Track B1: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in the Community
Saturday, 27 September | 13:30–15:00 | Galleria Ballroom (Level 3)
This session explores the expanding role of pharmacists in the community. In Singapore, the Health TAG (Test, Advise, Go!) initiative highlights successful pharmacist–doctor collaboration in health screening to promote early detection and timely intervention. Trained community pharmacists have also expanded their role by administering influenza vaccinations under the Ministry of Health sandbox, thereby increasing public access to preventive care. In Hong Kong, the Primary Care Blueprint introduces measures such as hospital medication collection points within communities to strengthen primary care delivery. Collectively, these initiatives signal a shift toward more accessible community-centered healthcare and present valuable opportunities for cross-country learning.
Presentations
Community Pharmacist Influenza Vaccination Sandbox – Empowering Singapore’s Pharmacists in Providing Vaccination Service by Mr Zhi Yang NEO
Launched in October 2024, the Ministry of Health’s Community Pharmacist Influenza Vaccination Sandbox initiative seeks to expand access to influenza vaccination within the community. Aligned with Healthier SG’s vision, this initiative leverages community pharmacists to complement primary care providers in delivering patient care in the community and improving preventive health of Singaporeans.
The presentation covers key aspects of three critical pillars: regulatory standards, training and competency frameworks, and legal exemptions to enable safe and effective vaccination service delivery. This sandbox initiative not only expands the role of community pharmacists in preventive health but also provides valuable insights for collaborative team-based models for future healthcare service transformations.
From Blueprint to Action: Chain Community Pharmacy’s Response to Hong Kong’s Primary Healthcare Reform by Mr Vincent LO
In response to the growing pressures of an ageing population and rising chronic disease prevalence, the Hong Kong government released the Primary Healthcare Blueprint in December 2022. The strategy is prevention oriented and community based, aiming to improve population health, deliver coherent and comprehensive services, and establish a sustainable healthcare system. The blueprint proposes an enhanced role for community pharmacies, including support for medication compliance and new health initiatives. Watsons is actively preparing through workforce training, new health assessment services, and proactive collaborations with the government, aligning with the blueprint’s vision. These efforts are complemented by extensive community outreach and public education, delivered through multidisciplinary collaboration. Comparisons with Singapore’s Healthier SG initiative reveal shared goals and opportunities for cross-learning in chronic disease management and community engagement.
Mind Your Numbers: Reimagining Personal Health Conversations 4 Years In by Mr Alfred Zheng Ting HO, Mr Benjamin Wen Xian TAN, and Mr Axel YEOH
As preventive health takes centre stage in Singapore’s healthcare landscape, where do pharmacists fit in? This session delves into their evolving role within Health TAG (Test, Advise, Go!) – a ground-up interprofessional initiative delivering point-of-care cardiometabolic testing to the heartlands since 2022. Learn how pharmacists use personal health numbers like low-density lipoprotein and glycated haemoglobin to spark meaningful conversations about risk, and navigate the complexities of turning clinical data into actionable lifestyle changes. We also uncover the planning journey behind Health TAG, from engaging stakeholders to building clinical workflows, and reflect on the broader impact of pharmacist-led health empowerment.
Health TAG is a student-led initiative that champions early chronic disease detection and sustainable health ownership through decentralised, community-based screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol. This talk spotlights the structured circuit model, the use of a Singapore-adapted Framingham Risk Score, and the training ecosystem that equips pharmacists and volunteers to deliver consistent, scalable care. By comparing event-based outreach (e.g., Pharmacy Week) with decentralised efforts (e.g., Al Muttaqin, Wisma Geylang Serai), we examine the logistical, financial, and engagement challenges faced in different settings. Finally, we discuss how Health TAG data is shaping CADENCE planning and positioning pharmacists in community pharmacies to screen, counsel, and refer patients under Healthier SG.
Speakers
Mr Zhi Yang NEO
Senior Manager
Chief Pharmacist’s Office
Ministry of Health
Singapore
Mr Zhi Yang Neo is a Senior Manager at the Chief Pharmacist’s Office, Ministry of Health Singapore. He supports key National Pharmacy Strategy initiatives, including the Community Pharmacist Influenza Vaccination Sandbox and the National Drug Supply Resiliency, while actively shaping the future of pharmacy practice through PharmForce workstream 1: Leadership Development and workstream 2: Role & Scope of Practice. Drawing from his experience as an outpatient pharmacist at Singapore General Hospital, his professional interests encompass pharmacy practice transformation, quality improvement, and healthcare innovation, particularly in healthcare gamification.
Mr Neo was awarded the COVID-19 Commendation Medal in 2022. He received the Best Poster Presentation Award (Education Research) at the 2023 Singapore Pharmacy Congress for PRISM (PhaRmacy Interactive SiMulator). He has also received multiple Team Excellence – Innovation Quality Circles Star Awards (2021, 2022) for various quality improvement initiatives and was honoured with the QI Star of the Year – Merit Award in 2022.
Mr Vincent LO
Professional Health Services Lead/Chief Pharmacist
Professional Health Services Team
AS Watson Retail (HK) Limited
Hong Kong
Mr Vincent Lo, professional health services lead and Chief Pharmacist at Watsons Hong Kong, is a registered pharmacist and graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. With over 15 years of experience at Watsons Hong Kong, Mr Lo has played a pivotal role in advancing the organisation’s healthcare services through his leadership and expertise. In his current role, he oversees a multidisciplinary team comprising pharmacists, registered dietitians, Chinese medicine practitioners, and nutritionists. Mr Lo is also actively leading the development and implementation of innovative health initiatives aimed at enhancing service quality and patient outcomes.
Mr Alfred Zheng Ting HO
Preregistration Pharmacist
Pharmacy
Alexandra Hospital
Singapore
After taking on the role of Project Director for Health TAG (Test, Advise, Go!) in 2023, Mr Alfred Zheng Ting Ho led the health screening initiatives at Block 644 in Yio Chu Kang and the Al Muttaqin Mosque, working to bring preventive care closer to residents. With a strong interest in optimising patient care, Mr Ho focuses on addressing inefficiencies in the care pathway through practical, patient-centred solutions. His efforts at the intersection of healthcare and technology were recognised with the Outstanding Poster Award at the AI Health World Summit 2025.
Mr Benjamin Wen Xian TAN
Pharmacy Student
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Mr Benjamin Wen Xian Tan is a Year 3 Pharmacy student at the National University of Singapore with a passion for public health and health education. As the current Project Director of NUS Health TAG (Test, Advise, Go), Mr Tan leads a team in designing and executing a community outreach initiative that raises awareness on preventive health and encourages proactive lifestyle choices. His role involves strategic planning, coordination with healthcare partners, and overseeing event execution to ensure meaningful community engagement. Through this role, he has developed strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills, and remain committed to driving accessible, impact-driven health initiatives.
Mr Axel YEOH
Pharmacy Student
Department of Pharmacy
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Mr Axel Yeoh is a final-year Pharmacy student at the National University of Singapore and the past project director of Health TAG (Test, Advise, Go!), a student-led initiative focused on preventive healthcare, empowering individuals to take charge of their own health through point-of-care testing (POCT) for blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol. Axel streamlined the structured screening circuit with tailored risk counselling based on the Singapore-modified Framingham Risk Score and POCT results, trained pharmacist and student volunteers, and helped deliver over 200 personalised assessments during Pharmacy Week 2024. He has also driven efforts to make the initiative reproducible and scalable, ensuring sustainability across student cohorts. His work reflects a deep commitment to accessible, preventive healthcare.
