Overdose 2020

Overdose ‘20

The MPSA 2019/2020 Executive Team

Emma Theuma

President

Yasmine Fenech

Vice-President and KPS

Hannah Caruana

Martina Fitzgerald

Mariah Vella

Philippa Galea Salomone

Leisure Officer

Financial Officer

Public Relations Officer

Health Campaigns and Sponsorships Officer

Stephanie Formosa

Academics and Publications Officer

Sophie Caruana

International Officer 2

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Emma Theuma - MPSA President 2019/2020

Thoughts From Our President

The value of higher education is sorely underestimated by those who consider University only as a platform to increase one’s knowledge in a given field.

Higher education teaches students to increase leadership, service and employability skills (Colelli et al., 2019), skills which are fortified through the work of student organisations.

Working with student organisations has been proven to benefit students’ advancement through a myriad of approaches predominantly by cultivating professionalism through effectively developing communication, leadership and collaboration skills among students (Association for Career and Technical Education, 2011), as well as teaching students to apply academics in the context of real world situations. Such soft skills have been established as necessary values which one must possess before entering the workforce in the 21st century (Collelli et al., 2019).

My time with MPSA has been an unforgettable experience. Apart from granting me unique opportunities, such as organising both educational and leisure events and attending overseas assemblies with my peers, I have also been able to develop skills such as leadership and communication which have already proven invaluable in my life outside the organisation.

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References - Association for Career and Technical Education . Expanding Career Readiness Through Career and Technical Student Organisations: Association of Career and Technical Education; 2011.

- Colelli R, Harrison H, Ernst JV, Clark AC, Kelly DP, DeLuca VW. Student organizations. Technology and Engineering Teacher. 2019; 78(7): 33-35.

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Professor Lilian M Azzopardi

Professor and Head of Department of Pharmacy University of Malta President, European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy

Outward mindset to innovate for pharmacy

The book, The Outward Mindset, by The Arbinger Institute, starts off by encouraging the reader to think of people in one’s life who had the most positive influence, persons who inspire us to do our best, and acquaintances most respected, as a reflective exercise on how we engage with others. By developing an outward mindset, individuals start thinking beyond themselves and become more effective when faced with out-dated and inefficient systems or procedures. In an outward mindset approach, perspectives shift from narrow-focus to creativity, collaboration is championed, and evolvements and innovation are supported.

Within the Department of Pharmacy of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta, one of the characteristics is the fostering of elements of networking within the Department, the faculty and the University, with national, European and international stakeholders and engaging with society.

Students are exposed to independent teaching models that sustain them to emerge from a dependent-learning model and embrace opinions of other stakeholders, undertake practice research and contribute to creativity and innovation within the profession. This is achieved through placements and the pharmacy practice project. Undergraduate and post-graduate students participate in a diversity of academic-led hands-on placements in Malta, in 5

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Europe and in the United States. The Pharmacy Practice project carried out by all pharmacy students provides the students with the opportunity to develop research skills and participate in research projects that have a relevant and direct contribution to the evolvement of pharmaceutical processes, procedures and processes in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical administration, hospital and community pharmacy settings.

These innovative teaching models have been evolving as part of the pharmacy course over the past 30 years and contributed to competences of pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists in Malta to demonstrate an outward mindset.

The empowerment of the local pharmaceutical workforce has led to rapid and major developments that have taken place over the years in pharmacy in Malta.

The establishment of clinical pharmacy education and practice in Malta, goes back to the early 1970s. This means that our Department of Pharmacy is a pioneer of pharmacy practice education in Europe and nowadays is recognized for excellence at undergraduate and post-graduate patient-focused, relevant pharmacy education. The dynamics of creativity and evolvement in the evolvement of clinical pharmacy practice in our hospital and community pharmacy settings reflect the ability of graduates of the Department of Pharmacy to apply the outward mindset within the profession. Remarkable achievements have been witnessed in the area of pharmaceutical regulatory sciences. The Malta Medicines Authority, where the human resource capacity relies on a large number of pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists, has over the past years developed into a leading competent authority for evaluating innovative drugs for use in Europe and for conducting third country inspections at EU and US-FDA level. Within the pharmaceutical industry there are a number of success stories that cover manufacturing, batch release, pharmacovigilance for medicinal products and medical devices. Now we are witnessing the implementation of a robust framework to sustain the evolvement of the industry for cannabis for medicinal use. Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists were instrumental in these developments and this was possible due to a collective outward mindset.

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I am proud to be surrounded by an enthusiastic and vibrant student body who responds passionately to the learning activities within the Department and are open to collaborative learning. The experiences in the programmes offered by the Department motivate students to develop an outward mindset and provide the opportunity to interact with colleagues and role models. I augur that each one of us, staff, colleagues and students alike, are an inspiration to each one another.

I conclude by drawing on a statement by Donald E. Francke, a reformer of pharmacy practice and a pharmacist who has inspired me: “Someday we will wonder why on earth it took us so long to make changes that seem so obvious�1. Educators, students and the profession with an outward mindset will reduce delays to innovation.

References 1) Donald E. Francke, Prescription for Pharmacy Practice 1984. Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy 1976; 10: 111-112.

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1900-2020: 120 Years of Service

Mary Ann Sant Fournier BPharm, MPhil, FCPA President, Malta Chamber of Pharmacists

120 Years Young: The Influence Of The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists On The Evolvement Of The Pharmacy Profession Foreword

It is with pleasure that I write once again in the Overdose.

Allow me to share my pride and honour, on behalf of the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists, in announcing the launching of the commemoration and celebrations throughout 2020 of the 120 years anniversary of our Chamber’s foundation. We thank MPSA for their ongoing support and collaboration.

Historical Retrospect

The Chamber (Camera Farmaceutica) was founded by a small group of pharmacists in Valetta in 1900, “ …to uphold the honour and promote the interests of the Pharmaceutical Profession in Malta…”

It is one of the oldest professional associations in Malta and possibly in Europe. The Chamber has influenced the development of the Pharmacy Profession in a colonial Malta, an Independent Malta in the Commonwealth and a Republican Malta, and a Republican Malta in the EU.

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The Chamber remained actively supporting, pharmaceutically, the nation, and its members during two terrible world conflicts. Today in 2020, the Chamber continues to work with vigour for the Pharmacy profession, its present and its evolvement into the future.

The Chamber also became a registered trade union in 1979. Since 2016, the Chamber holds one of the two Vice-President posts of the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU) of which it has been a longstanding member.

Always innovative and forward looking, the Chamber since the 1980’s is possibly the first professional trade union nationally to have been, and is, led by women (three to date).

The national professional affiliations include the Malta Federation of Professional Associations (MFPA; Hon Secretary and Vice President Posts held between 1988 and 2019); more recently the Malta Health Network (MHN). The Chamber is a founding Board member of the Malta Medicines Verification Organization (MaMVO, 2018).

International Pharmacy Platforms

Past Councils had negotiated the Chamber’s membership of the International Pharmacy Federation (FIP); this was consolidated in 2018.

They were founding members of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA, 1970) (holding the European regional representation and one of the vice president posts); and EuroPharm Forum(WHO/Euro) [election for 3 terms of office to Executive Committee (1994-2000).

The Chamber obtained Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) observer status in 1992, full membership in 2004 and executive committee membership in 2017-20, with regular representation at the PGEU assemblies and meetings.

The Chamber, through its professional affiliations, contributes to the evolvement of pharmacy internationally and nationally.

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Professional Milestones – some landmark highlights

The following are not in chronological order: • Strong thrusts were made by successive Councils over the past decades to date to ensure that the University Pharmacy course was maintained to high standards and an attractive career choice to young students.

• Successful negotiation of the inception of the Pharmacy Board, gaining independence from the then Medical Board; better pharmacist representation with the institution of the Pharmacy Council following the enactment of the Health Care Professions Act 2003.

• Historical agreement with Government on the attainment of the professional status for Government Pharmacists with the first agreement signed on their behalf, providing for career progression and reform of the Government Pharmaceutical Services (1993, 1998).

• First health Care profession to introduce Continuing Professional Development programmes.

• First National Drug Abuse Through Education Campaign in community pharmacies.

• Successful negotiations on the transposition of the EU Acquis on the enactment of the Medicines Act and the Healthcare Professions Act 2003.

• Agreement on the inception of the POYC national scheme and the Pharmacy Licensing regulations 2007; SLA and Domiciliary Delivery of Medicines 2015.

The Past Triennium 2016-19

At the last AGM, held in October 2019, I had the occasion to make a short retrospective of the Chamber’s achievements, addressed the challenges being faced by the profession, presented and explained the Chamber’s Vision for pharmacy, not only for the next triennium of the incoming executive but looking further into the future, the paradigm shift.

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Several feathers in Chamber’s and the profession’s cap were achieved in this period and are springboards to further challenging developments in the next triennium for the incoming council: Introduction of the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) through Pharmacists – a test case for Pharmacist Prescribing (2017).

Implementation of the EU Falsified Medicines Directive, 2019 -

Chamber’s insistence, on the advice of PGEU, to be full members with voting rights at the inception of the MaMVO has paid dividends in being at the forefront of decision making in the best interest of Patients, Pharmacists and Pharmacies.

We have come a long way with POYC since 2007. The WPDS system was developed through the years but has not yet reached our expectations. The present ongoing negotiations show that the new system which has been presented and discussed recently, will include the features we have been requesting over the years and is envisaged to decrease the administrative paper heavy workload to free pharmacists to clinically engage with patients.

Challenges and Opportunities

Intensifying and concluding favourably the POYC negotiations for contract renewal (2020-25) Impact of uncertainty following Brexit , eg., medicines shortages, price hikes.

Lack of pharmacy graduates: MPharm course and pharmacy professional campaign – unveiling of the Chamber’s plan (January 2020) Internationalisation of the profession.

Consolidating the CPD programme and structure.

Amendments to the Health Care Professions Act and the Medicines Act to reflect developments in practice Effective collaboration with the Health Ministry to introduce structured vaccination service by Community Pharmacist.

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Vision

Embracing and Integrating Information and communication technology (ICT) including ehealth and mhealth.

Rethink the design of Pharmacies to include a private consultation area.

Study the present and future status of Community Pharmacy viability and the changing market forces, eg movement of medicines to the Government Formulary List, decrease in medicines prices, recalls, internet shopping and ‘medicines tourism’; lack of pharmacists.

Introduction of remunerated patient oriented services, including further development of point of care services.

Explore and develop the role of a consultant pharmacist.

Guided by our international affiliations, explore the contribution of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Pharmacy.

Conclusion

Today in 2020, the Chamber is still committed to ensure the continuing development of the pharmacy profession and its members in the service of society with regards to pharmacy, medicines and health.

The Chamber through its executive Councils and members is positioned to lead pharmacy to new heights into the future. Ad multos annos!

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Dr. Maresca Attard Pizzuto

Lecturer - Department of Pharmacy

Abu Dhabi: Home to FIP 2019 World Congress

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global body representing pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Through their 140 national organisations, academic institutional members and individual members, FIP represents over four million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists around the world.

Founded in 1912, FIP is a non-governmental organisation with its head office in the Netherlands. Through partnerships and extensive pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences network, FIP works to support the development of the pharmacy profession, through practice and emerging scientific innovations, in order to meet the world’s health care needs and expectations.

The FIP 2019 World Congress was held last September in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The island city of Abu Dhabi is a luxurious, modern metropolis, complete with tree-lined streets, futuristic skyscrapers, huge shopping malls and international luxury hotels.

An iconic landmark in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which represents a key fixture of the city’s architectural patrimony. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands out as one of the world’s largest mosques, and the only one that captures unique interactions between Islam and world cultures. The 13

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mosque, one of the world’s largest, was constructed with materials from countries around the world, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. These materials include marble, stone, gold, semiprecious stones, crystals, and ceramics. As one of the most visited buildings in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre was established to manage the day-to-day operations, as a place of worship and Friday gathering and as a centre of learning and discovery through its education and visitor programs.

One of Abu Dhabi’s most dynamic venues is the Yas Marina Circuit, which was built in 2009 specifically to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The ultramodern track not only offers a captivating racing spectacle but offers extensive year-round professional motorsport events and experiences. Another architectural statement in Abu Dhabi is the five tower complex known as the Etihad Towers. On Tower 2’s 74th floor, the Observation Deck offers unbeatable cityscape and island views.

The theme for the FIP 2019 World Congress was ‘New Horizons for Pharmacy – Navigating Winds of Change’. Four different topics were discussed: i) New trends in science, practice and education, ii) New roles, opportunities and responsibilities, iii) Health now! Responding to the challenges of today, and iv) Targeting special interests.

The first topic ‘New trends in science, practice and education’ focused on technology, digitalisation, robotics, individualisation, communication, peoplecentred care and ethical challenges. The second topic ‘New roles, opportunities and responsibilities’ looked at pharmacists’ roles, roles of individuals, new services, collaboration and education. The third topic ‘Health now!

Responding to the challenges of today’ recognised that challenges can be faced by looking at new research, ethical considerations, new values, access to health, health systems, sustainability, environmental sustainability, non-communicable diseases, empowerment of patients, empowerment of women, quality and

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assessment. The last topic ‘Targeting special interests’ targeted special interests in the different fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

The Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta participated in the 79th FIP World Congress with 4 oral and 24 poster presentations, representing various topics such as extended pharmacy services in community pharmacy practice, cardiac rehabilitation and smoking status, pharmacogenetic testing, methods for the determination of water content in tetrahydrofuran and the chemistry of cannabis. Postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy students also participated in the Congress with topics ranging from the perception of pharmaceutical care services at a paediatric-adolescent cancer ward to the outcomes studied in leukaemia clinical trials.

Dr Janis Vella Szijj (left) and Dr Maresca Attard Pizzuto (right) at the FIP 2019 World Congress in Abu Dhabi.

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Dr. Claire Shoemake

Senior Lecturer - Department of Pharmacy

Pharmacotherapeutic Innovation for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the central nervous system is attacked by the body’s own immune response. This results in steady and sustained deterioration of neurological function. MS affects over 2.5 million people worldwide. There is currently no cure for MS, with current treatment strategies aiming merely to enhance quality of life through exacerbation treatment and symptom management1.

Although drug discovery strategies in the 1990s were successful in developing treatments (Interferon-β1b (IFNβ1b); glatiramer acetate) that revolutionised treatment of MS by drastically reducing relapse rate, no significant progress was made from the perspective of actually treating disease progression itself1.

IFNβ1b was placed on the market in 1993 and became the first DMARD for MS. It enjoyed orphan status for 3 years. IFNβ subtypes, (IFNβ1a was placed on the market in 1996 with other variants following later) are all T-cell migration and consequently demyelination inhibitors2.

Glatiramer acetate was placed on the market as an innovative non-IFN therapeutic agent. It is an immunomodulator. It has four amino acids found in myelin basic protein incorporated in its structure and exerts its therapeutic

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action by modifying immune processes associated with the pathogenesis of MS5.

The monoclonal antibody Natalizumab (2007) represented the only real innovation of the first decade of this century. This drug worked through T cells adhesion, preventing their penetration into brain and spinal cord, where they would exert demyelination. Natalizumab has had a problematic history owing to its association with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and potentially fatal viral disease. Natalizumab is still prescribed under rigorously controlled conditions, but it its withdrawal from the market is not to be excluded if continued pharmacovigilance shows unacceptably high incidence of the adverse effect1.

The anti-cancer drug mitoxantrone has also found use since 2000, as last-line therapy for worsening relapsing-remitting MS1.

This means that up to the first decade of the 21st century, treatment was largely analogous in mode of action and targeted primarily at preventing demyelination. Furthermore, these treatments were deemed to produced only modest clinical relief (sometimes scoring worse than placebo in clinical trials), and that they also scored badly from a cost-efficacy perspective. Another limitation of these drugs was that they were all available in parenteral form with patients reporting painful parenteral injection site reactions and expressing desire for less invasive treatment modalities.

Drug design thrusts into this field are consequently valid and needed. For relapsing remitting MS, Cladribine, a nucleoside analogue, cytotoxic particularly to lymphocytes and monocytes, inhibits both DNA synthesis and repair. Its effect on B- and T-lymphocytes is thought to interrupt the cascade of immune events central to multiple sclerosis. It has NICE approval and forms a recent inclusion to MS treatment regimens. For this MS variant also, ocrelizumab very recently (2018) obtained EMA approval. It is also expected

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to be effective in relapsing remitting disease. Ocrelizumab was the first drug to show positive results in primary progressive disease5.

Siponimod is a molecule, closely related to its predecessor fingolimod, that holds promise for MS treatment and management. The aim was to make it available as an oral once daily treatment. Although siponimod was successful in reducing risk of disability progression by 21% compared to placebo in secondary progressive MS, clinical trials have also showed evidence of low white blood cell count, increased hepatic enzyme levels, bradycardia on treatment onset, macular oedema (swelling in the back of the eye affecting vision), high blood pressure, shingles, and convulsions compared to placebo4.

Drug repurposing is also being employed in MS, with molecules like biotin8, simvastatin7, fluoxetine10 and amiloride9 being considered in the context of the MS-STAT2 trial and the MS-SMART study. Quite obviously, repurposing would effectively minimise adverse effect and bioavailability issues, both of which are well understood in tried and tested molecules.

The road to adequate MS management is still long and ensuring longevity and a good quality of life for patients remains elusive. Drug design thrusts in this field however seem to hold real promise.

References 1. Huynh T. The Multiple Sclerosis Market Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery; 2010, 9, (10), 759-60.

2. Yong, V. W. et al. Interferon β in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: mechanisms of action. Neurology, 1998, 51, 682–689 3. Beutler E. et al.,The treatment of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis with cladribine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1996, 93 (4) 17161720; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.4.1716 4. Kappos L. et al. Siponimod versus placebo in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (EXPAND): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 study. The Lancet 2018, 391, (10127), 1263-1273 18

Overdose ‘20 5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Multiple sclerosis — β interferon and glatiramer acetate.

NICE website [online], http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ 6. Wynn, D. et al. Daclizumab in active relapsing multiple sclerosis (CHOICE study): a phase 2, randomised, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, add-on trial with interferon β. Lancet Neurol. 2010, 9, 381–390.

7. Soelberg Sorenson et al. Simvastatin as add-on therapy to interferon beta-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a placebo-controlled randomised phase 4 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2011, 10: 691–701 8. Tourbah A. et al. MD1003 (high-dose biotin) for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2016, 22(13) 1719–1731 9. Arun T. et al. Targeting ASIC1 in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: evidence of neuroprotection with amiloride. Brain, 2013, Vol. 136, (1), 106–115 10. Mostert J. et al. The Effect of Fluoxetine on Progression in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Neurology 2013, Vol. 21(9) 1-6

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Dr. Janis Vella Szijj

Lecturer - Department of Pharmacy

Medicinal Uses of Cannabis

Cannabis sativa popularly known as marijuana has been used medically and recreationally for thousands of years. Evidence of the first use of cannabis by humans was found in fragments of pottery having an imprint of a cord-like material which was thought to be hemp, dated approximately 10,000 BC. Ancient Assyrians discovered the psychoactive properties of cannabis and used it in religious ceremonies. The Greek historian Herodotus (480 BC) reported the inhalation of hemp-seed smoke in rituals and for recreational purposes (Moskowitz, 2017; Iversen, 2018).

By the twentieth century medical use of cannabis declined. In 1961 cannabis was included in the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and classified as a drug that has no medical uses (Moffat, 2011). In the past 20 years, a resurgence of patient interest in using cannabis and cannabinoids to treat a variety of conditions occurred.

In the early 1990s discovery of a cannabinoid system in the human brain and body involved in control of important biological functions renewed scientific and patient interest in the medical use of cannabis. By the mid-1990s citizens in US states passed referenda to legalise the medical use of cannabis. North America was the first region to introduce the use of cannabis for medical 20

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purposes in 1996. Malta officially legalised medical cannabis in 2018.

Indications for medical cannabis include multiple sclerosis, pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, epilepsy and appetite stimulation (Iversen, 2018).

Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune progressive degenerative disease caused by the gradual destruction of myelin which causes damage to the brain and spinal cord nerves. It is the most widespread disabling neurological condition in young adults. MS represents a promising target for cannabis-based medicines. Use of cannabis in MS patients not only relieves muscle spasms and pain but also leads to an improvement in bladder control (Hildebrand et al, 2019).

Pain: Clinical pain can range from short-lived pain following trauma or surgery to chronic pain which is debilitating and accompanies illnesses such as rheumatism, arthritis or cancer. Activation of the cannabinoid system in the central nervous system reduces sensitivity to pain. Clinical trials have demonstrated the use of cannabinoid drugs in the management of chronic neuropathic pain, pain associated with advanced cancer and other difficult-totreat pain conditions with less adverse effects when compared to conventional analgesics (Langford et al, 2013).

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Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: Cancer patients receiving treatment invariably experience nausea and vomiting with an average of six bouts of vomiting during the first 24 hours unless they are protected by anti-emetic medication. A delayed phase of nausea and vomiting during the next few days follows the initial reaction. Cannabinoid medications have been reported to successfully treat the symptoms of nausea and vomiting without causing toxication (Iversen, 2018).

Epilepsy: Treatment-resistant epilepsy is associated with increased mortality and severe morbidity and affects 30% of epileptic patients. Clinical evidence for efficacy of cannabis to treat childhood epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Davet syndrome), where seizure frequency has been reduced and an acceptable safety profile demonstrated has been reported (Devinsky et al, 2014; O’Connell et al, 2017).

Appetite stimulation: Loss of appetite and involuntary weight loss occur in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) wasting syndrome, which is a characteristic feature of the disease. The wasting is accompanied by chronic diarrhoea, fever and weakness. Loss of weight is primarily due to reduced energy intake. Cannabinoid medications can be used as appetite stimulants to treat loss of appetite and weight loss associated with AIDS and in cancer patients (Iversen, 2018).

The Department of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta is actively involved in research related to medicinal cannabis. Ongoing research projects include analysing cannabis for the presence of active cannabinoids, pesticides, mycotoxins and terpenes, analysing cannabinoids in biological fluids, the setting up of a quality system for the 22

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analysis of medicinal cannabis, quality control in medicinal cannabis, cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use and the use of cannabis for veterinary purposes.

References - Devisky O, Cross JH, Laux L, Marsh E, Miller I, Nabbout R, Scheffer IE, Thiele EA, Wright S. Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017; 376(21):2011-2020 - Hildebrand A, Minnier J, Cameron MH. Cannabis use for symptom relief in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional survey of webinar attendees in the US and Canada. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019;38:101516 - Iversen L. The Science of Marijuana. 3rd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press; 2018 - Langford RM, Mares J, Novotna A, Vachova M, Novakova I, Notcutt W, Ratcliffe S. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of THC/CBD oromucosal spray in combination with the existing treatment regimen, in the relief of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2013;260(4):98497 - Moffat AC. Clarke’s Analysis of Drugs and Poisons. 4th Edition. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2011 - Moskowitz MH. Medical Cannabis. Virginia Beach: Koehlerbooks; 2017 - O’Connell BK, Gloss D, Devinsky O. Cannabinoids in treatment-resistant epilepsy: A review: Epilepsy Behav. 2017; 70:341-348

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Annual Gala

World Pharmacists Day

EuRO Regional Symposium

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Science in the City

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Yasmine Fenech - Vice President and KPS

I am very glad to have had the opportunity to be once again a member of MPSA, this time as a Vice President. During the past year, I attended several meetings to help in decision-making regarding MPSA. MPSA was involved in various events this year such as Science in the City and World Pharmacists Day and other health campaigns. It has been a pleasure to have participated in such events. Being part of MPSA has helped me develop new organisational skills and has enhanced my teamwork abilities. I would like to thank everyone from the team for all their hard work and for making the past year memorable. I would encourage any pharmacy student to be part of this organization as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Hannah Caruana - Public Relations Officer

My role as Public Relations Officer for MPSA was to keep our social media updated by creating posters and event covers as well as taking photos during our events. Doing so has helped me develop my creativity and organisation skills and improve my communication skills through teamwork.

Being part of MPSA during this past year was a wonderful experience and has truly enhanced my university experience. I would like to thank the rest of the team for their hard work and dedication which made this past year a more memorable one.

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Stephanie Formosa - Academics and Publications Officer

My role as Academics and Publications Officer in MPSA has proved to be a rewarding experience where new skills were learnt and new friendships unfolded. As an Academics officer I worked alongside the President to give the opportunity to pharmacy students to have their participation in activities organised by MPSA or the Pharmacy Department recognised as a DegreePlus. Moreover, I helped in carrying out the printing of the thesis posters for the second and third years which are to be presented during the annual Pharmacy Symposium. As a Publications Officer I was responsible for the publications released by MPSA including articles published in ‘The Synapse’, preparing the Fresher’s Brochure given to first year students during the Freshers’ Week as well as compiling the ‘Overdose’ magazine.

Being part of MPSA was a fruitful experience as it taught me about the values of teamwork, respect and commitment. I had the opportunity to attend IPSF EuRO Regional Symposium in Poland together with the Leisure Officer where we met people from different countries and experienced new cultures. I strongly encourage students to join MPSA where new skills can be developed and strengthened. One would be able to generate ideas, develop further soft skills and obtain leadership skills which will undeniably be beneficial in one’s future career.

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Mariah Vella - Financial Officer

My role as a Financial Officer this year was a continuation of last year's role as a Sponsorships Officer. My role this year was to make sure that money was spent wisely in relation to our marketing budget.

I would like to thank all the sponsors who showed interest in our organisation especially in these past two years, as their contribution has helped our visions become a reality. In addition, it has been an honour and a pleasure being part of MPSA as it has helped me to develop new skills while creating memories to cherish. While thanking the rest of the team for all their hard work and effort, I look forward to seeing the next executive team leading our association to grow and achieve even greater things!

Martina Fitzgerald - Leisure Officer

My experience as a Leisure Officer for MPSA has overall been an excellent one. I’ve had many opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. The position mainly consisted of planning events such as the annual live-in and annual gala, as well as other activities such as the MPSA Fresher’s Drinks and the MPSA Farewell Party.

Thanks to MPSA, I also had the chance to travel abroad to Poland to attend the IPSF EuRO Regional Symposium. My experience in MPSA is one that I will treasure throughout my future endeavours.

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Philippa Galea Salomone - Health Campaigns and Sponsorships Officer

Being part of MPSA, I took on two roles, Sponsorships and Health Campaigns Officer.

As a Sponsorships Officer I was able to provide funds for us to be able to raise awareness during health campaigns. Both the roles helped raise awareness about the importance of pharmacists and their work particularly within the community setting. As a Health Campaign Officer, I helped in organising health campaigns such as Science in the City. Apart from keeping the public informed about health-related issues, it also served to increase the trust of the general public in the pharmacy profession.

Being a part of MPSA was a wonderful experience that helped in improving my social skills, as well as helped me get a better understanding of the importance of the role of a pharmacist. MPSA also helped me in strengthening my teamwork, communication and organization skills. I would like to thank the rest of the team and wish the best of luck to the next executive team.

Sophie Caruana - International Officer

My experience as an International Officer for MPSA has been an extremely fruitful one. The part which I have found most enjoyable is getting to speak to people from all around the world all interested in improving the health care system, each with unique ideas. Having various online meetings with people from different parts of the world, being in group chats and working on projects with them has thought me a lot. Although there is quite a lot of work involved, it is more than worth it!

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Jean Claude Calleja - From the perspective of the Health Campaigns Subcommittee The experience as an MPSA member has made me more active in regards to working efficiently and effectively. It has opened me up to meeting new people and understanding both sides of an argument, both the pharmacist and the patient point of views. I truly cherish this experience as it has changed me for the better and taught me about the importance of student associations and their ability to reach out to the general public.

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Malta Pharmaceutical Students’ Association would like to congratulate its former members on successfully completing their course of studies and warmly wishes them the best of luck in their field of work.

Malta Pharmaceutical Students’ Association would also like to thank all the staff at the Department of Pharmacy for their dedication and hard work.

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MPSA would like to thank their sponsors:

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MPSA Office, Room 130 Department of Pharmacy University of Malta Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta