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In the spotlight is an initiative by PSS that features pharmacists who excel in their area of practice and have been role models for fellow pharmacists. In this issue, we feature:

Ms Ng Hui Cheng

Education credentials: Masters in Oncology, BCOP, B.Sc (Pharmacy)

Area of Interest: Clinical trials management

Years of Experience: 15 years

 

1. Describe your job scope

My job scope covers areas of clinical trial management, administrative work, patient counselling, as well as, teaching. Huge proportion of my time is spent on managing clinical trials. In the area of clinical trial management, these are some of the work that I do:

·         Checking on feasibility of clinical trials -   whether the trials are doable in our pharmacy

·         Working out budget for each clinical trial

·         Attending site initiation meetings

·         A series of logistic work to get the trial ready for recruitment

·         Providing training to pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians on trial-specific matters, such as, the protocol, and drug preparation method.

·         Handling and replying to correspondences pertaining to individual trial matters

·         Working closely with the CRCs (clinical research coordinators), PI (principal investigators), and CRAs (clinical research associates)

·         Attending the Phase I trial meetings to discuss about patients and updates.

I’m also a regular speaker at the SGGCP (Singapore Guideline for Good Clinical Practice) course which is held twice a year, as well as, at the Investigational Product Management Workshops. These platforms serve as an avenue for me to share my experience in the area of IP management with other fellow pharmacists and the rest of the clinical trial team members. I also teach at the NYP nursing post-grad diploma course yearly.

2. What would your advice be for the younger pharmacists? Especially when faced with challenges?

Stay positive. Avoid comparing self with others as this can easily lead to discontentment. Be sure to select your area of interest, otherwise one can end up working with no passion. Try to find a good mentor who can listen and provide guidance.

3. What helped/motivated you to be where you are today?

To be able to find my area of interest that helps me to sustain my work in the same institution and still my first employer. Having a good supervisor, as well as, a supporting husband are definitely driving factors to where I am today.

4. What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?

Based on my past experience over the years, the most memorable moment is probably when the Oncology Pharmacy was still rather small, with just 3 pharmacists, including myself, and 2 pharmacy technicians. The teamwork that was shown couldn’t be described in words and we had such wonderful time working together, even though we were shorthanded and busy every day.

5. Describe your career progression path.

I did my pre-reg at SGH and continued practicing as pharmacist there. Within a year I was given an opportunity to work at the oncology pharmacy and since then I've been in this field. 5 years later I started to help to handle clinical trials and later was put in-charge besides being in-charge of the oncology pharmacy. As my interest in clinical trials management grew, I decided to focus on this area and my supervisor, Ms Lita Chew, was also very supportive of this.

6. My future plan…

My future plan is to continue to develop the clinical trial service in NCC, to become renowned not only in Singapore but regionally as well. There are still many areas of growth waiting to be explored.

 

What others say about Hui Cheng

She has established the clinical trial pharmacy service very well, basically providing quality management of investigational products for all sponsored, investigator-initiated trials carried out in NCCS, to the highest standard of Singapore Good Clinical Practice Guidelines thus contributing to the assurance of safety to trial subjects and integrity of trial data of every trial. She is also strongly supportive of investigator-initiated trials which are usually under-funded, by providing the clinical trial pharmacy service either free-of-charge or at a much-reduced fee as compared to sponsored trials.

Hui Cheng is meticulous and very organized and these are characters that is highly needed as documentations and well planned workflow is essential to clinical trials.