Table of contents ------------------------------------------------------Presidential words 3 ------------------------------------------------------New EPSA Team 4 ------------------------------------------------------31st Annual Congress - Serbia 6 ------------------------------------------------------Summer University - Manchester 8 ------------------------------------------------------Summer Camp - Slovenia 10 ------------------------------------------------------Leadership Summer School 12 Ankara, Turkey
------------------------------------------------------eYouwins 13 The European Youth Week in Novi Sad
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------------------------------------------------------Our Favourite LS 14 ------------------------------------------------------CPSA - Croatia 15 Croatian Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry Studentsʼ Association
------------------------------------------------------Individual Mobility Project 16 ------------------------------------------------------Working Committees 18 - 24 ------------------------------------------------------Executive Contacts 25 ------------------------------------------------------DIA - 21st Annual EuroMeeting 26 Drug Information Association
------------------------------------------------------AstraZeneca 27 I want to develop my career
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Dear Reader, You are looking at the fist edition of the16th volume of EPSA Newsletter. I am very proud and happy to be able to present you all the interesting movements and new achievements in our association. By leafing through the pages, you will see what was going on in EPSA during the last six months. This issue reveals the memories and impressions from the latest EPSA events such as Annual Congress, Summer University and also Summer Camp. During the last months EPSA participated also in some non-pharmaceutical events. Interesting reviews on that can be found on pages 12 and 13. Our Working Committee Directors wrote nice reviews about their Committees, at the end of the Newsletter. We are also very proud to have established collaboration with DIA (Drug Information Association) and AstraZeneca , who also contributed their articles as part of Partnership. If you are interested in traveling and getting unique professional experience in the field of pharmacy by doing research or work abroad, check the IMP section. It's all there. Enjoy your reading. Bojan Davinić EPSA Vice-President of Communication 2008/2009 2
Designed by Bojan Davinić epsa.vpc@gmail.com
Presidential words Dear EPSA Friends, Following a very successful beginning the EPSA team 2008/2009 is proud to publish this first newsletter throughout our mandate. The main aim of the EPSA Newsletter is to enable you, our dear members, to share your experiences as well as learn more about EPSA, its functions and how you can get involved in the association. As you all know this team started off its experience in April 2008 in Novi Sad, Serbia. The past six months have been dynamic and exciting for our team. The year was kicked off with an amazing Executive meeting in Brussels which was attended by several members of the team. This meeting was both inspiring and promising, and we not only plan to continue the great work carried out by Executives before ours but we plan to make EPSA one of the leading student associations in Europe through several projects; events and also by hearing your opinions about important issues and lobby about them on a European level. You may be asking yourselves how you can get involved and how can you bring your opinions to EPSA. The answer to these questions is simple. You can start by reading this newsletter, attending events and joining the EPSA Working Committees. If you leaf through the pages of this publication you will find descriptions of these Working Committees as well as the contact details for the Working Committee Directors who you can contact at any time for further information. EPSA not only aims to make your voices as students heard on a European level but also to provide you with unique opportunities that will make you a more experienced professional and a richer person due to your experiences. Throughout this newsletter you will read articles about local events such as the Slovenian Summer Camp, amazing EPSA events including the Summer University and a new project which is taking off this year, the Individual mobility project (IMP) amongst various other interesting articles. As you know pharmacy is a small world but it is also a world based on networking and EPSA is working hard to have as many external contacts as possible thus giving of all our members and our association unparalleled occasions. We have now established contacts with the Drug Information Association (DIA), the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the European Industrial Pharmacists group (EIPG), and we have continued strengthening our collaborations with the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP), the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS), and the Pharmacist Group of the European Union (PGEU). Furthermore we have an excellent collaboration with other student organisations all involved in IFISO. The fruits of these collaborations can be felt in multidisciplinary events organised with other associations such as the WHSS and the Bologna Process workshop. We hope that these collaborations will lead to many more opportunities in the future. As students we play an important role in shaping the way pharmacy will be in the future thus I want to encourage you all to not only read this newsletter but also contribute your opinions and experiences by writing articles, attending events, and sharing your ideas. Help us create an unbreakable network which will be of benefit to us students, the future of the profession as well as the educational system in general. Finally I would like to thank the amazing group of people within the EPSA team who have been responsible for making these past six months stupendous for the association by dedicating their time and energy and passions to make this association a stronger one. Yours in EPSA and EPSA Spirit, Marisabelle Bonnici EPSA President 2008/2009
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New EPSA Team
EPSA Team 2008/2009 Executive
Working Committees Directors
Fokion Sinis (Akis) Marisabelle Bonnici President
Louise Winnecke Jensen VP of Education
VP of Partnership Development
Oana Chirita Immediate Past President
Parliamentary Council
Hervé Faurichon de La Bardonnie Humanitarian Affairs
Nuria Peiro VP of Mobility Anouk Rademaker Parlamentarian Marina Naumoska Mobility
Jamie Wilkinson Secretary General
Bojan Davinić VP of Communication
Valentina Jurinčić Member
Maresca Pizzuto Ph. Awareness
Marija Marić Treasurer 4
Tomaso Piaggio VP of EU Affairs
Ioana Dumitru Member
New EPSA Team
Financial Sub-Committee
Officers
Heena Bhakta Professional Development
Pedro Ribeiro Events Officer 07/08
Guillaume Bardy 32nd EPSA Annual Congress RC Chairperson
Central IMP
Slavka Pap Ph. Education
Krzysztof Nesterowicz Member
Avgoustinos Kotsonis
Events Officer 08/09
Andreea Ghinea Public Health
Boštjan Čeh Co-ordinator
Thanh Huynh
Audit Committee
EPSA JWG Representative
Member
Nikola Simonovski IT Officer Lionel Vidoudez Member Mariella Mercieca
Stevan Aleksić Ph. Sciences
Mariella Mercieca Information Officer Christophe Bisi Member 5
31st Annual Congress
31st EPSA Annual Congress Novi Sad, Serbia 2008 The 31st EPSA Annual Congress was held from 14-20th of April 2008 in the beautiful town of Novi Sad, situated in Northern Serbia. The Participants enjoyed a five star hotel, amazing lecturers, and workshops and of course as in true EPSA Spirit an even greater social program. The Reception Committee worked very hard on this event, this was extremely visible since everywhere you looked you saw people in yellow t – shirts always with a smile and always ready to help with anything that cropped up. This years Theme was "Modern Pharmacotherapy, Aims and Achievements". A very interesting symposium day was organized which consisted of 8 very interesting lectures which allows us to achieve a very varied insight into this ever changing field. I am pleased to say that the attendance throughout this symposium day was extremely high with the hall being full to the brim and students participating and asking interesting questions all throughout the day. The EPSA Workshops were organized mainly at the fac-
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ulty of pharmacy, and moderated by EPSA Working Committee Directors and some executive members. All of the workshops achieved very good interest by students, and it was interesting to see their impression afterwards. There was also a joint workshop organized by EPSA and EMSA dealing with the future of education. The General Assemblies were very well set up and well organized, with interesting presentations and fruitful debates! Even though most of those present at GAʼs and workshops were exhausted when they returned to their hotel room the amazing social program and EPSA Spirit prevailing in all EPSA events recharged everyoneʼs batteries for a night of partying. The week was kicked off with a spectacular welcome party overlooking Novi Sad. One cannot fail to mention the theme party ʻAngels & Demonsʼ where one could observe an array of color and discover the good and bad side to the participants personality. The party ended with the best costumes receiving a free massage as a prize.
31st Annual Congress
And last but certainly not least the national evening organized at authentic Serbian restaurant and with great national food, music, and homemade wine. But as we say all good things come to an end and Novi Sad saw the departure of over 200 pharmacy students all with the same thought in mind: ĘťWhat an Amazing Congress? Why did it have to finish so early?!Ęź All in all this was one very very good Congress, and we are all sad it had to finish! Of course one cannot fail to mention the European night where all the nations got together to show their national dances, songs, and give a taste of their food and drinks to all.
Special thanks go to the RC and EPSA for giving students all around the Europe the opportunity to feel the EPSA Spirit and enjoy this spectacular event!
Visiting the Orphanage Something more then just the Congress Before the Annual Congress in Serbia started, EPSA was calling participants to bring stuffed animals with them, because group visit to the local orphanage was organized!
Almost all of the participants brought something, so we gathered big jumble of teddy bears, lions, rabbits etc. Approximately 30 people got up early in the morning, before all the others and got on a bus to visit children, give them toys, and spend some time there. Impressions were hugely effective on participants, and also on children.
EPSA is encouraging this kind of actions, it cost almost nothing, but it means a lot to children. Think about it, and if you do something like this, we would like to hear about!
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Summer University
EPSA Summer University Manchester, UK 2008 This summer, the British Pharmaceutical Studentsʼ Association (BPSA) brought the EPSA Summer University to the sunny city of Manchester.
ing week, Tim: “It was such an amaz nds and got to make lots of new frie the trips were ace!”
Over 70 delegates, representing 15 countries from the far reaches of Europe, descended on Manchester in July for what promised to be a fun filled week showcasing the best British pharmaceutical minds and a social programme to rival any other in Europe. Delegates were welcomed to Manchester University on the Sunday with a warm introduction from the Reception Committee before beginning the weekʼs activities. The educational content boasted well known names from the pharmacy world. The NPA provided an excellent workshop on Smoking Cessation and Catherine Duggan, from the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association and council member for the Royal Phar-
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maceutical Society of Great Britain, spoke passionately about the history of healthcare and the development of the NHS. Professor Marshall from Bradford University gave a photo packed insight into sexual health and sexually transmitted infections and Ian Smith, a teacher practitioner from Manchester University and Alliance Boots, spoke about community pharmacy in the UK, to mention just a few. This allowed us to showcase the work that British pharmacists are currently undertaking, but also learn from our European counterparts about the initiatives that are ongoing within their home countries. It allowed delegates to gain an insight into new ways of tackling problems that are faced throughout Europe and to learn from others experiences. Members of the EPSA Executive and Honorary Life Members also spoke and ran workshops showcasing the valuable work which EPSA is undertaking on behalf of pharmacy students throughout Europe. On the international travel front there was a workshop on individual mobility, which explored the idea of working abroad as part of your registration period.
Summer University
The week was also Alexandra Andriu said: packed with social The entire week was a “I loved the workshop! I wished it las events to ensure that huge success with all ted longer. everyone got to know the delegates having I canʼt wait to go back to my country each other and explore an amazing time, makwith these new ideas.” (N PA W or kManchester. On the ing new friends, and shop) Monday there were learning lots about organised trips to pharmacy along the Whitworth Art Gallery and way. the Manchester Museum topped off with an international night featuring our own version of the Eurovision Song Contest. Delegates Donʼt forget to check the EPSA website for from around Europe brought food and drink more information about upcoming events and from their home countries for fellow deleservices and I hope to see you all next year gates to try and it proved to be an amazing in Crete for Summer University 2009. experience allowing delegates to learn about the different cultures within Europe. The Eurovision Song Contest was a hotly contested event with Serbia winning the crown, and Britain coming second! Other nights included a British themed night where we all danced to good old Mancunian tunes (songs from Manchester!) and got a taste for the local ale. Delegates were treated to a number of awesome trips such as a guided tour of Old Trafford Football Ground (the home of Manchester United), shopping at the Trafford Centre, a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry and a trip giving an insight into Victorian England at Quarry Bank Mill. With lots of EPSA Sprit Richard Goodwin EPSA Summer University Chairperson 2008
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Summer Camp
13th International Summer Camp One more great event from Slovenia
Tradition needs to be continued and that is one of the reasons why each year in the summer time, the Student's section of the Slovenian Pharmaceutical Society organises a one week fantastic educational and social program, joint together for Slovenian and other European students. This year the fairy tale took place in Fara, which is situated near Kočevje in the Dolenjska region. There forests and the amazing Kolpa river valley offer a very picturesque nature scene, which convinced the Reception Committee that this is the best place where summer camp has to happen.
Friday, 11th July, around 60 participants from Germany, Spain, Finland, Romania, Greece, Serbia, France and of course mostly from Slovenia gathered in the beautiful surroundings of the River Kolpa. The first half of the week was dedicated to the educational program. During five lectures and two workshops we were gaining new knowledge about sun influences on our skin. The first lecture presented sun activity and its effects in general and the 10
following three explained skin photo aging, photo allergies and skin cancer in greater detail. The last lecture was the most pharmaceutical one as we discussed sunscreens and technology of their production. But gaining new knowledge was not the only aim of the educational program. We wanted people to be more informed about sun influences on our health and protection from the sun. For this purpose we organised a public health campaign in Kočevje, Osilnica and Fara where we talked to local people and distributed leaflets with information about the sun and its effects, bottles of water and balloons for the youngsters. In this place, the Reception Committee would like to give big thanks to all tutors for preparing and lecturing in this summer camp. Of course summer camp would not be summer camp without a great social program. We went hiking to a nearby waterfall Nežica and discovering the nature around, learning about making the bitter, had a picnic, went rafting on river Kolpa, had a water ballon war, tried to find treasure and played soldiers in the tactical game “airsoft”. The vicinity of river Kolpa enabled daily baths and swimming as a really cool refreshment in hot summer days and the sports grounds were almost always full with foot-, voley- or basketball players. The whole day trip lead us to Bela Krajina which is famous for its flat landscape, birch trees and linen production.
Summer University
are the international ones, so the RC decided that this cannot be missing in our event too,
We visited the ecological farm where we learned about linen production and tasted typical flat cake and after that tasted the best wines of this region in Črnomelj's wine cellar. Missing something in this article? Something that starts with »P« and ends in »Y«. Actually, in Slovenia it would start with »C« CRAZY PARTIES, of course had happened. First, for breaking the ice, we arranged the pink party, where participants were wearing pink T-shirts, accessories and the funniest pink “hula-hula” skirts. You know that you have a great voice, but nobody except your shower cabin has heard it? Too bad then, because you missed another opportunity to show your hidden talent. The second evening was dedicated for the Karaoke party, which was a big success.
so you can imagine that Borovničke was the star of that night. And after those parties, there comes the craziest one. During the day, participants were asked to make a costume or accessories and prepare a show with a Jungle theme. In the evening the hostel where we were staying had serious doubts about its identity. Still a hostel or a jungle forest? There were Tarzan, tigers, leopards, zebras and flamingos jumping around all night long. And last, but not least we concluded our week with a cocktail party with beach dress code. And for the end the RC would like to thank all the participants in contributing for such an amazing week. We were a great group and we sincerely hope to see you somewhere around, maybe at the next EPSA or IPSF event or the next summer camp.
Urška Nabergoj, Educational Program Officer & Valentina Jurinčič RC President
And what was next? As you already well know the best parties on the pharmaceutical congresses worldwide
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Leadership Summer School 2008 An impressive event took place in Ankara in July. 16 different students associations from many different areas with representatives from all over Europe met around one topic: Leadership. The idea of Leadership Summer School (LSS) was founded in European Medical Studentsʼ Association (EMSA) and taken to the Informal Forum for International Students Organizations (IFISO). Here the initiative grew into an amazing event involving 11 skilled trainers from various organizations, 60 participants from professions as different as medicine, forestry and electrical engineering, a dedicated Reception Committee and an extraordinary coordination team, meeting in Başkent University in Ankara.
A packed program With a program packed to the limit with a huge amount of different training sessions all concerning leadership skills, and of course an extensive social evening program, we as participants were never bored. In the sessions the participants were split in groups of around 7 people, and two groups were trained together by two trainers. The sessions are best described as extended workshops containing miniature lectures, exercises and discussion, among other elements. Having sessions for up to 10 hours a day, we were as exhausted as we were amazed by the trainerʼs skills. But despite our tiredness, all participants gave all they had to ensure a maximum outcome of the sessions.
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Learning outcomes So what did we actually learn? We had sessions on topics as different as feedback methology, personality types, motivation and group dynamics. Of course all sessions were dealing with the perspective of a leader, thus pinpointing many important leadership skills and traits. Free time… or something like that Even in the more or less none existing breaks we were supposed to be working, sharing information and ideas of collaboration between the different associations. We didnʼt find much time to relax, but all felt the pressure to make use of the little time we had together, so it was almost impossible to find a moment in peace. This atmosphere gave rise to an incredible sense of community, of belonging together. Let me just say that this feeling didnʼt make the social gatherings less entertaining…! The next step Having gained so many new experiences, it would seem like wasting them if they werenʼt put into direct use. Of course this is not true, as I will be making use of them every day, but I would also like to take the project a step further in EPSA-regi. In EPSA we already have an idea about making a sustainable training program, but we are not close to having that yet. First of all we need trainers, so next year when LSS is approaching, donʼt be scared to sign up for a week full of hard work, great learning outcomes as well as A LOT of fun and many new friends!
Louise Winnecke Jensen, EPSA Vice President of Education
eYouwins Non-pharmaceutical event with pharmacists in it European Youth Week, also known as ʻeYouwinsʼ , was held in Novi Sad for the third time during August 2008. Everyone was very happy to attend the event and the crowd was amazing. About a hundred people was estimated to come and join the party. A lot of new fresh and ambitious young people came from all over the Europe-Russia, Moldova, Latvia, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Macedonia, Turkey… and they had seven fantastic days in the lovely city of Novi Sad.
This festival was synergy of three elements: 1. People, letʼs talk! - Educational part which offered the opportunity to young participants through interactive lectures and workshops to discover cultural diversity and develop personal skills and attitudes to realize innovative activities and practice intercultural dialogue. 2. People, Letʼs Create! – This part included participants in recording and directing short movies about intercultural experience in Vojvodina by their mobile phones. City rally through the streets of Novi Sad and street performance was designed to encourage direct personal involvement and active participation of all participants and it was a valuable experience. 3. People, Letʼs Party! – This part involved the activities aimed at participants, citizens and other visitors of Novi Sad. There were concerts, exhibitions, performances, and large parties in the open air organized and
realized by students, more or less famous artists and music bands.
Although the whole theme of the festival was not all about the pharmaceutical studies there was a small group of people from the domain of pharmacy that enjoyed spending free time together and making new friends. We also had few pharmacy students on exchange program who were very happy to be included in all the fun and educational activities planned for everyone. Two charming girls from Portugal, pharmacy students, and three girls (including me) from our local pharmaceutical organization in Novi Sad, PSANS, with Bojan Davinić, on his managing compartment. We felt very honored to have been given a chance to present EPSA to everyone during this special event with eYouwins. Our coordinator, Bojan Davinić, who is in EPSA team as executive, held a very interesting lecture about Emotional Intelligence and made us all very proud. Working his way through the presentation, quiz and lecture he succeeded to make us all think little bit more about the popular subject. Now when I think back to the festival that was help a month ago, I can still remember every fun and interesting detail that we all had opportunity to experience together. We canʼt wait to see our friends again next year on another eYouwins festival. Ana Šarčević PSANS, Serbia 13
Our Favourite LS Title goes to France this time EPSAʼs favourite LS is Georges Dagher from France, who showed a lot of motivation and knowledge, so we decided to ask him few questions. - Why did you choose to be an LS for ANEPF? I began my associative work in France in 2006. Before being an LS I was president of my local pharmaceutical students association in Paris (A.E.P.C.M.) and as a full member of A.N.E.P.F., this association gave me the opportunity to attend A.N.E.P.F. General Assemblies and thus to meet former LSes and EPSA members, to listen to the former LSes lectures and to learn a lot about EPSA and its activities. Shortly, I am Lebanese, born in Germany and raised in Tunisia and all these travels made me learn plenty of languages and keen on discovering and learning from other cultures. Many people look for being rich, some will use their money for 15 cars, big houses and a front door key to the Playboy Mansion, but I believe that the true wealth is culture, tolerance and discovery! Being an LS is such a great opportunity to meet, learn and have fun with people from all across Europe! When I met former LSes for A.N.E.P.F. I directly thought that this position was made for me! - What does it mean to you to be an LS? Being an LS is being the link between your country, your students, your association and EPSA! Well ok this is the definition Iʼm not saying anything new, for me the difference is more on how to be a good LS and how to behave: The LS has to be devoted to the position. He has to promote EPSA in his country, he shall find some new ways to promote EPSA among the students and share them with other countries. He shall, as well, keep other members updated about what is being done in his country.
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The main reason that led to the creation of EPSA in 1978 is, in my opinion, to encourage cooperation between countries. The LS will never hesitate to ask for other countriesʼ opinion and will be always free to give a hand to countries in need of support or help. To be an LS is first of all working for EPSA and trying to give objective opinions about what is being done by the executive. He shall be in close cooperation with them and try to help them make their job in the best way possible. - Just one more: - On scale 1 to 10 tell me how does LS position looks like: Fun – 8 – Apart from the serious work being an LS is, also great parties, travels and new friendships Work – 5 – As it takes half of my A.N.E.P.F. work I think 5 is the most appropriate grade. It is a lot of work though. Experience – 9 - I learned a lot this year, especially in understanding and accepting other peopleʼs point of view. Even if in France we have different opinions on different topics, discussing with other countries is way different as studies and pharmacy might not be organised the same. I had sometimes to give my point of view for things that we donʼt even bother discussing here as we all agree on it. It was really interesting. It also gave me the opportunity to practice my English, even though I speak it fluently, the lack of practice in France made me loose a lot of my vocabulary. Apart from this, I had quite the same role as my local association president last year (being the link between ANEPF and my association) so I thought it was going to be quite the same but on a bigger scale. To be honest it is the same, but bigger is the scale, bigger are the complications, bigger are the arguments, bigger is the fun!!! Responsibility – 10 – Think about it! I am the voice of 33.000 students, ¼ of EPSA member students! It is both frightening and amazing! I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to thank all the EPSA team for all their efforts during the year. It is a pleasure working with them and their enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me!
CPSA Croatian Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry Studentsʼ Association CPSA - this is an association founded on the backbone of the only Croatian College of Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry, situated in Zagreb. Like most studentsʼ associations, we are organisation with the main goal of bringing students of pharmacy and medical biochemistry together and opening doors to a more practical part of education. The association was formed in 1994 by a small group of enthusiastic young students with a big goal in mind that lives strongly to this day. It was the mixture of hard labour – from students that already had no time to spare, helping hands – from the whole faculty staff, and trust of our deans through time that has synthesized a well-organised association which proudly represents all pharmacy and medical biochemistry students in Croatia. From organising numerous quality programs in education and relaxation, to raising the awareness of health in our community and giving a helping hand through our humanitarian work, we bare a significant role in the braid of Croatian studentsʼ associations. I would like to emphasize one of our favourite projects – Pancake and Cookie Day. It is a humanitarian action during which CPSA members bring homemade cookies, bake pancakes, squeeze fruits and prepare sweet drinks for our fellow students and professors. We open the doors of our associationsʼ room, throw everything we donʼt need outside, put in a lot of chairs and tables, and then organise music, board games and everything fun that comes to mind. All that is prepared so studentsʼ and professors could relax, talk, buy cookies, pancakes, drinks and leave their money. Everything collected during these events is spent on a specific humanitarian action of which we inform everybody weeks before the event. After the event we open our books and make a poster about the humanitarian projects completed with the money they donated. This year we have organised a HIV/AIDS campaigns during which we gave away over 600 preservatives, though most of them ended up with water, maybe at least one person got lucky. As a part of an Anti tobacco campaign during the World No Tobacco Day we had an
event called “Candy for Cigarettes”, the name is self-explanatory. And through the year we continued to get involved in every health related event such as World Health Day and Tuberculosis awareness. Thanks to EPSA we are in the middle of organising a TWIN project with students from Wuerzburg, Germany. The most important project that we wrapped our minds around this year was the EPSA Autumn Assembly. The second biggest EPSA event and the opportunity to show you all what a beautiful country we live in. While confronted with the rough path ahead we joined forces with Red Bull and then, with the help of the EPSA executive, formed a program that everybody can only enthusiastically await. My opinion of the work done this year is that we all gave it our best, and more than that. While we started with weak knowledge of whatʼs to come, and sometimes got caught unprepared, now we can hold our heads high and look into the future as the strongest Croatian Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry Studentsʼ Association.
So, on behalf of our association and with gratitude to the opportunity of being the creators of a magical event such as EPSA AA I invite you to join us in Dubrovnik from 20th to the 25th of October 2008, for a week you will never forget. Alen Marijam CPSA Executive EPSA Autumn Assembly Chairperson
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IMP
Individual Mobility Project Foreign countries...Professional Training...Fresh New Experience abroad...Is that what you are looking for? If the question in the title caught your attention, then you should seriously take few minutes and read this article through. And why is that? Because this year in EPSA we are preparing something new and revolutionary in the field of mobility and professional education. We are doing it for you and of course all other European pharmacy students. There are numerous students all around Europe graduating from different fields and professions in different universities every year and most of these students are usually “pushed� into the labour market without any real previous experience or knowledge related to the job they are doing or they would have wished to do. One might think that this is a completely normal, inevitable situation and that it cannot be expected from a fresh young graduate to have more experience than from what he/she actually gained during his/ her faculty curricula. However, this is not true. In modern times the policy of every company, when employing new and freshly graduated professionals, is to pick the one that can offer the most with his previously gained skills and above all, one that will need less additional training during their initial employment and will therefore cost a company less money and time. The story is pretty much the same when we talk about employing newly qualified pharmacists. What counts in differentiating you from the rest of the thousands of qualified pharmacists is definitely not the faculty curricula, that basically follows more or less the same guidelines in any European faculty of pharmacy, but the experience, knowledge and skills that you have gained in different fields over the course of your studies. And in order to offer you more diverse and unique experience, EPSA started to develop a new mobility training programme 16
called the EPSA Individual Mobility Project (or EPSA IMP). What is IMP? We have already published a short description about this exciting new project in the previous issue of the EPSA Newsletter; however it is very important that you, as a future partner or a student trainee in this project, understand the idea and logitics behind it. After all, we are doing this for you! The EPSA IMP or Individual Mobility Project is renewed and freshly re-established project that will enable students of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences from all over Europe to perform a long term period of research or practice based training for a period of approximately min. 2 and max. 12 months, under the supervision of EPSA. We are mainly looking for vacancies in pharmaceutical companies, but also targeting the research institutes, hospitals and faculties of pharmacy that would be willing to cooperate and accept any student of pharmacy in his/her late years of studies as well as recent graduates from the field of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. EPSA is trying our best to assure that any research or work experience offered by an EPSA IMP partner (company, hospital, institute, etc.) as part of Individual Mobility Project would give the chance to cover at least basic expenses occurred during the trainees' stay in a foreign country (accommodation, meals, mandatory health, transport costs from and to the place of work/research, etc.) and therefore provide the trainee with a basic salary comparable to a trainee pharmacist in the respective country. This is definitely our first priority rule when arranging the vacancies for possible IMP trainings abroad, but will of course also depend on the nature and policy of our IMP partner. The training itself will be supervised by a tutor recommended and assigned by the IMP host partner and at the end of the training, partici-
IMP pants will receive a written and signed conformation from the hosting institution (IMP partner) as well as EPSA, confirming that they have successfully completed the IMP training and gained new knowledge from the field they have been working in. When will the first students/graduates of pharmacy be able to perform their training abroad? The development of the project takes time, but this yearʼs progress has been quite good and since EPSA is now also constructing a completely new and unique web-portal for the needs of processing IMP training applications and advertising IMP training vacancies around Europe, we are not far from making this project a reality. The first application period will hopefully open this autumn (November or December 2008). Since this will be the trial year of the Individual Mobility Project, the number of the training vacancies will of course be limited and unfortunately not every pharmacy student or graduate will have the chance to perform the training abroad. If the interest among pharmacy students will prove to be big enough, then EPSA and its member associations will undoubtedly attract more partners into this project and continue to offer more places in future years. The first placements are expected to begin in April 2009, however the exact periods of individual training for first IMP trainees will of course depend on the individual and final agreements between the partners who will choose their preferable trainees and the students applying for IMP training abroad. How can pharmacy students apply for IMP? By lunching this project, EPSA also had to change and adapt its internal structure during the 31st EPSA Annual Congress, held in Novi Sad, Serbia in April 2008. Thus a newly established IMP Coordination Board - consisting of Central IMP Coordinator, supervising the whole IMP project and National/Local IMP Coordinators, present in every EPSA member country - has been established recently. This Coordination board will in fact ʻtake careʼ of studentsʼ applications for IMP training and manage the logistics behind the training programme.
Every pharmacy student or recent graduate of pharmacy whose faculty is indirectly (through their national EPSA member association) or directly (through their own EPSA associate member association) connected to EPSA and has its own IMP National/Local Coordinator, will be allowed to apply and become an IMP training candidate abroad. Since we are still constructing the IMP website and IMP webportal we have not yet fully concluded how we will run and process the studentsʼ applications, during these first months. Nevertheless it is very likely that the first studentsʼ applications for IMP training will be processed directly through National/Local Coordinators from your own country, who will then preselect the studentsʼ applications (based upon prerequisites provided by the IMP partners) and send them over to the Central IMP Coordinator for exchange and final approval by the partners. The final plan is however to have a fully operating IMP web-portal through which any European student of pharmacy, suiting the previously described conditions, will be able to send and upload his/her own CV together with the motivation letter and the application form into the IMP database. More detailed information about how to apply for IMP training and about conditions and rules of participation will be published on IMP website, to which you can access through our EPSA website www.epsa-online.org. To get more INFO about EPSA and its projects register to EPSA NEWS e-group at www.epsa-online.org. More INFO about Individual Mobility Project can be found also in the article of the last issue of EPSA Newsletter. Boštjan Čeh EPSA Central IMP Coordinator 2008/2009 EPSA Homepage: www.epsa-online.org E-mail: epsa.imp@gmail.com
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Working Committees
Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee Back on the road again! Recently Iʼve joined a Facebook group called “10 Reasons for Dating a Pharmacist”. Although itʼs a funny one and the reasons are mainly truth, this article is not about joining another Facebook group. It is all about EPSA Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee. Below you will find 10 reasons for becoming a new member of such a, let me say, interesting committee: 1.) Science discussion – at the beginning of each month, a new monthly question is established by the working committee director (in this case that is me). Members are encouraged to discuss about several subtopics related to the main topic (for example – during June we were talking about Nanotechnology – but mainly we focused on the possible ways for cancer treatment, new materials for nano-drugs and future implementation of nanotech in pharmacy). 2.) EPSA events – During EPSA Autumn Assembly, a joint symposium with ESCP is organised in order to present scientific work of young pharmacists. You can participate in this event as a student speaker or present your work via poster presentation. Possibilities of organising a Scientific Day during next EPSA Annual Congress are being investigated at the moment and more information will be available via EPSAʼs website and news group soon. 3.) Abstracts – If you have already prepared an abstract of your scientific work, EPSA can offer you a great opportunity for publishing it in the EPSA Newsletter in the scientific section. Do not miss it! 4.) Local experiences – Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee (WC) is a neat place for sharing local experiences of organ-
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ising congresses, symposiums, scientific clubs or scientific projects. 5.) Democracy – we are very democratic people and all our decisions are made by voting via polls on our Yahoo group. 6.) T-shirt – Each month the most active member is being awarded an EPSA polo Tshirt. It is not a million Euros, but do not forget that EPSA is a non-governmental and non-political association. 7.) Be a part of the next EPSA team – one of the possible ways to become a part of the next EPSA team is to be an active member of a Working Committee. This is just the first step; you also have to be elected for some of the positions in the team. 8.) Career – being a member of the committee is a good chance to set up your mind for enrolling PhD studies in order to become the next Hoffman. 9.) EPSA Spirit – Well, it is a bit hard to explain, you have to experience it! 10.) Full mailbox – no, we do not forward your e-mail address to spammers. We just like to talk a lot Do not hesitate to contact your LS or me personally at epsapsciencewcd@gmail.com! EPSA Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee is waiting for you!
Yours in EPSA, Stevan Aleksić Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee Director epsapscienceswcd@gmail.com
Working Committees
Professional Development Working Committee Ensure a level of professionalism As you may be aware, EPSA Working Committees are an opportunity for EPSA to gain knowledge from, and share best practice with pharmacy students across all of Europe. In particular, the Professional Development WorCom focuses on pharmacy as a profession and how we can ensure a level of professionalism across Europe. Since May, the WorCom has been looking at various aspects of the pharmacy degree and the role of a pharmacist in Europe. In particular, the skills a pharmacist should have, has been discussed. There are many skills that are taught at an undergraduate level that a pharmacist uses in their career. However, there are also many skills which are not taught at an undergraduate level that pharmacists need to be able to do. Some skills that we thought pharmacists should have include self initiative to learn more, anger management, management and leadership, team work, teaching and mentoring skills as well as many more. These skills can be learned from outside of the undergraduate degree and definitely at EPSA events! The pharmacy degree gives a broad understanding of pharmacy and what to do as a pharmacist but it is still important to take part in lifelong learning activities to develop your skills and understanding as a pharmacist.
Without practicing in these three areas, a pharmacistĘźs knowledge and skills may be out dated and thus the patient may not be getting optimal treatment and attention. Although they all sound very similar, they are different and compliment each other. Lifelong learning encompasses all learning activities in life. On the other hand, Continuing Education relates to learning activities specific to pharmacy. Continuing Professional Development is competency based and requires the pharmacist to look at gaps in their knowledge and address these issues. CPD is a combination of LLL and CE as well as a bit of initiative and experience. One of the aims for this WorCom this year is to continue to produce Standard Operating Procedures for newly qualified pharmacists. We hope to produce a guidance document on how survive in the first few weeks of being a pharmacist, regardless of which country you practice in. Something which I would have liked when I first started working! For more information contact Heena Bhakta, Professional Development Working Committee Director at epsaprofdevwcd@gmail.com
Heena Bhakta Professional Development Working Committee Director epsaprofdevwcd@googlemail.com
Lifelong Learning, Continuing Education and Continuing Professional Development are the main focuses of the WorCom and all discussions relate back to these points.
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Working Committees
Humanitarian Working Committee Say STOP in the dispatch of not useful medicaments to developing countries
To go on the ground to help a population in health misery is not to take in the light, especially if she assumes the provision of a so specific product as medicament. Not adapted, inferior or badly used, he can constitute a lethal danger for the profitable populations. Serious impact of the dispatch of medicaments not used in the South : The earthquake which appointed the Armenia in 1988 up to the tsunami of 2005 in Indonesia, of tonnes of medicaments not used (MNU), mostly out-of-date, maladjusted to local pathologies or not identified was sent and destroyed, because unusable, for sums amounting in million dollars. In situation of not emergency, the same techniques are used to palliate in supposed lack of medicaments in developing countries. And, the humanitarian redistribution of MNU is performed except any regulation frame. Neither their quality, nor them traceability be able to be guaranteed and they do not correspond necessarily to needs and to pathologies of countries addressees and in the training of the medical personnels which use them. The official report on the ground in figures... 70% of medicaments accepted wordings in an unknown language of the local personals of health... 50 % of accepted medicaments destroyed... 17 000 tones of dissociable medicaments being destroyed cost 34 million dollars
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Medicament is not a banal product. In urgent situation or not, medicament can introduce risks for health when it is not used in good conditions. Medicaments of usage running in the western countries can prove to be useless, or even dangerous in developing countries. From a distance is in general wellmeaning, but seldom aware of disadvantages and of undesirable consequences which their donations can have as the beneficiaries. Goodwill cannot replace competence in a so sensitive domain as that of health. Without being professional of health or without knowing the needs of populations, it is useless to launch into this activity. These donations of MNU do not respect local pharmaceutical policies and compete with the local circuits of pharmaceutical distribution. Besides, they are likely to feed an illicit market of enlarging medicaments with Africa. Issued by often illiterate sellers, this MNU constitutes a true problem of public health and endanger health, or even life, of populations of developing countries . That to make our not used medicaments? Developing countries deserve better than our rests of cupboard with chemist's shop! We should not send the funds of cupboards to chemist's shop or the used medical equipment! But, as before, it is necessary to bring back its medicaments to his chemist. The humanitarian dispatch being forbidden, they will be destroyed in optimum environmental conditions. To bring back his medicaments not used at his chemist is a gesture to protect environment. HervĂŠ Faurichon de La Bardonnie Humanitarian Affairs Working Committee Director wcd.humanitarian@gmail.com
Working Committees
Mobility Working Committee An Overview in the Mobility Working Committee activities The Mobility Working Committee is aimed to take care of EPSAʼs exchange projects, individual and group ones. It is the link for connecting the associations and the students on different level by helping the team exchanges to occur and giving some useful tips how to make all the necessary preparations for such an activity. Through group brainstorming every year the new exchange topic is being considered into details thus when the studentsʼ associations want to do such an exchange and apply for grants it would be easier to fill in the application form, as well better to organize everything, from accommodation, educational part, social part to field works and visits to pharmaceutical facilities. The team exchanges can be done between two, three, four, five etc. studentsʼ associations and would be named as TWIN, THREEN, QUATRINO, PENTINO respectively. Individual mobility of the students currently is being developed within the Individual Mobility Project (IMP) on national and international level. It would provide proper training for recent graduates and students in the last years of studies. Because many studentsʼ mobility programs in Europe, this working committee is also aimed to establish contacts with Erasmus/Leonardo Da Vinci students and provide them useful info or contacts if needed. The previous period the Mobility team was working on several tasks: brainstorming about the new annual topic “Obesity and Healthy lifestyle” activities, making a template file for filling in the application form regarding the Youth in Action Grant, finding ways to promote the EPSA forum and develop discussions. The team was giving its contribution in the creation of the IMP questionnaire, which would help EPSA realize where the pharmacy students want to do their practice and why, and can much more easily look for partners
and negotiate for vacant training positions of interest. During the summer period, the team was trying to make some input in the TWINNET project, again by brainstorming about a part of the TWINNET questionnaire regarding this yearsʼ exchange topic, so the data from this questionnaire can be used for comparison between the countries which would participate in the team exchange projects the following period. After brainstorming about the IMP and the TWINNET questionnaire, it is high time we pay more attention on promotion of the working committee. It should be done by small monthly newsletter, which would be consisted of the info about the incoming/organized team exchanges, organized Mobility Days, field works and other activities which are concerning the field of studentsʼ mobility and they will be sent to all the members of the Working Committee in order to be spread among their colleagues. In that case, more students would be included in creation of the small mobility news letter and spreading the news - thus we would increase the membersʼ interest. The next event where the Mobility Working Committee will take part is the Autumn Assembly in Dubrovnik where the workshop concerning all the mobility topics will be held. If you want to explore the world of mobility and see closely how it works you are welcomed to join us there or you can e-mail the Mobility Team: Marina Naumoska - Mobility Working Committee Director: mobwcd@gmail.com Nuria Peiro - Vice-President of Studentsʼ Mobility: nuriapeiro@gmail.com Boštjan Čeh - Central IMP coordinator: epsa.imp@gmail.com
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Working Committees
Pharmacy Education Working Committee Students are those who can influence on their educational system Pharmacists are now, more than ever, called universal scientists because pharmaceutical sciences are developing extremely fast. Due to this it is still (maybe more now than before) important HOW, WHAT and WHEN we learn, get our future skills, and even more it is important to build whole future pharmacists at faculty and motivate them to improve their knowledge through Life Long Learning (LLL) process.
Finally, our work can be illustrated through topics we discussed about beside issues that we always have on our mind. We spoke about valuation of education where we agreed that this kind of students' opinion should be present, anonymous and faculties and students' associations should be involved in making questionnaire. Next topics we spoke about were social pharmacy(where we compared our curriculums) and obesity like one of the educational topics in our education. After those different tasks we tried to be more modern and explore possibilities of e-learning, our interests were present and future aspects of this kind of education...
One of the main roles of the EPSA Pharmacy Education Working Committee is discussing about pharmacy education and gathering information related to educational topics throughout Europe. In our discussions we compare curriculums, students' needs, opinions and experiences and try to find out possible problems and suggest their solutions in order to apply our ideas in future period or different countries. For this reason it is very important to hear what students have to say about their education and inform them about their rights, and obligations of course.
Have you thought your role in your education? Do you think that some changes are needed? Do you have idea that you don't know how to implement in?
Another important issue for this WC is implementation of Bologna process. Unfortunately, considering last year survey, students are still not fully aware of what this process include and how it affects on their lives. Therefore students need to be more informed because Bologna process was meant to be implemented till the end of 2010. and there isn't much time left... Maybe Bologna process awareness day on local level will increase students' interest on topic and I hope that when we collect information with this year survey we will notice that students became more aware of this process based on revealed facts. 22
Students are those who can influence on their educational system but in order to be objective in their requests they have to gather proper information from different sourcescolleagues from other countries and their help are good first choice. EPSA is always here for her members and we are opened for those of you who want to join us if we share same idea! If you are interested in education and you want to share your opinion with us on our egroup feel free to contact me, or your Liason Secretaries and JOIN EPSA Pharmacy Education Working Committee because this is the proper place for you!
Slavka Pap Pharmacy Education Working Committee Director epsapheduwcd@yahoo.com
Working Committees
Public Health Working Committee Ask yourself some questions “Iʼm a pharmacy student interested in Public Health. What would be the first step to take?” If you have ever wondered about that, then join the EPSA Public Health Working Committee and youʼll have an answer. Why do I say this? Because we are meant to be the liaison between you and the public health activities happening in Europe, not only at a studentsʼ, but also at a professional level. Our group is a platform of information, exchange of ideas and project support for all pharmacy students that are passionate about this field. And what are the topics that we are dealing with? From tuberculosis prevention strategies and vaccines against HPV, passing through diabetes and healthy lifestyle, blood and organ donation campaigns, to electronic prescribing and cross-border healthcare – all these go under the umbrella of Public Health…. so be sure you are not going to get bored.
How do we get involved in health campaigns? By providing our members with guidelines, support and feedback for undertaking health events at a local level, but with an EPSA touch. “Public Health Day at your Faculty” is one of our newest projects that brought our object of activity closer to students and gained their appreciation. And I shouldnʼt forget the “Healthy Erasmus” booklet, a joint project produced in collaboration with EMSA, aiming to support the healthy mobility of European students. What do we offer you? The chance of evolving in Public Health during your study period, a motivating atmosphere and a place in our team. And what would we like from you? The desire to learn and share your knowledge, work and, of course, enthusiasm! So, if you think this image suits you, step in our working committee and start walking on the road to a possible career in Public Health.
Andreea Ghinea How about our current activities? Each month we approach a specific theme, according to the World Diseases Days Calendar or the hot topics discussed at EU level. We are dealing with it from the perspective of future healthcare professionals and decision makers and also taking into account the specific situations from our membersʼ countries. Some of our debates are followed by statements of opinion that are communicated to official bodies; others are source for internal circulars that are spread at a local level.
Public Health Working Committee Director publichealthwcd@yahoo.com
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Working Committees
Pharmacy Awareness Working Committee Aims to increase both the studentsʼ and the publicʼs awareness of the role of the pharmacist in todayʼs modern world
Pharmacists are experts on drugs and drug therapies. There are many ways pharmacists can help the patient get the most from their medication. Pharmacy awareness should be used as an opportunity to remind patients that pharmacists, in addition to being experts on medication, can answer many other healthcare questions. There should be ways to increase efforts to inform the public about pharmacistsʼ roles as primary providers of pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists are set to have a major impact on improving public health. The traditional role involves dispensing medication to patients and counseling them on the proper use and adverse effects of that medication. In this role, pharmacists ensure the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacists also participate in disease state management, where they optimise and monitor drug therapy – often in collaboration with physicians and/or other healthcare professionals. The Pharmacy Awareness Working Committee aims to increase both the studentsʼ and the publicʼs awareness of the role of the pharmacist in todayʼs modern world. It will also help in upgrading the quality of our work and ameliorating the collaboration with other healthcare professionals. The Pharmacy Awareness Working Committee has various projects in the pipeline. These are some of the projects;
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Pharmacy Awareness in Secondary Schools Students of this age will be choosing their career for the future. The plan is to carry out brief presentations describing the pharmacy profession at secondary schools. Pharmacy Awareness Day Pharmacy Awareness Day will include holding talks not only to the general public but also to pharmacy students.
Maresca Pizzuto Pharmacy Awareness Working Committee Director epsaphaw@gmail.com
Executive Contacts President Marisabelle Bonnici Portopalo B1A Flat 10, Bugibba St., St Paul's Bay, SPB 2760, MALTA epsa.president@gmail.com + 356 79048502
Vice President of Mobility Nuria Peiro Ronda Guinardó 164 5ª2ª o8o41 Barcelona, SPAIN epsa.smo@gmail. com + 34 609 259 852
Vice President of Education Louise Winnecke Jensen Skotterupgade 10 st th, 2200 Copenhagen N, DENMARK epsa.vp.edu@gmail.com +45 22436002
Vice President of Communication Bojan Davinić
Secretary General Jamie Wilkinson 76 Hook Road, Surbiton, KT6 5BH, UNITED KINGDOM epsasecgen@gmail.com + 44 78 84 07 06 00
Vice President of EU Affairs Tomaso Piaggio Rue du Luxembourg 19-21, 1000 Bruxelles, BELGIUM epsa.eu@gmail.com +32 487 363443
Treasurer Marija Marić Braće Dronjak 6/7, 21000, Novi Sad, SERBIA epsa.treasurer@gmail.com + 381 63 8630124 Vice President of Partnership Development Fokion Sinis Koritsas 20, 26222 Patras, GREECE aksinis@gmail.com + 306 944 97 97 74
Brigadira Ristića, B3 L10/20, 23000, Zrenjanin, SERBIA epsa.vpc@gmail.com + 381 63560 597
Immediate Past President Oana Chirita Calea Dorobanti, Nr 172-178, Bl 16, Sc B, Ap 91, 010582 Bucharest, ROMANIA chirita.oana@gmail.com 00407 21 675 811
EPSA Office Rue du Luxembourg 19-21, 1000 Bruxelles, BELGIUM epsaoffice@epsa-online.org www.epsa-online.org
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Drug Information Association Three routes to attend DIAʼs 21st Annual EuroMeeting in Berlin The Drug Information Associationʼs Annual EuroMeeting is global in scope, attracting well over 3,000 professionals from over 50 countries. It brings together professionals from the biopharmaceutical industry, contract service organisations, academic research centres, regulatory agencies, health ministries, patients organisations and trade associations. DIA Europe actively encourages the participation of students in the EuroMeeting through its Student Fellowship Programme and Student Poster Awards. The 21st Annual EuroMeeting in Berlin will feature over 125 sessions, an exhibition floor with approximately 240 booths and two large networking receptions. A number of new initiatives which will be launched at the EuroMeeting in Berlin will add real value for students attending. These include: • a special joint Students/Emerging Professionals networking reception • a daily morning briefing session for students • a pilot mentoring scheme which will seek to put students in touch with an experienced professional who is attending the EuroMeeting. Route One: Be a Student Poster Presenter Full-time students, residents or fellows at the time of the EuroMeeting in Berlin (March 2009) are eligible to submit a student poster abstract for consideration by the Poster Committee. A maximum of 20 abstracts will be accepted. Benefits include a fully supported registration for the EuroMeeting to include: • return flight to Berlin • three nights hotel accommodation • complimentary registration for the EuroMeeting • Accepted abstracts will be printed in an early 2009 issue of the Drug Information Journal. • A total of EUR 1,800 is available for prize winners. The closing date for the submission of student posters is November 21, 2008. Route Two: Be a DIA Europe Student Fellow A second route for students to attend the EuroMeeting is to apply for a Student Fellowship which provides complimentary admission to the EuroMeeting for 15 students in fulltime education. The application deadline is December 1, 2008. Route Three: Register for the new reduced EUR 100 student EuroMeeting registration fee DIA Europe is delighted to announce a special 100 euros (+VAT) rate for full-time students to attend the 21st EuroMeeting in Berlin. To register for this special rate (online registration not possible), please contact DIA Europe Customer Services on +41 61 225 51 51 from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 17:00 CET or email diaeurope@diaeurope.org. Further information about Student Posters or the DIA Student Fellowship can be obtained from Maureen McGahan: maureen.mcgahan@diaeurope.org or call +41 61 225 5160 or by going to www.diahome.org and clicking on the EuroMeeting icon.
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