IPSF Newsletter, Issue #101

IPSF Newsletter | March 2013

e Fund D und D ment F d p o l e v nd De opment Fun l d Deve pment Fund e v lo Fun pment nt Fu

Event grants in 2012

Membership grants Get a grant and enjoy SEP!

IPSF

newsletter 101

Development Fund

ipsf.org www.

Since establishment in 1949, IPSF now represents more than 270 000 pharmacy students and recent graduates in over 70 countries worldwide.

IPSF is the leading international advocacy organisation of pharmacy students promoting improved public health through provision of information, education, networking, and a range of publication and professional activities.

e Fund D dD ent Fun m p o l e nd Dev opment Fund l d Deve pment Fund velo Fun pment nt Fu

Ms. Milanka Marunić

Editorial

Click here to download the Development Fund calls for 2013

content the DF Sub-Committee

Page 2

the DF role in IPSF Page 4

event grant Page 6

membership grant Page 12

membership grant Page 17

Issue #101, March 2013

Design & Layout

Ms.IPSFAlexandra Marques Chairperson of Media and Publications Cover photo

Ms. Alexandra Marques Proofread by Ms. Yuqian Liu [Editor-in-Chief] Ms. Neo E-on Ms. Hannah Svedlung Mr. Jason Hong

‘‘

Dear IPSF members and friends from all around the world, With my great pleasure, I am delighted to present to you the first edition of Development Fund (DF) Newsletter. edition of the IPSF Newsletter dedicated to the Development Fund.

In this edition, as DF is a core bone of IPSF you will have opportunity to learn more about this fund and its purposes. In addition, there are few words from each member of DF Subcommittee which will help you to get more acquainted with them as a team of very hard-working and motivated people.

DF is founded to help pharmaceutical students to participate in different IPSF events and projects.

Therefore, in this issue of IPSF Newsletter some of DF Grants recipients will share their experience within DF and show you on how DF Grant help them to improve themselves in any possible way.

Last but not the least important things are the Calls for DF Grants for the year 2012-2013. There you will find all basic information on how you can apply and who you should contact.

Having this said, enjoy your reading.

Viva la Pharmacie!

Chairperson of Media and Publications publications@ipsf.org Editor-in-Chief editor@ipsf.org

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Development Fund Sub-committee Ms. Milanka Marunić IPSF Development Fund Co-ordinator Since my involvement with NAPSer as SEO

Fund was always a core bone in IPSF as it is used to financially support students and IPSF members

and latter as a member of Student Exchange Committee and Chairperson of Student Exchange, I have always been fascinated by IPSF work and projects. The IPSF spirit is totally infectious! I have attended many IPSF World Congresses and at the last one in Egypt I realized that I still can contribute to IPSF so I become a DF Coordinator. Development

to participate in IPSF events and projects. My main motivation to become DF Coordinator was to move DF to a next level since for many years DF haven’t had any changes. This year I have great and very motivated members of DF Subcommittee and together I believe that we can bring something new to DF and help it to develop in a way that it has never happened.

Mr. Lee Ross NAPSA, Australia I was motivated to join the DF committee because I have a keen interest in international health, especially in developing countries. I recently worked in Fiji as part of an aide program aimed at improving health outcomes of patients by working together with them to find interventions that would improve compliance. So, I know the benefits that

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education and involvement have in promoting public health issues and encouraging proactive development. IPSF gives a unique opportunity to share and discuss ideas for change with peers from all over the world, and I think that every pharmacy student should have the opportunity to benefit from this dynamic organization. Viva la pharmacie!

Mr. José Carvalho AEFFUP, Portugal Dear IPSFers, My name is José Carvalho and I’m from Porto, Portugal taking my masters degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (3rd year of 5). My adventure in IPSF started last year as Contact Person of AEFFUP. I attended the 2012 World Congress in Hurghada and I was completely in love by with the people, the fantastic environment

and I wanted and needed to get closer to IPSF! Now, I’m currently a member of the Development Fund Sub-Committee which implies lots of work and always lots of fun and friendship - the main reasons why I have joined this group.

I hope to meet you all in Utrecht!

To IPSF to IPSF, viva la pharmacie !

Mr. Tomáš Valena Slovakia Hi IPSFers, My name is Tomáš Valena and I am from a small central European country, Slovakia. Currently I am living and working in Prague, Czech Republic, working in the pharmaceutical industry. I had the privilege of serving the Federation in 2010-11 as the IPSF Treasurer. I have pledged to focus more on the IPSF Development Fund but I did not have enough time to focus on it during my term. That’s why I am still taking part in this team to fulfill this pledge. Viva la pharmacie!

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Development Fund and its role within IPSF

by Mr. Tomáš Valena (Slovakia) – member of IPSF DF Subcommittee

The first President of IPSF, Mr. Sidney J. Relph said:

“...idea of IPSF is that pharmacy students of different nationalities shall get to know each other and to understand each other.

If it is the wish of this generation that we should gain peace and an adequate opportunity to practice our profession under better conditions, then we must take active steps; we must be prepared to fight for it; we must be resolved to go into the problem with patience and a singleminded determination that the problems will be solved. Nothing survives unless built with a view to the future. …“

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In these few sentences, he described the idea and concept of IPSF, an idea to create a better world through connections between pharmacy students from different nations, countries and backgrounds. While we are accomplishing this task, we are improving our profession and helping people around us.

His words were implemented in 1969 when students from Sweden proposed a project to promote IPSF activities to developing countries.

The aids of the fund were to provide in-kind donations such as books, drugs and equipment to those in need and to assist pharmacy students from developing countries to participate in IPSF Congresses, meetings and the Student Exchange Programme. This project was named Development Fund (DF) and from that time on, the main goal has been to give each and every pharmacy student an equal opportunity to fully participate in IPSF activities.

What is the current role of DF project?

The Development Fund has became a core unit of the Federation. From 1969, hundreds of pharmacy students were able to experience the spirit of IPSF at congresses, practiced pharmacy in different countries through SEP, ran IPSF campaign/

e Fund D dD n u F t en m p o l e nd Dev opment Fund l d Deve pment Fund velo Fun t n e m p nt Fu project or had their membership fee subsidised by the Development Fund grant. Donations also provided financial support to Humanitarian projects such as Neema Project Tanzania (19952004) and MPNUP Project Uganda 2010. There is still a need to help even more.

How can each of us support the Development Fund?

Another option on how to support Development fund is to give donations.

If you are willing to do so, please contact the Development Fund Coordinator (df@ipsf.org) or IPSF Treasurer (treasurer@ipsf.org).

IPSF and all DF holders are thankful for and are in gratitude of your contributions.

If you would like to know more about Development Fund, please check the IPSF webpage or check IPSF DF newsletter (like the one you’re currently reading!). Thank you and viva la pharmacie.

There are many ways in which you can participate and help others. If you are attending an IPSF event, you can bring something special from your country as donation to IPSF Auction where your item will be auctioned to raise money for the DF. If you find something nice for yourself or only want to auction something for a good cause, you are advised to participate and contribute at this meaningful night. All funds go directly to the Development Fund and will be used to fund 4 grants. Any pharmacy student can apply and the IPSF Development Fund Sub-Committee (DF SC) will review his/her application.

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e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F d t n n opm Fund Deve u e F e m t v p n e o e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v n n e op u e D F m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e D F elo m d t p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e D F m d t vel p n n o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t p n n eve o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t p n n eve o u e l F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n o u e l De F e m t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l F e m dD t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l F e m dD t v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e event grant m d t v p n e o un e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o e l D Fun e m d v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o e l D Fu e m d v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d v p n nt e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D e m d v p n nt F e o u l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o u en l D F e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u l D F e me d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u l D F e me d t v n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D e m d v p n e o u ent F l D F e

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Mr. Afadhali Diallo

1st African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) Hello IPSF’ers,

better through our joint group work.

It’s with a great pleasure and honor to greet you today. My name is Afadhali Diallo, pharmacy intern in community pharmacy from National University of Rwanda, RWANDA.

After realizing how much the DF grant contributed to the success of my trip to the 1st AfPS, where I got elected as the Chairperson of IPSF AfRO,

I want to talk about how IPSF Development Fund (DF) grant has contributed to the success of my trip to participate in the 1st African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS). In 2012, I applied for the grant and was allowed 690 Euro. I got the opportunity to explore a new country and start my journey down the leadership path, thanks to IPSF DF. To me, being involved in IPSF provided a benefit for me to interaction with a larger group of peopl, building a long-lasting friendship, and getting to know and share more about pharmacy and leadership.

During the stay in Algeria, the auction night was held one evening here we collected some money going to the DF to support future applicants. It’s good to be involved in to assist others coming after you.

It’s in Algeria where I was elected as the 20122013 Chairperson of the IPSF African Regional Office (IPSF AfRO). I set for this term to spread the IPSF spirit! For sure, the pharmacy practice will be promoted and the future of pharmacy will be

I am more grateful and motivate about IPSFers to apply for it as it contributes to helping others in reach our goals Algeria is a wonderful country with endless beautiful opportunities.

Want to support the IPSF DF? Do not hesitate to join the auction during one of your stay at an IPSF event!

As the AfRO Chairperson, I am working closely with the IPSF Executive committee with the greatest team ever. The main event for our region is the 2nd AfPS to take place in Arusha, Tanzania to which I invite you all to attend!

Pharmacy is a career, IPSF is a family!

Viva La Pharmacie!

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Ms. Wyla Widyaputri

11th Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium 2012 Dear IPSFers around the globe, My name is Wyla Widyaputri, 4th year undergraduate students in School of Pharmacy ITB Indonesia. If you recognize Audrey Clarissa, the IPSF President during 06-07, yes I am her junior. Inspired a lot by her, it gives me an enthusiasm to always keep the IPSF spirit within my own self. I started to be involved in IPSF at my local students’ association (HMF-ITB) and by the year of 2011, I would just say that this year was a breakthrough for me. I attended the 10th Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium which held in Jogjakarta, also took part as the LIT trainee. It was a tremendous moment, how I just feel so lucky and proud at the same time to be IPSF member. Hence, I decided to work hard for the federation. The first milestone that I built was being sub-committee of Regional Relations Officer APRO IPSF and about five months after, I was appointed as the Contact Person of MiA HMF ‘AP’ ITB Indonesia. I really enjoy my dual job as both subcommittee and CP. I remembered, there was a time at the early 2012, Veronika sent an E-mail about the Development Fund Grant. I knew it is going to be a big chance for me to get support from the federation for the next Regional Symposium. I am really willing to attend the 11th APPS in Taiwan, not only because it is compulsory for me to attend, but to

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be there, to meet new friends, getting another international experience and getting a chance expanding my knowledge about IPSF is more what I am searching for. Not too long after that, I got the notification on my e-mail about the DF Grant announcement from Diana, the former DF Grant Coordinator that I was luckily chosen as one of the DF Grant receivers for IPSF Event in 2012.

In short, on July 2012, I was able to go to Taiwan for the 11th APPS. As I said earlier, APPS was not only a compulsory for me attend, but it’s like an addiction. Once you swim into the joyful moments of APPS, you will feel like you really want to return to APPS every year. You will be able to expand your knowledge about pharmacy system and its education system in every country around Asia Pacific. APPS is also a suitable event for those who want to have an international experience such as having many pals from another country. Well, I have to say that the friendships that I have built from last experience at the 10th APPS and 11th the APPS will remain strong.

The 11th APPS in Taiwan was also a legendary moment for myself. I was able to stand at the Regional Meeting to present my presentation for annual report and for the nomination of Regional Relations Officer of APRO IPSF. Together with a friend of mine, Apip, from MyPSA, we have

delivered the best presentation as we could to run for the position. Here I am now, writing to all of you as a part of APRO Regional Working Group,

I thank you IPSF for giving me such this huge support and providing me a space to improve myself in this Federation I will do my best to show my love and spirit to IPSF and at last, Viva la Pharmacie!

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Mr. Mohan Shrestha

58th IPSF World Congress 2012 The footprints in IPSF for me started at the 57th IPSF World Congress held in Hat Yai, Thailand 3rd - 13th August 2011 where I was given the responsibility of Tobacco Alert Coordinator.

Then after, queries stroke into my mind one after another of how I can represent my country in the upcoming IPSF World Congress. Time went by and I am surprised when I found myself in the airplane on the way to Egypt, my stopover to Hurghada.

I enjoyed the General Assembly a lot. I am now clear about what the system is and its importance to achieving the goals. Sitting with representatives from all around the world, thinking over proposed motions and voting on them made me fee as an important part of this unique formation that is IPSF. This voting procedure was more powerful than I would have believed. It is crucial to introduce it into my country.

My name is Mohan Shrestha and I am from the Nepal Pharmacy Students’ Association (NPSA), in Nepal. It was a great honor to receive an IPSF DF event grant to attend the 58th IPSF World Congress. This was a first time for NPSA, a full member association from Nepal, to participate in IPSF World Congress and I would like to express my gratitude to all of the active members of NPSA.

I appreciated the variety of workshops and the way we could attend a workshop of our choice.

Conducting workshops in the World Congress is a new experience and it motivates me even more. My attendance of the scientific symposium was very worthwhile. Sharing new ideas and experiences with new friends about the association work, building up new cooperation and projects, which were mixed with great parties and lots of fun in the social part of the Congress and the Egyptian culture are memorable to me. All these activities made me with many new ideas and knowledge for the future work within my association and for IPSF.

The words of thanks are not enough and I need to contribute a lot for IPSF and the profession as well. For this, I would like to express my thanks to the IPSF DF committee and the IPSF Executives for providing me such a life changing opportunity.

These 15 days of my life are amazing with lots of memorable events. I have never before met so many active young people aiming for the same goal. I know what IPSF and its spirit is and IPSF now it runs through my blood. I felt a huge responsibility upon me, representing Nepal in the global arena. I did my best and felt more responsible for my contribution.

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At last, I would like to thank the Reception committee for organizing such a managed program and help me throughout the congress days. Each and every moment from the Leaders in Training (LIT) program to the congress ending are memorable.

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e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F d t n n opm Fund Deve u e F e m t v p n e o e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v n n e op u e D F m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e D F elo m d t p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e D F m d t vel p n n o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t p n n eve o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t p n n eve o u e l F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n o u e l De F e m t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l F e m dD t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l F e m dD t v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F membership e m d t v p n e o un e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e grant l D F e m d t v p n e o e l D Fun e m d v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o e l D Fu e m d v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d v p n nt e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D e m d v p n nt F e o u l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o u en l D F e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u l D F e me d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u l D F e me d t v n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D e m d v p n e o u ent F l D F e

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LtPSA Lithuania LtPSA (=SFD) is a Member in Association (MiA) in IPSF. We are from a small country in Europe – Lithuania where‘s only one pharmacy faculty. Our association is one of the most active organisation in Kaunas – the city, where you can find our university.

Last year we decided to accept the offer to get Membership grant and it was a lucky decision!

Our membership fees in IPSF were covered by grant and this helped for LtPSA save some money which we use for new projects, ideas or social events implementation. I would like to tell you more about activities which had the biggest success last year.

place in the biggest cities of Lithuania. We walk the street with our mascot – Ex Smoker and distribute roses, narcology center cards with information where people can apply if they want to quit smoking. Usually we are asked for more cards, because people want to give them to their friends or relatives who smoke. We think that people with flowers in their hands looks better than with a cigarette. All day long our collegues from medicine faculty are measuring carbon monoxide amount in expiratory air from lungs. Kids and teenagers can attend for many various competitions, starting from blowing soap bubbles, ending with short film competiton about disadvantages of smoking. Also we give rompers for babies who were born on the 1st of May with print “I was born nonsmoker“.

“Flower instead of cigarete“ campaign is a Public Health event which we organise every year together with few other healthcare companies and associations on the 1st of May. Event takes

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“Freshmen camp“ is a social project which LtPSA organise every year. Just before studies starts and we still have good summer weather, we invite upcoming first year students for a camp. It always takes place at the same location nearby the Latezeris lake. There upcoming students can make friends with senior students who will help them later in university or involve in LtPSA activity.

Almost all of the time participants of the camp are involved in team work, can win notes for senior students, listen to the stories about university life and lecturers. Later in the evening everyone relax and take part in social event. We always prove for upcoming students that they chose the right subject to study and that pharmacists are the most friendly and organised people in the world!

“Ladies and gentlemens’ evening” (D&D) is a social event organized before Christmas for which we invite not only our faculty students but all of the academic community (professors, dean, lecturers, etc.) and Lithuanian pharmaceutical companies leaders. It’s very good chance for everyone to make useful social contacts. It takes place in nice environment and of course event has special dress code – formal dress. With special programme, food, drinks, live music and dances we make warm and relaxing atmosphere for everyone. Usually we hear compliments from lecturers that it’s really good idea to organize this event.

All in all me and LtPSA would like to thank for Development Fund and IPSF for giving this important opportunity to get grant which helped us to improve our work and events. I want to encourage every contact person to try to attend for grants. You can help a lot for your own association!

Lots of love from Lithuania! Viva la Pharmacie!

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NAPSer Serbia

by Mr. Marko Karličić, NAPSer Supervisory board member 2013

Dear IPSFers around the globe, My name is Marko Karličić, I am the former CP of NAPSer, Serbia and I wish to share with you some of our experiences and things we were able to accomplish throughout last year.

NAPSer Executive board became instantly motivated to fulfill all of the planned activities for the upcoming year with the utmost effort. We also did our best in implementing new ideas and trying out new projects and campaigns, as we do almost every year.

Throughout 2012 we have managed to successfully organize various projects related to professional development, public health and student exchange.

National Association of Pharmacy Students Serbia (NAPSer) represents three schools of pharmacy in Serbia and advocates for around 3000 pharmacy students. We are a small and relatively young organization but every year we try to give our best and improve our work when it comes to organizing projects and campaigns, making student exchanges and hosting and participating in events that are pharmacy related.

Having received the IPSF Development Fund Membership Grant in the beginning of 2012,

Patient Counseling Events were held in all three cities where NAPSer has its local office (Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis). Clinical Skills Events were successfully done in cooperation with IFMSASerbia in Novi Sad and Nis. NAPSer local PH teams, under the guidance of PH IPSF Newsletter

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national coordinator, have managed to mark all of the important public health dates using various kinds of campaigns. For the first time, NAPSer has participated both in IPSF Live and Regular Vampire Cup and during the 58th IPSF World congress in Hurghada, was awarded as winner of the Regular Vampire Cup 2011/12.

As for student exchange projects, NAPSer is seriously involved for some time now in EPSA Twinnet and in IPSF Student Exchange Program.

In 2012 our LS and SEO did a fantastic job. Twin exchanges were held with several countries and the number of foreign students coming to Serbia for SEP, as well as our own students going to other countries for their exchange, has increased compared to previous years.

Having in mind that all of these projects and activities require some amount of money in order to make a high quality organization and achieve success, and also knowing the fact that Serbia is in a very difficult financial situation for some time now (sponsorships are very limited), I have to admit that the IPSF DF Membership Grant was a huge support for us.

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However, the Grant’s usefulness came to its peak when it was time for us to organize the biggest event in NAPSer calendar - NAPSer Annual congress. This 4 day gathering of around 250 pharmacy students from Serbia, took a lot of planning but also a lot of funds. Since this was the 5th jubilary congress, the organization had to be perfect. I am happy to say that we have successfully achieved our goal and that one of

the influential factors was the money we received from IPSF. I want to use this opportunity to encourage all of the member organizations and their representatives, to apply for the Development Fund Grants and, if being successful, to use those funds to improve their IPSF involvement as well as their organization’s work, project organizing and what is most important, give more and better opportunities to their pharmacy students.

Best regards from Belgrade!

e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t velop nt Fund Dev pment Fun evelopmen nd D o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t p n n eve o u e l F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n o u e l De F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n o u e l De F e m t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l F e m dD t v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e lo D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m t v p nd n e o e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m t v p nd n e o e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o un e l D e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o e l D Fun e m d v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o e l D e m d t Fu v p n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D e m d v p n nt F e o u l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e sep grant m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o u en l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n e o u en l D F e d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u l D F e me d t v n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e d t v pm n n e u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e d t v pm n n e u e D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v n n e op u e D F m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e u e D F elo m d t p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F e m d t v p n n e o u e l D F m d t ve p n n o u e l D F e m d v p n e o u ent l D F e

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Mr. Tan Hong Huei

SEP grant 2012 Hi everyone, I am Tan Hong Huei, final year pharmacy student from USM. I participated Student Exchange Program (SEP) organized by International Pharmacy Student Association

I stayed in Zagreb, Croatia for 2 months and I was attached to 2 community pharmacies; Pablo Ljekarna and Avène Klub Ljekarna. Pharmacists in Croatia are given dispensing right. Meanwhile

(IPSF) last summer and the host country of my SEP was Croatia. Why I chose Croatia? Croatia gets its independence only at 1991 and currently is a developing country, working out to be a member of European nation. But, it was once a while under Yugoslavia, a strong nation. Thus, I believe it has good healthcare system basis. We can always hear people talking about US, UK and Europe, so exploring Croatia is definitely something different, fresh and interesting.

citizens of Croatia are all with a medical card that medicines prescribed by doctors will be saved into it. When the patient comes to pharmacy, the medical card is used to load doctor’s prescription.

With this, patient’s medication history can be traced easily and prescription error can be avoided. The community pharmacy setting in Croatia is more developed. They benchmarking their pharmacy well where they only sell medicinerelated products like homeopathy, supplement, traditional medicine, OTCs, prescription-only drugs and medical equipments. They do sell cosmetics but are restricted to medicine use only.

Besides, community pharmacists there are still practicing extemporaneous preparation for their customers. This is definitely a value-added service that should be incorporated into Malaysian community pharmacy setting. Pablo Ljekarna is a chain pharmacy located at centre city square of Zagreb. It has 6 pharmacists on duty every day. Meanwhile, Avène Klub Ljekarna is located at outskirts of Zagreb that has 2 pharmacists on duty every time. They always aim to deliver comprehensive pharmaceutical care to their customer. They offer free counseling on the use

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of medicine, provide product information and ensure patient compliance to medicine. With medical card, all citizens of Croatia will be having partial subsidy for prescribed medicine. So, there is no price war between pharmacies and customers choose their preferred pharmacy based on service provided and price of non-prescription products.

To achieved optimum pharmaceutical care delivery to patients, Zagreb have four pharmacies that open 24-hourly, located at the north, south, east and centre of city.

This SEP indeed widens my horizon. It was a splendid exchange where I gained knowledge related to pharmacy profession, observed their way of delivering pharmaceutical care and amazed by their developed healthcare system.

Through this exchange, I personally feel that we should keep on fighting for the dispensing right.

Besides, there is a lot of improvement needed in our current community pharmacy setting. Besides, I managed to pick up Croatian basic greetings, learned their culture and made lot of new friends in the student dorms! I also traveled around Croatia with other SEP participants from country like Spain, Portugal, Lithuania and Poland. Since,

Croatia is so famous with its Adriatic Sea, beaches and parks, this trip made our SEP even more enjoyable. It is really a nice experience when you go to a foreign place where you have to explore new things, new people and new environment yourself. It is definitely a thrilling journey and it will probably be the best moment of your life! So, what are you waiting now? Grab the chance to join SEP like me!

IPSF Newsletter

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International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation PO 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

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