IPSF Annual Bulletin 41 August 2012

International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation

IPSF

IPSF Annual Bulletin

Issue 41

August 2012

Students Today, Pharmacists Tomorrow

Annual

Bulletin 2011-2012

IPSF

Editorial Dear IPSFers all over the world, The IPSF year have come to its end. It is with great joy and a tear of sadness that I write my last editorial for IPSF. This bulletin summarizes all IPSF activities after the last World Congress.

Many motivated pharmacy students who are involved with IPSF on different levels will share with you their memories and experiences.

Today, more than 500 pharmacy students gather in Hurghada, Egypt to live the unforgettable experience of the 58th IPSF World Congress. Hope you’ll catch the IPSF spirit if it is not already done.

Viva IPSF, Viva la pharmacie Yours in IPSF, Ines

Chairperson of Media and Publications 2011-12

Publication Team

Annual

Bulletin 2011-2012

Contents EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

4 A lifetime experience 6 The special sensation called IPSF spirit 8 Improving IPSF finances 10 Opened my mind 12 My IPSF family 14 The Student Exchange Programme 16 Pharmacy education, news and views 18 Keep IPSF shining 20 The AfRO awakening 22 9 EMRO goals 24 PARO experience 26 Beyond the limits 28 Professional development news PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATORS

31 HIV/AIDS 32 Diabetes & Health Living 33 STOP TB Campaign 34 ACDC, the fight 35 Tobacco alert 36 Humanitarian projects 37 Medicine awareness ANNUAL AWARDS

Design and layout Ines Harzallah

Chairperson of Media and Publications 2011-2012

38 Pharmacy is our passion 40 The sparkle of the Otto Focking Award CONTACT PERSONS

Editorial Board Yuqian Liu Jason Hong Raja Barazi Dayl Eccles Jennie Hsu Asmaa Ismail Justin Tenney Andy Walsh

42 Once upon a time... ASEPA 43 My CP experience 44 Our IPSF experience 45 A story 46 IPSF essay competition winner

A lifetime experience Sanne Tofte Rasmussen IPSF President

There is one document that, besides the Official Documents, has been the key document of this IPSF year namely the IPSF Strategic Plan 2011-14. The IPSF Executive Committee 2010-11 made this extensive document with a vision of where IPSF should be in the year 2014 – with a clear aim and goals that are reachable and achievable. This year we took the document and made it our own. All points were discussed thoroughly, many points has been initiated and some points has already been fulfilled – all in the aim of moving IPSF forward in being the leading international advocacy organisation for pharmacy students and represent all pharmaceutical students worldwide. My aim for the term was to get as good a start on this document as possible to ensure that by the end of the 2014 term, IPSF will have achieved the goals set by the 2010-11 Executive Committee.

IPSF presentation during EPSA Congress Istanbul, Turkey But this has not been a one man show. The movement of IPSF towards a stronger future has only happened due to the commitment of motivated IPSF’ers all around the table who connected on the same vision. From Executive Committee Team members to Co-ordinators, Regional Working Group and Sub-committee members.

Everyone who contributed this year – with big as well as small contributions have my deepest gratitude. With your help I am proud to hand The World Healthcare Profressions Alliance meeting over IPSF to my successor.

Prague, Czech Republic The IPSF Executive Committee 4

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

IPSF intervention about Counterfeit Drugs during the World Health Assembly Geneva, Switzerland

Opening Ceremony of the 1st African Pharamceutical Symposium Algiers, Algeria

Throughout the year I have been travelling around the world for various meetings, conferences and member events, to be the face and voice of pharmaceutical students worldwide and share a bit of the well known IPSF Spirit to those that crossed my way. I have had the opportunity to meet several of our partners to have discussions about our collaboration and how we can utilise each other in a better way to promote our profession and how to enhance the field of knowledge for students.

This last year have been an experience of a lifetime and everyone I meet have put a positive touch to it. A special thanks must go to the rest of the IPSF Executive Committee for their support, motivation and eagerness throughout the year. I cannot imagine the year without each and everyone of you.

IPSF

Gala night of the 57th IPSF World Congress Hatyai, Thailand

was not complete by the beginning of the term where the position of the Treasurer, Chairperson of Public Health and Chairperson of the IPSF EasternMediterranean Regional Working Group was vacant. Throughout interviews with candidates we managed to fill the empty seats before November. The late appointed members worked hard to catch up with their missing months and by the time of the 1st Executive Meeting everyone was fully acquainted with their positions and the meeting was used to kick start us as a team and new friendships were made

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Bulletin 5 2011-2012

The special sensation called IPSF spirit Lærke Arnfast IPSF Secretary General

Another IPSF year has passed, and what a year it has been.

I am happy to look back on the many activities of the IPSF team and the IPSF members that have taken part during the year.

In August, not only a new Executive but also the first Advisory Board of IPSF, started their mandate. The Advisory Board was proposed by the 56th IPSF General Assembly in Slovenia, investigated by the 57th IPSF Executive and Constitutional Working Party and accepted by the 57th General Assembly.

The implementation of this new structure, I believe, have been successful and the Advisory Board have been helpful in their advice to the Executive and also have had the means to supervise that the actions of the IPSF Executive this year has been in accordance with the spirit and values of IPSF. Following the appointment of Veronika Sochová as Treasurer and Christine Cooper as Chairperson of Public Health, the full Executive had soon settled into their roles.

Communication has been smooth in the Executive, and meetings have been held regularly, which has been a great help in planning and execution of various tasks. One bond that has been particularly strengthened this year has been the bond between the Regional Offices and the Executive. The Chairpersons of the Regional Offices have taken an equal part in the Executive work as well as in the Regional Working Group and have had a high attendance in the Executive meetings, making implementation of initiatives easier and the communication between the IPSF headquarters and the Regional Offices much more frequent. In the light of this, the Executive decided to investigate the full incooperation of the Chairpersons of the Regional Offices into the Executive.

The Constitutional Working Party has worked on a comprehensive proposal that has the purpose of integrating the Regional Offices more fully into IPSF. Other matters dealt with by the Constitutional Working Party include a revision of the conditions to stand for elections, membership admission requirements and a new guide to the Official Documents and the General Assembly for Congress-naivë IPSFers.

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EM1 The Hague, the Netherlands

EM2 : FIP Office The Hague, the Netherlands

EM2 : Last meeting day The Hague, the Netherlands

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

All through the year, the Executive Committee has been busying ourselves with initiatives related to the portfolio as well as initiatives proposed by the General Assembly, including the Strategic Plan for 2011-14 that has set the course for this Executive and the upcoming Executives. In this sense, it has been a year of implementation for IPSF. But if I had one word to describe the Executive mandate of 2011-12, it would be ‘events’. While events have always played a big part of the Executive portfolio, this year has especially been a year of planning events as well as attending events. Aside from our own IPSF events, the IPSF team have been preparing for two joint events with fellow student organizations. The first one, the 4th World Healthcare Students’ Symposium – a joint event of the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association, the European Medical Students’ Association, the International Nurse Council – Students’ Network, the International Federation of Medicial Students’ Associations, the International Association of Dentistry Students and IPSF - was held in Prague, Czech Republic in November 2011, where the host association the Czech Pharmaceutical Students’ Associations and the WHSS Joint Working Group, made the event an excellent experience for everyone involved. A new Joint Working Group for the 5th World Healthcare Students’ Symposium has been set up and the planning for the next event in 2013 has begun.

The second joint event is arranged as cooperation between European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA), the Royal Dutch Pharmacy Students’ Association, the International Federation of Pharmacists (FIP) and IPSF and is called the ‘the FIP Centennial Student Package’.

As the name suggests the event is a special event to celebrate the Centennial of FIP and will be held parallel to the FIP Congress in Amsterdam. For this event, EPSA and IPSF have drafted a joint declaration on the future of pharmacy, dealing with future challenges in pharmacy education and profession as well as in global healthcare.

I look forward to yet another amazing summer of IPSF events and enjoying the special sensation called the IPSF spirit.

IPSF

From joint events to internal events of which we will have a new, fresh addition this year – the 1st IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium - giving a total of three regional symposia to be held in July 2012. The first African Pharmaceutical Symposium will be held in Algiers, Algeria and the Reception Committee there has done their very best to make it a memorable event for the young regional office. Also the Reception Committees of the 3rd IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium in Khartoum, Sudan and of the 11th Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium in Taipei, Taiwan, China have worked hard and in close communication with the Regional Working Groups to create great memories for those participating in the events.

Least, but not last, the Executive has been very happy for the collaboration it has had with the Reception Committees of the 58th and the 59th IPSF World Congress, with whom we had great communication. With 500 participants and a jam-packed programme with more parallel workshops than ever before, we are looking forward to hosting a historic Congress in Egypt and I hope that it will be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

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Bulletin 7 2011-2012

Improving IPSF finances Veronika Sochova IPSF Treasurer

For the past year, it was my great pleasure to work for the Federation. I am Veronika SochovĂĄ, born in Slovakia and final year student at Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Prague.

I was appointed as IPSF Treasurer in November 2011. Becoming IPSF Treasurer was great award after being part of Reception Committee of World Healthcare Students Symposium which took place in November 2011 in Prague.

At the beginning of my term, I had a rocky start mainly due to financial situation in IPSF that wasn’t good as I have expected.

Therefore, one of my main goals for this year was to improve finances of IPSF. The claims on financials each year higher and higher, only thanks to economic leading and humility of the others we are still in green numbers.

Previous Executive have started with a lot of new ideas and projects.

They have created new IPSF website and SEP Database, and created different kinds of new merchandise.

My main strategy was 8

After Executive Meeting 2 Alblasserdam, Netherlands

Opening Ceremony of the 3rd IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium Khartoum, Sudan

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

to sell the rest of Merchandise and increase budget with some external income, find some new contact and start deal in some project with some potential IPSF supporters.

Such as Life is variable and bring to us every time something new, also sometimes our plans are not going as smoothly as we wished.

The economic situation in world is no stable end change every day and is really hard find some sponsorship.

EMPS LIT Khartoum, Sudan

With my friends The Hague, Netherlands

I tried to do my best, finished all necessary and start something new, hope you won’t be as critical as I am to me.

World Healthcare Students Symposium Prague, Czech Republic IPSF

We are often searching for some stairs, which should remain, important is each step, just need to be realized.

Annual

Bulletin 9 2011-2012

Opened my mind Marien Rouchon IPSF Chairperson of External Relations

My name is Marien Rouchon, and I am the Chairperson of External Relations of IPSF. This position was created 2 years ago, from the separation of the Public Relations in two: External and Internal Relations. I ran for this position after several years of involvement in associative work.

After two years in my local association, Bloc SantĂŠ, as a treasurer and international delegate.

Then I was elected as International Delegate for the national association in France, ANEPF (Association Nationale des Etudiants en Pharmacie de France) and as a member of the sub-committee for Development Fund for IPSF.

Gala night Hatyai, Thailand

Being elected among the IPSF executive was a pleasure and a privilege, and it is now my honor to introduce you to the duties and responsibilities of this position.

1. Non member contact and promotion: a. Non member associations:

Executive meeting The Hague, the Netherlands

Along the year, and thanks to the work of promotion committee and the regional offices, I am in contact with some associations that are not member of IPSF. The aim is to introduce them to IPSF and to present the benefits of joining the Federation. Asia Pacific Region: Bangladesh, Nepal.

African Region: Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria,and Cameroon.

European Region: Belgium, italy, Macedonia, Norway, Ukraine.

Pan American Region: Brazil Eastern Mediterranean Region: Irak, Saudi Arabia, Palestine.

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Regional Assembly of the 3rd IPSF EMPS Khartoum, Sudan

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

This year, 5 new countries are applying for Member in Association, and one for full membership.

They will introduce themselves to the General Assembly, and the countries representative will vote on their applications. It would be a pleasure to see all of them joining us. b. Individual Membership: Sometimes, there is no national association and students want to be part of IPSF. Or the association is not represented in the city of the student. In that case, they can apply to join IPSF as Individual Members, and this until 4 years after graduation.

The number of application increased a lot during the last years and it is a very good new to see that we are able to reach students who have no vision through national associations.

2. Relations with other students associations: a. Healthcare associations: Through WHSS, (World Health Students Symposium), we are in contact and working on joint project with various associations like IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations), EPSA (European Pharmaceutical Students’ Associations), or EMSA (European Medical Students’ Associations) This year, this event was held in Prague, Czech Republic, in November 2012. Under the supervision of Ms Jane Ho and Mr Murthy Chittoory, IPSF’s representatives in the Joint Working Group (JWG) who helped organizing this event, we had a really fruitful week of congress. b. Other associations: Contact with other associations along the year is more changing.

IFISO, Informal Forum of International Student Organisations, is a group of students associations representing a wide range of disciplines. It is a huge source of inspiration and information for every member association.

ELSA, the European Law Students Association, is working with us on a joint project about pharmacy laws. This project will be introduced to you during the Educational Symposium.

3. Professional Relations: It is really important that IPSF is not only present among students’ organizations but also among professional ones.

That is why I pushed this year this side of the portfolio on a good level. Being in regular contact with WHPA (World Health Professions Alliance), FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) or else. It is not only a great way to improve our skills and create a network for the benefice of IPSF, but it is a perfect opportunity to find contact for sponsorship.

Even if it is harder than it seems, it is the first step for a mutual and profitable collaboration with all different kind of healthcare professionals, and also from other professionals related to the pharmacy world.

This year will probably be the last year in an association for me, and I could not have expected to work in a better association. What I learnt, what I discovered about me and the people I was working with will stay in my mind and my heart for ever.

But above everything, the people I met, students, professors, professionals, opened my mind and my vision of the world on a way I could have imagined. You, IPSFers, gave me the strength to go through this tough year, full of passions and difficulties. For this, I would like to thanks every single student that shared knowledge and happiness with me along the year.

Pour que vive la Pharmacie, et vive IPSF.

IPSF

Bien à vous, et du fond du cœur, merci.

Annual

Bulletin11 2011-2012

My IPSF family Ana Babic IPSF Chairperson of Internal Relations

I am Ana Babic, this year’s IPSF Chairperson of Internal relations. I am writing to you from the beautiful country of Croatia, where I am currently finishing my studies in Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry in Zagreb.

My involvement in IPSF started in 2010 when I became the Contact person for CPSA Croatia. My first event was the 56th IPSF World Congress in Slovenia, which made me fall in love with the Federation, and inspired me to move on forward in the work of my local association as well as in the work of the Federation.

As we were approaching the Receiving the croatian flag during the opening World Congress in Thailand, I ceremony of the 56th IPSF Wrold Congress started thinking about getting Ljubljana, Slovenia a bigger commitment to IPSF and the more I thought about it, the more appealing it sounded. After a talk with the first Chairperson of Internal relations, Mr. Vladimir Obradović, I was convinced that this role was made for me, and I was especially happy because I would not have to leave my CP family. After a Skype call to Thailand and election by the GA, my experience as part of the IPSF Exec began.

The portfolio of Chairperson of Internal relations is still a work in progress, since the position is reasonably new, consists of a lot of different tasks. As the main link between the Executives and the member associations, I was very busy sending all the notifications, questions, queries, reports, materials, etc. to the right persons. My presence to the egroups was 24/7, since every email had to be read and moderated, before appearing in the egroups.

The communication with the CPs was, in my opinion, great. We had a lot of reports coming in and being shared, a lot of new ideas being exchanged and a lot of new CPs finding their way in this huge family. Coordinating 78 CPs was not always easy, but I feel blessed for the opportunity to work with every single CP that worked during my mandate. To strengthen the bond with the CPs, the CP quiz was continued, and every time it was extremely successful.

In the beginning of my mandate, I created, with the help of our Chairperson of Media and Publications, Miss Ines Harzallah, a new CP group on the Google platform to facilitate the communication. The group is functioning very well and it’s easy to manage.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

I was very proud to have 3 CP meetings during this year, one in December, one in April and one in July. There were multiple sessions with 5-7 CPs at a time, lasting 2-3 hours each, chatting with me and some other members of the Exec via Skype. The sessions were extremely productive, fun and interesting. The CP meetings were a unique opportunity for me to hear the CP’s problems, doubts or difficulties in their tasks. I hope the CPs enjoyed them as much as I did.

With Vladimir Obradovic, the immediate past IPSF Chaiprerson of Internal Relations

Besides the CP meetings, I took part in a large number of other meetings with the RWGs, the Executives, IPSF associates etc. I thank all my colleagues and friends for the great cooperation this year.

A huge effort in reaching some of the inactive CPs was the creation of the Facebook CP group, where it was easier to get the attention of the CPs and where we could also get to know each other in a more informal and relaxed way.

At IPSF flat during EM2 As a part of my portfolio, I kept on The Hague, the Netherlands updating the Master list daily with fresh updates from our members. The Master list contains all the information about all the associations and their executives, and as the association goes through elections, they receive an Update form from me to which I added a few more questions to gain more insight in the way the association works. Since this Diner during EM2 task demands a lot of work, I also relied The Hague, the Netherlands on the Regional working officers of the RWGs to help me, and I hereby thank them for all their works. It was truly appreciated. I am happy to say that, in one way or another, 98% of our members were successfully contacted and their data was updated.

Even though there are a lot of other works that I had to do as the internal relations chairperson, I would like to accentuate the work as an IPSF exec. Being a part of such an executive committee is no easy task. There is always a lot of work and obligations for everybody, and I am really blessed to have had such a great executive to work with; I really believe we did an amazing job!

As a part of my portfolio, I traveled to Birmingham - UK, to the EPSA Autumn Assembly, to Prague - Czech Republic, to the WHSS, to Zlatibor - Serbia, to the NAPSer Annual congress, to the Hague - the Netherlands, to the IPSF Executive meeting and of course to Hurghada - Egypt for the 58th IPSF World Congress.

IPSF

This year was truly exceptional and, as it is the last year of my student’s life, I truly lived it to the fullest and it surely was a year to remember. There is so much more to say about my work in IPSF but so little space on paper so I would just like to say thank you to my CPs, who made this task possible, to my execs who gave me affection and encouragement, to my family, friends and boyfriend who were always my support system.

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Bulletin13 2011-2012

The Student Exchange Programme Milanka Marunic IPSF Chairperson of Student Exchange Programme

The Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is the longest standing project of IPSF and has always been the most popular one amongst the members. This year we have implemented some very important changes in hope that it will provide a strong base for us to continue to build upon the success of SEP in the future.

The New SEP database that was created last year was working very well. However some problems have emerged where incoming SEP applications were missing from the database.

Fortunately, I have managed to tackle these problems with the assistance of Webtown, a webdesigning company from Hungary. The problems were resolved in the shortest time. I would like to thank Mr. Chaba Schreiner and his team from Webtown for his persistence in resolving these issues with the SEP database. With these problems out of the way, I hope the database will continue to serve its purpose for SEP well into the future.

The biggest change for SEP this year is the disciplinary and penalty issues in SEP Domestic Rules. In the past, penalties were not specifically clarified in the SEP DR resulting in several hiccups in some circumstances. As a result, the members of SEC have decided to make a new penalty system after the discussion. Various cases and possible scenarios were discussed among SEC members and SEOs. As a result, new disciplinary issues and penalties are now included in the upcoming SEP year. Consequently, the Domestic Rules and SEO Training Manual have been updated to reflect these changes.

Achievements of SEC for this year include the creation of new guideline for students who are applying for SEP and updating the LEO Training Manual on how the SEP works and what SEP 14

Opening Ceremony of the 3rd IPSF EMPS Khartoum, Sudan

With SEP students Blegrade, Serbia

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

regulations must be followed in order to have a successful exchange. I hope that this new SEP guideline will help students to work more efficiently within the SEP Database.

For the first time in SEP history, the SEP Essay Competition under the headline: “SEP- A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE” was organized by SEC members. The main goal of this essay contest to share SEP experiences of students who went to the exchange last year with all other IPSFers and promoting SEP among IPSF members. The winner of this contest was Ms Irina Lazar from Romania and her winning essay can be found in the last SEP Newsletter. With the success of this competition, I believe that this project has great potential to grow and to better promote SEP in the countries involved in the exchange program.

One of the main goals set for this year was to increase the number of SEP placements globally to 900 places. At the time of writing this article, we have managed to achieve 650 confirmed places. This includes the re-allocated application forms from the AF Re-allocation Project. While we fell short of our goal of 900 placements, I am still pleased with the outcome.

Last year the collaboration between IPSF and European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) was started. IPSF and ELSA have worked on a joint Research Project entitled “Competition Law and Pharmacy Law: How they integrate with each other and how they Clash?” Every association has selected one student who will take part in this project as the main researchers. These two students were based in The Hague and housed at the IPSF Flat for the duration of the project.

They are planned to present the results of this project at main events of both associations and IPSF’ers will have the chance to see them at World Congress in Egypt. This is the first time in IPSF history that this kind of collaboration has been conducted in the SEP portfolio. I want to express my great gratitude to Mr. Luc Besancon of FIP for giving his support and help during the project. Also I want to thank Mr. Irakli Samkharadze, ELSA Vice President Student Trainee Exchange Programme, and his team for their cooperation within this project. I believe that ELSA and IPSF will continue their collaboration in upcoming years with great pleasure on both sides.

It is the goal of the Executive committee to ensure that our work is transparent to our members.

For SEP the main lack of transparency was in the SEP Grants selection process. Last year members of SEC started working on updating the selection criteria and making the application process more transparent. This change of selection process was continued and finalized this year and we hope that this will answer all critics and comments of our members.

IPSF

I am sincerely grateful for being given this opportunity to work with amazing pharmacy students and pharmacists from all around the world in bringing IPSF spirit and SEP to all pharmacy students. I wish to express my gratitude to all marvelous SEOs whom I have been working with, dear members of Students Exchange Committee for their continuous support, work, guidance, and assistance. And lastly I want to thank my family and friends who have given me moral support in coping with all the challenges that accompany my duty as the Chairperson of the Student Exchange.

Annual

Bulletin15 2011-2012

Pharmacy education, news and views Marwa Beltagy IPSF Chairperson of Pharmacy Education

It has been a lovely journey for me since my first encounter with IPSF at which I was infected with the IPSF spirit and has been ever since. This year, I applied my affection for IPSF as the Chairperson of Pharmacy Education, which has been a rewarding experience for me.

During the year, various new activities have been worked on by the team within the IPSF Pharmacy Education portfolio. Firstly, an entirely new project have been launched, namely the research project between IPSF and the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) on the topic “Pharmacy Law and Competition Law, Feuding Laws or Working in Partnership?”, the result of which will be presented at the IPSF-FIP Students’ Day at the FIP Centennial Congress.

Also, new items for the World Congress programme have been planned. The Nobel Panel was a new idea that I believed would be well appreciated by IPSF members, to create a chance for them to meet with Nobel Laureates through a Nobel panel discussion during the academic days of the World Congress. The feedback received from those Nobel Laurates contacted were enthusiastic and welcoming, but unfortunately, they had to decline due to other commitments at the time. The idea to host a TEDx event at the IPSF Congress was suggested by Mr. Ahmed Hamdy, IPSF Chairperson of 58th IPSF World Congress Reception Committee. The TED events are platforms for inspirational talks sharing experiences and discussing ideas worth spreading.

However, the procedure took longer time than expected and a lot of regulations had to be met in order to secure a formal constant cooperation between IPSF and TED directors, so hopefully next year teams can reinvestigate the idea and one day wemay be able to host such inspirational panel in our congress.

Another project of mine has been the IPSF Young Researcher Program, the concept of which I have developed this year and which I have prepared for implementation. This program is intended to be an initiative by IPSF under supervision of FIP mainly and in cooperation with allied pharmaceutical research institutions as a chance to place IPSF more vividly on the map of scientific research in the world. The program is intended and being designed as a capacity building tool for student pharmacists who Executive meeting 1 wish to take part in the field The Hague, Netherlands of pharmaceutical research upon graduation.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE In line with this new project, is the existing projects IPSF Essay Competition held once during the year and the Poster Competition held at the IPSF events. The Essay Competition was held for the second time this year and I am happy to say that it was successful. The poster competitions will be held during this summers’ events along with the Educational and Scientific Symposia, under the theme “Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Practice, Towards and Better Future”.

The planning of the Educational Symposia and the Scientific Symposia for 2012, was made through great communication and team work with the Reception Committees for the IPSF events, as well as within the Pharmacy Education Subcommittee. For all IPSF events, speakers have been arranged and the symposia will be a delightful experience to be sure. I have been working on the theme for the 59th IPSF Congress in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 2013 and the Educational and Scientific Symposia there in collaboration with Mr. Thomas Kempen and Ms. Emma Veldmam. The result of our discussion will be revealed during the 58th General Assembly.

In addition to these projects, I have worked with the two coordinators under the Pharmacy Education portfolio, Mr. Francisco Perreira, Pharmacy Education Research Coordinator, and Ms. Vhony Purnamasari, Phuture Coordinator, on their portfolio projects. It was decided to re-launch the pharmacy education questionnaire called “Moving On II” in order to obtain more responses, distribution of the questionnaire was planned for all the upcoming IPSF events and promising numbers of forms were received so far and more is expected from the rest of events.

Regarding the Phuture publication, I am grateful for the work of Ms. Vhony Purnamasari, who worked hard on the disposition of the publication and the collecting of articles. Phuture will be distributed to everyone by the end of the IPSF Congress.

This year, I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in all three Executive Meetings, in the DUPHAT Conference, the FIP Board of Practice March Meeting as well as a meeting with the FIP Education team. Naturally, I will also be attending the FIP Centennial Congress in the Netherlands in October, where I hope to see many pharmacy students at the IPSF-FIP Students’ Day.

IPSF

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all IPSF Executive members, members of the Regional Working Groups, all coordinators and subcommittee members - especially the Pharmacy Education team - for their spirit and hard work. Also I thank the Reception Committees of World congress, the African Pharmaceutical Symposium, Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium and the Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium for hosting those mind blowing events, giving IPSFers the chance to meet in the lands of such rich cultures. Finally, I wish to thank everyone I have met and worked with from IPSF family for the past four years.

Annual

Bulletin17 2011-2012

Keep IPSF shining Ines Harzallah IPSF Chairperson of Medias and Publications

Last year, I have been invited to write an article to the Annual Bulletin 2011 as a member of the Design and Creativity Sub-Committee. Today, it is with great pleasure that I address myself as the Chairperson who is in charge of coordinating this publication.

Last year, it was a long journey to go to Thailand from Tunisia for the 57th IPSF World Congress.

Though, the IPSF spirit pushed me there where I was elected as IPSF Chairperson of Medias and Publications.

My adventure with IPSF started two years ago. Being a part of the executive team is the happy ending to my story. It might seem a short experience but it was really intense. I started as a very active member of the IPSF Design and Creativity Sub-Committee and then, full of motivation, I applied for my current position.

I had many projects for my position when I applied. I created a new IPSF publication named: IPSF Public Health (PH) Spot. It was also the opportunity to uniform all the IPSF PH campaign logos. I am grateful to the thousands of readers that have consulted this magazine online.

I have designed the PH kits hoping that the material will encourage other associations to organize IPSF PH campaigns. There were also many participants to our picture contests celebrating the Diabetes and Healthy Living Campaign and the Anti-counterfeit Drugs Campaign.

Thank you everyone who participated.

In addition, I hope you enjoyed following IPSF news through the newly created blog and our regular newsletters. In coordination with Egle Svetojute, IPSF Marketing coordinator, we have tried to keep you up to date on our online networks (Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter). Here is a message from Egle: “Being the Marketing Coordinator was an amazing experience and honor to me as I found my portfolio very important for IPSF Social Media and raising awareness of IPSF. During the year I was managing the IPSF Facebook fan page, Twitter and Youtube Channel. To make these online platforms as interesting as possible, I created touching posters and two promotional videos. I also implemented a new IPSF online platform IPSF Executive Blog, there IPSF team were blogging about their activities and travels. The most successful initiative of the year that I am very proud of is the project “IPSF in Unexpected Places”. I am very thankful to all the IPSFers who sent in pictures for this project. The IPSF in Unexpected Places map has been viewed for more than 7000 times! I would like to say thank you to Ines Harzallah for her huge help during the year and motivation that she gave me to seek for perfection in everything we do.”

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The number of followers on IPSF social networks has been increasing continuously. IPSF counts on you to spread the IPSF spirit online.

Promoting IPSF is my main goal. I have created several materials when I was DCSC member and this year: T-shirts, scarves, ties, pins, stickers and bookmarks. You may find the merchandise at our booth and don’t forget to ask for your free IPSF bookmarks and stickers from the IPSF executives and help us spread the IPSF spirit back to your country.

My election Hatyai, Thailand

Being a trainer during the last AfPS was one of the most intense experiences I have ever lived. I discovered a new energy in me. I found in training an unexpected selfsatisfaction. When training newbies to be the future IPSF leaders, I felt I was saying to the Federation: “IPSF, I am training these people to keep you shining. Thank you for all what you gave me.”

Thank you IPSF for an amazing year. My IPSF spirit will forever remain no matter where the future may take me.

With my dear LITers, AfPS LIT Algiers, Algeria

Executive meeting 1 The Hague, Netherlands

Gala night of WHSS Prague, Czech Republic

WHA Geneva, Switzerland IPSF

I lived one of the most amazing moments of all my life this year. I had the chance to attend the World Healthcare Students Symposium (WHSS) in Prague, Czech Republic, the executive meetings in the Hague, the Netherlands and the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

It ended with the wonderful African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) in Algiers Algeria and then the 58th IPSF World Congress in Hurghada, Egypt. I have met so many people; I have friends coming from all over the world. My world is becoming a true global village, and I’m discovering so many different cultures.

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Bulletin19 2011-2012

The AfRO awakening Redouane Soualmi IPSF AfRO Chairperson

I graduated two years ago, and I am now a practicing pharmacist. I fully discovered IPSF for the first time at the 56th World Congress in Slovenia. My journey with IPSF started prior to World Congress when I first found IPSF on the Internet, and I invited the executive committee back then to attend our 1st ASEPA congress. Ms. Jane Ho, the Chairperson of Public Relations at the time, and Mehdi Zeghal, the IPSF treasurer, both encouraged me to attend the World Congress in Slovenia. They also encouraged Algeria to join IPSF. In Slovenia, I was infected by the IPSF spirit. I learned so many new things, and I met and became friends with a lot of people all over the world. I left Slovenia very motivated, and I started IPSF projects in Algeria following my return. After working with my country, I began to think about my region, Africa, and I decided to run for the position of AfRO chairperson.

I just want to say that I have been deeply humbled by this year’s IPSF Executive committee. In the places I have gone and the people I have met, I have been struck again and again by the kindness, generosity, and dignity of the men and women who have worked hard without complaint to meet their responsibilities every day. There were many times when I look back and I have said, “I would not have done that if I had thought about it a little bit more.” However, we’ve got a lot to be proud of in terms of what we have achieved this year.

The hardest step is often the first. It was a big challenge for me in organizing the 1st Afro Symposium and integrating the IPSF spirit into the region with AfRO members. My predecessor, Bedan, who started this project with AfRO, tried to make the region active, and he did a great job laying the foundations. Today, the foundation is still being solidified. This task is not an easy or quick one. We have to continue working hard to achieve our goals. Ultimately, I would like to see all IPSF projects running in our region.

With public heath, we have had a lot challenges.

According to the WHO Global Burden of 20

With Zied and Van during EM2 The Hague, the Netherlands

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Disease, about 59 million people died in 2008, globally. Almost 18.6% of those deaths occurred in the African Region, which shares about 12.1% of the world’s population; Communicable diseases represent 63% of total deaths in the African Region. HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, malaria, Tuberculosis, and childhood diseases cause 88% of those deaths. In IPSF, several of these diseases are addressed within the public health campaigns, but we missed malaria. I am currently working with Christine Cooper, the IPSF Chairperson of Public Health, to make malaria a stronger concern for this upcoming year, and I hope the new Regional Working Group will continue these efforts.

Africa needs our support, help, and attention. We have to be more and more responsible and engaged for this region, as there are a lot of challenges that we are facing. To all IPSF member, the time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to make our better history, and to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passing it on from generation to generation: the promise that we will maintain the spirit of IPSF and always keep our heads high whatever the difficulties.

Executive meeting 1 The Hague, the Netherlands

Finally, I would like to say that one voice could change a room, and if a voice can change a room, it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world.

IPSF

Scientific Symposium during AfPS Algiers, Algeria Annual

Bulletin21 2011-2012

9 EMRO goals Zied Ghezaiel IPSF EMRO Chairperson

I am Zied Ghezaiel, a Tunisian PharmD recent graduate and serving in IPSF as Chairperson of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office for 2011-2012. My first contact with IPSF was in 2010 when attending the 56th IPSF World Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia among the Tunisian delegation applying for membership within IPSF for ATEP (Association Tunisienne des Etudiants en Pharmacie) in which I was holding an executive position. The whole concept amazed me and as we say in IPSF, once you get the IPSF spirit you will never lose it. Once back from the congress, I couldn’t miss the first opportunity to get involved in such tempting universe, and I was so enthusiastic when I joined the Membership Promotion Subcommittee (MPC) 2010-11.

After the 57th IPSF World Congress I was encouraged to nominate myself for the position of Chairperson of EMRO and after an interview session with the IPSF Executive Committee I found myself appointed for the position in mid October. This however, meant that my term started a couple of months later than the rest of the team and there was a lot to catch up on - everything from ensuring everyone had access to their official email accounts, compiling the first EMRO Newsletter to preparing a realistic year plan for the Regional Working Group.

As a Regional Working Group we reached a conclusion of 9 main goals of the year 1. Establish a Project Plan to improve and /or implement EMRO focus projects in the region and ensure their success.

2. Establish a rich and effective promotional plan to ensure all IPSF EMRO events, projects and updates are widely and regularly promoted.

Executive meeting 1 The Hague, Netherlands

3. Improve the EMRO communication infrastructure and establish a convenient communication plan internally and externally.

4. Ensure proper preparation and conduction of the 3rd IPSF EMPS and make the executives updated with all what concerns this event.

5. Strengthen and improve professional relations with NGOs operating in the region. WHO EMRO: maintain and 22

Executive meeting 2 The Hague, Netherlands

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finalize negotiation about internships at WHO EMRO (Department of essential medicines and pharmaceutical policies) and gain contacts with other WHO departments.

6. Finalize the EMRO 3 years strategic plan (2011-2014).

7. Form the Sponsorship team to help in obtaining appropriate sponsorship and funding for the office and enlarge the Target list.

8. Launch EMRO sub-committees and ensure their continuity 9. Promote SEP in the member countries and encourage the exchange within the region.

Additionally, I attended the 2nd and 3rd IPSF Executive Meetings (EM) held in Den Haag, The Netherlands and Hurghada, Egypt respectively.

Executive Meetings were a great opportunity to discuss the matters of the federation and the region with the rest of the Executives.

The biggest event of the office was the 3rd IPSF EMPS which was held in Khartoum, Sudan from 13th-19th July 2012 and hosted by FPSA, Sudan.

Much effort was put into promotion, support to the Reception Committee and detail planning.

When obstacles occurred or input needed, the IPSF Executive Committee gave the necessary suggestion for planning to proceed. A total of 152 registrants participated and this event gathered pharmacy students and recent graduates from 11 countries. Behind the success of this event, are huge efforts and hard work from all the IPSF team but especially the amazing Reception Committee.

As a final remark I would like to thank all of those who encouraged, supported and trusted me to go for a position such as Chairperson of a Regional Office. It has been such an enriching experience in which I have grown as a person. The IPSF Executive Committee, the EMRO Regional Working Group, the Reception Committee of the 3rd IPSF EMPS and all other players this year has been a never ending pool of support and life-time memories. Thank you!!!

RWG meeting - Site visit Khartoum, Sudan

Opening Ceremony of the 3rd IPSF EMPS Khartoum, Sudan

Paricipants of the 3rd IPSF EMPS Khartoum, Sudan

Gala night of the 3rd IPSF EMPS Khartoum, Sudan IPSF

Undoubtedly, it was a challenging term but it was really a lifetime experience full of memorable experiences. As IPSF EMRO Chairperson, I had the chance to take part of the 3rd IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium (3rd IPSF EMPS) site visit which was held from 14th to 19th February in Khartoum, Sudan and it was the first EMPS site visit in IPSF history. The main goals were to visit the venues and accommodation, make a contact with the main sponsor (University of Khartoum), improve the communication with the Reception Committee, move forward with the preparations for the symposium and to make a presentation about IPSF to Faculty of Pharmacy Students’ Association (FPSA) members.

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Bulletin23 2011-2012

PARO experience Van Duong IPSF PARO Chairperson

When you take one opportunity presented to you, it will lead directly to another. With that said, choosing to become involved in IPSF has been the best decision of my pharmacy school career.

Just two year ago, I started studying pharmacy at the University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in California, USA. I became involved in IPSF at my chapter level, and from there I attended World Congress in Hat Yai, Thailand. After attending the Pan American Regional Office Workshop, I realized the need to re-energize the IPSF spirit in my part of the world and the opportunity to become a global leader. I was appointed to the PARO Chairperson position, and it has been a memorable lifetime experience.

The Pan American Regional Office has made huge strides this past year.

The PARO Regional Working Group of 2011-2012 included Allison Lai (Secretary), Dayl Eccles (Regional Relations Officer), Vicki Lau (Internal Coordinator & Communication Officer), and Jane Kim (Regional Projects Officer). Numerous online skype meetings were held, and an in person Regional Working Group meeting took place in Stockton, California in January of 2012. Online tools have been created and revamped including the PARO website, facebook page, and subscription database. The PARO region chose three project initiatives to concentrate on: Vampire Cup Challenge, Diabetes & Health Living Campaign, and Malaria Awareness.

We did our best to promote IPSF within the three Full Member organizations of PARO: APhA-ASP (USA), CAPSI (Canada), and FECOEF (Costa Rica). We have also been in contact with South American countries to work on reinstating or starting IPSF membership. I would like to thank and commend my Regional Working Group 24

PARO Working Group meeting University of the Pacific, USA

Executive meeting 1 (I am on Skype talk) The Hague, the Netherlands

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

for all of their efforts this year. I would like to see the fruits of our labor in the upcoming years with the hopes of integrating more South American countries, an increased PARO representation at World Congress, and a PARO Symposium in the near future.

In addition to leading the Regional Working Group, I worked with the talented leaders of the IPSF Executive Board. I attended the Executive Committee Meeting at the IPSF headquarters in Den Haag, Netherlands, and I collaborated with Madame President Sanne and the other Regional Chairpersons to establish the Regional Working Group guidelines and making the IPSF Regional Offices a more integral part of the IPSF structure. I hope these documents will better serve the IPSF and its regions in the future. It was an honorable and humbling experience to work with such dedicated pharmacy student leaders from around the world.

My most memorable IPSF experience happened when I was given the opportunity to represent IPSF at the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. This was a dream come true for me and helped guide my career direction. Never would I have thought that I would be at the United Nations advocating for pharmacy students internationally.

Serving as your Pan American Regional Office Chairperson in the last year has truly been a rewarding experience. I would like to give my deepest gratitude to the IPSF Executive Board and the PARO regional working group for a productive year. Making the choice to join IPSF on a local level has opened the door to the most incredible opportunities and experiences of my life, and I hope the same IPSF spirit will guide you in your career endeavors. Viva la pharmacie!

WHA Geneva, Switzerland

WHA Geneva, Switzerland IPSF

After working with IPSF locally, nationally, and internationally, I learned one valuable lesson in the field of pharmacy. All around, pharmacists are not getting the recognition or advocacy in the health profession. There is a strong need for more student pharmacists and pharmacists to get involved and be present at health care assembly meetings, conferences, and decision making bodies to strengthen our role in patient care. We hold an extremely important responsibility in health care, and advocating for our profession will enable us to provide better services. I implore you as IPSF members to get involved and confidently represent pharmacy.

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Bulletin25 2011-2012

Beyond the limits Chrstine Cooper IPSF Chairperson of Public Health

Let me start out this by saying a very big thank you to all of the public health coordinators and the executive team members! Without their help and support, this abbreviated year as Chairperson would have been impossible. Their hard work and dedication make this position a joy to be in, and they have pushed forward the public health area this year more than I could have imagined.

With Sanne during WHA Geneva, Switzerland

All of the campaigns have put forth amazing efforts, and as a result of those efforts, we have had several firsts this year: first ACDC day, first live Vampire Cup, and first MAC coordinator. As I am writing this, the ACDC day has recently passed and went wonderfully, the live Vampire Cup is just about to happen, and our MAC coordinator is hard at work writing his report for you to read and making more awareness videos for the campaign.

Each of the campaigns has continued its efforts to provide you with relevant, up-to-date information this year. The coordinators have focused efforts on expanding their campaign materials to ensure each participant is well prepared. For example, the Healthy Living and Diabetes campaign kit will soon include materials on obesity and 26

WHA Geneva, Switzerland

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how to disseminate information to our patients for combating this problem.

Also, the campaign websites have been updated, and they now reflect more of your hard work in their reports section.

Do not forget to go see what everyone has been up to.

This year got off to a bumpy start because I started two and a half months later than the rest of the executive committee. Sharon, my predecessor, helped to make the transition as smooth as possible, and I hope she reads this to know I send a very special thank you to her!

There are times this past year where life has been chaotic and very busy.

Between tests and projects and finishing up classes and hunting down internships and helping with campaigns and in general, working with IPSF, I could not have imagined a more productive, fun year. It has pushed me to my limits and beyond them. Thank you for this past year as your Chairperson of Public Health. It was wonderful!

Gala night Hatyai, Thailand

Chocolate factory visit before WHA Gruyère, Switzerland

WHSS Prague, Czech Republic IPSF

In addition to our public health campaigns, IPSF has had a strong presence all year at the World Health Organization. We have sent several interns, who have worked hard and earned praises from their preceptors.

In addition, IPSF has been present at all invited WHO meetings and has made an intervention concerning anti-counterfeit drug measures being taken. IPSF had 20 representatives and executive committee members present at the World Health Assembly in May 2012, and the world’s leaders were impressed at the caliber and poise of our students.

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Bulletin27 2011-2012

Professional development news Eric H. L. So IPSF Chairperson of Professional Development

All great endings start with a solid beginning, with hard work and perseverance on the way.

With the conclusion of this year`s term, it is with much pride and pleasure to report on the news and events that the Professional Development team has worked on for 2011-2012. This year, I have the personal joy of serving another term as the IPSF Chairperson of Professional Development; taking from the experiences I had from the previous term, I wanted to make Professional Development projects more tangible, more recognizable, more successful, and that these projects and the impression they make on pharmacy students worldwide be enduring. I would also like to take this time to thank the Professional Development team for their hard work in achieving our goals, to which you will read below.

Patient Counselling Event Ms. Lilia Abderrahim (ASEPA, Algeria) had the pleasure of serving as the Patient Counselling Event (PCE) Coordinator this year. PCE was organized in all of the regional symposia this year and also in World Congress. For all IPSF PCEs, there are two difficulty levels; one for advanced, those who are nearing the end of their pharmacy studies, and one for beginners, for all others. The goal of IPSF’s PCE is to create a positive learning experience; we draw the patient actors from the very students that attend regional symposia and World Congress and encourage the judges to give good constructive feedback on how to improve one’s counselling. At the 11th Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Taipei, we had to turn away eager participants because the event was full after reaching over 40 contestants. Also, the PCE advance winner, through the support of IPSF Asia Pacific Regional Office, will have their registration fee for the next APPS waived. With regards to the 1st African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS), promotion letters were sent to all IPSF member African countries to organize PCE and send participants to AfPS to compete in the inaugural PCE. Ms. Shirley Yeung, the IPSF Chairperson of Professional Development 2009-10 was present to give the PCE workshop and help judge the contestants. We will use this experience to help build PCE, and the African Regional Office’s project development for the future. At the 2nd Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium (EMPS), the previous PCE winner Amina Changmin, also the IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Secretary, was there to provide the lecture and to organize PCE in Sudan. And finally for World Congress, as promotion, we have again reserved limited spots for the winner of each country’s PCE winners to compete for the World Championship PCE. Furthermore, Ms. Shirley Yeung, in working with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), presented the result of the collaboration between IPSF and FIP in the newly released Patient Counselling Handbook, which debuted at World Congress. We hope to see more of you in organizing PCE and competing for a chance to be crowned the PCE champion of the world at IPSF World Congress in the years to come.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Leaders in Training Ms. Mais Halaiqa (JPSA, Jordan) had the pleasure of serving as the Leaders in Training (LIT) Coordinator for this term. To take LIT to the next level, Mais and the Chairperson of Professional Development worked on updating LIT material, and also videotaping games, exercises, and energizers to be shared to give inspiration to our members. Furthermore, we installed the first trainer application system this year to ensure quality in our trainers and training. With the results from this year, we hope to improve on what was achieved and what can be done for next year. Below is a personal message from Mais.

It was such a pleasure to write for all IPSFers about LIT. My first encounter with the IPSF world was in 2009 where I attended my 1st LIT and it was unforgettable.

What distinguishes LIT from other IPSF programmes is that it brings out your best, your qualities and characteristics that you never realized you had before.

LIT is held right before all the different regional symposia and the World Congress. LIT aims to build-up leadership skills among IPSFers through an energetic and interactive atmosphere to ensure certain standards of leadership.

This year we have conducted 4 LITs: APPS Taiwan, AfPS Algeria, EMPS Sudan, and World Congress in Hurghada .We received many applications from motivated IPSFers from all over the world. Thanks are given to all the LIT Reception Committee coordinators who have worked with me to ensure the success of LIT. Having a responsive hard working team is a key element for giving unforgettable LIT workshops, and this, as my main task as the LIT coordinator, ensures that LIT meets IPSF standards wherever it is held.

Furthermore, I am thankful to be the IPSF representative in BEST trainers’ forum, a forum held for trainers from different European organizations. It allows trainers to exchange knowledge and ideas; therefore expanding and updating our own LIT material.

Overall, being the LIT coordinator gave me an exciting and challenging year both professionally and personally. Being inspired by all the motivated IPSFers and their passion for LIT leads me to believe that we can make a difference wherever we are.

Vive la Pharmacie APPS LIT 2012 Taipei, China

EMPS LIT 2012 Khartoum, Sudan

IPSF

AfPS LIT 2012 Algiers, Algeria

Annual

Bulletin29 2011-2012

Clinical Skills Event Ms. Melissa Teo (Individual Member, Australia), immediate-past Chairperson of Student Exchange, had the pleasure of serving as the Clinical Skills Event (CSE) coordinator as well as Advisory Board Member for this term. Melissa and the Chairperson of Professional Development worked on cementing CSE as a well-organized and annual event for IPSF. Being started as a ‘live’ event only 2 years ago at the 56th IPSF World Congress in Slovenia in 2010, we have created a CSE guideline to help future Professional Development team members and all IPSF members to run and organize their own CSE. We have also organized CSE in all the regional symposia; at APPS Taipei, we had over 40 participants enrolled in the CSE individual event. For EMPS, Melissa had the opportunity to Skype in to a well received workshop. Ms. Shirley Yeung had the pleasure of presenting the CSE workshop at AfPS. For World Congress, in addition to the individual CSE, a team version of CSE was conducted that rounded off the professional development championship events along with PCE. Overall, it is a pleasure to see so many participants who are willing to challenge themselves, and we hope, that they will bring back the same level of enthusiasm back to their home country and turn pharmacy practice for the better. Below is a personal message from Melissa: This is definitely the year for CSE! It has been run successfully at each of the regional symposium – APPS in Taipei, EMPS in Sudan and AfPS in Algeria and also at World Congress. And to think, CSE was only started at the 56th IPSF World Congress in Slovenia. It is incredible to see so many pharmacy students grasping the concept of Clinical Pharmacy and applying their therapeutic knowledge in a practical situation. I highly encourage all IPSF members to run a CSE in their own country and take CSE to the next level!

Pharmacy Professional Awareness Campaign Ms. Melissa Hong (Individual Member, Malaysia), immediate past APRO Chairperson, had the pleasure of serving as Pharmacy Professional Awareness Campaign (PPAC) Coordinator for this term. Together with the Chairperson, we worked on raising awareness of PPAC, especially in APRO, as this was their focus project. In addition, responding to the need for more pharmacy related content for Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH), a PPAC project, we have undertook the job to create 4 new IPSF original ideas, 4 mini-projects that will highlight the role of pharmacy. These new projects and guidelines were released during the World Congress in Egypt. Below is a message from Melissa.

It has been certainly a busy year for PPAC this year. Three main activities have been developed and conducted which are Teddy Bear Hospital Guideline, PPAC guideline as well as PPAC Competition.

A Teddy Bear Hospital guideline has been developed specially for pharmacy students to promote the pharmacy profession to young audiences in a fun and entertaining way. A workshop has been planned for the 58th IPSF World Congress in Egypt so be sure to join in on the fun.

During the 11th APPS held in Taipei, Taiwan, a PPAC workshop was conducted. During the workshop many cool slogans were created in line with advertising for PPAC. Last but not least, this year during the 11th APPS as well, an inaugural PPAC competition was conducted.

The competition was titled ‘Increasing Pharmacy Awareness In Asia Pacific’. This is the first time such a competition had been held and we hope that it can be promoted and conducted in other regions in the future.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the countries that have conducted PPAC activities this year and may the next term be as dynamic as this one.

Viva la Pharmacie!

As you can tell through the article, this year has been a bountiful and fulfilling year for the Professional Development team. We hope that you have enjoyed all the activities that we have developed and envisioned, as much as we have enjoyed working and interacting with pharmacy students the world over. If however, you feel like challenging yourself, check out the “Crazy Clinical Corner” in the IPSF blog, see if you have what it take to solve the case.

Until we met again; Viva le Pharmacie!

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HIV/AIDS

Health alth Public He Health alth Public lth c li b u e P H Hea h c c li li b b u P Pu ealt Health blic H Public c Health Pu Health Publi lth Public alth He Hea lth Public alth Public Public Hea He h lt c a li e b H u P Public

PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATORS

HIV / AIDS Awareness Campaign

Juliana Christina IPSF HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Coordinator

This year experience as the IPSF HIV/AIDS Awareness Coordinator has truly been rewarding.

The year went by fast. After the handover position at the end of September, we worked hard to prepare for the HIV/AIDS campaign which took place on December 1, 2011.

The goal for this year campaign was to have as much involvement as possible from individuals, groups, and organizations. We celebrated “See Red Day”- on December 1; we invited every IPSF members to wear red outfit to increase awareness for HIV/AIDS worldwide. As part of a bigger group, we invited people to not just wear red outfit but also to participate in the “Red Ribbon Project,” this year HIV/AIDS Awareness project. As a continuation of last year project, participants in red outfit were invited to form a red ribbon. The pictures were then displayed on HIV/AIDS website: http://aids.ipsf.org. This project was quite a success! Many organizations incorporated this project to their HIV/AIDS event. As part of an organization, we invited people to host an HIV/AIDS event. For this, we provided HIV/AIDS kit which served as a tool for the organizations in hosting their own event. I am inspired by the reports that I received from different organizations worldwide. There were many creative ideas and they truly have made a difference in their community in raising awareness for this disease.

During this year, the website has also been updated with more information including general information of HIV/AIDS, the sample of HIV/AIDS kit, the human red ribbon project and events reports.

It was truly a wonderful opportunity to be able to work together with many people from different countries. This was a unique experience that being a part of IPSF provides. Taking this position in the beginning was quite a challenge. With only a short of period of time to prepare for the campaign kit and the project, we were able to finish it on time to prepare for the HIV/AIDS campaign (December 1, 2011). Receiving the reports of the campaign was a joy as I was able to see what other IPSFers have done and how the project and campaign kit were incorporated into the events. This year, I also had the opportunity to gain some experience in a HIV/AIDS clinic as a part of my pharmacy school experience. Being able to work directly with this patient population has given me a much bigger meaning in increasing awareness for this disease.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, especially our public health chairperson, publication chairperson, last year HIV/AIDS coordinator, the public health subcommittee, and all the members that have submitted reports for the campaign.

IPSF

Viva la pharmacie!

Annual

Bulletin31 2011-2012

Diabetes & Health Living

Health alth Public He Health alth Public lth c li b u e P H Hea h c c li li b b u P Pu ealt Health blic H Public c Health Pu Health Publi lth Public alth He Hea lth Public alth Public Public Hea He h lt c a li e b H u P Public

Diabetes and Healthy Living Campaign

Johanna Walz IPSF Diabetes & Healthy Living Campaign Coordinator

This IPSF year started even quicker than the last year, in which I had the opportunity to be HIV Coordinator. Short after the annual congress in Thailand, the preparations for the Diabetes Campaign started. As you all know the World Diabetes Day – short WDD – takes place on the 14th of November every year. This gave me only a few months to get everything prepared.

Another problem which I was faced with, was that at the beginning of last IPSF year, we lacked the Chairperson of Public Health. Due to this fact, the subcommittee was not available during the preparations time. Still with the help of Ines and the former Chairperson of Public Health Sharon, and as soon as Christine was elected of course also with her help, we got everything prepared and the World Diabetes Day could take place.

One big new thing, the Diabetes Campaign of this year consisted of, was the Diabetes picture contest. Every pharmacy student could participate in this contest. The task was rather easy - the only thing that had to be on this picture was the blue circle – the symbol of the World Diabetes Day. Several great pictures had been sent in, and the winner was selected by the public health committee.

Of course there was a newly designed and updated diabetes information kit, which contained the step by step booklet on how to run a successful campaign, two fact sheets on the prevention of diabetes and on the different types of insulin, a poster, a findrisk questionnaire in four different languages which could be used to evaluate the risk of people to develop diabetes and a brochure with many different facts about different types of diabetes.

At the beginning of the IPSF year there were many things that had to be done at the same time unfortunately without a guidance of a current chairperson of Public Health. BUT, there had been Sharon, the former Chairperson of Public Health, who had always been there for me, and who I could ask at any time. Thank you very much Sharon for your guidance!

Working for IPSF means a lot of additional work apart from your studies or apart from your normal work. Still it is definitely worth the additional work, and I would recommend everyone who would like to learn from other cultures, from pharmacy students all around the globe, to take over a position in IPSF and enjoy the IPSF spirit!

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has been organizing a Diabetes Campaign this year, and a special thanks goes to Sharon and to Christine who had been a great support organizing the campaign kit. Without you I would not have been able to get everything done in time!

Thank you and keep up campaigning! Diabetes is not only among us on the 14th of November but around the whole year!

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Anti Tuberculosis Campaign PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATORS

STOP TB Campaign

Health alth Public He Health alth Public lth c li b u e P H Hea h c c li li b b u P Pu ealt Health blic H Public c Health Pu Health Publi lth Public alth He Hea lth Public alth Public Public Hea He h Public ublic Healt P

Amel ABAD IPSF Anti-Tuberculosis Campaign Coordinator

Following my participation in my first IPSF World Congress in Hat Yai Thailand, and after one year of being an IPSF member, I wanted to become more involved in the federation activities by being a part of the team that inspired me.

After a careful consideration, public health activities caught my attention, especially the antiTuberculosis section because ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by humanitarian causes and scientific researches. Moreover, I wanted to fight for this cause because I am a future microbiologist and I am constantly facing many cases of Tuberculosis every day in the laboratory.

After applying for the position, my joy was full at the announcement of the results, after one year I was finally a part of this big family, and I could participate in the development of its activities!

After the congress, I have been initiated to my position by Christine, the Public Health Chairperson, who attended to all my needs and guided me in the accomplishment of my tasks. I have also been advised by my predecessor, Mr. Jasmit Singh, to try to start my work as well as possible.

In the beginning, I defined my objectives for the year: “To promote TB Awareness campaign in all IPSF member countries because TB doesn’t make the difference”. I started by enriching the TB database, providing recent information about TB, initiating the “Spotlight to STOP TB” project, and implementing the picture contest “the green lung picture competition”. All these efforts were made to raise awareness against TB and encourage local associations to take part in the activity.

After that, I have tried to complete the campaign kit by adding a quiz and by translating all the documents in French, another IPSF official language. I have been helped a lot by Ines, the Chairperson of Media and Publication. I have also tried to know more about the needs of local associations regarding the kit by sending a document to Contact Persons and collected the reports and published them on the database afterwards.

Just few months before leaving my position, I am thinking about what I have accomplished during this year and what my involvements within IPSF have brought me both professionally and personally. It has helped me learn how to manage my time for a worthy cause, how to make a plan in order to concretize a project and promote it by planning some actions. It taught me how to work within a team like a big family.

IPSF

My little experience as a public health coordinator is a unique life experience that I did not expect at all. Therefore, I would like to encourage IPSF’ers all around the world to engage in this unforgettable experience!

Annual

Bulletin33 2011-2012

ACDC, the fight

Health alth Public He Health alth Public lth c li b u e P H Hea h c c li li b b u P Pu ealt Health blic H Public c Health Pu Health Publi lth Public alth He Hea lth Public alth Public Public Hea He h Public ublic Healt P

Anti Counterfeit Drugs Campaign

Yosra Boubaker IPSF Anti-Counterfeit Drugs Campaign Coordinator

My name is Yosra Boubaker from Tunisia and I am a pharmacy intern in the faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir. During this year I was honored to be the coordinator of the Anti-Counterfeit Drugs Campaign.

My involvement within IPSF, like all the nicest things in my life was totally unexpected. Almost a year ago, when I saw the call for positions for 2011-2012, the Anti-Counterfeit Drugs Campaign cought my attention the most as it was related to my career as a future pharmacist. The motivating idea behind my application was the belief that it is our duty, as pharmacy students to ensure that people take safe medicines and that we should be more involved in the fight against the scourge of counterfeits.

At the beginning, things were not very easy: my first involvement in IPSF activities as a coordinator seemed a huge responsibility. However, the support of my predecessor took much of the stress away. Later, recruiting the ACDC Team which I enjoyed, increased my will to achieve ACDC objectives. In less than a month, 7 eager members from 5 different countries formed the ACDC sub-committee.

Firstly, we continued with the educational material and the newsletters: searching interesting articles to keep students informed with the new strategies taken against counterfeit medicines.

Although, the main new goal behind was to start taking action by campaigning. I could tell that, this year, ACDC witnessed a turning point: IPSF launched the ACDC WORLD DAY the 13th of April. And yes! Students started campaigning and took action to raise awareness among their mates and local communities including health professionals! The ACDC campaign kit was sent to IPSF CPs and the promotion of the event started well in advance to introduce the Day. So far, 3 member associations organized the campaign FPSA-Sudan, ASEPA-Algeria and ASEPSwitzerland.

Special thanks go to Ines for prettying the kit’s pieces, Christine for her continuous cooperation and the ACDC committee members for their valuable contribution (photos from left to right): Sandeep Singh (IPA-India), Yasmine Lounici (ASEPA-Algeria), Lim Zee May (NUSPS-Singapore), Amina Ben Mechlia (ATEP-Tunisia), Ying Jie Chong (NUSPS-Singapore), Leila Clayton (CAPSICanada, Avnish Shetty (IPA-India) To IPSF: “Where there is love there is life.” Mahatma Gandhi Viva la Pharmacie!!

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Tobacco Awareness Campaign PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATORS

Tobacco alert

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Mohan Shrestha IPSF Tobaco Alert Campaign Coordinator

It’s my honor to write this article as the IPSF Tobacco Alert Coordinator for the year 2011-2012.

Every pharmacy student has the dream to being involved in this prestigious federation. The 57th IPSF World Congress in Hat Yai, Thailand made my dream come true. Working with IPSF has made me much more experienced. As I am writing this article, a quote storms into my mind, “time is making fools of us again” as I am about to handover my duties very soon.

In the past year, I had tried my best to contribute to the profession. I have enjoyed designing the Tobacco newsletters, updating the database, helping the member countries conduct Tobacco Awareness Campaigns through the campaigning kits.

The WHO theme for the year 2012 “Tobacco Industry Interference” focuses on and challenges the billion dollar tobacco industries. It is not easy work against these tobacco industries.

Therefore, we must have a strategy when organizing the campaigns.

The 15th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) 2012 provided us with newer ideas to work off of. The Blue Ribbon campaign was launched to help people raise tobacco awareness.

Since it is the first event of its kind, we also organized the Blue ribbon picture context.

Life with IPSF is a memorable one. It was great to share emails and participate in online meetings and chats to share the ideas with friends from all around the globe. Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to all the Executive members, coordinators, public health sub-committees, regional working groups, all other sub-committee members of IPSF, and the IPSFers, without whom my experience with IPSF would not have been successful. I would like to thank the Chairperson of Public Health Miss Christine Cooper who has always been there to support me and my activities. I am extremely thankful to everyone who have guided me every step of the way.

IPSF

Thank you everyone who took the lead to make a tobacco free environment. Let’s keep up our campaigning efforts and make everyday a No Tobacco Day!

Annual

Bulletin35 2011-2012

Humanitarian projects

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Vampire Cup Campaign

Hager Ben Mosbah IPSF Humanitarian Campaign Coordinator

I am from Tunisia and I am the IPSF Humanitarian Campaign coordinator for 2011-12. I came to hold this position at the end of the world congress in Hatyai,Thailand, after being a member of the humanitarian subcommittee for a year.

I got infected with IPSF’s spirit when I attended my first world congress in Slovenia two years ago, and that is a life-time syndrome. I wanted to be a part of an international organization that gets to meet people from different places, but I also wanted to make a difference in the world.

IPSF seemed to be the best place for this, so I did my best to attend that congress.

In Slovenia, I took part in the humanitarian workshop and decided right away to become a member of the Humanitarian subcommittee. I applied a few days later and I was thrilled when I got in. What I came to understand after that first session was that the humanitarian subcommittee was a “newborn” into the federation and had just launched the Mobile Pharmacy in Northern Uganda Project (MPNUP).It also had new projects such as the vampire cup campaign which took place for the first time in 2011. This year, vampire cup project was a success for the second consecutive year. We tried to manage it in a different way, a live competition between IPSF member associations all at the same date: the 14th of June: the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).

I am grateful for all the participants of the vampire cup projects and all the donors. A special thanks to the first live campaign’s participants from Algeria, Serbia, Jordan and Tunisia and all of the people who helped implementing it. I hope that from now on, it will be one of IPSF’s numerous traditions to have the live campaign on WBDD. Besides the vampire cup campaign, many member associations conducted successful charity works. Moreover, member association FPSA from Sudan is about to conduct the biggest humanitarian campaign of the year during the 3rd EMPS (Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium) in Sudan. In fact, they have been working hard all year to prepare a humanitarian medical mission to two villages near Khartoum.

The 3rd EMPS attendees will get the chance to go on a real humanitarian mission to help the local community of Elnoobah and Elgdeed to get give free medical examinations and medication with the help of medical professionals as doctors and pharmacists. Preparing such an event is not easy, adding a humanitarian mission to that: What an amazing team is the 3rd EMPS reception committee!

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PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATORS

Medicine awareness Marouen Ben Guebila IPSF Medicine Awareness Campaign Coordinator

Hat Yai, Thailand was the place where I came to know IPSF for the first time. Like many others, I was caught by the IPSF spirit in that congress. Particularly, Public Health workshops kept my attention and I tried after the congress to join one of those campaigns but I missed the opportunity. So, I decided to join Ines, chairperson of Medias and Publications in the Design and Creativity Sub-Committee, because I used to work on media and videos in my local association.

In October, It came to my attention that IPSF was recruiting a coordinator for a brand new and exciting public health campaign. This is how the story began.

I tried to use my skills in video editing to make the Medicine Awareness Campaign popular through shooting two short movies, which was a great success, and received recognition in the FIP-Pharmacy Information section. I also used a new presentation’s software called Prezi to explain the campaign guidelines and encourage association to run their own campaigns.

I worked with Christine on a survey about “medication misuse in Universities while studying for final exams”. We collected more than 400 answers. This will allow us to get important facts about this phenomenon in order to prepare a guideline.

Finally, I formed a subcommittee with twelve IPSF’ers.

Their main duty was to collect data on the internet for the campaign, to help their local associations with Medicine Awareness Campaign and write articles.

IPSF

Being an IPSF coordinator is truly an amazing experience and a great opportunity. I had the chance to start a campaign from scratch, which allowed me to give it a personal touch. I was really proud when I received the first Campaign report. We will be holding Medicine Awareness Workshops at both World Congress and AfPS.

Annual

Bulletin37 2011-2012

Pharmacy is our passion Khaled Mostapha EPSF, Egypt Vice President & Contact Person Salma Helmy EPSF, Egypt Editorial board member

“Pharmacy is our passion” is not just the EPSF slogan. It is a way of life that all EPSFers embrace.

That passion ignited even more by its recognition when we won the Sydney J. Ralph Award. In the 30 years of EPSF establishment, we strove to progress and to be better.

We started preparing EPSF leaders through the national “Leaders In Training” program, which had 17 participants. The program was also implemented in 7 local associations.

In addition to over 20 local “Teddy Bear Hospital” events, EPSFers held a national TBH event at The 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital. The day was meant to give the children hopes in addition to clarifying the role of the pharmacist. Activities included entertaining shows, TBH games and sharing positive quotes. Attendees were over 250 children with their families.

Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign this year included 4 major implementations: an online campaign that ran for 6 months, a treasure hunt day that included awareness in community pharmacies, local PPAC events, and a national PPAC day including a play, seminar about pharmacy profession, and awarding the best videos made by EPSFers representing pharmacy profession.

In March, local associations filtered out 44 competitors for the national Patient Counseling Event Competition.

Out of those, 4 winners will represent Egypt and EPSF in the international PCE during the 58th IPSF World Congress.

National LIT programme Cairo, Egypt

National PPAC Cairo, Egypt

National PCE Competition Cairo, Egypt

The Public Health Committee started the year celebrating the World Heart Day by publishing daily tips on the website and Facebook pages on the value of a healthy heart.

Around 285 EPSFers participated in “Pink Steps Towards a Healthy Life” march against breast bancer to support those who are struggling with breast cancer every day and those who survived the battle against it.

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Treasure hunt during PPAC Cairo, Egypt

The “Protection Is Their Right” is an initiative to fight Pneumonia. In addition to 24 local campaigns, there were 3 national events, a World Pneumonia Day Festival, and a press conference. Over 280 EPSFers reached over 60,000 people.

In Diabetes Awareness Campaign, EPSFers measured blood glucose levels for people. About 420 EPSFers from 24 associations acted within their local regions, and around 150 participants in the national campaign walked a 2-km march, they reached 50,000 people.

31st Egyptian Pharmacists Day Cairo, Egypt

World AIDS Day Festival was held in El-Shams Club with the help of 120 EPSFers starting with a march then a short speech before the awareness activities, students reached almost 2,500 people.

In addition to 23 local campaigns across Egypt, EPSFers had a major national Hepatitis Awareness Campaign where crowds of EPSFers talked to people in a poor area in Cairo; they influenced more than 7,000 people.

Hepatitis awareness campaign Cairo, Egypt

The Public Health committee’s plan for this year was to expand locally to cover extra events that served the needs of our society by holding numerous awareness events in underprivileged areas in Egypt.

As for Continuous Education, we held the “Step on the Way” program in February for the 4th consecutive year in 4 different regions to serve students across Egypt. The program was attended by 1176 students from 27 universities. This July, we will launch the 10th edition of Future Pharmacist Program with new condensed business and scientific workshops to help students precisely configure their future.

ANNUAL AWARDS

The Humanitarian projects were held during April and included 4 projects: blood donation campaigns that collected 1340 bags of blood, Child’s Healthy Living and First Aid awareness campaigns, and Orphans’ Day celebrations.

World AIDS Day Festival Cairo, Egypt

Step On The Way Cairo, Egypt

Through the year, the EPSF held 3 General Assemblies, in addition to the 16th Annual National Conference and the 11th National Symposium which are considered the largest gatherings of Pharmacy students in Egypt.

Breast Cancer march Cairo, Egypt IPSF

This year was a success, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of EPSFers across Egypt.

Driven by the EPSF spirit and the will to improve, we are proud to have made another year meaningful for our students.

Annual

Bulletin39 2011-2012

The sparkle of the Otto Focking Award Marwa Ben M’barek ATEP, Tunisia Contact Person

During the IPSF World Congress in HatYai Thailand, ATEP (association tunisienne des étudiants en pharmacie) won the Otto Focking award as the best rookie association for 2011. The sparkle of IPSF and its drive to new and innovative ideas truly blew us away.

At the beginning of the school year, ATEP organized the first event entitled “Ping Pong, A Game for Life.”

It was a live blood drive competition featuring the faculty of pharmacy vs the faculty of medicine. In order to attract more students, we added some fun activities such as ping pong, sticks game and pull rope. Being able to actively see the progress of the other team and how many units of blood they had reached made the event much more interesting.

The competition was fierce, but at the end of the day we were all winners.

Blood drive Monastir, Tunisia

The blood drive was just a warm up for the next event, “The National Pharmacy Students’ Congress”, 14th17th October, 2010. It used to be an annual event long ago, but it has been cancelled for more than 15 years. This year, we decided to bring it back to light again. In just three weeks, we managed to get sponsorships, prepared workshops, invited professors, and organized the patient counseling competition. Since we were running out of time, we had to wisely manage the workload by splitting into several teams, each functioning as an individual unit of the whole. The event was a very successful one, four days filled with workshops (mind mapping, counter field drugs, herbal workshop, how to apply for a job), debates, conferences, and many social activities.

Herbal workshop Monastir, Tunisia

The last event of the semester was on the 1st of December. The Human Red Ribbon Project organized by CSPA (ATEP public health committee) aiming to raise awareness about AIDS. It took place 40

Patient Counselling Event Monastir, Tunisia

HIV/AID Awareness Monastir stadium, Tunisia

at the stadium during a football game. More than 200 students gathered in the center of the stadium holding red balloons to form the human red ribbon. Later the balloons were released into the sky. The next fun component of our journey was a bicycle tour in Monastir city. 30 students rented bicycles and hit the road for a cycling circuit. On their way, they stopped to talk to people (pedestrians, car drivers, etc.) about AIDS awareness.

After the New Year, Tunisia was hit by an unusual cold wave. People from the Northwest were suffering greatly. Organizations from all over the country rushed to help them, and so came ATEP’s Warm Hearts (ATEP humanitarian committee). They spent a day in different spots in the City collecting clothes, money, blankets and anything that can help these people survive the cold.

ANNUAL AWARDS

The professional development week was a unique event organized by ATEP professional development committee from 27th February to 2nd March at the faculty. The program included a Patient Counseling Competition, a forum, a debate, and different workshops. The event aimed to narrow the gap between pharmacy students and professionals from different pharmaceutical fields by inviting them to the faculty. Students had the chance to network, discuss and seek advices from other professionals.

Lastly, the ATEP nature committee members organized this year’s Aromatherapy and essential oils conference and workshops. It was a great opportunity for students to enhance what they have already learned in pharmacognosy.

ATEP faced a lot of new challenges this year. Thanks to our committed and dedicated members, we have survived the year!

IPSF

ATEP pharmacy student congress 2011 Sousse, Tunisia Annual

Bulletin41 2011-2012

Amel Abad ASEPA, Algeria President & Contact Person

AfRO

Once upon a time... ASEPA

Once upon a time, although they were busy with their studies and exams, some pharmacy students wanted to break the routine, and they searched until found a federation that could be the solution to this—IPSF. It is an international federation that seems to have what they were searching for: the opportunity to share their ideas, the ability to exceed their limits and to concretize big projects. Although they were students, their dream was finally feasible and could come true thanks to “IPSF”!

The dream began when this young association submitted its application at the 56th IPSF World Congress in Slovenia to become an IPSF member for the first time. As soon as the little ASEPA joined the federation, it has been inspired by the IPSF spirit beginning from the public health events and organized: - Two Diabetes awareness campaigns, on November, 2010 and 2011 - Two HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns on December 2010 and 2011 - One anti-tuberculosis awareness campaign on March 2012 - One Anti-counterfeit Drugs campaign on April 2012 - Two anti-tobacco awareness campaigns on May 2011 and 2012 After a small experience within the federation, ASEPA tried to implement professional development activities that constitute an important side of the federations’ activities.

It organized the first local Leaders in Training and the first Patient Counseling Event in May 2012. In addition to all these events, ASEPA introduced a new event, The Intern’s Symposium, a special scientific event organized each year in order to give to pharmacy interns the opportunity to present their researches. ASEPA has now organized two Intern’s Symposia and given the opportunity to more than 40 interns to demonstrate their abilities in researches and public speaking.

As a challenge, ASEPA will host the first IPSF African Pharmaceutical symposium in July 2012.

The achievement for this young association constantly makes its proofs. In less than two years, ASEPA moved from an amateur to an active association, the will and the optimism of its members and the interest they have with IPSF may lead to many surprises for the future.

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Jason Hong MyPSA, Malaysia Contact Person

APRO

My CP experience

Today, I would like to share the unconventional joys of being a CP in this wonderful organization.

Firstly, I would like to introduce myself. I am Jason Hong, the Vice President and CP of Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA). Many people would always shout about the experience of meeting new people, expanding their network, learn more about contributing to the community, but we always leave out how these experiences are connected. And what is it you may ask me; the answer is the ABUNDENT amount of emails!

CONTACT PERSONS

My goodness when I realize the number of emails recorded on my phone. I think it is a known fact that we, the CPs are flooded with tons of emails every day. Nevertheless, it is our main medium of communication and it signifies how words connect us as a team. This bridge that links us should not be taken as a burden but as a letter from friend who harps about their home (local association) and the interesting events they had. We read about projects and updates from distant countries; learn about the unique undertakings of each pharmacy association and more importantly form friendships with one another.

Pharmacy is a world of continuous learning and I think the best way to learn is through your peers who can patiently teach and guide us in a topic of interest. IPSF have many public health programs which give light upon serious health issues and it is only wise to be a part of these missions. The IPSF committee sends us various literature and guides on how to organize public health campaign in our country.

As a result of this, I am proud to acknowledge that MyPSA will be undertaking public health projects which are the primary focus of IPSF. The local associations under the umbrella of MyPSA will each be organizing one public health campaign throughout a year from mid of 2012 until the mid of 2013.

IPSF

For my final words before I part, the amazing experience that IPSF has given me up till now has been a mind blowing one and if I would have the chance to do it again, I would! I apologize as I will not be able to see most of you in Egypt because I will be on my industrial training during that period. I wish everyone have a great time in the world congress and Terima kasih (thank you).

Annual

Bulletin43 2011-2012

Khaled Mostapha EPSF, Egypt Vice President & Contact Person

EMRO

Our IPSF experience

“Success is a journey, not a destination”. I deeply believe in this quote and that everything happens for a reason. Therefore, when I became interested in EPSF, I thoroughly enjoyed EPSF’s spiritual lifestyle.

I’m Khaled Mostafa, 22 years old, and a senior Pharmacy student in Egypt studying at Tanta University. Certainly, it is a great challenge to be a part of the team who received the Sidney J. Relph Award 2010-11, and host the 58th IPSF World Congress 2012. Working in EPSF resembles an opportunity for me to try to carry out what I believe in. I believe in humanity, in our potentials, in our abilities to create a brighter future, a future where we can eradicate the frowns of people in pain and draw a smile, a glimpse of hope.

Big things start small. I joined the IPSF family when I started as a member in the IPSF Design and Creativity Subcommittee in 2009-10. I was then elected as the Internal Coordination Communication Officer of IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office in 2010-11, and this year, it has been a great honor and privilege to represent my country and my national federation in IPSF as a Contact Person.

I feel lucky and unique to be a part of IPSF family and work in a multicultural environment, which has broadened my scope and added a lot to my life experiences. It has been a great pleasure to work with friends from around the world, exchanging experiences and ideas, feeling the IPSF spirit, and supporting each other for a greater IPSF. I felt the immense desire to spread the IPSF spirit to all the EPSFers to ensure that each student can feel it too and that the EPSF’s voice in IPSF becomes louder than ever before!

Last but not least, I would like to thank my friends in EPSF for the continuous support during my term as a CP, and for giving me the chance to write and report our events and projects.

I look forward to meeting everyone at the 58th IPSF World Congress in Hurghada, where history meets the future!

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Yuqian Liu APhA - ASP, USA Contact Person

PARO

A story

It has been a while since I have lifted my pen to reflect on my experiences with IPSF. Much has changed in the past four years, and IPSF is what changed me. My name is Yuqian Liu, and I am the Contact Person for the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP).

I have no intention to praise my accomplishments or to lecture others on my involvements with IPSF. My predecessors have APhA - ASP / IPSF Executive Committee accomplished things much Washington D.C., USA greater, and my journey has only begun. Today, I am a narrator, and this is a story of how IPSF has changed my perceptions and my life as a student pharmacist.

CONTACT PERSONS

Once upon a time, there was a frog sitting in a well. To it, there was no sun, no moon, only a few stars in a palm-sized piece of sky. One day, a traveler came. He told the frog about the world beyond the well, and the frog did not believe him. Therefore the traveler reached down the well and lifted the frog outside. From that moment on, the life of the frog changed. I make this analogy from personal experience. I was the frog, and IPSF was the traveler. The sun, the moon, and the stars were the opportunities out there for student pharmacist to practice globally and the vast sky was the international community.

Before I joined IPSF, I thought pharmacy was confined to a city, a state, and a country. However, as to every IPSF-er’s knowledge, it is not. IPSF broke down the walls that confined my image of a pharmacist. It united passionate student pharmacists from all over the world, so that together, we exchanged ideas and experiences, made friends and built bonds, became better student pharmacists, and above all, transformed into outstanding healthcare professionals.

IPSF

Before I put down my pen, I reflect upon the year. I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as the IPSF Contact Person for the United States. I have had a great team behind me who shared the same passion for IPSF and have been with me, supporting me, every step of the way. Once upon a time, IPSF opened a door and guided me down a much different path from that of a typical pharmacy student. Now, it is my turn to open this door for many more, to share my IPSF story so that others may create their own.

Annual

Bulletin45 2011-2012

IPSF essay competition winner Beatrice Naa Norley Addo GPSA, Ghana

I am Beatrice Naa Norley Addo. I am from Ghana in West Africa. I am a final year student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. As a student, I was faced with the challenge of choosing a career in pharmacy. I always thought pharmacy was all about either hospital pharmacy or community pharmacy. Upon hearing about the 2012 IPSF competition from the international relations officer in my school where students would discuss global career paths in pharmacy, I deemed it important to partake and let others know about other career options in pharmacy.

I had to do a lot of research into the career options in pharmacy and also to gather information from my colleagues. For other members, who would like to partake in next year’s competition, my advice would be to read more into the topics given, to be dedicated and also to be committed. For me, the sky was the only limit. I would always strive to achieve the best in my career in pharmacy.

I would like to thank IPSF for the opportunity and the exposure given to me. I would also like to end with a quote from Martin Luther King, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well”.

I have won a free registration to the IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium Algiers, Algeria

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International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation P.O BOX 84200 2508 AE Den Haag The Netherlands Tel: +31 70 302 1992 Fax: +31 70 302 1999 Email: ipsf@ipsf.org Website: www.ipsf.org