Four nights of refined coastal gastronomy and creative collaborations will be staged from August 12-15, 2026, featuring highly acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs from Bo.lan, Andō, Maison Dunand and more.
PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Some of the deepest conversations happen over food – the kind that pull you in close and ensure you stay a little longer than planned. This August, these conversations will become even more meaningful at the “Luxury Dining Series, Across the Table” – a collection of immersive epicurean experiences unfolding across six extraordinary destinations in Asia.
One of these six destinations will be hosted from August 12-15, 2026, at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, the five-star sanctuary nestled on an idyllic island in the Andaman Sea, where some of the region’s leading Michelin-starred chefs will join hands for four nights of culinary celebrations and collaborations.
A Gathering of Gastronomic Visionaries
The Luxury Dining Series brings together visionary guest chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones from Bangkok’s iconic Bo.lan, Agustin Ferrando Balbi, chef-founder of Andō in Hong Kong, and Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, chef-founder of Maison Dunand in Bangkok, alongside mixology maestros Sudarat “Taln” Rojanavanich of Bar Us and Jane Kaew-Yod, co-founder of Lay Heritage Cocktails Space.
They will join The Naka Island, Phuket’s own highly acclaimed Chef Joseph William Talbot, Chef Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On, and Mixologist Adi Sukasta, along with culinary artists and mixologists from across the Marriott portfolio—including Pastry Chef Sylvain Constans from The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, Chef Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, and Mixologist Fransiska Siregar from The St. Regis Jakarta—for a series of mesmerizing, multi-hand dining and cocktail experiences spanning four engaging, interactive evenings.
Four Idyllic Evenings, Four Enchanting Chapters
August 12 – “The Art of Culinary Discovery & Craft Brew Experience” will be hosted by chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Joseph William Talbot at the resort’s Multi-Purpose Sala, with handcrafted pass-around bites and live stations inspired by island life, paired with Phuket’s finest craft beers.
August 13 – “The Grand Banquet: Eight-Hand Dinner” will be staged on the Beach Lawn, as chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi, Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans come together for an exceptional, wine-paired menu that showcases the essence of Phuket beneath the Andaman sky.
August 14 – “Chefs at the Table: Six-Hand Dinner” will see chefs Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Joseph William Talbot, and Sylvain Constans present an elegant wine-paired menu at Veranda, balancing Alpine precision, Mediterranean warmth, and French artistry.
August 15 – “Chefs at the Table: Eight-Hand Culinary Journey” will be a celebration of refined Thai cuisine at Aiyara, as chefs Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, Dylan Jones, Laongdao “Aong” Tohkhot, and Ratchanee “Kob” Nu-On honor the kingdom’s gastronomic heritage, with cocktail pairings by Jane Kaew-Yod.
Beyond the Table: Uncover Phuket’s Culture and Crafts
Alongside these four epicurean evenings, guests are invited to a series of experiences that will connect them with the authentic essence of the island. A Gin Distillery Tour and hands-on Gin Making Workshop, a Dye Textile Workshop rooted in local artisan techniques, and a sunset catamaran excursion along the Andaman coast will highlight the natural, cultural and culinary wonders of Phuket. Every celebration extends into the evening with a curated line-up of cocktail experiences, including a bar takeover by Bar Us and a special cocktail collaboration with The St. Regis Jakarta, bringing fresh energy and creative pairings to The Naka Island, Phuket.
The Ultimate “Experience Dining Package”
Finally, guests staying from August 12-15, 2026, can reserve the “Experience Dining Package”, which includes daily breakfast and a set dinner for two people, with each evening thoughtfully elevated to reflect the spirit of “Across The Table”.
To reserve your place at the “Luxury Dining Series“, please visit luxurydiningseries.com/phuket, and to book the “Experience Dining Package”, please click here.
For more information about The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, please connect with us via these channels:
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort are a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 130 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in 42 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
Penambahbaikan platform memperkasa usahawan dan pertumbuhan perniagaan, sambil menawarkan lebih nilai kepada pembeli
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 Julai 2026 – Shopee, platform e-dagang terbesar di Asia Tenggara dan Taiwan serta antara platform e-dagang terkemuka di Brazil, hari ini mengumumkan satu siri inisiatif pertumbuhan penjual baharu di bawah program Shopee Lindung Niaga, yang pertama kali diperkenalkan pada April 2026. Penambahbaikan terkini ini memberi tumpuan kepada membantu lebih ramai usahawan memulakan perniagaan, menyediakan sokongan tambahan bagi memberi perniagaan lebih fleksibiliti mengurus kos operasi dan mengukuhkan operasi, di samping memperluaskan keupayaan yang menyokong pertumbuhan perniagaan jangka panjang.
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“Kami memahami cabaran yang dihadapi oleh perusahaan mikro, kecil dan sederhana (PMKS) dalam landskap perniagaan yang sentiasa berkembang. Justeru, kami terus melabur dalam penyelesaian dan sokongan praktikal yang membantu perniagaan memulakan operasi, berkembang dengan yakin serta beroperasi dengan lebih cekap,” kata Ian Ho, Naib Presiden Shopee Malaysia. “Inisiatif terkini ini mencerminkan komitmen jangka panjang kami untuk memperkasa perniagaan tempatan dengan keupayaan yang diperlukan bagi mencapai pertumbuhan mampan, sambil terus menawarkan nilai dan kemudahan yang lebih baik kepada rakyat Malaysia.”
Membantu Lebih Ramai Usahawan Tempatan Memulakan Perniagaan Shopee kini memudahkan lebih ramai usahawan tempatan untuk memulakan perniagaan dalam talian melalui penambahbaikan kepada Program Penjual Baharu. Penjual yang layak akan menikmati:
Pengecualian Yuran Sokongan Platform selama 60 hari, sekali gus mengurangkan kos operasi awal bagi penjual baharu di platform.
Peningkatan had pesanan sebelum yuran komisen dikenakan, sekali gus memberi lebih fleksibiliti kepada penjual yang layak untuk membina momentum dan melabur semula dalam perniagaan mereka sebelum yuran komisen dikenakan. Manfaat ini ditingkatkan daripada 100 kepada 200 pesanan, dan tersedia selama 120 hari dari tarikh penyenaraian produk pertama atau sehingga had pesanan dicapai, yang mana terdahulu.
Penambahbaikan ini memudahkan usahawan memulakan dan mengembangkan perniagaan dalam talian, sambil memperluaskan pilihan produk untuk pembeli.
Menyokong Penjual Barangan Keperluan Harian Apabila perniagaan berkembang, pengurusan kos operasi menjadi semakin penting. Bagi menyokong pertumbuhan perniagaan dalam jangka panjang, Shopee memperkenalkan kadar komisen yang lebih rendah bagi kategori barangan keperluan harian terpilih, termasuk susu, air mineral, bijirin, roti dan telur. Senarai kategori ini akan disemak dan dikemas kini secara berterusan bagi memenuhi keperluan harian pengguna, sambil membantu penjual barangan keperluan kekal berdaya saing.
Struktur komisen baharu ini akan:
Mengurangkan kadar komisen antara 0.5% hingga 9.0% bagi lebih 60 kategori barangan keperluan harian terpilih, dengan pengurangan terbesar bagi kategori Keperluan Memasak (penambah perisa dan bahan salutan), Krimer serta Mentega & Marjerin, sekali gus membantu meningkatkan keuntungan penjual yang mengambil bahagian.
Menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan kategori barangan keperluan harian yang menikmati kadar komisen lebih rendah melebihi 120 kategori, sekali gus memberi lebih fleksibiliti kepada penjual untuk melabur semula dalam pertumbuhan perniagaan.
Membantu pembeli terus menikmati harga yang kompetitif serta akses yang lebih mudah kepada barangan keperluan harian.
Selain kadar komisen yang lebih rendah, Shopee turut membantu penjual meningkatkan peluang jualan menerusi Kempen Diskaun Barangan Keperluan Harian. Berlangsung dari 7 hingga 31 Julai, kempen ini menawarkan baucar diskaun 20% hingga 50% kepada pembeli bagi kategori barangan keperluan harian terpilih.
Membuka Lebih Banyak Peluang Pertumbuhan untuk Penjual Seiring pertumbuhan perniagaan, Shopee turut memperkenalkan beberapa inisiatif tambahan bagi membantu penjual meluaskan capaian, memperkukuh operasi dan merebut peluang pertumbuhan baharu melalui:
50% tambahan Kredit Iklan Percuma menerusi Ads Startup Booster (ASB), bagi membantu penjual yang mengambil bahagian meningkatkan kebolehlihatan produk, memperluaskan capaian kepada pelanggan serta meningkatkan penemuan produk pada peringkat awal perniagaan. Data dalaman Shopee menunjukkan penjual yang mula menggunakan Shopee Ads mencatatkan peningkatan 18% dalam jumlah paparan (impressions), 10% dalam klik, serta 25% dalam Nilai Kasar Barangan (GMV).
Pengecualian komisen untuk penjual baharu yang menyertai perkhidmatan Fulfilled by Shopee (FBS). bagi mengurangkan kos permulaan dan memudahkan penjual memanfaatkan perkhidmatan gudang serta logistik bersepadu Shopee, sekali gus membolehkan mereka memberi tumpuan kepada pertumbuhan perniagaan dan menawarkan pengalaman membeli-belah yang lebih lancar kepada pelanggan.
Secara keseluruhannya, inisiatif ini membantu perniagaan beroperasi dengan lebih cekap, sambil terus menawarkan kemudahan, kebolehpercayaan dan nilai yang lebih baik kepada jutaan rakyat Malaysia yang membeli-belah di Shopee.
“Membina sebuah platform yang kukuh memerlukan pelaburan berterusan dalam penyelesaian, keupayaan dan sokongan yang membantu perniagaan menyesuaikan diri serta berkembang mengikut keperluan mereka. Sama ada usahawan baru memulakan perniagaan dalam talian, mengembangkan operasi sedia ada atau memanfaatkan teknologi baharu untuk meningkatkan produktiviti, Shopee akan terus menyokong pertumbuhan perniagaan pada setiap peringkat, sambil menawarkan nilai dan kemudahan yang lebih baik kepada para pembeli,” tambah Ho. Hashtag: #Shopee
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Mengenai Shopee
Shopee ialah platform e-dagang terkemuka di Asia Tenggara, Taiwan dan Brazil. Shopee memacu ekosistem digital yang inklusif dan mampan dengan membantu perniagaan beralih ke platform digital serta mengembangkan kehadiran dalam talian mereka, selain memperluas akses orang ramai kepada perkhidmatan digital dan memperkasa komuniti tempatan.
Shopee menawarkan pengalaman membeli-belah yang mudah, selamat dan interaktif, dinikmati oleh jutaan pengguna setiap hari. Shopee juga merupakan penyumbang penting kepada ekonomi digital dengan komitmen kukuh untuk membantu jenama tempatan dan usahawan berkembang maju dalam e-dagang.
Shopee ialah sebahagian daripada Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), sebuah syarikat teknologi global. Misi Sea adalah untuk meningkatkan kualiti hidup pengguna dan perniagaan kecil melalui teknologi menerusi tiga perniagaan terasnya: Shopee, Garena dan Monee.
Latest platform enhancements support new entrepreneurs, strengthen business growth and deliver greater value for shoppers
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Shopee, the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and a leading e-commerce platform in Brazil, today announced a new series of seller growth initiatives under Shopee Lindung Niaga, first announced in April 2026. The latest updates to the programme focus on helping more entrepreneurs get started, providing additional support to give businesses greater flexibility to manage operating costs and strengthen operations, while expanding the capabilities that support long-term business growth.
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“We understand the challenges that MSMEs face in today’s evolving business landscape. That’s why we’re continuously investing in practical tools and support that help businesses get started, grow with confidence, and operate more efficiently,” said Ian Ho, Vice President, Shopee Malaysia. “These latest initiatives reflect our long-term commitment to empowering local businesses with the capabilities they need to build sustainable growth, while continuing to deliver greater value and convenience for Malaysians.”
Helping More Local Entrepreneurs Get Started
Shopee is making it easier for aspiring local entrepreneurs to begin selling online by enhancing its New Seller Programme. Eligible sellers will benefit from:
A 60-day Platform Support Fee waiver, reducing upfront operating costs for new local marketplace sellers.
A higher order cap before commission fees apply, giving eligible sellers more flexibility to build momentum and reinvest in their business before commission fees apply. This benefit increases from 100 to 200 orders and is available for 120 days from the first product listing or upon reaching the order cap, whichever comes first.
Together, these enhancements lower the barriers to starting an online business, enabling more entrepreneurs to build visibility, acquire customers, and establish long-term growth while expanding product choice for shoppers.
Supporting Essential Goods Sellers
As businesses grow, managing operating costs becomes increasingly important. To support business growth over time, Shopee is introducing lower commission rates across selected everyday essential categories, including milk, mineral water, cereal, bread, and eggs. This list of categories is continuously reviewed and adjusted to support daily needs, while allowing essential goods sellers to remain competitive.
The revised commission structure will:
Reduce commission rates for over 60 selected everyday essentials categories by between 0.5 and 9.0%, with the largest reductions for products in the Cooking Essentials (flavour enhancers and coatings), Creamers, and Butter & Margarine categories, helping improve profitability for participating sellers.
Bring the total number of everyday essentials categories with lower commission rates to over 120, giving sellers greater flexibility to reinvest in business growth.
Help shoppers to continue enjoying competitive prices and reliable access to everyday essentials.
Aside from lower commission rates for these everyday essentials categories, Shopee is also helping sellers increase sales opportunities through the Daily Essentials Discount Campaign. Running from 7 to 31 July, the campaign offers shoppers discount vouchers of 20% to 50% across selected daily essentials categories.
Unlocking Growth Opportunities for Sellers
As businesses continue to grow, Shopee is also introducing additional initiatives that help sellers expand their reach, strengthen operations, and capture new growth opportunities through:
50% additional Free Ads Credits through the Ads Startup Booster (ASB), to help participating sellers improve product discoverability, increase product visibility and reach more customers during the early stages of their business. Internal data show that sellers who began using Shopee Ads recorded an 18% uplift in impressions, a 10% increase in clicks, and a 25% increase in total Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
Commission waiver for new sellers joining our Fulfilled by Shopee (FBS) service. By reducing the upfront costs of adopting fulfillment services, the waiver makes it easier for sellers to leverage Shopee’s integrated warehousing and logistics capabilities, enabling them to focus on growing their businesses while delivering a more reliable shopping experience for customers.
Together, these initiatives help businesses operate more efficiently, while continuing to deliver greater convenience, reliability and value for millions of Malaysians who shop on Shopee.
“Building a strong marketplace requires continuous investment in the tools, capabilities, and support that help businesses adapt and grow as their needs evolve. Whether entrepreneurs are launching their first online business, scaling established operations or adopting new technologies to improve productivity, Shopee continues to invest in the capabilities that help businesses succeed at every stage of their growth journey, while delivering greater value and convenience for shoppers,” Ho concluded. Hashtag: #Shopee
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Shopee
Shopee is the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and is a leading e-commerce platform in Brazil. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the digital economy, with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a global technology company. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and Monee.
COSA Risk Assessment Tool Deployed Across Community Pharmacies to Identify Undiagnosed Patients
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine , the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) today announced the launch of Hong Kong’s first structured community pharmacist-led osteoporosis screening programme, built upon the validated Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA). The initiative enables trained community pharmacists to proactively identify individuals at high risk of osteoporosis — a condition that affects millions yet remains widely undiagnosed — and to facilitate timely referral to family physicians for clinical evaluation, bone mineral density assessment, and diagnosis, thereby helping hidden patients in community to receive appropriate care.
(from left) Ms Kuki Ku, a Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC) community pharmacist; Mr. Gary Kong Ching-yue, Programme Director – Primary Health Care Services, CFSC; Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong and Ms Shum, a participant of COSA screening service, support more community pharmacies and other primary healthcare platforms establish osteoporosis screening, working collaboratively to build a comprehensive bone health management network rooted in “early identification, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment.”
Despite being one of the most prevalent bone diseases in Hong Kong, osteoporosis is estimated to go undiagnosed and untreated in up to 80% of those affected, largely because the disease is asymptomatic until a fracture occurs. By embedding screening within the familiar and accessible setting of community pharmacies, this programme represents a significant step forward in closing the gap between disease burden and clinical intervention.
Osteoporosis Can Lead to Fragility Fractures with Mortality Rates Comparable to Major Cancers
Osteoporosis affects approximately 30% of women and 8% of men aged over 50 or above in Hong Kong, causing progressive deterioration of bone density that leaves patients vulnerable to fragility fractures — fractures that occur from low-impact forces such as a minor fall or even a sudden movement. These fractures carry consequences far beyond physical injury.
Research demonstrates that the one-year mortality rate following a hip fracture can exceed that of certain common cancers, including prostate and breast cancer. Local hospital data further indicate that nearly half of all patients who sustain a fragility hip fracture do not survive beyond five years. Despite these grave outcomes, public awareness remains alarmingly low: international studies suggest that fewer than one in ten at-risk individuals proactively seek a bone mineral density assessment.
Community Pharmacies as an integral part of Primary Healthcare with Pharmacists Playing a Key Role
Recognising the urgent need for a scalable, community-based approach to osteoporosis detection, community pharmacies are increasingly recognised as one of the vital platforms for screening and health education. Community pharmacies play a unique position in the primary healthcare ecosystem — they are among the most frequently visited and trusted healthcare touchpoints in daily life, offering not only medication dispensing but also accessible health consultations, disease prevention education, risk assessments, and referrals, serving as a critical component of the primary healthcare ecosystem.
Standardising the COSA Screening Process to Reach High-Risk Individuals in the Community
Since 2026, the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed has collaborated with multiple community pharmacies to introduce a standardised osteoporosis risk assessment protocol into the community, enabling specially trained community pharmacists to utilise the COSA tool to screen high-risk individuals. The assessment requires only four data points — sex, age, body weight, and prior fracture history — and can be completed within minutes during a routine pharmacy visit.
Pharmacists trained in the protocol explain results to patients immediately upon completion. Individuals identified as high-risk receive a written referral to a family physician or other healthcare professionals for further evaluation, including Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanning to confirm diagnosis. All participants, regardless of risk classification, receive bone health education, including guidance on calcium and vitamin D intake, balanced diets, appropriate weight-bearing exercise, fall prevention, and other lifestyle modifications. Studies have demonstrated that these non-pharmacological interventions independently reduce fracture incidence, offering bone protection even in the absence of drug therapy.
Promising Early Results: Approximately 60% of High-Risk Individuals Willing to Undergo Assessment
Since the programme’s launch, community pharmacists have proactively approached over 1,000 high-risk individuals — defined as men aged 70 or above, women aged 65 or above, and adults aged 50 or above with at least one additional osteoporosis risk factor — and invited them to complete the COSA assessment. Notably, approximately 60% of those approached agreed to undergo the assessment, demonstrating that community pharmacy-based osteoporosis screening is an effective means of raising public awareness of the disease and encouraging individuals to take an active role in managing their own health. Of those assessed, more than 100 individuals were identified as being at very high risk for osteoporosis and were referred to family physicians for further diagnostic workup. These findings confirm that this service model can effectively reach and identify undiagnosed high-risk individuals hidden within the community, facilitating early detection and timely intervention.
“Osteoporosis is a disease that is too often discovered only after a fracture has already occurred,” said Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, HKUMed. “By integrating COSA screening into community pharmacies, we have been able to reach a substantial number of high-risk individuals who had never previously undergone assessment. Establishing routine screening services within community pharmacies not only helps elevate public understanding of bone health but also facilitates the early identification of undiagnoised patients, promoting timely diagnosis and treatment through established referral pathways.”
Proactive Outreach by Community Pharmacies Enhances Screening Accessibility
The Diamond Hill Family Pharmacy, operated by the Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC), is among the participating sites offering osteoporosis screening and health counselling as part of this programme. “Community pharmacies are places people trust and visit regularly. This programme demonstrates precisely how community-based healthcare can extend disease prevention and health education into everyday life. We are delighted to support this clinical model that brings practical osteoporosis screening services into the community so that more high-risk individuals can receive early assessment.”said Mr Gary Kong Ching-yue, Programme Director – Primary Health Care Services, CFSC.
Ms Kuki Ku, a CFSC community pharmacist involved in the programme, highlighted a natural entry point that has proven particularly effective: many older adults visit pharmacies routinely to purchase calcium supplements or vitamin D — products directly associated with bone health. This provides pharmacists with an organic opportunity to initiate a conversation about bone health, introduce the COSA assessment, and deliver personalised guidance on nutrition and exercise to support bone density maintenance. Ms Ku recalled one particularly illustrative case: during a routine COSA screening, she identified an elderly woman as being at high risk for osteoporosis and promptly referred her to a family doctor for further evaluation, including a DXA scan. The scan revealed osteoporosis . She is currently consulting with her doctor on follow-up management to reduce further bone loss.
Ms Shum, a participant of COSA screening service in her eighties living with hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and hypercholesterolaemia, visited the pharmacy to collect a blood glucose meter. At the pharmacist’s invitation, she completed the COSA osteoporosis screening — an encounter she had not anticipated. Her results indicated a high risk for osteoporosis, and she was issued a referral letter alongside personalised advice on fracture-preventive exercise and dietary calcium intake.
Standardised Guidelines and Training Readiness Pave the Way for Expanded Osteoporosis Screening
With Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population, the number of osteoporosis patients is projected to rise continuously, with hip fracture cases potentially surging several-fold to reach 27,468 cases by 2050. To strengthen community bone health management, the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed has developed a comprehensive practice guideline for community-based osteoporosis screening services. These guidelines encompass the latest disease management information, standardised screening protocols, public education materials, and referral mechanisms, and have been officially reviewed by The Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong (OSHK).
Additionally, the Department has launched an online Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) course to provide training for pharmacists, supporting the standardised development of the service. With guidelines, training courses, and referral pathways now established, the community screening service is fully equipped for expansion. This sets the foundation for more community pharmacies to adopt the service and enables future integration into District Health Centres (DHCs) and other primary healthcare platforms, working collaboratively to build a comprehensive bone health management network rooted in “early identification, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA)
The Chinese Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm (COSA) is a risk prediction tool developed by The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, specifically tailored for the Chinese population. Unlike previous risk prediction tools, such as FRAX and OSTA, which have demonstrated biases due to ethnic differences, COSA offers greater accuracy for Chinese demographics. This algorithm assesses an individual’s risk of developing osteoporosis by posing four straightforward questions related to gender, weight, age, and fracture history, achieving an accuracy rate between 74% and 94%.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson, today announced the launch of Watsons Evergreen, as part of AS Watson’s 185th anniversary celebrations. To elevate its significance and create a consistent and credible expression across markets, Watsons partnered with the Pantone Color Institute™, the world’s leading authority on colour. Combining Watsons’ rich heritage with Pantone’s expertise, the collaboration helped define and articulate a global brand asset that captures the essence of Watsons and its vision for the future.
A Colour That Brings the Brand to Life Watsons Evergreen is a vibrant blue-green hue that symbolises everyday vitality, care and reassurance, reflecting Watsons’ purpose of helping customers LOOK GOOD, DO GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. As a distinctive visual identity, it creates a shared language that connects Watsons markets worldwide.
From Watsons’ logo and store design to merchandising displays, digital channels and Own Brand products, Watsons Evergreen has long been a familiar presence across customer touchpoints. The Watsons Evergreen campaign will roll out across 16 markets, including Asia, Europe and the Middle-East, through a series of customer and community activations, as well as a curated range of products, reinforcing the brand’s long-standing connection with customers and communities around the world.
Celebrating a Heritage of Trusted Care At the heart of the initiative is a simple belief: Watsons has always been there for customers and will continue to be for generations to come.
For 185 years, Watsons has supported customers in their everyday health needs, beauty routines and wellbeing moments, whether in-store or online. Watsons Evergreen reflects this enduring relationship, serving as a symbol of consistency, trust and care in an ever-evolving world.
Jared DeGuzman, Customer Director of Watsons International, said, “For 185 years, Watsons has helped customers feel healthier, happier and more confident in their daily lives. Watsons Evergreen captures that role in a simple yet powerful way. By partnering with Pantone, we’ve transformed our iconic brand colour into a global symbol of vitality, care and wellbeing that will connect customers across every Watsons market.”
Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute™, added, “Watsons Evergreen captures the essence of a brand that has stood the test of time while continuing to grow and evolve. It is a colour that speaks of vitality and longevity, and of a deep, lasting connection to the customers and communities Watsons has served for generations.”
As Watsons marks this milestone anniversary, Watsons Evergreen stands as both a reflection of its rich heritage and a symbol of its forward-looking vision – uniting past and future in one distinctive expression of the brand.
Hashtag: #ASWatson
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Watsons
Watsons is the leading O+O (Offline plus Online) health and beauty retailer in Asia, currently operating 8,000 stores and more than 1,500 pharmacies in 16 Asian, European and Middle-East markets.
Watsons is named as the No.1 Personal Care and Beauty retailer in Asia*, providing personalised advice and counselling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product range, making customers LOOK GOOD, DO GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. Watsons is the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson Group.
Launched in 2019, Watsons’ Asia One Pass rewards our customers with local-member privileges and enables them earn points when they shop with Watsons in ten markets in Asia including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Türkiye and the Philippines.
*Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Top 50 Brands survey with 10,000 respondentsacross 6 Asian countries
About AS Watson Group
Established in 1841, AS Watson Group is one of the world’s longest-standing and most recognised retail companies with roots in Asia. Today, the company operates over 17,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 31 markets, employing 130,000 people globally. This makes AS Watson Group the largest international health and beauty retailer in the world.
In the fiscal year 2025, AS Watson Group reported revenue of over US$26 billion. The company’s technology-enabled O+O (Offline plus Online) platforms serve over 6 billion shoppers annually, seamlessly integrating physical and digital retail experiences.
AS Watson Group supported over 180 charitable and non-profit organisations every year, dedicating over 40,000 hours of volunteer work to serve over 370,000 people in need in our operating markets.
AS Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses – ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications in over 50 countries.
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www.aswatson.com/our-company/o-and-o-strategy/
www.aswatson.com/our-company/o-and-o-strategy/