Pharmacist's Digest (Nov 2013 Issue)

V o l u m e 1 I s s u e 1

B S C l i n i c a l P h a r m a c e u t i c a l S c i e n c e s

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Weh a v es o mes u r et i p sf o ry o u !

B l e n d i n g w i t h t h e C o l o r s o f C h a n g e f r o mt r a d i t i o n a l p h a r m a c y p r a c t i c e t o s p e c i a l i z e d p h a r m a c e u t i c a l c a r e

EDITOR’S NOTE

As early as the 2nd semester of 1st year as a BS Pharmacy student, one will realize how different the practice of Pharmacy is in the real world compared to the theoretical concepts taught in school. In our country, pharmacists are not acknowledged as the professional drug experts they are. Pharmacists are placed on the same level as sales personnel, and it is sad to admit that this conception is real. How so? It’s because we pharmacists continue to project this view of society about our profession.

When I was a freshman I had attended a forum wherein representatives of the different sectors of the pharmaceutical field were present. In that forum, the representatives discussed about the different roles of the pharmacist in each of their fields and how important pharmaceutical knowledge is in their jobs. During the open forum the proverbial question was asked, “What do you feel about pharmacists being called tinderas in the pharmacy?”. Their answers baffled me. Their reply was that they were not insulted because they know how important their role is and the most important thing for them is the knowledge that they are doing their jobs well. I was skeptical at first and believed that they only answered that because they wanted to look good in front of the students. It was only when I had garnered more experience, through the various internships and activities that I understood why they answered so.

This long standing issue is not an insult but rather a wake-up call for

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all of us pharmacists and pharmacists-to-be. It is time for us to take an active role in the delivery of proper health care and it should start with us providing much needed pharmaceutical care. The provision of pertinent drug information through patient counseling is a good step towards change.

The slow, yet deliberate, application of clinical pharmacy in our hospitals as well as the emphasis placed on patient counseling by the academe are sure steps towards change.

As pharmacists and pharmaciststo-be we must take an active role in this endeavour. If we truly wish to be acknowledged as professionals deserving of the RPh title, we must take a stand and participate in order for our voices to be heard and for our expertise to be acknowledged. No change is abrupt, and the road to change is slow and arduous but we must persevere for the benefit not only of ourselves, nor for our profession but most importantly for our patients to improve their quality of life.

THE COVER The cover showcases the transition of a BS Pharmacy student to a BS Clinical Pharmacy student. The change of uniforms does not only signify the achievement garnered in passing the 4-year BS Pharmacy course but also signifies the new roles and responsibilities as well as the opportunities of a pharmacist who is a specialist in rendering patient-focused pharmaceutical care for all patients. This change is a testament to our perseverance to contribute to the improvement of the pharmaceutical services rendered in our country as well as for the advancement of our practice but most importantly, to provide drug expertise in order to give our patients the best therapeutic regimen based on safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness in order to improve their quality of life.

EDITORIAL

[

The subjects offered in the first semester of B.S. Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences are more of a review as well as an application of all the subjects from the undergrad. The communication skills of the student are developed during this semester.

]

Here is a table summarizing the different subjects of the fifth years on the first semester:

SUBJECT CODE

SUBJECT TITLE

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION

Clinical Pharmacokinetics

This subject studies the applications of the concepts and techniques of pharmacokinetics to the drug therapy of special populations (e.g. children, elderly and pregnant women) considering the different factors that could influence the kinetics and dosing of drugs. Moreover, this subject includes a general understanding of drugs with narrow therapeutic indices and their appropriate dosing adjustments.

Immunopharmacology

Immunopharmacology is a review on the parts and functions of the immune systems as well as the different diseases that target our immune system. The discussion focuses more on the pathophysiology and the pharmacotherapy of autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity disorders.

PHAR 61

Internship I

This subject allows the student to apply their knowledge in a community pharmacy setting through patient counseling. The communication skills and pharmaceutical knowledge of the students will be challenged and honed through exposure with real patients and costumers

PHAR 51

Pharmaceutical Care I

This subject is an overview on the practice of clinical pharmacy.

The patient-centered aspect of the practice of pharmacy is discussed in this subject.

Pharmacotherapy

The application of the theories of biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical care in a patient-centered approach are taught in this subject. This includes a general understanding of the different populations and identifying drug problems that could affect the therapy of the patient.

Special Compounding

The student is taught proper techniques in compounding drugs mostly in a hospital setting. These drugs include oncology drugs, antibiotics that need to be reconstituted, IV admixtures and other drug products that need to be altered to fit into the patient’s individual needs .

PHAR 55 PHAR 57

PHAR 53 PHAR 59

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EDITORIAL

Clinical Pharmacist in

Averting MEDICATION ERRORS

Drugs are considered to be a lifesaver but it can also be a life killer. These drugs are intended to treat medical conditions but they may make things worse once they are given erroneously. Medication errors can cause harm to the patient and even death. It can lead to manslaughter charges. The topic of medication error will make pharmacovigilance instruction more relevant and interesting. It will help prevent malpractice litigation and promote public

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health safety and awareness. “Reality is just a crutch for people who can’t handle drugs” says Robert P. Williams, Chairman of the Division of the Medical Microbiology and Immunology in ASM Council during the years 1971-73. As part of the health care team, the Clinical Pharmacist’s mission is to provide patient care that optimizes the use of medication and promotes health, wellness and disease prevention.

Being proactive with nurses is a good move because most of the medication errors are involved in administration of an improper dose and using the wrong route of administration. In this way, we can interact and communicate to the nurses much easier to correct and adjust medications that are not appropriate and suitable to a particular patient. Clinical Pharmacists routinely provide therapeutic evaluations and recommendations which underscores the fact that their daily practice involves regular consultation with patients and health care professionals regarding medication therapy evaluations and recommendations.

There are five things to remember in preventing medication error which include ASK, READ, BE VIGILANT, FOCUS, and DO IT RIGHT! Many medication errors are probably undetected and can happen unintentionally. Tragically, however, some medication error results in

Image Courtesy of Randy Glasbergen

Clinical Pharmacist has no room for mistakes when it comes with drugs. Clinical pharmacists are known to be the “drug experts” with unique set of therapeutic knowledge and specialized skills that make them one of the most important component in the health care team. Their knowledge and skills are molded by intense pressure in their hospital experiences.

By claiming the title of being a “drug expert”, it is a must to be IMPECCABLE as much as possible because once the patient’s life is gone, it can never be regained.

“Be sure to take this drug exactly as directed: tilt your head to the right at a 73 degree angel, extend your tongue precisely 4.93182 inches past the furthest point of the upper lip, place the pill directly between the 48th and 49th taste bud on the left side of the tongue…”

serious patient morbidity or mortality. Thus, medication errors must not be taken lightly, and effective systems for ordering, dispensing, and administering medications should be established with safeguards to minimize the occurrence of medication errors, if not completely eradicated. This system should involve adequately trained and supervised personnel, adequate communications, reasonable workloads, effective drug handling systems, quality control, and adequate facilities. Every health professional involved in the therapeutic chain should always question the decisions made by the ones before them. Its occurrence surely reflects on the quality of health care by maximizing the clinical effects of medicines, minimizing the risk of medication errors, minimizing the expenditures for safe, appropriate, rational and costeffective use of medicinal products and devices.

Source: Melissa Comrad Stoppler, MD Zellmor WA. Preventing medication error. Am J Hosp Pharm 1990. Editorial

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NEWS

USC Mission Operation in

CPDRC

by Kathleen Perfas

L

ast August 21, 2013 a medical mission was conducted in Cebu Provincial Detention Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), were the so called dancing inmates are staying. Medical, legal, dental, psychological and spiritual services were rendered to the inmates of CPDRC. The “dancing inmates” of Cebu has become popular in television, print, and on-line media. As a matter of fact, it is still being watched by a lot of people around the world in Youtube even today.

Medical, legal, dental, psychological and spiritual services were provided to these inmates.

Faculty members and students in different colleges of University of San Carlos worked hand-in-hand in order to make a successful medical mission.

USC’s School of Health Care Professions and volunteer physicians gave their medical assistance by providing free check-ups, physical assessment and free medication to the inmates. Videos about infectious diseases were also shown to give them ideas regarding diseases that they can acquire inside the prison, like hernia, skin diseases, hypertension, malnutrition, asthma, diabetes, cancer (e.g. cervical cancer), arthritis, and hepatitis, especially now that the inmates are increasing in number. Hygiene packs and food were also given and distributed to them.

Image courtesy of TODAY’S CAROLINIAN

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Students from the Department of Psychology lent their ears to these inmates, listening to their stories about life and experiences inside the jail and in return the students gave them pieces of advice about life and what to expect when they get out from jail. In the end, these inmates just want to have somebody to listen to them.

It was an awesome job done by the Psychology faculty and students talking to these people because in a way it was a form of therapy.

There were no murmuring and grumbling for them. They were cooperative, which is why the team of USC and the personnel of CPDRC did not encounter any dilemma.

The College of Law, on the other hand gave their legal advices to the inmates. Prayers should be given to them for hopes and justice for those innocent prisoners for them to be free and be with their family.

The Medical Mission that USC did is not the answer for the worsening problem of our penitentiaries. Withal, the government must render a budget for these institutions and the private sector must do its part to extend help for the inmates. These people committed the worst crime that our penal law may define but as a Christian nation we should give a “second chance” for these inmates to be reformed. All people deserve a second chance to be embraced by the community whatever crime they might have committed.

During the medical mission the inmates were very patient in waiting for their numbers to be called and followed the step by step procedure without any complaints. The USC team were amazed that these people are actually better and more disciplined than the people outside the prison.

Finally, because of this mission that we did for the inmates we were compensated by showing their talent by giving a dance number that became famous to both local and international tourist. These experiences were truly exhilarating and worth remembering.

NEWS

A NEW WEAPON Against Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

For the first time in over 40 years, a new TB drug with a novel mechanism of action – Bedaquiline (Sirturo) – is available, and was granted accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in December 2012 (WHO, 2013).

STEM CELL NUTRITION

by Alyssa Rae Jaen

by John Elden Lopena

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates of up to half a million new cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) occur worldwide, each year. Current treatment for MDR-TB present many challenges: treatment lasts 20 months or more, requiring daily use of drugs that are more toxic, less effective, and far more expensive than those used to treat drug-susceptible TB. Globally, less than half of all patients who start MDR-TB therapy are treated successfully.

UNREGISTERED

Bedaquiline is a diarylquinoline antimycobacterial drug that inhibits mycobacterial ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) synthase, an enzyme that is essential for the generation of energy in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent for tuberculosis. It is specifically indicated as part of combination therapy in adults with pulmonary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Clinical studies showed that treatment success was reached at 77.6% by the combination treatment of bedaquiline with other drugs for MDRTB while 57.6% was achieved by the placebo treatment after 24 weeks. At Week 72 success was reached by 70.1% and 56.1% of the respective treatments (Diacon et al., 2012) Supplied as a tablet for oral administration, Bedaquiline should only be used in combination with at least 3 other drugs to which the patient’s MDR-TB isolate has been shown to be susceptible in vitro. If in vitro testing results are unavailable, treatment may be initiated with Bedaquiline in combination with at least 4 other drugs to which the patient's MDR-TB isolate is likely to be susceptible.

The Food and Drug Admini -stration or FDA issued Circular No. 2013-0017 last July 8, 2013 stating that all human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/P’s) are required to be registered under the Philippine regulatory agency. In line with this, the Department of Health released Administrative Order No. 2013-0012 which states that stem cells and stem cell products should be preparations of viable cells that have the capability to replicate and differentiate into different types of cells. HCT/P’s are intended for implantation, transplantation, infusion or transfer into a human recipient. Products containing ingredients that are taken orally, or even applied topically cannot pass HCT/ P’s.

Recently, the FDA publicly warned the consumers against buying and using unregistered BIO STEM PLUS™ products since it is neither an FDA-approved stem cell preparation nor an approved drug product.

Additionally, it is being advertised and sold online through sulit.com.ph, with deceitful health and therapeutic claims for consumers, such as it naturally increases adult stem cell circulation, aid in repair of damage tissues, assist as a helper in up to 70 known human conditions and decreases the normal aging process.

This drug product has no scientific and clinical studies that would support or back up its health and therapeutic claims. As stated above, the stem cell to be taken orally will not pass as a product for registration as HCT/P. Hence, FDA advised consumer to be more vigilant and critical about on-line and digital advertisements so as not to fall prey to the marketing schemes of internet fraudsters.

Reference: Food and Drug Administration (2013). Public Warning on Unregistered Bio Stem Plus TM of Stem Cell Nutrition. FDA Advisory No. 2013-036.

Retrieved September 21, 2013 from http://www.fda.gov.ph/

GOOD TO KNOW References: Diacon AH, Donald PR, Pym A, Grobusch M, Patientia RF, Mahanyele R, Bantubani N, Narasimooloo R, De Marez T, van Heeswijk R, Lounis N, Meyvisch P, Andries K, McNeeley DF. 2012. Randomized Pilot Trial of Eight Weeks of Bedaquiline (TMC207) Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Long-Term Outcome, Tolerability, and Effect on Emergence of Drug Resistance. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 56 (6) : 3271-6 WHO (2013). The Use of Bedaquiline in the Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis. Retrieved September 20, 2013, from WHO,http:// apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/84879/1/9789241505482_eng.pdf

When you're a fetus, your gonads are located in your stomach, near your bellybutton. As it goes, they end up dropping down to either form ovaries or testicles. This is why, when you get kicked in your nuts it hurts in your stomach. Or when you clean your bellybutton you feel it in your nuts. Nerves.

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NEWS

NEW DRUG for LOSING WEIGHT

by Justine Eve L. Carbonilla

The incidence of overweight and obesity has become an increasingly urgent issue for national health. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that “Obesity threatens the overall well-being of patients and is a major public health concern.” Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease are some of the diseases often linked with obesity.

and triptans. Moreover, patients should not take Lorcaserin in combination with drugs that have been associated with valvular heart disease such as cabergoline as it can develop vulvular regurgitation. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid Lorcaserin intake.

Response to therapy should be evaluated by week 12. If a patient has not lost at least 5% of baseline body weight, Lorcaserin should be discontinued as it is unlikely that the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.

The new diet drug could be a groundbreaking innovation that can help in the management of chronic obesity. However, it is also important to note that regular exercises and healthy balance diet are valuable keys to promote overall wellness.

The FDA currently approved a new prescription weight loss medication for the first time in over a decade. This diet drug, Lorcaserin HCl with the brand name Belviq®, is produced by Arena Pharmaceuticals.

Lorcaserin is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m 2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related co-morbid condition (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes). Although the exact mechanism is yet unknown, it is believed to decrease food consumption and promote satiety. Satiety is the signal from the brain of “fullness” or “satisfaction”, helping the person eat less but feel more full on smaller intake of food. This is due to the release of serotonin in the areas of the brain where it can specifically bind to and activate the 5-HT2C receptor responsible for appetite suppression.

Clinical trials showed that patients taking Lorcaserin lost more than 5% and more than 10% of baseline body weight compared to placebo. There are also improvements in cardiometabolic parameters, including blood pressure, HDL, triglycerides, and glycemic control, compared to patients on placebo.

The recommended dose of Lorcaserin is 10mg administered orally twice daily. Higher doses may cause euphoria, hallucination and dissociation. Thus, it is important to monitor the use of this drug. It is also classified as a serotonergic drug which can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome when taken together with other serotonergic drugs such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA), bupropion

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References:

BELVIQ: A Pharmacotherapeutic Option for Chronic Weight Management (2013). Retrieved September 20, 2013, from http://www.pharmacytimes.com/_media/_pdf/BelviqMonograph0713.pdf.pdf

BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl) C-IV A Pharmacotherapeutic Option for Chronic Weight Management (2013).

Retrieved September 20, 2013, from http://www.pharmacytimes.com/p2p/R581_july13 FDA (2012). FDA Approves Belviq to Treat Some Overweight or Obese Adults . Retrieved September 20, 2013,from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm309993.htm Park, A. (2012). Belviq: 5 Things You Need to Know About the New Weight-Loss Pill. Retrieved September 20, 2013, from Time http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/28/belviq-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-thenew-diet-pill/

NEWS

of the common fruits in the Philippines

by Lovely Anne Go

Bananas Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood.

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function.

Due to their fiber content, they help restore normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

This tropical fruit contains high levels of potassium, yet low in salt and thus prevents high blood pressure.

Pineapple Pi neappl e

cont ai ns bromelain which aids digestion by helping the body break down proteins. It is also rich in manganese and thiamine (Vitamin B1) for energy production and antioxidant defenses.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the primary cause of vision loss in adults, is caused by damage to the retina. Reading, recognizing faces, and doing daily activities can become a lot more difficult because of this problem. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of this fruit per day can lower risk of this disease by as much as 36 percent.

Reference

Apple Health Benefits. (2010). Retrieved September 21,2013 from U.S. Apple Association, http://www.usapple.org/

PDF/Health%20Benefits%20Research%20Summary%207-10.pdf Kumar, K.P., Bhowmik, D., Duraivel S., Umadevi,M.(2012). Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana. Retrieved September 21,2013 from Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, http://www.phytojournal.com/ vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf Joy P.P.(2010). Benefits and Uses of Pineapple. Retrieved September 21,2013 from, http://www.kau.edu/prsvkm/ Docs/Benefitsandusesofpineapple.pdf

Apple Researchers from Cornell University found in their in vitro study that quercetin, a flavonoid found naturally in apples, protects brain neurons against oxidative damage such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. They also identified a group of phytochemicals, more abundant in the peel, that can inhibit the growth of at least three different types of human cancer cells such as colon, breast and liver.

Researchers from the State University of Rio de Janeiro studying the impact of fruit intake on weight loss found that overweight women who ate the equivalent of three apples or pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet. (Nutrition, 2003, 19: 253-256)

GOOD TO KNOW Consuming chocolate was once considered a sin during the 16th and 17th century.

Some of us might feel this way now for different reasons. :))

According to Chinese legend, the

benefits of acupuncture were discovered when a soldier who had suffered from a stiff shoulder for many years was cured when an

enemy arrow hit him in the leg!

Chewing gum boosts your brain power.

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FEATURE

d e r u t Fea

Faculty Member

DONNY JAY E. YU, RPh, MD

Name: Donny Jay E. Yu Age: 34 Birth date: December 6, 1978 Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius Name of Spouse: Michelle Yu Age: 32 Years married: 5

“I am really grateful for my career.

I couldn’t think of any other career paths.

I am really grateful of becoming a pharmacist and a doctor.”

Dr. Donny Jay E. Yu was born in Lapas, Leyte, but was raised in Tacloban City where he graduated elementary and high school. He was certain that he would proceed to the University of San Carlos to pursue a college education, but was indecisive of what course to take.

Pharmacy was only an afterthought influenced by friends and family.

College was a hard road for Dr. Yu because of financial constraints. His parents already informed him beforehand that they would only be able to extend financial help enough for his college education but nothing more. Yet there were times when he still found himself having to accept the financial help of friends who offered to pay a part of his tuition for him to be able to take his finals. Though this did not deter him in his goal to graduate.

Instead it challenged him to work even harder to make good on the faith his family and friends had in him; which he did by

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graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of San Carlos.

Upon graduating, he took the Pharmacist Licensure Examination and acquired his license. He worked at La Nueva Pharmacy for 8 months before deciding that he wanted, and wanted to be, something more. He took up medicine in South Western University but it was during his 1 year internship at Vicente Sotto Hospital that he realized Internal Medicine was to be his specialization. He worked as an Internal Medicine doctor in Sacred Heart Hospital and practiced there for 3 years then moving on as a junior consultant in Cebu Mactan Doctors Hospital for 2 years. He was offered a teaching job at South Western University, and took it. It was during his junior consultancy for 2 years that he decided to train for a fellowship with a sub-specialty in Pulmonary Medicine at the Lung Center in Manila. Having

finished his training last March, he returned to teach in the University of San Carlos Pharmacy Department.

Dr. Yu embodies a man of determination, hard work and excellence. Treating every challenge as an avenue for improvement and navigating through hard times and looking at them as opportunities for the betterment of himself, it made him the person that he is now.

As he always say, “come what may. If opportunity presents itself, I grab it and treat it as a challenge for myself and I finish it.”

Those are words from a self-made man who has proven that no matter where you come from, if you put your heart into what you are doing, then the world is yours to take. Today Dr. Yu is now happily married to his lovely wife, Michelle for 5 years and they have both been blessed with a son, Gabe Daniel.

[Now, let’s get to know Dr. Donny Jay more] Describe yourself in three words.

Make a difference.

What is your mantra in life?

Always put yourself in the situation. Always understand what they are feeling.

What makes you laugh/cry?

When my son is happy and also when I watch movies. When there is a misunderstanding with my wife and that time when my son was sick, it really made me cry.

What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?

Returning home from work would be my favorite time because that is when I get to see my wife and son. It is also the time that I get to play with him.

What do you love doing when not working?

Watching movies and playing games.

What is your favorite hangout place in the University?

Canteen.

What makes you blush?

Before, when I talk to my crushes but now I blush when I hear compliments from other people.

If you were an actor/actress, who would you be?

Bruce Willis What’s your favorite sport growing up?

Basketball What is your idea of a relaxing day?

Going to the beach.

What one thing would people be interested to know about you?

My personality because the first impression is always I’m a shy person or unapproachable. Know my personality first before judging.

What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?

All I can think of is Eternal Flame and I don’t know why.

What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?

I place my hand on my son and check his vital signs.

He is now a full-fledged consultant and a member of the faculty of the University of San Carlos Pharmacy Department. And on January 2014, he will be taking the board exam for his sub-specialty in Pulmonary Medicine. He continues to build his empire and legacy as a teacher, a doctor, a husband and a father.

What’s your idea of a family?

Close with each other. Having respect with one another. No competition. I just want to be like friends with my son and wife like those typical movies.

Contributors:

Mara Samantha Alejandria Felbert Maningo PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

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FEATURE

Why enroll at

?

BS Clinical

Pharmaceutical Sciences

By Nikka Angela B. Gaitera

It has always been an issue to most of the pharmacy students on what to do right after they graduate and pass the pharmacy licensure examination. Some would prefer proceeding to medicine while some prefer to work right after they get their license. But the question is, have you decided on what field of pharmacy do you want to practice? If not, then allow me to tickle your minds and influence every bit of your decision why working as a clinical pharmacist is the right choice.

Most of our pharmacist can be seen working at a community-based setting but little did they know that being a pharmacist is not mainly about dispensing medications. Their roles have gone beyond the traditional pharmacy practice.

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The responsibility of a pharmacist has stepped up into a higher level.

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Their knowledge on drug information is now highly needed by doctors and other healthcare professionals. They also work closely with patients as they advise them on their medications. To become an efficient clinical pharmacist, you must undergo certain steps which are well-planned to suit the needs of such a career path.

The Department of Pharmacy of the University of San Carlos (USC) offers a Bachelors Degree in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, also considered as an optional extra year for pharmacy graduates, of the 4 year curriculum, who want to be employed in the United States. It is a one year program that trains clinical pharmacy students on how to interview and assess patients, make patient-specific therapeutic recommen-

dations, monitor patient response to drug therapy, provide drug information, and interact with the medical experts. Clinical pharmacy students are also exposed to medical missions, community outreach programs, and are deployed to the different community pharmacies and teaching hospitals in association with the said school. What is more interesting about enrolling in this 5th year course is the 2-month experience as clinical pharmacy interns that usually takes place in the prestigious hospitals in the capital city of the Philippines, Manila.

It has been 5 years that the clinical pharmacy program of the University of San Carlos started. The mentors from the said program are well-trained and befitted to impart their knowledge and skills since they too were graduates of the clinical pharmacy program, have had a handful of experiences and a holder of a master’s degree as well as are medical practitioners.

The pharmacy department of USC is the only university that offers an optional Clinical Pharmacy program in the Visayas Region. It is not only limited to the pharmacy graduates of the aforementioned school but it also caters to the graduates of the different pharmacy schools all over the country.

The Department of Pharmacy received good feedbacks from the graduates of the said program. It does not only give you the experience of being a clinical pharmacist, but it also gives you an edge over other registered pharmacists.

So, what's your stand? Enroll now at the University of San Carlos and be one of us, your trusted clinical pharmacist at your service!

GOOD TO KNOW Scientists estimate that laughing 100 times is equivalent to a 10minute workout on a rowing machine.

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The human eye is about 88 mega pixels.

Lara Turner, a famous hollywood actress was discovered at the age of 16, at a Schwab's Pharmacy in Los Angeles, licking an ice cream cone.

FEATURE

o?” g a n n a w here do I

“W

inical Pharmacy Cl of te ua ad gr sh fre a th wi An interview

By Teresa Chiong

A

graduate of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Cebu Doctors University, Ruby, is a person who is friendly, smart and down to earth. She has been given recognition and awards during her undergraduate years (I, for one, witnessed the superlative performance of this young lass). A friend, a student and a person you can always rely on, admired by many because of her great works and character. This is no doubt why she deserves to be the “Featured Student” as a clinical pharmacy graduate. Sharing her own insights about the field she loves and the profession she chose, that might help you decide about taking up clinical pharmacy as a specialty course.

Teresa: How was your experience as a clinical pharmacy student?

Ruby: It was pretty challenging for me because the last time I attended school was back in 2010. I had to cope up with a lot of things like studying, doing homework, making reports and completing case studies.

But as tiresome as it may sound, I still enjoyed it. Maybe because I learned a lot and I STATS met a lot of wonderful people while doing so. Over Name: Ruby Mejica all, it was a very enrichNickname: Ruby ing experience.

Past working experience: Pharmacist at 360 Pharmacy Hometown: Malangas, Zambo.

Sibugay Age: 24 Zodiac: Scorpio Birthday: October 29

Teresa: What was your biggest obstacle as a student (in clinical pharmacy) and how did you overcome it?

Ruby: Probably that time when we were in Manila, because I was taken outside of my comfort zone. Aside from having to do chores like cooking and cleaning, I had patient databases to complete, exams to study for, pharmacist’s care plans to make and cases to master for summary rounds and case presentations. And not to mention these required a lot of researching and of course, studying. It was hard because getting a stable internet connection was almost impossible and I wasn’t able to bring my books with me. Good thing, our preceptor was kind enough to offer us to use their library in the Pharmacy.

There were also times when it got so tiring that I had to escape. For me, going out and eating out helped a lot.

And when I felt like quitting, I just reminded myself why I was there and that I needed to go through it to become a good clinical pharmacist.

Teresa: What are your plans as a clinical pharmacy graduate?

Ruby: Work in a hospital for maybe a couple of years. Ideally as a clinical pharmacist, but I understand that very few institutions have clinical practice here in Cebu, so I’ll just try to apply everything I’ve learned. And if an opportunity comes, I’d like to work abroad.

Teresa: What can you advice to those aspiring clinical pharmacists?

Ruby: Don’t expect it to be an easy course ‘cause it’s not. But just remember that seeking knowledge is never a waste of time and every experience you get from this is essential in making you a better clinical pharmacist. Work hard and study

well. It’s all going to be worth it in the end.

Teresa: The best part about a graduate of clinical pharmacy is…

Ruby: “You

have an edge over other pharmacists.”

As early as now, try to ask yourselves: Which pharmacy career road will you take? Will you settle as a Registered Pharmacist or proceed with the specialized courses of Pharmacy? Whatever you will take on the near future, everything will boil down to your own happiness and calling. Just like Ruby, “Learning is never a waste of time”. If we want to explore more of our profession, proceeding with the specialized field is not a bad idea. We should be open for opportunities in our lives and plan for our future.

So now, grinning like the Cheshire cat in Alice in the Wonderland, I have to ask you: “Where do you want to go?”

PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

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FEATURE

Life’s crossroads, haven’t been there yet?

From time to time I hear stories from my friends and classmates in pharmacy who have been practicing in chain pharmacies or in hospital pharmacies here and abroad. I believe their stories are not different from many others who are fairly new in the practice. I appreciate their honesty towards the issue, and thought I would share an excerpt.

I have been thinking about my career and my goals for the future especially now that I’ve made a decision out of a dilemma to either continue to study or work, I had to make choices. I haven’t taken the board exams yet but these questions are bugging me ever since I took the challenge in shifting to another career. It’s a long story how I ended up in pharmacy but here is a short fill of my journey starting with graduating with a degree in Biology, worked as a medical transcriptionist, then transferred to a transcription school as a mentor due to better compensation, then had an offer from another medical transcription company as a quality assurance specialist. And then, suddenly the gates of heaven opened up and behold a bright light altered my sanity and right there, I immediately passed a 15-day notice letter about quitting my everloved, high position job and enrolled in Pharmacy, so that’s just about it.

I remembered during my undergrad days when there were a lot of growing pains like sacrificing meals for an extra hour of sleep or chained sleepless nights just to finish a trial on laboratory animals because the teacher told you to repeat the process and then on the next day, you need to catch up on an early exam, whew! I know not everybody can relate to this. On my first hospital internship, I committed mistakes, like when I made my first medication error, it crushed me. I started to second-guess my ability and worth,

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and even to the point of asking myself “Makapasar kaha kos board exam ani? (will I pass the board exam with this?)” Then over time, I’ve realized that I am only human I’m just like anybody else! Bound to commit mistakes, since then I strived harder to master my craft. I know I will make more mistakes in the future but that’s just life. The thing is that we should not put our guards down since it is inevitable to encounter different kinds of uncomfortable situations; which are actually a lot different from what we’ve studied and learned in college.

Having internship for quite some time, I also had experienced the good parts of being a pharmacist.

Like when a patient thanked me for helping him out with his prescription. He was happy that I took a minute to help him out. I also helped a patient find garlic tablets and I asked what prescription medications she was taking. She told me she was taking warfarin, I explained that the garlic tablets can increase her bleeding risk. I could go on, but you know what I mean when I say it is very fulfilling for an intern to make a therapeutic intervention that improved the life of the patient.

Everybody has their own point of realization, I know similar incidents and questions wherein my friends had been through or even you who are reading this right now either on a different field of practice or of the same field. You might want to ask yourself, did I want to work in a chain pharmacy or in a hospital pharmacy? Did I want to be a staff pharmacist? Did I want to be a manager or the chief pharmacist or clinical pharmacist even? Do I need to proceed to a clinical pharmacy training program? All of these questions had to be acted upon and decisions had to be made at the same time, and quickly because “time flies so quickly” as the saying goes. So as I re-evaluate my decisions, it turns out that the negative and the positive aspects of my job are pretty evenly balanced. I am left

to consider my goals for the future.

In community pharmacy, the world beyond the role of the pharmacy manager is more businessfocused than patient-focused; that is not what I want. Because I want to stay involved with direct patient care rather than just dispensing drugs.

Now that I have chosen a career path which is to further my studies and enrolled here in USC-TC with the BS Clinical Pharmacy program.

I definitely don’t regret any of my decisions. Having given it some careful thoughts, I’ve realized that a career path should not be a single vertical line. It should have many side branches, kind of like a tree. A plain tree trunk with no branches is probably dead and is definitely not fruit bearing. A tree with many branches full of green leaves is alive, fruitful and beautiful. That is what I want my career to be. So, I needed to add more branches to my tree. I needed to explore different pathways to achieve my goals. I can be a mentor and share my knowledge with students. I can write pharmacy articles like this one. I can join pharmacy organizations like Cebu Pharmacist Association, alumni associations, and advocacy groups. I can volunteer for ERUF. I can do community service. I can find ways to improve my day-to-day routine. I can do anything I want to do with my career. I don’t have to be the stereotypical disenchanted pharmacist who just doesn’t care anymore, works for 30 years just going through the motions, and never realizes his full potential. I don’t have to end up as a dead tree with no branches that eventually burns out from stress.

My career goals are simple. I want to do something I can be proud of. I want to share my experiences and knowledge with others. I never want to stop learning. If I can accomplish those things, I will be able to say that I had a fulfilling career. My tree had a lot of branches. How many branches are on your tree?

FEATURE

Today’s Role of a Pharmacist in the Philippines Mark Osabel Gullem

“To see is to believe”, a well-known saying that most people apply in assuming the work of a pharmacist in practice. For most Filipinos, a pharmacist is simply one who sells medicine, one who stands behind drugstore counters, busily taking the prescriptions from customers and giving them the medicines they need. The perception of the society is that the pharmacist is just a seller of the drug and you can’t blame them because it is what they see and this is how some pharmacists act.

It is common knowledge that the pharmacy practice in the Philippines is mostly about drug dispensing, and is basically focused on entrepreneurship rather than being focused on patientcare that can be, not to mention should be, given to patients.

Few years ago, a new field in Pharmacy has emerged – the Clinical Pharmacy. This is expected as an advancement in the profession that may eradicate the bad image of pharmacists in our country. From a drug-centered perspective, the practice has moved towards a more patientcentered standpoint.

According to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, “Clinical pharmacy is a health science discipline in which pharmacists provide patient care that optimizes medication therapy and

promotes health, wellness, and disease prevention. It is also said that the practice of clinical pharmacy embraces the philosophy of pharmaceutical care and it blends a caring orientation with specialized therapeutic knowledge, experience, and judgment for the purpose of ensuring optimal patient outcomes.”[1] In short, a Clinical Pharmacist is one who is actively involved in making sure that the medications are given to the right patient, at the right time, at the right dosage form and strength and at the right administration site, all throughout the patient’s medication regimen and provide information in an objective manner. A Clinical pharmacist does not solely focus on the medications, but also does interact with the healthcare team as well as with the patients and their family.

Now is the time for us to change the poor image of our profession. Let us not waste the time that we have spent to earn the title RPh. The practice of clinical pharmacy in our country may be the first step in boosting our profession. This may also change the community’s perception of a pharmacist as a mere salesperson, instead they may perceive the pharmacist as one who performs a crucial role in the effective delivery of health services and one who is essential in improving the quality of life of the patients.

As of now, people don’t see or consider us important, but a time will come when everyone would aspire to become a pharmacist.

Reference: [1] ACCP. (2005). The Definition of Clinical Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Retrieved from http://www.accp.com/docs/ about/ClinicalPharmacyDefined.pdf

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ENTERTAINMENT

Conquering the Board Exam TIPS FROM A BOARD EXAM PASSER

by Giana Fernandez

Taking the board exam is probably one of the biggest mountains to move for graduates. It is the culmination of years of education and the summation of all your efforts in preparing yourself for the real world in whatever field of expertise you choose. It is the gateway to a wide range of opportunities that await those who have worked hard enough to ace their exams and claim their licenses.

Every challenge should be started with the end in mind. Always believe that there are only two options when one takes the board exam: to pass it, or to be a top notcher. Strength of the mind is very important and one must regularly program the mind to achieve this goal. One must know that the journey to get there is not going to be easy but it is going to be worth all the hardship in the end. As early as the first day that you decide to take the board exam, you have to constantly tell yourself that it is something that requires discipline, perseverance, hard work and determination. To strive for success without putting-in hard work is like expecting to harvest in a field where you did not plant. Now here are tips and tricks in studying and preparing for the board exam.

How to start…

First thing first, you should gather enough resources from the four years you were in college. It should be enough but not too many because you would want to read and study those resources. Having too many books, handouts and notes would not do you any good because the load may overwhelm you and cause you to cram. It will become a frustration at some point when you realize that you are not even half way through your review and reading list.

Gather those materials that you think are the MOST important, MOST precise and those you think are the EASIEST to comprehend and remember. Bear in mind that you cannot possibly memorize every single thing about your field, but you can always know about most of the concepts if you study right and study SMART. That is, you should follow the SMART method in studying and choosing what to study. Be SPECIFIC in what you want to master, have a MEASURABLE outcome of what you have learned, make ATTAINABLE goals in

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every concept, be REALISTIC in how much you want to master about the concept and make sure all of these are TIMEBOUNDED so you won’t spend too much time on a single topic.

Make a time frame and stick to it…

It is important that you schedule out the topics or modules you need to study.

This is to guarantee that you cover all the topics covered for the board exam and of course you should stick to it. Strict scheduling must be a practice because believe me, time flies like butterflies.

Know how to prioritize...

You know that sinking feeling you have when there's too much on your plate? And when you try to tackle your tasks by priority, it feels like everything's important?

Don't get overwhelmed—it's a problem that everyone faces at some point or another.

You will eventually have the feeling of things that needs to be put first and nothing

else should matter after you have accomplished the task. List the things that need to be done and group the tasks with the highest importance and urgency and least amount of effort. Decide which ones need to be done first based upon the upcoming deadline in your time frame and do it.

Knowing how to prioritize work effectively reduces stress and helps you feel on top of things.

Have a study place…

This is the place where you will most likely spend most of your waking hours so it needs to pass every standard you lay for it.

Your study space is critical to your ability to study effectively. After all, if you can’t concentrate, you certainly can’t expect to learn very well. There are as many different study environments as there are students. Some students cannot study when it is really quiet, because then any sound at all attracts their attention. Some students need a quiet place because they cannot "tune out" noises, so

what is conducive to one is not necessarily conducive to another. It means you should find someplace to study that fits your specific personality and most especially your learning style.

use common knowledge. Practical wisdom goes a long way in making an educated guess, just use what you know.

Not all of us are blessed with photographic memory, recalling endless names of drugs can be a struggle. That is why I suggest using mnemonics in memorizing important terms or concepts. A mnemonic is a learning technique that helps you remember or aids you in retaining information. For example C’MON is a mnemonic for Penicillinase-resistant drugs, C for Cloxacillin, M for Methicillin, O for Oxacillin and N for Nafcillin. If that doesn’t work then try associating things, for example Griseofulvin is a drug that absorbs well with fatty foods thus it becomes GREASEofulvin, making it easier to remember that fatty foods enhance its absorption. It is just a matter of being creative and how dedicated you are in achieving your goal.

Get rid of all distractions…

This is very important and pretty self explanatory. There are many gadgets out there that can get your attention and will surely consume your study time, hence not sticking with the schedule that you have plotted. Once distracted, you engage in the new task and you don’t pay attention to what you were originally supposed to do.

Simply get rid of those distractions, identify what distracts you and then take measures to not let it distract you again. For example, if it’s the internet, television or people, then you might want to consider studying elsewhere like the library.

Practice…

And lastly, don’t forget to relax and take a break. Our brain is not a computer processor which can process 24/7. If you feel so much stress as if no matter how hard you review, nothing comes in, it’s the best time to stop and relax.

Try to answer different reviewers like the PACOP and Appleton daily. These are reviewers that contain questions in multiple choice format (like the board exam) and are related to the topics that are included in the Board Exam. Allot 2 to 3 hours every day in answering the questions and read the rationale for every question, it will help you understand the principle you don’t understand and also helps you to master the art of answering multiple choice questions.

Do not pressure yourself, it will not do you any good and it will just distract you to the task at hand. Never compare yourself to other people because everyone is unique thus everyone also has unique ways in studying. What works for you might not work for others.

Tips...

For questions that you don’t know the answer, I suggest making an “educated” guess. Nothing takes the place of a firm knowledge base, but having little information to work with may come in handy in guessing the correct answer. To make an “educated” guess, rule out obvious bad choices. Pay attention to detail; look for a clue within the question or the choices. Consider the simplest solution as the best. We often over-analyze and consider information that is not relevant to the question, making the process far more difficult. Keep it simple and look for the obvious. And lastly,

There is a saying

“study hard and pray

harder”. Pray for guidance and strength. I believe that praying along with hard work helps greatly in helping you pass the Board Exam. Remember you are not alone in this journey, you always have Him beside you every step of the way. In times when your nerves get much out of you, pray.

MAKE YOUR OWN BRAND TAGS AND BOOKMARKS

By Radzwil Jumao-as Are bookmarks still "in" in this time of e-books that can be stored in gadgets like iPads or iPhones?

I believe those who love to read or study pharmacy books have at least one or two bookmarks inserted in their books. So, let me teach you how to make your own bookmarks and brand tags. It is useful in marking the page where you stop reading, and who knows you can make business out of it too!

Transparent acetate film Nail polish (varied colors) Colored glue Markers Glitters White paper Pencil Ribbon/thread

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Cut a 1.75 x 5.25 inch of acetate film. Wipe to clean dust or lint.

Sketch a pattern of your design on a piece of white paper. By doing so, you can make a number of copies of your design.

Place cut acetate film over sketch design and trace it using nail polish or marker with the color of your choice. You may also use colored glue and glitters or any other materials you like. Let it dry.

When the cut acetate film is dried, punch a hole for tassel, or omit the tassel but cut a portion of the design so you can slip it on a page (for guys who think bookmarks are girly J).

Source: Health and Home Magazine 2013 edition

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ENTERTAINMENT

10

Awesome and Little-Known Facts About the Human Body

Your body is many things: a mechanical device, a walking chemistry set, a sustainable life form, and an ever-changing biological phenomenon.

There's a lot to know about the body. Were

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you aware of these ten amazing facts?

For every pound of fat gained, you add seven miles Human bone is as strong as granite, relative to of new blood vessels. supporting resistance.

New tissue needs blood supply, so your vascular system expands to accommodate it. This also means your heart must work harder to pump blood through the new network, which may reduce oxygenation and nutrient replenishment in other tissues. Lose a pound? Your body will break down and reabsorb the unneeded blood vessels from the previous tissue.

Muscle tissue is three times more efficient at burning calories than fat.

This is why possessing more muscle should be a training goal for most people. More muscle = more calories burned = less fat = being more fit looking. Simple goals and simple math.

You are taller in the morning than in the evening.

When you crawl out of the sack in the morning you are at your tallest. On average, you are approximately one half inch taller when you wake in the morning, thanks to excess fluid between within your spinal discs. While you are sleeping, these fluids replenish. During the day your body has to deal with the stress of standing, so the discs become compressed and the fluid seeps out. This results in you losing a small amount of extra height.

Your stomach manufactures a new lining every three days to avoid digesting itself.

As a part of the digestive process, your stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HA). HA is a powerful corrosive compound also used to treat various metals. The HA your stomach secretes is also powerful, but mucous lining the stomach wall keeps it within the digestive system. As a result it breaks down the food you consume, but not your own stomach.

Your body produces enough heat in only thirty minutes to boil a half-gallon of water.

Your body is the epitome of a study on the laws of thermodynamics. You produce heat from all that is going on - exercise, metabolizing food, maintaining homeostasis – and as you sweat, exhale, excrete, and urinate (lovely thoughts, all of them).

Reference: Kelso, T. Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/health-medicine/10-awesome-and-little-knownfacts-about-the-human-body

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6

Would you believe a matchbox-size chunk of bone can support 18,000 pounds? Compared to concrete, human bone is four times greater in support strength.

Your skin is an organ.

Just like the liver, heart, and kidneys, your outer covering is an organ.

An average man has enough skin on his body to cover approximately twenty square feet. For an average woman it is approximately seventeen square feet. Approximately 12% of your weight is from your skin.

And, your skin replaces 45,000+ cells in only a few seconds. It's constantly growing new skin and shedding old skin.

By the age of eighteen your brain stops growing.

From that age forward it begins to lose more than 1,000 brain cells every day. Only two percent of your body weight is occupied by your gray matter, but is uses up to 20% of your overall energy output (it needs carbohydrates). Your brain works continuously and never rests, even when you're asleep. Aside from producing REM dreams, your brain works overtime to replenish its ability to function normally during your daytime waking hours.

There are more than 600 individual skeletal muscles and 206 bones in your body.

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If all 600+ muscles contracted and pulled in the same direction, you could lift over twenty tons of resistance. Additionally, the adult skeleton is composed of 206 bones, but at birth an infant skeleton contains approximately 350 bones. Over time, some of the 350 bones fuse together and eventually grow to the 206 adult figure.

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You need to consume a quart of water each day for four months to equate to the amount of blood your heart pumps in one hour.

Additionally, over a lifetime, at your normal (resting) heart rate you will have pumped enough blood to fill thirteen oil super tankers. To further expound on this fact, on average, your heart beats 40,000,000 times per year. Doing the math, over your lifetime (both men and women averaged), that results in 2,600,000,000 heartbeats (two billion, six hundred million). This does not even factor in your increased heartbeats due to your love of exercise.

ENTERTAINMENT Being in a medical course, it has always been in our nature to think scientifically and ask how true or real something we see on TV, especially when it comes to the human body. I, personally, have been glued to my laptop screen for a long time watching CSI and other American TV series somehow related to our field. I have always wondered how the forensic scientists do the identification of body parts and if it is also applicable in real life, so I did some research for us to know more about the basics.

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By Mary Jesna Joy Ellise Sandoval

Fingers

Fingerprints still continue to be the most universally used forensic evidence around the world. Even from the very day that we were born, our fingerprints can already be gathered for future identification. In most places, fingerprint examination cases outrank any other forensic examination casework totaled. It has increasingly grown to be the most respected method for identifying persons. Fingerprint identifications have led to more positive identifications of bodies than any other human identification procedure.

Teeth Forensic dentists can use teeth for identification or in some cases a single tooth can be used. If no dental X-ray is available, digital photographs can be taken of the teeth to compare to a smile in a photograph during the victim’s lifetime. These dental examinations are quite often the key in identifying a person through specific characteristics in the makeup of the teeth and can be used to identify the remains of a person, even when entirely distorted from fire and water damage to the body. Through dental examinations, dentists or forensic scientists can even tell the age of a person, unless you are wearing dentures, of course.

Bones

Body Parts Forensic Scientists Use to Identify

Hair

Results from hair analysis can be a bit conten-

tious. Multiple factors can have an effect on the results, including the area on the body from where the hair was taken, the color, and the person’s age and race. External substances such as air pollution, composition of the water used to wash hair, and materials used to treat hair such as shampoo, hairspray, and hair dyes may also help with the identification process. Hair can only be neglected easily for some, but it still contains your DNA, that is why hair on a crime scene can still put someone in jail. Hair can even be used nowadays for drug testing. Depending on the length of the hair, it can tell if you have been into illicit drug use even years ago.

Joints & Soft Tissue

Almost 100 percent of the time, if you have something surgically implanted in you by a surgeon, then it will have a documented serial number on record. For medical examiners, these small codes can close cases and give some comfort to the family of the victim. Originally intended for the speedy recall of defective devices and ensure patient safety, serial numbers on implants and prosthetics are now being used to hurry the identification of John or Jane Does. Joints can also tell the age of a patient. The older the patient, the more probable the thinning and tearing of the tendons, cartilage and liga-

ments.

When skeletal remains

are

found, a Forensic scientist needs to establish from the beginning if the bones are human. If so, different bones can identify things such as sex, race, and age. Leg or arm bones can determine stature and weight. Also, any pathology of the skeleton must be started in order to make an identification of the remains, determine the cause of death and, if homicide is involved, even identify the murderer. Even mummified bodies found in the pyramids of Egypt like King Tut’s were also identified through their bones. The bones can even tell you how long a person was dead, his age when he died, and if any embalming was done.

Skull CSI NY addicts will be familiar to the method they use in the identification of corpses.

Computer graphics are used to perform a facial reconstruction to estimate the dead person’s appearance. With the aid of these graphics, they can also discover much about the soft tissue in the ears and nose and how much fat the person had on his or her face. The image is then usually distributed for identification, or searched through a computer database.

Skin Body marks can be characteristic of an individual and can be used to support identification, in conjunction with medical or police records and/or identification given by family members. A scar can come from surgery, an accident, or assault. Scars such as severe acne during youth can leave scars that remain into adult life and may be a helpful identification tool. A number of individuals have scars from common operations like appendix removal. The dates of such operations should be in the person’s medical records and the medical examiner will try to relate this to the age of the scar. Skin can also tell the nationality or the race of the person, and can easily give hints as well on how he died.

Feet The foot is an anatomical area that can show a wide range of individuality. There are currently two main forms used for identification, one from records kept by the podiatrist while examining and treating and the other by marks left by objects the foot has come in contact with like shoes and ground surfaces. Toe nails can also be a way to find DNA. Footprints are also a unique as fingerprints, and can be used for identification as well.

Forensic science has made much advancement since the days of looking at fingerprints under a microscope. Modern forensic meth ods use science and advanced technology to assist law enforcement and other agencies in collecting evidence and getting information about a victim. Unidentified bodies and closed cases unacknowledged for years might now have a chance at being solved due to these innovative forensic investigation techniques. To relate here in the Philippine setting where there is lack of technology and databases for identification, it is also another factor why some cases take decades before being solved. It will take us a long time before we can even get hold half of the technology forensic scientists in first-world countries use, but still, if we could only find our ways, be determined and be innovative enough, we can still take baby steps in this kind of situations. It is good to know that what we see on TV is really practiced in real life, and not just another fictitious method.

Reference: Forensic Science Technician (2013), Retrieved September 21, 2013 http://www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/8-body-parts-forensic-scientists-use-to-id-a-body/

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ENTERTAINMENT

13

Must’s For a Healthy Lifestyle

By Mitchell P. Causin

13 Love yourself and your life You only live once, so make the most out of every day and SMILE. GO OUT and capture the vastness and immensity of the world. You don’t want to grow old without great memories. Always have a positive outlook in life. Be YOURSELF!

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Eat more fruits and sneak in more veggies. A clean diet does not only help you with weight management but it can also help you improve your quality of life as you get older. Fruits and veggies can make you feel lighter and more active.

Don't skip breakfast

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BREAKFAST is the most important meal of the day. Fuel up and get ready for all the work and stress ahead. So make sure to eat something before you leave the house.

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The 4 No's

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Eating bulk meals will only make you feel dull and sluggish. Frequent eating but in smaller portions is more preferable and it keeps you less hungry and stops you from eating which is not really necessary.

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WALK your way to a healthier you.

Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.

Walking is the perfect deal breaker to keep your body happy and healthy.

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Avoid fast food

Fast food has only one advantage over home-cooked food and restaurant food, it’s fast. However tempting it may be, DO YOUR BEST TO AVOID IT. Avoiding fast foods can contribute to overall health and prevent unwanted weight gain and illness. These foods have been blamed to cause behavioural problems and certain cancers.

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Drink lots of water

WATER is vital to your health. Despite that it has no taste, we should love it! It replenishes our body and keep us hydrated. Start your day with a glass of water. It will boost your metabolism right from the very morning. Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go because most of the time we are not hungry, but just thirsty.

Eat small but often

Walk every day

Read more

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. Let your imagination soar. Let your mind and body take a small rest from the hectic world and curl up in a good and sensible book.

Get ready to say NO to SMOKING, ALCOHOL, SODA, and CAFFEINE. Never use these to cope with pressure and stress, they will only cause more damage in the long run.

DRINK WATER instead and take a walk. BREATHE.

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Get enough sleep

Always have a good night sleep for AT LEAST 5 HOURS. Lack of sleep will wear you down.

Sleep is essential for a good performance either at work or at school. So make sure you don’t deprive yourself from sleep and have enough rest to get you through the day in a normal sense of yourself.

Dental hygiene

GREAT SMILES always leave a good impression. It makes you feel good and builds up your confidence. It does not only make you look good but studies have shown that people who brush their teeth live 2-4 years longer.

Consume more fruits and vegetables

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Exercise in any way you like

Spice things up by signing up for an event like a marathon or walk race or a cycling ride where you can be part of a team. Doing so gives your workouts a new purpose, and it’s enjoyable to be around others who are exercising just like you. You'll have fun and stay healthy at the same time.

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Spend more time outdoors

Most of us live in a polluted city environment that we were not created for. Our bodies need to breathe fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature. So walk to the park with a friend or a family whom you want to catch up with. Physical activity has been shown to help people RELAX and CHEER UP, so if being outside replaces inactive pursuits with active ones, it might also mean MORE SMILES.

Source: Nster Inc. (2013). Must’s of a Healthy Lifestyle. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from http://news.nster.com/ content1.html?b=0

By Sallydine M. Siso

MYTHBUSTERS

ENTERTAINMENT

GOOD TO KNOW Alien hand syndrome is when someone who has had their cerebellum partially severed cannot control there left hand.

Rather it acts randomly sometimes even attacking people.

“Menopause” literally means that your period stops. Men don't have periods, so they can’t have a menopause.

The real question is whether an “andropause” exists: a drop in testosterone sufficient to cause symptoms.

Levels of this hormone do fall with age, but whether this matters is debatable. Genuine testosterone deficiency can create menopause-type symptoms, yet many men with an apparently low level continue to strut around like healthy stallions. Besides, these mid-life symptoms have many other possible causes such as depression, stress, alcohol problems and diabetes.

Don’t jump to male menopause conclusions. Rule out other physical and psychological problems and take a long, hard look at your lifestyle before you go anywhere near a dose of testosterone.

Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life.

Adults can take steps too to lower their risk of developing the disease. In order to prevent osteoporosis, it’s very important that one has adequate nutrition, good calcium intake, exercise, and adequate vitamin D supplementation.

Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, lifting weights and dancing are the best for building strong bones. People who already have osteoporosis should avoid these exercises, as they increase the risk of breaking a bone. Calcium intake is very important, too. Calcium supplements are often recommended throughout the entire lifespan, especially for women. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake also will lower your chances of developing osteoporosis.

Quick naps not only improve your alertness, but they also help in decision making, creativity and sensory perception.

Pharma “Kikay” TIPS: Here’s a simple test to check on Lead content of your favorite cosmetic products: Rub a small amount of your makeup, lipstick, foundation, etc. on the back of your palm.

Simply rub a gold ring over it.

And Walaah! If it turns black then the cosmetic product you are testing has Lead content in it.

Stay Safe Kikays!

:D

Reference: The Mythical Male. (2011). Retrieved September 25, 2013 from http://www.illawongpharmacy.com.au/health.asp?ID=207 Mythical Bones. (2011). Retrieved September 25, 2013 from http://www.familypharmacy.com.au/health.asp?ID=249

PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT

uzzle

Crossword

1 Subjects under module 3 in Pharmacy Board Exams: _________ of Pharmacy 3 1 + 1 = 3; drug interaction 4 color of sodium in flame test 5 Another term for urticaria; a common manifestation of an allergic reaction 8 Builiding where SHCP is located 10 Tears 13 Scientific name of Coconut: Cocos _______ 15 Caused by Giardia Lamblia 16 Surname of the new Dean of SHCP 18 A branch of Medicine dealing with cancer and tumors.

DOWN 1 Practice 3 synergy 4 yellow 5 hives 8 Hoeppner 10 Lacrimal 13 Nucifera 15 Giardiasis 16 Deliman 18 Oncology

26 a type of protein in which acidic drugs are more bound to 29 Vasospastic disorder causing discoloration of fingers and toes: ________ Phenomenon (apostrophe included) 30 A transdermal dosage form.

33 Deoxyribonucleic Acid 34 Au 35 Medium used in bacterial cultures.

36 Periodic Table of ________ 38 Registered Pharmacist 39 Another abbreviation for 0.9% normal saline solution available for IV use.

41 _______ Sigillata-meaning “Sealed Earth 43 ______ Test for Saponins

19 Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 21 A dosage form to be held in between the cheek and gum of the oral cavity.

22 French for “yes 27 Students’ lifesaver in exams 28 Normoactive Bowel Sounds 31 German Chemist; Father of Nuclear Chemistry 32 A vase or container where cremated remains are kept 37 a subtance of known concentration used in titration 40 Twice a day 42 RA 7581; _____ Act

25ovo 26albumin 29Raynaud’s 30patch 33DNA 34gold 35agar 36elements 38RPh 39PNSS 41Tierra 43Froth

2 Monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans 6 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 7 BS Clinical Pharmacy is an _______ course after BS Pharmacy.

9 Oil 11 A colloquial term for a welldefined, muscular body 12 A cardiac diagnostic procedure abbreviation: 2D ____ 14 A form of government in which power effectively rests with a small number of people 17 Letter P in USC-DOP 20 green color in leaves 22 Operating Room 23 Earwax 24 First Antibiotic 25 Egg

DOWN

ACROSS 2 primates 6 even 7 elective 9 oleo 11 ripped 12 echo 14 oligarchy 17 pharmacy 20 chlorophyll 22 OR 23cerumen 24penicillin

ACROSS

19 PACOP 21 buccal 22 oui 27 bonus 28 NABS 31 Hahn 32 urn 37 titrant 40 BID 42 Price

ANSWERS:

21

PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

PHOTOS

. . . g n i r u t a e F

BS Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences Students Batch 2013-2014 PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

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PHOTOS

CPDRC Moments

Dancing Inmates

23

PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

PHOTOS

Patient Counseling

Sterile Compounding

PHARMACIST’S DIGEST NOV 2013

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Quodc i buses tal i i s , al i i ses tvenenum

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