PQ November 2016

PQ Plus 2 November 2016

PQ is presented by

Pharmacare

Specialty Pharmacies

IN THIS ISSUE SAMPLE

Disclaimer: Any opinions or viewpoints published are directly from the contributing authors and do not represent the philosophy or viewpoints of the Faculty of Pharmacy or the University of Alberta.

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Find out who will be on the Publications Committee this year.

See who is blazing new trails in the pharmacy world.

- Kit Poon - Nese Yuksel

Meet the Writers Interviews

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Mr. Pharmacy Special

Read about who will be competing for the title on December 3rd!

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#SaveLivesImmunize Read the director’s commentary on the flu vaccine that APSA prepared.

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Student Exchange Netflix Program Figure out what you Travelling in pursuit of education - see what Wei Leong was up to in Portugal.

Advertisement

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Contest

We’re running a picture contest dedicatd to Movember!

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Horoscopes

What do the stars say?

should be watching on Netflix this fall.

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Day November 24 at Bernard Snell Hall in Clinical Sciences Building This year’s event is sure to appeal to both the pharmaceutical scientists and clinical pharmacists among you. The theme is based around pharmacokinetics and translating PK from the lab bench to clinic.

Research Day runs from 9:00 am until 3:40 pm with three speeches throughout the morning and afternoon.

The keynote talk will be given by Majid Vakilynejad (left), a researcher at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. A UAlberta graduate, Dr. Vakilynejad’s talk is titled: “Model Based Drug Development & Enhanced Quantitative Decision Making in Pharmaceutical Industry”

Dr. Majid Vakilynejad Senior Director, Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology Takeda Pharmaceutical Company

The two other talks are 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm. These will be delivered

by Drs Brocks and Mahmoud, whom you may be familiar with from your classes.

You also don’t want to miss the poster presentation!

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Check out the full schedule online! Food will be provided.

Editors’ Notes

Editors’ Notes

We are halfway through everyone, so hang on tight!

And guess what? It’s that time of year again!

Like we have done for many years, our faculty is once again gearing up for Movember! I hope to see everyone supporting Movember in support of men’s health.

Once again, as I have mentioned before, I am always interested in feedback on improving the quality of the magazine. So, please feel free to send me an email at seunga1@ualberta.ca.

- Jasmine Han, Editor This is very much a special issue. PQ is excited to show off what’ll be going on in the Faculty during Movember. In particular, Mr. Pharmacy is a great event to go to before the final exam period sets in.

And this is also the first issue for the new members of the Publications Committee, who you’ll get to meet on the next page.

Lastly, I have to give some honourable mentions. Our contest from September had three prizes but due to budgeting issues we will only be able to give out one prize, which is a ten-dollar gift card to the well-known restaurant Tim Horton’s. So I want to mention Katina Woo and Sandy Zhang for winning 2nd and 3rd place in the random draw. We appreciate your patience with us and hope you’ll continue to participate in contests, including the one we’re running for November.

I should also explain the choice of pictures on this page. Jasmine and I both took part in the CAPSI Compounding Competition in October, which is just one of a few competitions organized by CAPSI. We were on different teams so we are #frenemy Anyway, enjoy the issue and I wish you success in the rest of the term.

- Yusuf Nasihi, Editor

You can find us on Facebook at PQ PlusTwo or Instagram @pqplustwo MISC ILLUSTRATIONS DESIGN: FREEPIK

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Introducing the new Publications Committee Get to know those behind PQ!

My name is Alyssa and I’m a 4th year student with an unhealthy obsession with the Walking Dead When I’m not doing pharmacy things, you can most likely find me watching the aforementioned show, writing short stories and reading.

I’ve been involved with the Publications committee for the last 3 years and have learned so much by writing alongside hilarious & original people.

I hope you find the PQ+2 a great way to escape and just imagine you’re somewhere else that’s NOT in the PBL rooms to study. Hope everyone has a great year and we’ll try to deliver the best articles at every issue!

- Alyssa Aco, Class of 2017 Hi everyone!

My name is Morena and it is my pleasure to join the PQ+2 committee as a third year student! I’ve always found it hard to write about myself, so I’ll summarize one thing that I love, like, and dislike:

-I love to dance! Put on a song with a good rhythm and I’ll find myself moving to it somehow.

-I like drawing and doodling on my notes.

-I dislike pumpkin spice lattes. I know it’s a bit controversial to say this, but it’s true!

I know pharmacy school can be tough at times, so I hope that I and my fellow committee members can help make your days a bit brighter through PQ+2!

- Morena Medina Class of 2018

Hi everyone! My name is Lapinda and I’m a third year pharmacy student. I’m incredibly excited to be part

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of the Publications Committee this year, and also have the fun position of being one of your APSA photographers!

I absolutely love photography - hopefully I’ll get to meet you all as I take photos of all our amazing events throughout the year.

As for other interests, I play the piano and the trombone (though my musical skills are quite questionable).

Since I’m usually on the other side of the lens, photos of me are rare - but if you recognize me, feel free to say hi!

- Lapinda Chitnuyanondh, Class of 2018

Hey everyone! My name is Danial and I am a first-year student.

I am super stoked to be part of the publications committee!

As a future pharmacist, I want to raise public awareness about the expanded scope of care in the profession and focus specifically on geriatric pharmacy.

As a regular human, I have a series of controversial opinions on music (Solange is better than Beyonce), Star Wars (Greedo shot first) and ice hockey (Go Habs)

- Danial Khan, Class of 2020

Hello! My name is Lynnea and I am in the class of 2020. I enjoy chocolate, watching Friends on Netflix, and eating.

I grew up in Vegreville, home of the giant Ukrainian Easter egg.

Coming from this Ukrainian town, naturally I love perogies.

But really, who doesn’t??

I am excited to live in Edmonton this year because we get 10% off Menchies. Also because there are cool people here, especially in this awesome faculty.

I am excited to be a part of the Publication Committee this year!

- Lynnea Schultz, Class of 2020

Hello PQ readers! My name is Winnie, a 3rd year pharmacy student who is crazy about cats, napping, and reading novels.

I also happen to be this year’s Publications Director, which means I get to take care of the circus we call Publications Committee! This is where we brainstorm ideas to go into the our next issues, throw mad parties in PBL rooms, and get excited about pharmacy.

If you ever have any ideas or articles you’d like to see published, don’t be shy! We don’t bite (at least, not often).

- Winnie Lo, Class of 2018

Mr. Pharmacy

The Movember Campaign: What is it? Why us?

Why now?

Sean Hanson

Hey everyone! Sean here.

Just wanted to capture your attention for a couple minutes to discuss one of APSA’s biggest health campaigns of the year: Movember.

So what is the Movember Campaign? The Movember Campaign is a charity that does it right. They have one of the lowest overheads of any Canadian Charity, and they invest in promising research across the nation. There are currently prostate cancer tests being developed at the University of Alberta, with the research being funded by Movember.

Why do we as pharmacy students promote and fundraise for Movember? As future health care professionals, our goal will be to improve patient’s quality of life.

Sometimes we will be successful and other times we won’t be. Some conditions are just less treatable or preventable than others.

Sometimes we will have little power to help our patients, and sometimes we will be able to make all the

difference in the world.

The campaign, Movember, raises awareness in diseases such as prostate and testicular cancers which are treatable and preventable when diagnosed early.

So, supporting Movember can help make a huge difference in men’s lives by promoting ongoing medical research and bringing awareness to this campaign!

Even though we all identify as pharmacy students, we are first and foremost human beings.

Cancer has touched almost all of us in some way or another, including myself. Prostate cancer runs in the Hanson men’s genes, and by advocating for this campaign, I hope to eradicate these diseases so that no more men die from it.

Additionally, men’s mental health is an ever-important issue that is addressed during this campaign. Every minute, a man dies from suicide, and the rate is growing. We need to encourage the men in our lives to seek out the

help they need, as it’s been shown that many men do not seek help for mental health issues. Ways we can combat this problem are by providing resources, bringing awareness, and ensuring that it is not a sign of weakness.

Bringing awareness to these issues and encouraging men to seek help from different health care professionals and community members are very important in improving men’s health. If we can save just one life through our efforts in Movember than we have made all the difference, and our campaign will be a success.

When we donate to Movember, we make a difference, and it is a charity that APSA is extremely happy to work with.

I hope you will all join me this November in giving the middle finger to cancer and mental health issues. Grow a MO (if you’re able), or try to fundraise! Let’s stop men dying too young!

Turn the page to learn about the candidates for Mr. Pharmacy 2016...

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Mr. Pharmacy

1st-year contestants (Class of 2020)

Q/A with Preston Eshenko (above): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

I wouldn’t say I’m funny, talented, or creative. Fortunately, I have access to the best mentor around. Just like Mr. Miyagi helped the karate kid to master the dojo, Sean Hanson will help me to achieve supremacy in the Horowitz theatre.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

Considering I grow a mustache like a twelve-year-old boy pretty much any outfit works from the GAP kids section.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

It is important to raise health awareness in many different areas. I am new to the faculty but I am already impressed with how much time and effort is put into

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raising money for great causes.

Events like Mr. Pharmacy and Run for the Cure are huge successes.

Hopefully people will take note and acknowledge pharmacists as a “profession that cares about all aspects of health”, not just about dispensing drugs.

4. If your friend’s had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Valium – I have a very calming effect on those around me. Some would say I’m as cool as a cucumber. Also, my friends sometimes tell me that being my presence can be addictive.

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

Probably the marathon because I have the body of an Ethiopian runner.

6. Who is your moustache hero?

San Diego’s finest, Ron Burgundy

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

Hugs are much better than drugs.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

“Do not take with grapefruit” 9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

I don’t think with a body like mine you can hope to impress anyone.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Well, nothing is more fun than going on stage and embarrassing yourself in front of all your peers, professors, and potential future employers right?!

Mr. Pharmacy

Q/A with John Markowsky (below): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

I’m an academic, a trained competitive dancer and choreographer, and I’m also your next Mr. Pharmacy. It looks good with the rest of my bio, doesn’t it?

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

A pair of pleater pants, that’s all. If you need any clarification, ask me for an old dance photo.

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

The rush of being on stage is my drug. I love performing and being in the spotlight. What can I say.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

“This performance should be taken with plenty of water” for two reasons: it might get a little spicy and I’m definitely going to need a lot of water once I get off stage.

most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

I hope to impress all of those people who never considered dance to be hard work. Thanks to my many years of training, I’ve never set foot in a gym.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Well that’s one way to make sure that I’m noticed in first year!

9. Which audience member are you

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

As future Pharmacists, our support for great causes like Movember and other prostate cancer initiatives can’t start soon enough. We are ambassadors for the healthcare profession.

4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Zoloft - I’m an antidepressant and I’ll bring anyone into a better mood.

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

The floor routines - I wish I could incorporate flips and tumbling into my dance routines!

6. Who is your moustache hero?

Guy Fieri. Next question.

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Mr. Pharmacy

2nd-year contestants (Class of 2019) Q/A with Aman Parhar (below, in red sweater): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

I’ve always wanted to be a part of this. Some people are born to be pro-athletes or lawyers; I was born to win a mock-male beauty pageant at the third best pharmacy school in Canada.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

A simple, yet sexy outfit. Red sweater, slightly unzipped overtop of a white dress shirt and a white tie, with a beautiful pair of glasses that may be too small for my head and holding a cue card in one hand and a microphone in the other…

Kind of like this:

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

I’d have to say Women’s Beach Volleyball. I wouldn’t even have to play or anything, just as a towel boy or something. I’d honestly do anything the team needs me to do…

Anything.

6. Who is your moustache hero?

My moustache hero would have to be Borat, but actually, he is just my hero and role model in all facets of life. Nevertheless, his moustache is verrry niceee. Also, Borat came out in 2006 is this joke still relevant?

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

Heroin.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

It’s important that we, as pharmacy students, take actions and support Movember because prostate and testicular cancer, as well as, mental health issues in men are growing health concerns; therefore, raising funds will help reduce the incidence and improve the overall wellbeing of men across the world.

4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Fentanyl, because I can take your breath away.

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8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

Probably my parents...not in a weird way or anything. They’ve just always said I’m the worst and will never amount to anything in life, so it would be really cool if I could impress them with something I do.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was

your reaction?

Cool. Obviously. Makes sense. Good job Class of 2019 for making the smart and correct decision.

Mr. Pharmacy

Q/A with Sean Henry (left): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

My passion for pharmacy is only matched by my passion for opportunities to behave ridiculously.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

Any shirt with a low cut V neck, or just a suit. Suits complement everything.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

Part of what it means to be a pharmacist is to advocate. Mr. Pharmacy and Movember are a perfect opportunity for us as pharmacists to dedicate a whole month to raising funds and awareness for men’s health.

This is one of the best ways we can use our knowledge and platform to show that we care for health matters.

4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Flomax… they feel relieved when I’m around? (I tried).

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

Probably synchronized swimming.

Hopefully with Aman as my partner still.

6. Who is your moustache hero?

Carlo Tipan... and Billy Dee Williams.

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

Overt irony.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

“Do not refrigerate”… ‘cause It’s already going to be so cool. (Sorry, that’s awful).

9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

Probably Sean Hanson. I hope to out dad-bod his dad-bod.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Same thing I always do: my patented happy dance.

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Mr.SAMPLE Pharmacy

3rd-year contestants (Class of 2018) Q/A with Anuvir Bhullar (above left): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

My combination of a sharp haircut, a splash of humour, a dash of sass, and a beautiful moustache will put me over the top.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

Looking back throughout history, the moustache has always been the perfect accessory for any outfit from any era. It would be grossly unfair to pick just one outfit that my moustache would look best with, especially considering that my moustache is always at its best.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

Men’s health is an issue that impacts everyone, and as future healthcare professionals it is even more important for us to bring this cause to the spotlight.

Pharmacists are often the first stop for patients as easily accessible healthcare providers. So, we are always in prime positioning to make a difference by bringing down the stigma associated with “being manly” and encouraging all men to take care of their mental and physical health is crucial in reducing

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the incidence and impact of related illnesses.

4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

I’m sure they all agree that I’m like an Epipen. I don’t do much on an average day; I might take a nap or two, maybe dream about Connor McDavid. Yet my friends know my value and still keep me around.

Because at the end of the day (deep, deep down) they all know that they can’t live without me.

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

I would have done weightlifting for sure. Nothing beats the satisfaction of pulling off a nice, smooth clean & jerk.

6. Who is your moustache hero?

Chris Hadfield’s moustache is pretty “out of this world”.

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

Nothing matches the high that comes from telling a good, high quality joke that I know everyone secretly loves. Even if I’m the only one laughing at it. See question 6 for an example.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

If my talent was a drug, it wouldn’t get past clinical trials because it’s far too deadly of a mixture.

It has been known to cause jaws to drop, hearts to stop, and very vivid dreams. For that reason, I don’t believe there is any auxillary label available that is good enough to describe it. But don’t drink grapefruit juice just in case.

9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

After his lacklustre performance at Mr Pharmacy last year, I still see Chandan Sangha secretly crying in the bathroom sometimes. I can only hope that after seeing me on stage in my beachwear, I will have impressed him enough that he can forget about his past failures and be able to finally move on with his life.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

“What time is the gym open until today?”

Mr. Pharmacy

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

“POISON” 9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

The mirror and Aliaks Savin.

Q/A with James Tao (directly above) [dunking on you] 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

Don’t ever play yourself.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

A birthday suit should go well with my permanently bare nude upper lip.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

I don’t think we should support Movember as pharmacy students, we should support Movember because we are human. Cancer is the number one cause of deaths in Canadians and prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.

Many of our family and friends have inevitably been affected by this disease and cancer. This is an area that the people around us and the world need support in. Fortunately, 90% of prostate cancer is curable if detected early, and pharmacists can play a great role raising awareness

to prevent morbidity and mortality from prostate cancer as well as support our patients that have been diagnosed. With the large audience that we can reach and the influence we impart on our patients, we are key players in promoting screening, early detection, and prevention of prostate cancer.

4. If your friend’s had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

“You’re kinda like topiramate bro, you make me look anorexic when we stand next to each other in the gym” - Philip Ha 5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

Is playing Pokemon Go a sport?

6. Who is your moustache hero?

A tie between Aliaksandr Savin and the Pringles guy.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Booked it to the nearest washroom.

I was suffering from food poisoning in China at the time and hearing the news just put me over the edge.

A Message from the Grad Committee Come suport the Grad Committee on November 25!

They’re hosting a bake sale at the ECHA/Katz pedway!

And if you ordered cookie dough, keep an eye out! Orders will be coming in during Fall Break.

They’re also preparing a Cookbook Fundraiser for the end of November.

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

A good pump.

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Mr. Pharmacy TRAVEL

4th-year contestants (Class of 2017) Q/A with Shayne Rybchinski (direct right): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

I’m not, Chris Evernden is.

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

No outfit can keep up with my moustache.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

Because health advocacy and increasing health awareness are important parts of the job for any health care professional, and that’s what MOvember is all about....and it’s an excuse to grow a Mo. 4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Tylenol. I’m old and simple, yet still effective.

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

Any sport that wasn’t in that dirty water.

6. Who is your moustache hero?

Callen Kenyon.

7. If love is Ke$ha’s drugs, then what is yours?

Please don’t compare me to Ke$ha ever again.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at Mr. Pharmacy?

“May cause nausea” 9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear competition?

The judges... and Callen Kenyon.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Going to Winnipeg!

Mr. Pharmacy Q/A with Chris Evernden (below right): 1. Why are you the next Mr. Pharmacy?

As Rick Flair stated, “I’m the stylin’, profilin’, limousine ridin’, jet flyin’, kiss-stealin’, wheelin’ and dealin’, son of a gun!”

2. What outfit will best complement your moustache?

My bro-merang would look best on a Wild Western Train Robber.

3. As pharmacy students, why is it important that we support Movember?

Men can have a rough and tough outlook on life. They don’t have time to look after themselves because they are too busy looking after their families. Movember is important because if we can convince just 1 man to take time away from their work to get checked, Movember is a success.

Mr. Pharmacy?

Generic substitution made.

9. Which audience member are you most hoping to impress with your beachwear?

I recently auditioned for the 2018 remake of Cats in case pharmacy doesn’t pan out. Andrew Lloyd Webber wants to see my triple threat skills in action.

10. When you found out you were going to be in Mr. Pharmacy what was your reaction?

Initially, I was honoured to be voted by my class.

Then I thought, “is it because I’m most likely to make a fool of myself?”

4. If your friends had to choose one drug to describe you, what would it be and why?

Nitroglycerin. I’m tried and true at fixing achy breaky hearts.

5. If you competed at the Rio Olympics, what sport would have you have competed in?

The equestrian sports. Why do all the work for a medal when the horse can do it?

6. Who is your moustache hero?

Yosemite Sam from Looney Toons 7. If love is Kesha’s drug, then what is yours?

Coffee. I should probably be evaluated for Caffeine Use Disorder.

8. What auxiliary label will best describe your talent at

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Day in the Life

A Day in the Life - Kit Poon Interview by Jasmine Han Who is Kit Poon? I think many of has seen Kit Poon at many occasions such as Lunch and Learn, Career Fair, and pharmacy events such as Mr. Pharmacy and Blue and Gold. However, the same question still lies. Who is he?

Kit Poon is a University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy grad from the Class of 2004. He is a progressive pharmacist with both APA (Additional Prescribing Authority) and injection certification. Not only does he exercise pharmacy practice to the fullest, he has ownership of his own pharmacy for he has always had his interest in pharmacy practice and pharmacy business as a combination. Even though he may seem like a progressive and successful pharmacist beyond our reach, he loves “all things nerdy” such as Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, and video games such as Life is Strange and Mass Effect series (his all-time favourite).

To learn further about what he does on a day to day basis, I took some time to ask him questions! So if you are interested, keep reading!

Can you tell me about your career path, and how you got to be where you are today?

In my fourth year studies, I took a pharmacy business course with Dr. Lopatka where my friends and I came up with a business idea that we implemented prior to graduating and was quite successful.

After that, I continued to work in the corporate environment until I was fortunate enough to be educated by Galvin Ding on the advantages of pharmacy ownership. Ever since, I tried to give back the same education to young pharmacists.

I believe that the more pharmacist owners there were, the stronger our profession would be, because as an owner, you cannot be apathetic to the profession.

This goal of “pharmacies owned by pharmacists” drives me in everything I do.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I mostly have strategy meetings and only occasionally work in the dispensary with patients. While I still enjoy pharmacy practice, the majority of my day is spent advancing our vision of “Pharmacies owned by pharmacists” and actively

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chasing opportunities in ownership.

It seems like you don’t have frequent interactions with patients.

Do you miss patient interaction, and what kind of interactions and relationships do you have?

chatting with my patients.

I love that most pharmacists think the same way I do, in that we believe the profession belongs in the hands of our colleagues, and it really is a good trade off from pharmacy practice.

What do you think is the most challenging and rewarding part about your job?

You only hit one out of every 10 deals you chase. It is both the most challenging and rewarding part of my career... Chasing a deal takes a whole lot of work and at the end, if you don’t win the deal, it’s doubly disappointing because not only is it a personal let down, it also usually means the corporate big bosses have converted another independent pharmacy out of the already small independent pool.

Nowadays, my main interactions are with other pharmacists rather than with patients, so I definitely miss

How else are you involved in the pharmacy community?

I just try to help wherever and whenever I can. I had many people give me a helping hand when I was going through school and want to give back in the same way.

Currently, I’m a board member for the Alberta Pharmacists Association (RxA) and a board member for Pharmachoice

Day in the Life West. I am also part of the Pharmacy Alumni Association, the Pharmacy Mentorship program and provide support wherever I am needed for APSA. I also try to answer whatever questions are directed at me on Pharmacists of Alberta Unite (a Facebook page, come join if you haven’t already!) and help a variety of students interested in practice, business or both.

I hope I can be of value to students, and hope that students are comfortable reaching out to me should they need me for anything.

doing a certain job but if it gets you a skillset you want, you should look at the bigger picture. Get involved if it involves learning. Put your hands up when nobody else wants to.

Whatever you do, stay away from the entitled mentality.

No employer cares what your grades are when you graduate. If you pass the OSCE/PEBC and are licensed, you’ll be a pharmacist and your skills will be just fine.

What employers care about is whether you are able to carry a conversation, build rapport without being awkward or like a used car salesman, and show leadership qualities.

What are your thoughts on the future of pharmacy with our scope of practice expanding? What other expansions of scope do you vision in the future for better practice setting and patient care?

Our scope is already the best and broadest in the entire country (if not the world) and we provide a tremendous value to patients every day. I would think that our skill sets would eventually branch out to basic physical examinations/ diagnosis and having the ability to prescribe narcotics and controlled substances. I would also hope that insurance plans and benefit administrators realize cost savings can be achieved with pharmacist interventions and autonomy.

Medical marijuana is also something I’m looking forward to being a part of as pharmacists should actively be involved in its access and related care.

Do you have any advice for students thinking of pursuing what you do?

What are some tips and guidance you would give to students to make their pursuit more successful and to find passion in what they do?

Pursue your vision, not goals. Don’t think about what dollars you’re getting, but think about what experiences you’re getting and whether it aligns with your vision.

You might end up getting paid almost nothing sometimes

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Office Hours

Office Hours with Dr. Nese Yuksel Interview by Yusuf Nasihi

Having won several awards, Dr. Nese Yuksel, has seen a lot of press as of late. Serving as Chair of the Faculty’s Pharmacy Practice Division, her recent accolades include CPhA’s 2016 Pharmacist of the Year Award. Undergraduate students will recognize Dr. Yuksel from two courses that she coordinates: Pharm 357 (Gastrointestinal) and Pharm 499 (Women’s and Men’s Health).

With more than a few news articles written about her, PQ wondered what was left for the media to say. It turns out there is much more to talk about.

Nonetheless, I had the pleasure to talk to Dr. Yuksel at her office in August. I wanted to get some perspective on her practice at the Lois Hole Hospital and how it relates to her research. Additionally, I was, and still am, interested in learning about hospital pharmacy and thought talking to Dr. Yuksel would be a good start to my research.

A warning of tough times ahead?

Our conversation started out with the Professor trying to convince me that I would, at some point, absolutely dread seeing her.

Of course, she was referring to second-year module Pharm 357 (Gastrointestinal) which the Class of 2019 has only just begun. “You’ll be sick of seeing me!” Dr. Yuksel warned.

We came around to talking about her career and current practice. Dr. Yuksel graduated from UAlberta in 1988 and subsequently did her hospital residency at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. Later graduating with a PharmD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. Yuksel has spent the majority of her career in hospital pharmacy and academia.

As a hospital pharmacist, she has worked in drug information requests, providing information to clinicians and, for example, answering questions about dosing and possible toxicity. Today, Dr. Yuksel is a Professor at UAlberta and a pharmacist at the Menopause Clinic at Lois Hole Hospital.

With several such clinics throughout the country, Dr. Yuksel explained to me that treating women with menopause is crucial in preventing further medical conditions. Besides the association of hormone loss with osteoporosis, Dr. Yuksel mentioned that

menopause often leads to a decline in overall quality of life. It is thought that perhaps a quarter of those going through menopause are affected so much that they cannot function in daily activities due to issues sleeping. And these patients can be expected to then decline in aspects due to fatigue.

The Menopause Clinic Wanting to get an idea about hospital and institutional pharmacy, I asked Dr. Yuksel about the Lois Hole Hospital. The Professor counts herself among the healthcare team, which also includes a family physician, a gynecologist, some nurses, and a dietician.

Patients from across Alberta come to Lois Hole hospital by physician referral. The first step is group education on menopause and health in middle age.

The interdisciplinary clinic, which is held once a week, has the patient fill out a questionnaire to consolidate medical information as well as pick up on risk factors for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer.

Then the health care team assesses the patient directly and develops a management plan with the patient. Patients can come back in three to six months, as needed.

The North American Menopause Society’s certification, which is available to any healthcare

practitioner, adds some flexibility to making menopause care more available. Dr. Yuksel has this training and commonly prescribes and adjusts dosages for hormone therapy, antidepressants, and sleeping aids.

Clinical practice drives research and teaching

One area of research that Dr. Yuksel is currently pursuing is analysis of decision making behaviour of postoperative menopausal patients. These are the people whose menopause was caused by surgery and not age. In particular, postoperative menopausal patients have an important decision to make considering whether they want to take hormonal therapy.

Indeed, many of the papers that Dr. Yuksel has recently contributed to concentrate on the patient experience. These include a commentary on the availability of over-the-counter menopause natural health products, as well as analyses of the beliefs and practices of pharmacists themselves.

With so many aspects of her work to talk about, Dr. Yuksel summarized her philosophy nicely in one phrase: “clinical practice drives my research and my teaching.” Experience with patients influences the research she pursues and the things that she ends up

Office Hours teaching students in lecture, lab, and seminar.

In this sense, Dr. Yuksel also emphasized that she encourages undergraduate students to get involved in summer research projects.

Expanded scope of practice was just the beginning

It has been clear to me that the decision to give pharmacists prescribing authority for any Schedule 1 drug products leaves room to grow for pharmacy practice.

With this in mind, Dr. Yuksel, who was among the first fifteen pharmacists to attain Additional Prescribing Authorization, also commented on the Alberta pharmacist’s scope of practice.

In fact, she has been preparing guidelines for pharmacists when considering, for example, what hormonal birth control to prescribe.

So it appears that the modern pharmacist’s education will never really be complete.

The professor showed me some flowcharts and diagrams that she hopes will be used by pharmacists to make clinical decisions. On a side note, having met some old graduates of UAlberta’s pharmacy program as a volunteer at alumni events, many long-practicing pharmacists have had to adjust to modern times and I would guess those who are currently students will also have to adjust mid-career.

These documents also provide approaches to assessment, the great differentiator between physicians and pharmacists.

And, in the end, having confident pharmacists prescribing will take strain off the public healthcare system. A medication issue solved in the pharmacy is one completely different patient that a physician can see in his or her clinic.

Perhaps I should also mention that Dr. Yuksel uses the same program to prepare those guidelines that the APSA Publications Committee uses to

prepare this very magazine (Adobe InDesign). #Dr-Yuksel-Would-Make-A-GoodPQ-Editor On a personal note

Like I mentioned before, PQ wanted to touch on topics that the mainstream media have overlooked. Getting to know the professor on a more personal level, I recognized Neşe Yüksel as a Turkish name and the Professor told me that her and parents did indeed move from Ankara to Canada when she was just a child, and the main reason they immigrated was to pursue higher education.

My dad is also from Turkey, but he immigrated here at a later time; the late 1980s. So, now it has finally been exposed to me that

my dad did not, in fact, establish the Turkish community of Western Canada. Growing up, it did seem like he could have been one of the first to set foot here, as the Turkish community here is just a few thousand people and seems to have seen most of its growth in the 2000s. (Of course, this is tongue-incheek.)

On that note, Dr. Yuksel told me a bit about her own family.

She has a daughter and a stepson and mentioned the family often goes skiing, which is her daughter’s passion.

So, it would appear that Alberta is perfect place for this family – a land of natural snow and slopes with assigned roles that allow a pharmacist to practice to one’s potential.

PHARMACY QUARTERLY 17

Student Exchange

I was sent to Portugal - here’s what happened next Interview by Yusuf Nasihi

I met Wei Leong earlier this year but I only got to know him recently after having a few conversations with him. What I can say about him is that he really loves travelling – he’s got what the Germans call Wanderlust. Speaking of German, Wei visited Germany as part of the Student Exchange Program last year.

For 2016, Wei decided to spend his summer in the sunny climes of Portugal. Can you believe that his reasons for going were school-related? Both this trip and the previous trip to Germany were organized under the Student Exchange Program, an opportunity provided by the International Pharmacy Students’ Federation (IPSF).

Bem-vindo a Portugal

After travelling to Cambridge, UK in late June, and stopping in the south Portuguese town of Faro, Wei made his way to the city of Coimbra, in central Portugal. There he would begin his work at a community pharmacy for two weeks in July. He stayed at a university student residency which he described as a hostel.

Considering he did work last year at a pharmacy in technologically advanced Germany, Wei told me that his expectations for Portugal were low in this regard. But this Southern European country actually surpassed Germany – and Canada – in one important way: electronic prescriptions.

That’s right, prescriptions in Portugal are all carried on a person’s card with a chip that community pharmacies can scan. Security for both parties is guaranteed by a text message to the patient’s phone that includes a number and password for that The pharmacy team.

Wei is fourth from left

prescription. The patient gives the number and password to the pharmacist. Other than that, the patient’s healthcare card only includes the patient’s name and birthday.

As for the day-to-day operation of the pharmacy, Wei told me that there are a few big differences compared to what you would see in a Canadian or American pharmacy.

First of all, there is in fact no pill counting as the prescriber orders the medication in whatever pack size is available for that medication. The pack sizes are usually 30 or 100 and are given to the patient without a label.

More brand name medications tend to me dispensed.

Patents in Europe last longer but on the other hand, the public healthcare system, at least in Portugal, also covers out-patient prescription medication, which is not the case in Canada.

Wei noticed that Europe has made some medications available that are unheard of in Canada. Is it because Health Canada does not consider them efficacious? Well, one medication that Wei encountered is used as an alternative to dextroamphetamine, but with a

much safer side effect profile.

Wei’s own theory for this phenomenon is that, assuming the medication is efficacious and safe, European regulatory authorities consider it advantageous to permit use of medications that are actually developed in Europe – of which there are many. Wei said his overall impression of pharmacy in Europe is that it is business oriented so perhaps this makes sense.

In a country where pharmacist counselling is rare, the scope of practice does not need to wide. But in Portugal, even the division of labour between technician and pharmacist is blurry.

Technicians have a Bachelor’s degree while pharmacists have a Master’s degree but in many cases Wei observed them doing the same things in the pharmacy.

As saudades de Macau

Wei explained to me that giving directions to the patient is entirely taken care of by the prescriber. Perhaps this was to our friend’s advantage – Wei was not about to pick up Portuguese and counsel patients. But this did not stop walk-ins at the pharmacy from trying to speak to Wei in Portuguese.

Student Exchange

On one such occasion, Wei responded back that he could not speak Portuguese and, much to his surprise, the man replied in Cantonese! It turns out this white Portuguese man had spent more than a decade in Macau, the former Portuguese colony in China. Just a ferry ride away from Hong Kong, Macau was relinquished by Portugal to China in 1999.

Wei later visited a pharmacy museum in Lisbon and Macau was also well represented there. There was a Macau pharmacy exhibit, complete with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The City of Coimbra

Wei was fortunate to be able to enjoy many of the traditions of Coimbra. He was present for a special ceremony in which old university graduates sing and the general public joins in. Wei mentioned that this is an important

tradition to the people of Coimbra.

Indeed, I later found out that the old buildings and traditions of the University of Coimbra have been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. (Might our own traditions, like Mr. Pharmacy and the Blue and Gold Ball, someday be declared part of humanity’s heritage? Better work on that punch).

As for the cuisine, Wei said that the Portuguese eat simple, healthy food, with many dishes dedicated to seafood. He has been told that the Portuguese have over 300 different preparations of salted cod (bacalhau), but he preferred to eat octopus.

Wei also enjoyed some more modern traditions and was at the city square to watch Portugal on the big screen. He saw Portugal beat France in the European Championship final and said the city square went absolutely crazy with deafening cheering and screams.

Above: Coimbra clocktower. Further above: The old Coimbra University library

PHARMACY QUARTERLY 19

Student Exchange

#AbsoluteScenes. I can vouch for that because I watched the game at a Portuguese restaurant in Edmonton and it got loud to say the least. But I bet that was nothing compared to what was going on in Portugal.

Other travels

Wei’s philosophy is to push his boundaries and do as much as possible when he’s travelling. So in his final summer before graduating, he decided to go all over Europe after he finished his work in Coimbra. He ended up travelling through Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Poland.

Wei ended up travelling to a few interesting places in Poland He went to Zakopane, which he described as the Polish Banff, in the very south of the country. There he did some more hiking and took some great pictures.

Other than visiting Kraków, Wei also visited a nearby salt mine called Wieliczka. This is now a tourist attraction and museum but Wieliczka was producing salt on an industrial basis until 1996. It had

20 PHARMACY QUARTERLY

a pretty good run considering salt was first mined there in the 1200s.

Wieliczka’s structure is made up of rock salt and the walls even have elaborate carvings.

There are pools of water in the mine as well, with solid salt visible in the water due to the water being supersaturated. There are also elaborate chapels in the mine; basically Wieliczka has everything it would have needed to be a functioning settlement.

The Student Exchange Program

IPSF organizes the SEP among student associations from across the world. If you check out the website, you’ll see that our very own CAPSI will take some students for university research or direct (unpaid) work experiences while many equivalent organizations from around the world will take students from other countries.

There is considerable variation between what an association is willing to offer as accommodation. Some say they will pay for your stay while others say that all room and board is the

student’s burden. One association’s page offered to get a public transit pass made for the student, presumably the same thing they enjoy as domestic students. It’s all a bit variable and you’ll have to see the individual offerings.

All of the associations can be viewed at http://sep.ipsf.org/ associations . It is actually quite simple to make an account and apply.

Our IPSF representative at UAlberta is Sahiba Khurana from the Class of 2018 and she recently announced that applications spring/ summer 2017 would be due on December 5, 2016.

Wei encourages others to participate in the program and wanted to mention that his travels were well-supported by scholarships from APSA (Travel Award), the University of Alberta, and IPSF. If you have the desire to go, perhaps you will be able to, using scholarships. You do not necessarily need a high GPA either.

Advocacy

Public Health

Behind the Script: #SAVELIVESIMMUNIZE Daniel Leung Last year, after the success of the APSA Mental Health Awareness Video, RxA approached APSA with the opportunity to create a video about the flu shot. My hope was to raise awareness about the importance of getting the flu shot and address common myths surrounding it.

While there are a multitude of misconceptions about the flu shot, only so many could be included in the video. Here is a behind the scenes look at the script and the decisions behind some of the myths included.

We hear this all the time from our friends and family, “I never get the flu!” which causes them to believe that they don’t need their flu shot. What they may not realize, however, is that the flu shot not only protects themselves, but also the people around them. Especially cute babies.

Unfortunately, children under 6 months are unable to receive the flu shot!

With the growing concern of antibiotic resistance, knowing when and (more importantly) when not to use antibiotics is crucial. Too often, I have heard that antibiotics have helped a patient’s flu recovery, when in reality, the patient was already beginning to recover; it just happened to be during the course of the antibiotic therapy.

PHARMACY QUARTERLY 21

Public Health

A huge barrier to getting the flu shot is the fear of side effects. And while there is a rare risk of major side effects occurring, the benefit of the flu shot far outweighs this small risk. The most common side effect is soreness and redness at the injection site for a couple days, but at least now you have an excuse to not take out the garbage.

A fear of needles is common in both children and adults. If someone is scared of needles, rather than saying “toughen up” or “stop crying, Daniel”, let them know about another option that still provides a layer of protection.

It’s important to inform the public of how convenient it is to get their flu shot, as it is more accessible than ever with it being covered by the government and so many health care

One of the most controversial topics surrounding the flu shot is whether or not it causes autism. I wanted to address this common myth in the video because there are still many members of the public that believe in this myth.

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I would like to express my gratitude to all the students, RxA members, and faculty members involved in the production of this video. In particular, the project could not have been accomplished without the vision, creativity, and hard work of the SAF-Pharm committee members that played a role in this project, and I would like to recognize those members here today: Tony Lee, Rebecca Peat, and Mike Song. In addition, Dr. Sharon Mitchell of the Faculty was also an invaluable help in developing the script. Lastly, this video would not have been possible without the creative talents of Jordon Hon, the videographer that filmed and edited the video. #SAVELIVESIMMUNIZE

Netflix

Three Netflix Shows to Watch on your “Study Break” Morena Medina

If you’re like me, you love Netflix. It’s an excuse to take a study break from the seemingly endless barrage of exams, and nothing seems better than cozying up with some blankets and Netflix as the cold winter sets in.

In no way am I encouraging you to procrastinate, but if you are, it might as well be for a good show, right? Here are some Netflix shows I have reviewed to spend your “study break.”

Sense8

Eight strangers from around the world suddenly find themselves inhabiting each other’s lives, despite never having met.

This is the premise of Sense8, a captivating sci-fi drama whose biggest asset is the character diversity, with actors hailing from different countries, speaking different languages, and portraying wildly different characters, from a Chicago policeman to a South

Korean businesswoman-turnedunderground-kickboxer.

The first season focussed on just a few characters (it is hard to develop all eight at once, I suppose), but hopefully the next season will continue developing the rest of the characters as well.

Narcos If you’re not on the Narcos bandwagon by now, it’s never too late as Netflix released the second season this summer.

Set in Columbia during the Escobar era, this Netflix production follows Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and the establishment of his cocaine empire, as well as the DEA agent, Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook), who has the monumental task of bringing him down.

The magical yet chaotic Colombian landscapes, seductive Latin rhythms, and intense, fastpaced action will have you fixated from the start. Pretty soon I found myself cheering for and against Pablo simultaneously. If you loved Breaking Bad, then this is the show for you. Netflix production doesn’t get any better than this.

The Get Down

Ever wondered what a lovechild between hip hop and a Broadway musical would look like?

Me neither, but this is it.

Produced by Baz Luhrmann

(who also produced Romeo+Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and The Great Gatsby, for some context), The Get Down is a glitzy and slightly campy storytelling of the origins of hip hop culture in the Bronx.

As the teenaged poet Ezekiel (Justice Smith) tries to woo the aspiring Disco star Maylene (Herizen Guardiola), he unknowingly enters the burgeoning art of MC’ing.

In the first 90-minute-long episode, you are taken through a hectic plot, complete with teenage angst, kung-fu and cheesy dance numbers. It’s much to absorb at first, but once you do, it’s hard to resist its charm.

PHARMACY QUARTERLY 23

Movember Contest!

Movember Contest

Kaiser Franz Josef I August 18, 1830 – November 21, 1916 (reigned 1848-1916)

Just because you can’t grow a moustache like Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef I does not mean you shouldn’t participate in Movember.

Even if you can’t grow facial hair at all, send a picture of you with your real (or fake) facial hair to PQ PlusTwo on Facebook or post the picture publicly and tag us.

Feel free to take group pictures.

Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 pm on December 5th, the Monday after Mr. Pharmacy. First place gets a prize and gets a place in the magazine, alongside the runner-up.

Pharmacy Horoscopes Because sometimes science is overrated.

LIBRA (SEPT 23 – OCT 22) Movember isn’t just an excuse to keep that upper lip warm, it’s to raise awareness about prostate cancer!

Visit APSA’s Movember Foundation page for more info.

SCORPIO (OCT 23 – NOV 21) Brrr! It’s getting cold out there! If dressing warm doesn’t help, there are dozens of corners in ECHA where you can lay in fetal position until winter passes.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 – DEC 21) Did you know Chris Hemsworth, the guy who plays Thor, used to work at a pharmacy? As a struggling actor, he paid the bills sterilizing breast pumps.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 – JAN 19) Too shy to introduce yourself at TGIF events? Use NOD. For example: “Hello! I’m Jim, I’m a Pharmacy Student and I will be helping you get jiggy wit’ it 2nite!”

AQUARIUS (JAN 20 – FEB 18) Can’t remember if you slept through part of that lecture this morning?

Your classmates have got your back!

Log onto Facebook and see the dozens of photos of you snoozing.

PISCES (FEB 19 – MAR 19) This month, perform a random act of kindness. Give a complement!

Hold a door open! Pick up trash! Buy a stranger chocolate! Buy strange chocolate!

ARIES (MAR 20 – APR 19) This month you will understand the definition of true happiness: finding an unoccupied PBL room with brandnew, bold dry-erase markers.

TAURUS (APR 20 – MAY 20) Are you THE Bruce Dickenson? If not, a prescription for more cowbell IS NOT an appropriate treatment for pyrexia. (if you get this reference, we can be friends)

GEMINI (MAY 21 – JUN 20) Walking out of an exam thinking “That was a disaster”? Unless you own a time machine there is nothing you can do about it! Relax, learn from your mistakes and try harder next time. I believe in you.

LEO (JUL 23 – AUG 22) Guys, make sure your moustaches are nice and trim. You may not know this but if your facial hair starts covering most your face; you’re growing a beard. #NoGo 24actually PHARMACY QUARTERLY

CANCER (JUN 21 – JUL 22) This month, you will take more risks with mixed results. Can you make it through the Tim Horton’s line in the ten-minute break you have before your next class? Probably not.

VIRGO (AUG 23 – SEP 22) APSA! NAPRA! RxA! CAPSI! and CSHP! Acronyms for amazing pharmacy organizations that, unfortunately, cannot be used as words in Scrabble.