Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong

Biography

Dr. Vanessa Ng is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at The University of Hong Kong. She earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy with First Class Honours and received the Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence from The University of Queensland, Australia. She subsequently obtained her PhD in Pharmacoepidemiology and completed her postdoctoral training at The University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Ng’s research centers on pharmacoepidemiology and real-world evidence, with a particular focus on the effectiveness and safety of medication use. Her work addresses critical areas such as severe mental illness, vaccine safety, and the use of medications during pregnancy.

In addition to quantitative research, Dr. Ng employs qualitative methodologies—including individual and focus group interviews—to explore the barriers and facilitators to the optimal use of medications and pharmacy services. She is currently involved in a large-scale, trust-initiated project that includes a clinical trial evaluating the impact of medication management services in community pharmacies across Hong Kong. This project also encompasses qualitative studies aimed at understanding the implementation barriers and facilitators associated with various pharmacy services in community settings.

Memberships & Editorships

Memberships:

Member, International Society of Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE)

Research Interests

Big data research: pharmacoepidemiology and medication safety
Prospective clinical study design
Psychiatric epidemiology
Pharmacy practice and service development
Qualitative research

Publications

Publication Highlights

(*=corresponding author)

Cheung CL, Yiu HHE, Chan FNK, Cho TLH, Sun JHT, Lee MT, Lee TKH, Daphne Cheung G, Law KKK, Wong JKT, Cheng FWT, Lo LKY, Yuen WHC, Yuen RPY, Chen TF, Yin Chan EW, Kei Wong IC, Ng VWS*, Wan EYF*. Translation and validation of the Pharmacy Services Questionnaire (PSQ) in a Chinese population. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2025 Jul 17;18(1):2527409. doi: 10.1080/20523211.2025.2527409. PMID: 40689042; PMCID: PMC12272660. (*co-corresponding authors)
Ng VWS, Leung MTY, Lau WCY, Chan EW, Hayes JF, Osborn DPJ, Cheung CL, Wong ICK, Man KKC. Lithium and the risk of fractures in patients with bipolar disorder: A population-based cohort study. Psychiatry Res. 2024 Sep;339:116075. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116075. Epub 2024 Jul 14. PMID: 39002502.
Ng VWS, Leung MTY, Chan EW, Lee EHM, Hayes JF, Osborn DPJ, Wing YK, Lau WCY, Man KKC, Wong ICK. Association between the mood stabilizing treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of suicide attempts: A self-controlled case series study. Psychiatry Res. 2023 Jul;325:115236. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115236. Epub 2023 May 7. PMID: 37172400.
Wan EYF#, Ng VWS#, Chang RS, Yan VKC, Chui CSL, Wong CKH, Li X, Lai FTT, Chan EWY, Hung IFN, Lau KK, Wong ICK. Association between the risk of seizure and COVID-19 vaccinations: A self-controlled case-series study. Epilepsia. 2022 Oct 13. doi: 10.1111/epi.17436. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36226469. (#Co-first author)
Ng VWS, Gao L, Chan EW, Lee HME, Hayes JF, Osborn DPJ, Rainer TH, Man KKC, Wong ICK. Association between the pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of traumatic injuries: a self-controlled case series study. Psychol Med. 2022 Jul 22:1-9. doi: 10.1017/S0033291722002215. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35866370.
Ng VWS, Man KKC, Gao L, Chan EW, Lee EHM, Hayes JF, Wong ICK. Bipolar disorder prevalence and psychotropic medication utilisation in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2021 Nov;30(11):1588-1600. doi: 10.1002/pds.5318. Epub 2021 Jul 8. PMID: 34180569; PMCID: PMC7613092.
This study was awarded as the top downloaded article in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety in 2021.
Ng VWS, Siu CW, Chiu PKC, Kng CPL, Jamieson E, Wong ICK, Lam MPS. Survey of Physicians’ Perceptions on the Use of Oral Anticoagulants Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal. 2021 Sept; 28(3):99-107
Liu AHY#, Ng VWS#, Wong ICK, Lam MPS. Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation – A Review of International Clinical Guidelines. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Journal. 2021 Jan; 28(1):23-26. (#co-first author)
Ng VWS, Siu CW, Chiu PKC, Kng CPL, Jamieson E, Wong ICK, Lam MPS. Understanding the barriers to using oral anticoagulants among long-term aspirin users with atrial fibrillation - a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Nov 25;20(1):1084. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05947-3. PMID: 33238989; PMCID: PMC7691100.

Selected Publications

Wei Y, Yan VKC, Castle DJ, Huang C, Deng EK, Leung SM, Yiu HHE, Lee KJ, Lui SSY, Ng VWS, Hayes JF, Lai FTT, Wang H, Yan EWC, Chan EW. Disease relapse, all-cause mortality, and adverse events associated with long-acting injectable antipsychotics versus oral antipsychotics in older people with schizophrenia in Hong Kong: a population-based within-subject analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2025 Nov;12(11):830-840. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00268-8. Epub 2025 Sep 30. PMID: 41043453.
Wei C, Ng VWS, Wei Y, Chan JKN, Hu Y, Liu W, Zhou L, Liu B, Sun Q, Tian W, Song S, Chang WC, Chan EWY, Lai FTT. Examining valproate's potential anticancer effect among patients with bipolar disorder: a territory-wide active-comparator new user study spanning two decades. BMC Psychiatry. 2025 Nov 14;25(1):1148. doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-07622-5. PMID: 41257750; PMCID: PMC12709764.
Wittström F, Cesta CE, Bateman BT, Bendix M, Bliddal M, Chan AYL, Cho Y, Choi EY, Cohen JM, Donald S, Gissler M, Havard A, Hernandez-Diaz S, Huybrechts KF, Kollhorst B, Lai EC, Leinonen MK, Li BMH, Man KKC, Ng VWS, Parkin L, Pazzagli L, Rasmussen L, Rotem RS, Schink T, Shin JY, Tran DT, Wong ICK, Zoega H, Reutfors J. Lithium Use During Pregnancy in 14 Countries. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Dec 2;7(12):e2451117. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.51117. PMID: 39680408; PMCID: PMC11650410.
Wan EYF, Chui CSL, Ng VWS, Wang Y, Yan VKC, Lam ICH, Fan M, Lai FTT, Chan EWY, Li X, Wong CKH, Chung RKC, Cowling BJ, Fong WC, Lau AYL, Mok VCT, Chan FLF, Lee CK, Chan LST, Lo D, Lau KK, Hung IFN, Lau CS, Leung GM, Wong ICK. Messenger RNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination With BNT162b2 Increased Risk of Bell's Palsy: A Nested Case-Control and Self-Controlled Case Series Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Feb 8;76(3):e291-e298. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac460. PMID: 35675702; PMCID: PMC9278169.
Wan EYF, Chui CSL, Wang Y, Ng VWS, Yan VKC, Lai FTT, Li X, Wong CKH, Chan EWY, Wong CSM, Leung KSM, Ni MY, Valkenburg SA, Peiris JSM, Wu JTK, Cowling BJ, Ashcroft DM, Hung IFN, Leung GM, Wong ICK. Herpes zoster related hospitalization after inactivated (CoronaVac) and mRNA (BNT162b2) SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A self-controlled case series and nested case-control study. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2022 Apr;21:100393. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100393. Epub 2022 Feb 2. PMID: 35128500; PMCID: PMC8808060.
Li X, Pathadka S, Man KKC, Ng VWS, Siu CW, Wong ICK, Chan EW, Lau WCY. Comparative Outcomes Between Direct Oral Anticoagulants, Warfarin, and Antiplatelet Monotherapy Among Chinese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Drug Saf. 2020 Oct;43(10):1023-1033. doi: 10.1007/s40264-020-00961-0. PMID: 32557348.
Leung TYM, Chan AYL, Chan EW, Chan VKY, Chui CSL, Cowling BJ, Gao L, Ge MQ, Hung IFN, Ip MSM, Ip P, Lau KK, Lau CS, Lau LKW, Leung WK, Li X, Luo H, Man KKC, Ng VWS, Siu CW, Wan EYF, Wing YK, Wong CSM, Wong KHT, Wong ICK. Short- and potential long-term adverse health outcomes of COVID-19: a rapid review. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020 Dec;9(1):2190-2199. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1825914. PMID: 32940572; PMCID: PMC7586446.

Others

Selected media releases and communications

Seeking research assistants

We are seeking highly motivated graduate students for research in the areas of medication safety, pharmacoepidemiology, epidemiology, public health and health intervention/service using big data cohort. Candidates with a background in health-related science, epidemiology, statistics, and/or engineering may have an advantage. Interested candidates can email Dr. Ng (vanwsng@hku.hk) for further discussion.