGC General Research Fund (GRF) | Safety and effectiveness of cardiovascular drugs in the management of atrial fibrillation with mitral stenosis among Chinese patients: a real-world population-based cohort study (Reference number: 17113523) | 1,098,000 |
| 2022 | RGC General Research Fund (GRF) | Effectiveness and safety of NOACs and warfarin in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation and mitral stenosis: evidence from real-world data (Reference number 17103422) | 1,028,773 |
| 2022 | HMRF | Importance of attributes and willingness to pay for lipid-lowering agents in patients with hypercholesterolemia in Hong Kong: a discrete choice experiment (Reference number 20211921) | 1,122,040 |
| 2021 | HMRF Research on COVID-19* | HKU Optimizing Protection and Effectiveness (HOPE) of COVID-19 Vaccines: Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and protection: a population-wide epidemiology study using big data (Reference number COVID1903011) *Outstanding Project Team on COVID-19 Research Award, Health Research Symposium 2024, Health Bureau; 2024 | 12,511,372 |
| 2021 | RGC Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Novel Infectious Disease (NID) Research Exercise* | A multinational big data Covid-19 Epidemiological Study on post-infection Outcomes (ACESO) (Reference number C7154-20GF) | 9,691,060 |
| 2021 | RGC General Research Fund (GRF) | Anticoagulation strategies for cancer associated thrombosis (Reference number 17108621) | 985,412 |
| 2021 | HMRF | Understanding the preferences for low-dose aspirin use in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer among Hong Kong clinicians and residents: a discrete choice experiment (Reference number 18191851) | 797,676 |
| 2020 | NSFC – Excellent Young Scientist Fund (Hong Kong and Macau) | Optimising antipsychotic drug management in patients with mental disorders to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare resource utilisation (Project number 8202290200) | 1,376,173 |
| 2018 | NSFC – Young Scientist Fund | Preferences and willingness to pay for novel oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation in China (Approval number 71704149) | 209,841 |
| 2017 | Narcotics Division, Security Bureau, Beat Drugs Fund Regular Funding Scheme | Understanding drug abusers and their healthcare pathways: towards better management in Hong Kong (Project number BDF160052) | 2,300,115 |
| 2015 | RGC General Research Fund (GRF) | Mortality risk & death cause in patients using haloperidol compared to other antipsychotics: an 11-year real-world, population-based cohort study using big data (Project number 17111615) | 1,072,525 |
| 2014 | HMRF | Mother’s preferences and willingness to pay for human papillomavirus vaccination for their daughters: a discrete choice experiment in Hong Kong (Project number 13120652) | 378,036 |
| 2014 | RGC General Research Fund (GRF) | Pharmacoepidemiology of oral anticoagulation agents – a comparison of dabigatran, etexilate, warfarin and dual-antiplatelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (Project number 17102314) | 213,938 |
| 2013 | RGC Early Career Scheme (ECS) | Intramuscular olanzapine versus haloperidol or midazolam for the management of acute agitation in the emergency department – a multicenter randomized clinical trial (Project number 789813) | 1,411,647 |
Other Information
Selected Media and Knowledge Exchange
WARDEN of Richard Charles Lee (R. C. Lee) Hall
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Professor Esther Chan is currently the Warden of Richard Charles Lee (R. C. Lee) Hall. She has a vision to promote multiculturalism and diversity in all student activities and empower students to develop their leadership potential. (https://www.rclhall.hku.hk/about)
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Seeking full time PhD candidates and Research Assistants commencing 2024-2025
We are seeking highly driven and organised registered practitioners in nursing, pharmacy, medicine or related disciplines to conduct research in the areas of medication safety, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics. We are also seeking Research Assistants who are skilled in data analysis and interpretation, who enjoy independent work and team-based projects. Experience in working with large data sets, programming and pharmacoeconomic models will be an advantage.
For further information, please email Professor Esther Chan with your research proposal, university transcripts and CV (ewchan@hku.hk).
Undergraduate training for research exchange 2024-2025
We provide training to undergraduate students to conduct research on a variety of topics as summer research internship or international research exchange throughout the year. The training period will be a minimum of two months. Students in pharmacy, nursing, medicine or related disciplines who wish to enhance research skills or gain exposure in clinical settings are encouraged to apply. For application or enquiries, please email Professor Esther Chan with academic transcripts and CV at ewchan@hku.hk
Current Team Members and Students
- Dr. Yiu, Hei Hang Edmund (Research Assistant Professor)
- Dr. Wei, Yue Luna (Post-doctoral Fellow)
- Dr. Yan, Ka Chun Vincent (Post-doctoral Fellow)
- Zhao, Zimeng (Research Assistant)
- Jin, Yichen Olivia (Research Assistant)
- Sun, Jing Evelyn (Research Assistant)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- As primary supervisor
- Leung, Shek Ming (2024-)
- Tang, Junhan (2024-)
- Deng, Kehui (2024-)
- Lee, Jin (2023- )
- Yang, Yu Rainee (2022- )
- Li, Tung Hiu Silvia (2021- )
- Zhao, Jesse (2020- )
- Kang, Wei Faery (2020- )
- Yan, Ka Chun Vincent (2021- 2024 )
- Ye, Xuxiao Chris (2020- 2023)
- Shami, Jessica (2019-2022 )
- Wei, Luna (2019-2024 )
- Blais, Joseph (2018-2022 )
- Lao, Shi Jian Kim (2014-2018)
- Lau, Cheuk Yin Wallis (2013-2017)
- Wong, Yun Sum Angel (2013-2017)
- Chui, Sze Ling Celine (2013-2017)
- He, Ying Helen (2012-2015)
- As co-supervisor
- Zhu, Bingbing (2024-)
- Liu, Xinci (2024- )
- Jie, Mei (2024- )
- Li, Qingyun (2023- )
- Tsie, Natalie Tsz Ying (2023- )
- Lam, Ivan (2021- )
- Ng, Wai Sei, Vanessa (2019-2023)
- Gao, Le (2019-2023 )
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- As primary supervisor
- He, Haonan (2024-)
- Huang, Caige Callie (2023- )
- Wong, Kai Chung Vincent (2015-2018)
- As co-supervisor
- Wei, Cuiling (2025-)
- Cheung, Chi Lam (2023- )
- Lau, Chi Him (2023- )
Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research
Web site: CSMPR
1/F, Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research
5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
Hong Kong SAR, China
For appointments email: csmpr@hku.hk
Office
1-05G, 1/F, Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research
5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
Hong Kong SAR, China
Postal Address:
Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy
Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
02-56, 2/F Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
Hong Kong SAR, China
Email: ewchan@hku.hk
