IPSF News Bulletin I N T E R N AT I O N A L P H A R M A C E U T I C A L S T U D E N T S ’ F E D E R AT I O N
June 2006, Issue 36 Print ISSN: 1024-0268 Online ISSN: 1728-2926
Table of Contents President’s Corner Publications’ Corner
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IPSF Reports
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News and Views English Arabic French Spanish
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Congresses and Symposiums
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IPSF Headquarters: IPSF Secretariat P.O.Box 84200 2508 AE Den Haag The Netherlands Tel.:+31-70-302-1992 Fax: +31-70-302-1999
Members’ Activities
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E-mail: ipsf@ipsf.org
Student Exchange Programme
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FIP Corner
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Regions and Allied Organisations
Webpage: http://www.ipsf.org Design & Layout: Mohanad Nader Fors Editors: Amy Lai, Aileen Ramirez and Myriah Lesko.
21 Translators: Mohamed Abd ElAal, Cairo Toledano and Jacinthe Lamoureux.
IPSF Executives 2005-2006 Contacts Katja Hakkarainen President president@ipsf.org
Mohanad Nader Abbas Fors Chairperson of Publications publications@ipsf.org
Georgina Gál Secretary General and Vice President secgen@ipsf.org
Ellen Diedrichsen Chairperson of Pharmacy Education education@ipsf.org
Juha Mönkäre Treasurer treasurer@ipsf.org
Yoko Gocho Chairperson of Public Health publichealth@ipsf.org
Axel Thomas Chairperson of Public Relation pr@ipsf.org
Yasmine Salah Koraiem Chairperson of Professional Development pd@ipsf.org
Irena Šubová Chairperson of Student Exchange sep@ipsf.org
Copyright ©2006 by IPSF All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrival system or transcribed in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without written permission of IPSF. Printed by Telenga in The Netherlands
IPSF supported by:
w w w . f i p . o r g
IPSF is supported by the European Community budget, line "Support for international non-governmental youth organisations". The opinions expressed by IPSF do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community, nor does it involve any responsibility on its parts.
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President’s Corner Dear IPSFers, It is with great pleasure that I write to you in this May Issue of the IPSF News Bulletin. The first two thirds of the 2005-06 year have been full of action and exciting developments with professional partner organisations, other student organisations, and of course IPSF members around the world. In November 2005, IPSF was proud to be one of the student organisations to host the 1st World Medical and Pharmacy Students' Symposium, WorldMaPS, held in Mediterranean Malta. Pharmacy, medical, and nursing students had a unique opportunity to share ideas and discuss multi-disciplinary health care. Following the success of WorldMaPS, the 2nd World Health Care Students Symposium will be held in Portugal in November 2007, bringing together even a larger spectrum of healthcare students. IPSF has been happy to increase collaboration with the International Federation of M e d i c a l S t u d e n t s ' Associations (IFMSA). In order to learn more about the IFMSA Training New Trainers (TNT) programme, I attended TNT at the IFMSA March Meeting in Chile in February/March 2006. IPSF Training will be held for the first time at the 5th IPSF Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium in June 2006 in Bandung, Indonesia. Furthermore, the IPSF Moving On II research project on students' learning experiences will be conducted in IFMSA, IFMSA has invited IPSF to join an award scheme with the Stop TB Partnership aimed at encouraging health care students to implement public health projects on tuberculosis control; many more collaborative initiatives are being planned. IPSF has continued working closely with professional partner organisations. The Indian TB Fact Card Project in Mumbai, a joint project of IPSF, the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), has been completed with great success. IPSF wants to increasingly inform students about possibilities of staying active in international pharmacy after graduation. In this issue of the IPSF News Bulletin you will find a new section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), FIP Corner. The executive has consulted a number of experts to further improve the administration and official documents of the federation. Slight changes into the official documents
Publications’ Corner and project management will be introduced in July in Cairns to encourage continuity and maintain the professionalism of IPSF with the increasing number of members, activities and partners. I hope you will enjoy reading this Issue of the IPSF News Bulletin. The IPSF executive, committee members, Student Exchange Officers and Contact Persons look forward to reporting more about the final results of the year at the 52nd IPSF Congress in Cairns, Australia, starting on 13th July 2006. The Organising Committee has worked extremely hard to guarantee that the first IPSF congress Down Under will be the most memorable experience for all. See you in Australia! Yours in IPSF, Katja Hakkarainen IPSF President 2005-06
Dear pharmacy students around the world, The past two years have passed very quickly, and I enjoyed them very much. Now while writing my fourth publications' corner I have mixed feelings of happiness and sadness; happiness to successfully have finished my last term and sadness to be leaving the IPSF executive board. During the two years, I had a chance to work with two great executives and Editorial Board members who helped me to release the News Bulletin. In each News Bulletin during the past two years, we tried to improve the layout and the content in regards to the international design and global issues. I hope we succeeded. Currently we are updating our online system. It will now include online payments and continuous website updates. It will improve communication amongst members around the world. At the end, I want to thank my executive and the members of the Editorial Board. I hope you enjoy reading the News Bulletin. I will be happy to receive your comments on publications@ipsf.org. See you all in Cairns! I will miss you for sure! Best Regards, Mohanad N. Fors IPSF Chairperson of Publications 2004-06
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IPSF Reports 2nd Meeting of the 52nd IPSF Executive Committee The IPSF Executive Committee had its second meeting in The Hague, The Netherlands from 5th to 9th March. All executive members, except Mohanad Nader Abbas Fors, Chairperson of Publication, were present for the meeting. Additional IPSF members were present: Joe Whitehouse, the Chairperson of the 52nd IPSF Congress Organising Committee; Karen McGill, the Chairperson of the Pan American Regional Office; and Anca Pop, the IPSF Contact Person of the Federation of Pharmacy Students' Associations in Romania (FASFR). This made the meeting literally global as attendees came from Japan, Australia, Egypt, The United States of America and many European countries.
The activities of the executive in past five months were reported and action plans for the last four months of the executive term were finalised. One of the most important topics was the IPSF Congress programme and arrangements for the upcoming Congress in Cairns, Australia, in July 2006. Also, IPSF regional events were discussed: the Pan American Regional Symposium (PARS) in Quito, Ecuador, and Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Bandung, Indonesia, which will take place in May and June 2006. Ideas were shared about the revising of the IPSF Development Fund White Book that will be concluded by the Development Fund Coordinator and introduced in the 52nd IPSF Congress. The Executive decided to develop project plans for current IPSF campaigns that will help to run campaigns more effectively in the future. Other issues in the agenda were constitutional changes for the 52nd General Assembly, membership promotion, financial matters, and the collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). In the evenings, people enjoyed various social activities such as a dinner of French pancakes and a party hosted by the past IPSF executive members Tana Wuliji, Myriah Lesko and IPSF Honorary Life Member, Xuan Hao Chan. The meeting was extremely productive and it consolidated the goals for the last months for the current executive. The third executive meeting will be held in July prior to the 52nd IPSF Congress in Cairns. Juha MÜnkäre IPSF Treasurer 2005-06
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Update on Moving On II: Pharmacy Curricula and the Student Learning Experience This is the second year that the Moving On II research project has been running. In order to expand the number of countries able to complete the questionnaires and to increase the accuracy of results from non-English speaking countries, a formal translation protocol has been established. Using several independent translation teams and an English-only validation team, the questionnaire has been translated into Spanish, Catalan, Czech, Serbian and Vietnamese, with more to come. An online questionnaire is currently being test-driven by its developers in India as we explore alternative ways of collecting data efficiently. Special thanks to all who have been involved in these efforts! IPSF members this year have done a phenomenal job and more organisations will be represented in the data. One more year of data collection remains, so do continue to collect information for the final year of analysis. The 2005-06 results will be presented at the IPSF Congress in Cairns and the FIP Congress in Salvador Bahia, Brazil. Any countries interested in running this project can contact Zhining Goh, the Moving On II Chair at zhining.goh@gmail.com. Ellen Diedrichsen IPSF Chairperson of Pharmacy Education 2005-06
Update on Moving On III: Emerging Pharmacists and their Intention to Migrate Moving On III (MOIII) is now moving into the data collection phase. The questionnaire aims to examine educational factors and attitudes affecting the intention of final year pharmacy students to migrate as well as the perception of professional development opportunities available in their own country and abroad. The project is receiving interest from a wide variety of global organisations with contributions to the questionnaire from representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Educational Organization (UNESCO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Two rounds of data collection are planned. The first is currently underway and the next round will take place in September 2006. Twenty-two countries have been enrolled into the study so far representing all regions of the world. The same translation protocol is available for MOIII to allow for expanded distribution in regions most affected by migration. Translated questionnaires will be used in the next round of the study. Those interested to become involved in the second round of the study can contact Tana Wuliji, the Moving On III Chair at twuliji@varsity.co.nz. Ellen Diedrichsen IPSF Chairperson of Pharmacy Education 2005-06
IPSF Reports Ecumenical Program Coordinator for the Millennium Development Goals and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. The Non Government Organisation (NGO) representatives from plenary sessions were The Challenge around the world met in New York City at the 58th Annual of Partnerships, Focus on DPI (Department of Public Information)/NGO Conference Implementing the MDGs, Collective on 7th-9th September 2005 at the United Nations (UN) Security: The Priorities of Civil Headquarters. The theme was Our Challenge: Voices for Society, and The Future of the United Peace, Partnerships and Renewal, drawn from the Nations. Many workshops were held Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report for the September during the afternoon and it was diffiWorld Summit. The World Summit was a meetcult to choose which ing of world leaders at the UN immediately The Millennium Development one to attend. I thought that Living in Goals: after the DPI/NGO conference. At the Summit, Peace, Envisioning Abundance: Youth leaders discussed and committed to imple- 1. Eradicate extreme poverty Effecting Global Change by Strengthening menting the Millennium Development Goals and hunger Communities, Our Challenge: Voices for (MDGs). The main purpose of the DPI/NGO 2. Achieve universal primary Peace, Partnerships and Renewal and How Conference is to provide an opportunity for education to Work with the UN were the best use of 3. Promote gender equality NGOs to address some of the most current the time. pressing challenges of society and help renew and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality the UN itself. IPSF is truly a unique organisation. I am 5. Improve maternal health amazed at the amount of things IPSF is Another purpose of the DPI/NGO conference is 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria capable of doing around the world. Many for NGOs to be informed on the UN's activities and other diseases NGOs have one or a couple of main focusand network with each other. By networking, 7. Ensure environmental suses. As you know, IPSF is involved in public tainability it is hoped that NGOs form partnerships in health with AIDS, tobacco, diabetes, tuberorder to serve better the public and meets 8. Develop a global partnership culosis, pharmacy awareness, student for development the goals of their respective NGO and the UN. exchange, research with Moving On, and NGOs are essential in helping to reach the our annuals conferences. Many NGOs are MDGs. In addition to networking receptions, a variety of based out of one country, while IPSF is represented worldpanelled workshops and moderated discussions dealt with wide and has hundreds of thousands of members. This is a issues related to attaining the MDGs. It is important that significant advantage for us and the patients we serve those actually working for the common good have a strong though would require collaborations with many organisavoice and impart their message to world leaders. tions to extend our reach because IPSF is already so large and diverse. Another significant advantage for IPSF is the The conference itself consisted of plenary sessions (meetofficial relations with the World Health Organization ings for all representatives) and smaller workshops on a (WHO). It is essential that countries also report their spenumerous topics. The opening session, held in the UN cific activities back to IPSF in order for IPSF to communiGeneral Assembly hall, was a superb and motivating begincate its activities to the WHO and UN. ning to the conference itself. Keynote speakers were Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Karen McGill and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Wahu Kaara, IPSF Chairperson of Pan-American Regional Office 2005-06
58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference Overview
Date: 7th - 16th August 2007 Website: www.ipsf2007.org Location: Taipei, Taiwan, China
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IPSF Reports UNESCO and IPSF Promoting Education, Research and Youth Participation Throughout the year, IPSF has been represented at various meetings of the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, the site of the UNESCO Headquarters. Consequent to these meetings, much collaboration has resulted between IPSF and numerous sections of UNESCO. The 2005 International Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in official relations with UNESCO took place on 14th-16th December 2005. IPSF was represented by Katja Hakkarainen, IPSF President, Axel Thomas, IPSF Chairperson of Public Relations, Tana Wuliji, Immediate Past IPSF President, Ute Gabriel from Germany, Anca Pop and Ioana Stupariu from Romania, and Vaiva Deltuvaite from the European Pharmaceut ical Students' Association (EPSA). The conference was attended by more than 300 NGO representatives. A series of presentations, speeches, discussions and workshops was held around the theme: Education for Sustainable Development. Tana Wuliji presented the IPSF Moving On III project, which is an international questionnaire-based study looking into final year pharmacy students' aspirations and intentions to migrate. The presentation generated great interest and it was a wonderful opportunity for IPSF to introduce its work. The UNESCO Division of Higher Education has given its support to Moving On III. The 2005 International Conference of NGOs in official relations with UNESCO adopted a resolution to form of a Joint Programmatic Commission on Youth. The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate communication and exchange of information between different sectors of UNESCO and youth organisations. Ute Gabriel and Katja Hakkarainen took part in the first meeting of the Joint Programmatic Commission on Youth in February 2006 and Sabrina Bouheraoua from France will take part in the following meeting in June 2006. Through the Commission IPSF can more effectively share its educational and research activities, promote youth participation, and partner with other organisations. IPSF has continued collaborating with the UNESCO Division of Higher Education on adopting UNESCO's Guidelines on Quality Provision of Cross-Border Higher Education. The guidelines encourage governments, higher education institutions and student bodies to collaborate on quality assurance of education. This will ensure that students get quality education when studying abroad and that studies conducted in another country will be recognised in students' home countries. IPSF has written a statement to be adopted at the 52nd IPSF Congress in Cairns, Australia Biannually, UNESCO coordinates a Session of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and
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Technology (COMEST). A Youth Forum has been held in previous Commission's meetings, in order to bring a fresh point of view both to the debate and to demonstrate the importance of involving young people and building longterm awareness in ethics of science. As ethics in pharmacy has many aspects spanning basic research to policy making, IPSF has submitted a proposal to the UNESCO Section for Youth to actively take part in the next Session of COMEST to be held in 2007. The last time IPSF presented about ethics in pharmacy was at the 3rd Session of COMEST in December 2003 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge held a workshop on improving research systems on 6th-7th April 2006. Katja Hakkarainen was invited as a youth representative among 20 other experts in the field to discuss how a comparative analysis of national research systems could be conducted to improve research systems especially in the developing world. IPSF was proud to bring a student perspective and present about its Moving On II and III research projects looking into pharmacy education, migration and professional satisfaction, which influence academia and research. Following the workshop, IPSF submitted an abstract "The 'brain drain' phenomenon and its impact on research capacity and country development" to report on Moving On III at the 2nd International Colloquium on Research and Higher Education Policy that will be held in Paris in November 2006. From August 13-18th 2006, the city of Toronto, Canada, will host the 16th International AIDS Conference. A
Canadian pharmacy student, Nimish Patel, will represent IPSF at the main conference. The Sector of Social and Human Sciences and the Youth Coordinate Unit of the Bureau for Strategic Planning of UNESCO invited IPSF to suggest a pharmacy student presenter at a three-day PreConference for Youth. The Pre-Conference of approximately 250 young leaders aims to provided technical information and build capacity on the political, scientific, economic and social context of HIV/AIDS, and empower young people to be advocates for youth at the main conference, in their home countries, and internationally. IPSF has submitted a proposal to hold a workshop on Access to HIV/AIDS Medicines at the Pre-Conference; the result will be announced soon. In 2005-06 IPSF has strengthened collaboration with UNESCO. According to its aims, IPSF will continue promoting high quality education, research and youth participation to improve education and health systems. Katja Hakkarainen IPSF President 2005-06
News and Views English Version Development Fund Grants for IPSF Congress The IPSF Development Fund was created with the aim of helping students who are not able to attend an IPSF event because of financial reasons. The main goal of the Development Fund is to give each and every pharmacy student an equal opportunity to fully participate in IPSF activities. Earlier in the year, the Development Fund awarded two applicants grants to attend the 52nd IPSF Annual Congress in Cairns, Australia. The successful applicants are Juris Zakrevskis from Latvia and Ganesh Subedi from Nepal. Congratulations to you both! More recently, Uttam Budhathoki from Nepal was awarded the cost of the registration fee for him to attend 5th IPSF Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium in Bandung, Indonesia. Congratulations Uttam! The Development Fund sub-committee hope to be introducing new opportunities through the Development Fund very soon. Watch this space.
Students, Exchanges and Perspectives The IPSF Student Exchange Programme (SEP) has already started its second half in the SEP year 2005-06. Students who have applied for SEP are getting more and more excited since most of the exchanges take part in this period. This year 570 students have applied for SEP from and to 42 countries taking part in the programme. By mid April 420 students have already been placed to work in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry or research in another country. IPSF aims to find a host site to at least 80% of all applicants. At the beginning of April the Student Exchange Committee was happy to announce five successful applicants for SEP Grant. The purpose of the SEP Grant is to help to pharmacy students with limited financial resources cover travel costs to the country of the training. The granted students are Tomislav Aleksic and Slavisa Stojkovic from Serbia and Montenegro, Katarzyna Anna Kosicka from Poland, Ana Jovanovicova from Czech Republic and Letricia Barbosa Pereira from Portugal. IPSF wishes all exchange students, Student Exchange Officers at a local and national level, and hosting pharmacies and institutes unforgettable times within the IPSF Student Exchange Programme.
Tuberculosis Fact Card Project Concludes in Mumbai The Indian Tuberculosis Fact Card project has recently concluded in Mumbai, India. The model studied has already received international recognition as a potential new mechanism through which to fight tuberculosis. Over 220 patients with confirmed tuberculosis were recruited to participate in the project. The project involved community pharmacists dispensing TB medications to patients in regular instalments over the six month period. The pharmacists also monitored patients' weights and provided nutritional advice. The pharmacy students' involvement in the project was led by Yash Jalundhwala, a student at the Bombay College of Pharmacy. Yash will be presenting about the project at the upcoming 52nd IPSF World Congress in Australia, and at the 66th World
Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brazil. You can follow the project developments online at www.pharmacistsfighttb.org. A full report will be available soon.
IPSF Collaborating with World Health Organization IPSF keeps collaborating closely with the World Health Organization (WHO). In January, three IPSF Executive Committee members, Yoko Gocho, Katja Hakkarainen and Juha MÜnkäre, represented IPSF at the WHO Executive Board Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. They shared ideas about IPSF public health projects with their professional contacts at the WHO. Encouraged by the WHO Stop TB Partnership, IPSF celebrated World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on 24th March 2006. After successfully implementing TB campaigns in several countries, including India, Indonesia Latvia, Lithuania and Nepal, IPSF was granted to be promoted at the Partners Highlight section of the Stop TB Partnership website in April 2006. The World Health Day, with the theme Working together for health, promoted the role of health professionals in healthcare on 7th April 2006. The theme was well adopted IPSF, and supported the traditional IPSF Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign. The first results of IPSF's own workforce study, Moving On III, will later this year reveal information about final year pharmacy students' migratory intentions. IPSF keeps implementing the Code of Practice on Tobacco Control for Health Professional Organisations. Campaigns on Tobacco: Deadly in any form or disguise are will be implemented in different parts of the globe on the World No Tobacco Day on 31st May 2006. IPSF also continuously promotes a tobacco free environment amongst its members, surveys pharmacy students' tobacco habits, and uses and organises educational workshops in IPSF events. In 2006, up to six pharmacy students and young graduates will get an opportunity to work as IPSF interns at WHO Stop TB Partnership and the Department of Medicines Policy and Standards. Out of 32 applicants, the chosen interns will be announces in the very near future. The World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held in late May in Geneva. As a member of the WHO Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Health Promotion, IPSF will take part in organising a briefing session with the theme From Vision to Action where Non Governmental Organisations' role in implementing health promotion programmes at a national level will be highlighted. IPSF will again meet its partners at WHA to report IPSF activities and discuss future collaboration. At the end of 2006, IPSF focuses its efforts towards the World Diabetes and World AIDS Days on 14th November and 1st December. Outlines for IPSF activities are already being prepared. WHO provides great opportunities for pharmacy students and young graduates to learn about public health and implement public health programmes. IPSF will bring these opportunities to its members in the future.
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News and Views Arabic Version
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News and Views French Version Bourses du Fond de Développement (DF) pour le congrès IPSF
Collaboration entre l'IPSF et l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
Le Fond de Développement de l'IPSF a été créé dans le but d'aider les étudiants ne pouvant participer aux évènements IPSF pour des raisons financières. Le principal but du Fond de développement est de donner à tous les étudiants la même chance de participer activement aux activités de l'IPSF.
L'IPSF continue son étroite collaboration avec l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS). En janvier dernier, trois membres du bureau exécutif de l'IPSF, Yoko Gocho, Katja Hakkarainen et Juha Mönkäre, ont représenté l'IPSF à la réunion "Executive Board Meeting" de l'OMS à Genève, en Suisse, et ont échangé à propos des projets de santé publique de l'IPSF avec leurs contacts professionnels de l'OMS.
Un peu plus tôt cette année, le Fond de Développement a octroyé une bourse à deux candidats pour le DF afin de leur permettre de participer au 52e Congrès Annuel de l'IPSF à Cairns, en Australie. Les 2 candidats ayant reçu cette bourse sont Juris Zakrevskis de la Lettonie et Ganesh Subedi du Népal. Bravo à tous les deux! Récemment, Uttam Budhathoki du Népal a reçu une bourse de valeur égale aux frais d'inscription afin de lui permettre de participer au 5e Symposium Pharmaceutique de l'IPSF, section Asie Pacifique à Bandung, en Indonésie. Félicitations Uttam! Le sous-comité du Fond de Développement espère pouvoir vous présenter prochainement de nouvelles opportunités à saisir par l'entremise du Fond de Développement. Restez branchés...
Etudiants, échanges et perspectives Le Programme d'échanges étudiants de l'IPSF (SEP) a déjà commencé la 2e moitié de l'année SEP 2005-06. Les étudiants s'étant inscrits au SEP sont de plus en plus excités puisque la plupart des échanges ont lieu dans les mois à venir. Cette année, de 570 étudiants se sont inscrits pour participer au SEP en provenance et pour aller dans les 42 pays participants au programme. De 420 étudiants ont reçu la confirmation de leur placement afin de travailler en officine (pharmacie communautaire), en pharmacie hospitalière, en industrie pharmaceutique ou en recherche dans un pays étranger. L'IPSF espère réussir à trouver des sites hôtes pour au moins 80% des étudiants inscrits au programme. Au début du mois d'avril, le Comité du SEP a annoncé avec plaisir la remise de la bourse SEP à cinq étudiants. L'objectif de cette bourse est d'aider les étudiants ayant des ressources financières limitées à couvrir les frais de transport pour se rendre dans le pays où l'échange a lieu. Les récipiendaires sont: Tomislav Aleksic et Slavisa Stojkovic de la Serbie-Montenegro, Katarzyna Anna Kosicka de la Pologne, Ana Jovanovicova de la République Tchèque et Letricia Barbosa Pereira du Portugal. L'IPSF souhaite à tous les étudiants en échange, à tous les Officiers locaux et nationaux du SEP (SEO) et à tous les hôtes, en pharmacie et en établissement public ou privé, des moments inoubliables dans le cadre du Programme d'Echanges Etudiants de l'IPSF.
Fin du Projet de la Carte des Faits sur la Tuberculose (TB Fact Card) à Mumbai Le projet indien de la TB Fact Card s'est terminé dernièrement à Mumbai, en Inde. Le modèle de projet étudié a déjà reçu la reconnaissance internationale comme nouveau mécanisme potentiellement applicable dans le combat contre la tuberculose. Plus de 220 patients avec un diagnostic confirmé de tuberculose ont été recrutés pour participer au projet. Ce projet impliquait la distribution des médicaments antituberculeux par des pharmaciens communautaires dans des installations régulières sur une période de six mois: Les pharmaciens ont également fait un monitorage du poids des patients tout en leur prodiguant des conseils nutritionnels. La participation des étudiants en pharmacie au projet était dirigée par Yash Jalundhwala, un étudiant du Bombay College of Pharmacy. Yash présentera un exposé sur le projet lors du 52e Congrès Mondial IPSF en Australie, et lors du 66e Congrès Annuel de Pharmacie et de Sciences Pharmaceutiques au Brésil. Vous pouvez suivre les développements du projet en ligne à l'adresse suivante: www.pharmacistsfighttb.org. Un compte-rendu complet sera bientôt disponible.
Encouragée par le partenariat "Stop TB" avec l'OMS, l'IPSF a célébré la Journée Mondiale de la Tuberculose (TB) le 24 mars dernier. Après la mise en oeuvre fructueuse de campagnes de TB dans de nombreux pays, incluant l'Inde, l'Indonésie, la Lettonie, la Lituanie et le Népal, l'IPSF a eu l'honneur d'être mise en vedette dans la section "Partners Highlight" du site web de Stop TB en avril 2006. La Journée Mondiale de la Santé, le 7 avril dernier, avait comme thème: "Travailler ensemble pour la santé" (Working together for health). Cette journée vise à faire la promotion du rôle des professionnels de la santé dans les systèmes de santé. Ce thème a été bien intégré par l'IPSF et appuie la campagne traditionnelle de la Promotion de la profession pharmaceutique (Pharmacy Profession Awarness Campaign) de l'IPSF. Les premiers résultats de l'équipe d'étude de l'IPSF au sein de l'OMS, Moving On III, révéleront, un peu plus tard cette année, des données sur les intentions de mobilité et de migration des étudiants en dernière année de pharmacie. L'IPSF continue l'application du "Code of Practice on Tobacco Control for Health Professional Organisations". Une campagne sur le thème: Le tabac: Mortel sous toutes ses formes ou déguisements sera lancée un peu partout dans le monde lors de la Journée Mondiale Sans Tabac, le 31 mai 2006. L'IPSF fait la promotion continue d'un environnement sans tabac auprès de ses membres, observe les habitudes liées au tabac à l'aide de sondages distribués au sein de la communauté étudiante en pharmacie et organise des ateliers éducatifs lors d'évènements IPSF. En 2006, jusqu'à six étudiants en pharmacie ou jeunes diplômés auront l'opportunité de travailler en tant qu'interne IPSF dans le cadre du Partenariat WHO Stop TB et au Service Politique et Normes Pharmaceutiques de l'OMS. Des 32 candidats ayant postulé, les internes sélectionnés seront annoncés très bientôt. L'Assemblée de la Santé Mondiale (WHA) aura lieu fin mai à Genève. En tant que membre du Groupe Consultatif Ad Hoc de l'OMS sur la Promotion de la Santé (WHO Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Health Promotion), l'IPSF prendra part à l'organisation d'une session de briefing sur le thème "From Vision to Action", De la Vision à l'Action, où l'on mettra l'emphase sur le rôle des organisations non-gouvernementales (ONG) dans l'implantation de programmes de promotion de la santé au niveau national. L'IPSF rencontrera de nouveau ses partenaires lors de la WHA afin de faire le compte-rendu des activités de l'IPSF et discuter des collaborations à venir. Vers la fin de l'année 2006, l'IPSF concentrera ses efforts sur la Journée Mondiale du Diabète et la Journée Mondiale du VIH/SIDA, respectivement le 14 novembre et le 1er décembre 2006. Le plan d'ensemble des activités de l'IPSF à ce sujet est déjà en cours de préparation. L'OMS offre aux étudiants et jeunes diplômés en pharmacie de belles opportunités de connaître la santé publique et les moyens de mettre en oeuvre les programmes de santé publique. L'IPSF compte également apporter ces opportunités à ses membres à l'avenir.
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News and Views Spanish Version Becas del Fondo de Desarrollo para el congreso IPSF
Colaboración de IPSF con la Organización Mundial de la Salud
El Fondo de Desarrollo (FD) de IPSF fue creado con el objetivo de ayudar a aquellos estudiantes que no están en posibilidades de asistir a algún evento de IPSF por razones financieras. El principal objetivo del Fondo de Desarrollo es brindar a cada estudiante de farmacia una oportunidad equitativa para participar plenamente en las actividades de IPSF.
IPSF sigue colaborando de cerca con la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). En enero, tres miembros de Comité Ejecutivo de ISPF, Yoko Gocho, Katja Hakkarainen y Juha Mönkäre, representaron a IPSF en la reunión del Comité Ejecutivo de la OMS en Ginebra, Suiza. Ellos compartieron ideas sobre los proyectos de salud pública de IPSF, con contactos en la OMS.
En Este año el FD previo a dos estudiantes que solicitaron la ayuda para asistir al 52° Congreso anual de IPSF en Cairos, Australia. Los beneficiados son Juris Zakrevskis de Latvia y Ganesh Subedi de Nepal. ¡Felicidades a ambos! Más recientemente, Uttam Budhathoki de Nepal fue premiado con el costo de inscripción para el 5° Simposio Regional Asia - Pacífico en Bandung, Indonesia. ¡Felicidades Uttam!
Motivada por la Alianza OMS para frenar la tuberculosis (TB), IPSF celebró el día mundial de la TB el 24 de Marzo. Después de la implementación de varias compañas sobre TB en varios países, incluyendo India, Indonesia, Latvia, Lituania y Nepal, IPSF fue promovido a la sección de alianzas deslumbrantes en el sitio web del 'STOP TB Partnership' en abril de este año.
El comité del FD espera otorgar nuevas oportunidades muy pronto. Mantente alerta
Estudiantes, Intercambios y Perspectivas El programa de intercambio estudiantil (SEP) de IPSF ha comenzado su segunda mitad correspondiente al periodo 2005- 2006. Los estudiantes que solicitaron participar del SEP están más emocionados debido a que la mayor parte de los intercambios se lleva a cabo en este periodo. Este año, 570 estudiantes enviaron sus solicitudes al SEP, siendo 42 países los que se encuentran involucrados en el programa. Para mediados de abril, 420 estudiantes han sido colocados para desarrollar sus actividades en farmacias comunitarias, hospitalarias, industria farmacéutica o investigación en varios países. IPSF busca la manera de encontrar lugar para al menos el 80% de las solicitudes que se envían. A inicios de abril el Comité del SEP anunció felizmente a los 5 ganadores de la beca SEP. El objetivo de esta beca es ayudar a los estudiantes de farmacia con recursos económicos limitados a cubrir los costos para trasladarse al país en donde realizarán su estancia. Los estudiantes favorecidos este año son: Tomislav Aleksic y Slavisa Stojkovic de Serbia y Montenegro; Katarzyna Anna Kosicka de Polonia, Ana Jovanovicova de la Républica Checa, y Letricia Barbosa Pereira de Portugal. IPSF les desea a todos los estudiantes de intercambio, a los encargados de intercambio estudiantil a nivel local y nacional, a las farmacias e instituciones que recibirán a los estudiantes, grandes momentos inolvidables en el marco de este grandioso programa de intercambio.
Proyecto de 'Tarjeta sobre hechos de la Tuberculosis' concluye en Mumbai El proyecto de la 'tarjeta de hechos sobre la tuberculosis' ha concluido recientemente en Mumbai, India. El modelo estudiado ha recibido reconocimiento internacional como un nuevo mecanismo con potencial para luchar contra la tuberculosis (TB). Más de 220 pacientes con tuberculosis confirmada fueron reclutados para participar en el proyecto. El proyecto involucró a farmacéuticos comunitarios para la dispensación de medicamentos contra TB en instalaciones regulares por más de seis meses Los farmacéuticos también monitorearon el peso de los pacientes y previeron consejo nutricional. La participación de los estudiantes de farmacia en el proyecto estuvo conducido por Yash Jalundhwala, estudiante del Colegio de Farmacia de Bombay. Yash estará presentando más detalles sobre el proyecto en el próximo congreso internacional de IPSF en Australia, y durante el congreso de farmacia y ciencias farmacéuticas en Brasil. Puedes seguir los avances del proyecto en línea en www.pharmacistsfighttb.org. Muy pronto estará disponible un reporte completo.
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El día mundial de la salud con el tema 'Trabajando juntos para la salud' promovió el papel de los profesionales de la salud en los cuidados de la salud el 7 de abril de este año. El tema fue bien adoptado por IPSF y fue respaldado por la campaña de información sobre la profesión farmacéutica de lPSF. Los primeros resultados de IPSF fue el estudio 'en movimiento III', el cual a finales de este año proporcionará información sobre las intenciones de migración de los estudiantes de farmacia en su último año. IPSF sigue implementando el 'Código de práctica en el control de tabaco para organizaciones de profesionales de la salud'. Campañas como 'Tabaco: mortal en cualquier forma o disfraz' han sido bien desarrolladas en diferentes partes del mundo durante el día mundial del no tabaco (31 de mayo de 2006). IPSF también continuamente promueve los espacios libres del humo de tabaco entre sus miembros, buenos hábitos en los estudiantes de farmacia, y coordina la organización de talleres educativos durante los eventos de IPSF. En el 2006, hasta 6 estudiantes de farmacia y jóvenes graduados tendrán la oportunidad de trabajar como pasantes en la Alianza OMS para frenar la TB y en el Departamento de Políticas de Medicamentos y Estándares. Se recibieron 32 solicitudes, los elegidos serán anunciados muy pronto. La Asamblea Mundial de la Salud (AMS) tendrá lugar en mayo en Ginebra. Como miembro de grupo consejero ad-hoc de la OMS en la Promoción de la Salud, IPSF tomará parte en la organización de una pequeña sesión con el tema 'De la visión, hasta la actuación', donde el papel de las organizaciones no gubernamentales en la implementación de programas de promoción a la salud a nivel nacional será reconocidas. IPSF se reunirá nuevamente con sus contactos en la OMS para reportar las actividades realizadas y discutir futuras colaboraciones. Para el final del 2006, IPSF centrará sus esfuerzos en el día mundial de la diabetes y sida (14 de noviembre y 1° de diciembre respectivamente). Guías para las actividades de IPSF se encuentran en preparación. La OMS brinda grandes oportunidades para estudiantes de farmacia y jóvenes graduados, para aprender sobre salud pública e implementar programas de salud. IPSF se encargará de acercar estas oportunidades cada vez más.
Congresses and Symposiums The past few months have included intensive planning of future events taking place in May, June, July and August this year, and later in 2007. IPSF was proud to co-host the 1st World Medical and Pharmacy Students’ Symposium, to be followed by the 2nd World Healthcare Students’ Symposium in 2007. 1st World Medical and Pharmacy Students' Symposium, World MaPS An event. Five days. Two years of preparation. 250 participants from all over the globe. During 7th-12th November 2005, the 1st World Medical and Pharmacy Students' Symposium (WorldMaPS) was held. Malta proudly hosted this event with tremendous help from the Joint Working Group (JWG) consisting of IPSF, the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA), and the European Medical Students Association (EMSA). The Organising Committee had prepared quite a few surprises. It all started with the opening ceremony where the audience was presented with a movie about Malta. Speeches from the JWG, Organising Committee, University dignitaries and President Emeritus followed. The participants were then transported to dine at the Valletta Waterfront for the start of a fabulous saga of WorldMaPS celebrations. The next day began the educational programme. Presentations included topics such as "Working in Partnership" by Caroline Kelham, and a role play activity by Professor Ian Bates. These were followed by the presentation "Models of Practice in Healthcare Partnerships," by Professor Catherine Duggan, and a final session where participants played the game "Who am I?". The day ended with a great party at our most famous salsa club where the disk jockey kept us up and the party alive until three in the morning. The following morning started with a presentation by EMSA about important areas of awareness and prevention, as well as the workshops "Medical Errors" and "Informatics Models". The afternoon was free for the participants to stay and relax at the hotel or visit Mdina. In the evening, attendees arrived at the local club Amazonia, with most wearing bed sheet togas for the theme, 'The lost city of Atlantis'.
The next day was packed with educational sessions, starting with a presentation "Inter-professional Education", by Professor McCrorie. Quality in education was the theme of the afternoon sessions where projects from various countries were presented. The evening was "International Food and Drinks" night where we could have a taste of each others' culture, food, drinks and games. The last day was Public Health Day, organised by IPSF. Topics included HIV and tuberculosis, presented by WHO. Students discussed a multidisciplinary teamwork programme previously held in Slovenia, tobacco awareness campaigns held in Serbia, and a Teddy Bear Hospital. The evening started with the closing ceremony and an extra long photo session. The participants met in the restaurant for the Gala Dinner and later we had our 70's party at the Beach Heaven club. All good things come to an end, and the most awaited event of 2005 was over. Participants enjoyed themselves and the Organising Committee was glad to have hosted such a great crowd and organised such a prestigious e v e n t . Congratulations and good luck to Portugal who have won the bid for the next World Healthcare Students Symposium in 2007. www.worldmaps2005.com Francesca Buttigieg Vice-President WorldMaPS 2005 Organising Committee
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Congresses and Symposiums Pharmacy in the Australian Tropics Preparations are building for the 52nd IPSF Congress, to be hosted by the National Association of Pharmacy Students of Australia (NAPSA) in Cairns this year. From the 12th to 23rd of July, the Far North Queensland capital will be crawling with young pharmacy professionals from dozens of countries.
The final two days of the congress programme is completely educational, with the Pharmacy Symposium on July 21 and 22. Two separate themes are addressed, incorporating expert speakers from Australia and overseas. The first day focuses on "Clinical Practice Skills and Pharmacy Education", with plenary sessions from Professor Ian Bates and Professor Catherine Duggan (both from the University of London) as well as Professor Jennifer Marriot (Victorian College of Pharmacy) and Adam Phillips (University of South Australia and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National Councillor). The afternoon provides delegates with the opportunity to choose from a selection of workshops, focussing on Wound Management in Diabetes (Geoff Sussman), Advances in Diabetes Management (National Prescribing Service), Professional Development, Practical Home Medicines Reviews (Simon Bell, University of Sydney) and IPSF-lead session on pharmacy education. The focus for the second day of the Pharmacy Symposium is "Provision of Health Care in Rural and Remote Settings", looking at this very challenging topic from both an Australian and an international perspective. With the day to be moderated by Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom, attendees will hear from an array of experienced professionals, including Bhavini Patel (Royal Darwin Hospital), Lance Emerson (Pharmacy Guild of Australia) and Professor Greg Duncan (Victorian College of Pharmacy). The plenary sessions culminate in a forum for the discussion on the many issues surrounding health care and medication supply to communities in less-developed areas, aimed at stimulating involvement and awareness amongst young professionals. The Pharmacy Symposium is the platform for the IPSF Patient Counselling Event, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and Alphapharm in 2006. They have extended their support for the Australian version of this event,with John Bell assisting with coordination and presentation.
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NAPSA is thrilled to have this first class international student event right on our doorstep. However, none of it would be possible if it weren't for our sponsors, domestic organisations donating time, advice, direction and financial support. The event is organised by NAPSA and IPSF, working with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia as the Platinum Sponsor, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and James Cook University School of Pharmacy as Gold Sponsors and Pharmaceutical Defence Limited as Silver Sponsor. Programme sponsors include Alphapharm, Symbion, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, and Therapeutic Guidelines. Joseph Whitehouse Chairperson of 52nd IPSF Congress Organising Committee
IPSF Training the Trainers After the fantastic feedback from the introduction to the concept of Training the Trainers (TtT), IPSF is working to bring capacity building to our organisation. The International Federation of Medical Students' Association (IFMSA) has been running the TtT programme for several years and presented the concept to IPSF members at the 51st IPSF Congress in Bonn, Germany, in 2005. TtT picks up where academia leaves off, providing opportunities for students' professional development. Many academic programs focus on providing a strong understanding of science but neglect many of the practical components of pharmacy. The concept of TtT stems from the need to provide members with the skills they need to work within an organisation. Members who attend training sessions participate interactive sessions to experience and discuss issues around team building, communication skills, goal setting, presentation skills and time management, to name a few. Discussions on topics such as chairing meetings, developing project plans and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis add to the experience of IPSF members. Members are provided with the tools to expand the work of their member organisations and ultimately IPSF. Members who are trained at IPSF congress will then be trainers within their region. Trained trainers will have the skills required to facilitate training sessions and broaden the number of IPSF members engaged in organisational development. In order to continue to expand the profession and organisations, projects such as TtT pioneer the way to new opportunities and horizons for IPSF and the profession of pharmacy. Ellen Diedrichsen IPSF Chairperson Education 2005-06
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Further details on IPSF Congress Cairns 2006 are online at www.ipsf2006.org.
The congress has captured the attention of pharmacy students from all over the world, with over 250 people registered for the event. The congress is to be held primarily at the Cairns campus of James Cook University, with the centrally located Gilligan's Backpackers providing the accommodation and nightlife. The 10 day programme includes ample opportunity to tour the plethora of attractions surrounding the city, interspersed amongst seminars, workshops, the IPSF General Assembly and other educational and official sessions.
The highly educational and professionally rewarding event will challenge young pharmacists and students to develop their clinical knowledge and communication skills, the final presentations held after the forum on July 22.
Members’ Activities National and local member associations of IPSF conduct activities in public health, professional development and pharmacy education around the world. This Issue of the IPSF News Bulletin includes articles of an IPSF Pharmacy Profession Campaign in Australia, an IPSF Clinical Skills Event in Serbia & Montenegro, IPSF Moving On III research in Zimbabwe and any more initiatives. Strategies for Enhancing Access to Medicines Congress In December 2004, IPSF in conjunction with Management Science for Health (MSH) announced the HIV/AIDS Awareness Award to be given to an IPSF member for a successful and unique HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. The recipient of the award was the Romanian Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (FASFR) for the programme "Open your eyes, open your heart". I was the national coordinator of the campaign, so I was entitled to represent FASFR and also IPSF at the "Strategies for Enhancing Access to Medicines" (SEAM) Conference, that took place in Accra, between 20th and 22nd of June, 2005. Before the conference began, I had met Nana Mainoo, Contact Person of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Student's Association (GPSA), and other two pharmacy students, David and George, who were excellent hosts in Accra. They showed me their capital and gave me "fufu" (a special African food) to eat. We also had time to discuss about the way they study pharmacy, about the HIV/AIDS problem in Ghana and their student organisations' programmes.
and Tanzania, the programme has been implemented fullscale. At this conference, results of the SEAM programme were presented with the public and private sector initiatives of each country to enhance access to quality medicines and services. The final reports of the countries will be published and each country will continue to develop the strategies that they had started with the SEAM programme. In Ghana, the health care system is characterised by high prices, inadequate availability of drugs, and poor quality of service. The majority of pharmacies are in urban areas. In rural areas the providers of medicines are the licensed chemical sellers. To improve the quality of the service, Care-shops (franchised chemical sellers shops) werethe sellers have been trained to deliver medicines and counselling.
I prepared a poster presenting the campaign "Open your eyes, open your heart", implemented by FASFR Romania. The poster was displayed at the SEAM Conference Avenue, together with 40 other posters. The participants to the conference saw the posters during the coffee breaks. The SEAM Conference was about the health care system in Africa, which is deficient in access, especially in the rural areas. As a consequence, Management Science for Health initiated five years ago the Strategies for Enhancing Access to Medicines (SEAM) programme, supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The overall goal of the programme was to identify and pilot innovative private-public sector initiatives to improve access to essential medicines. First, however, a definition of access including how to measure access had to be developed. This was done in late 2000 in collaboration with WHO and 40 experts. The resulting model identified four dimensions of access to medicines including geographic accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability, with cross-cutting requirements relating to quality of both drug products and pharmaceutical services. Using this model, the SEAM programme completed pharmaceutical sector assessments in Brazil (Minas Gerais), Cambodia, El Salvador, Ghana, India (Rajasthan) and Tanzania, and identified access gaps along with potential approaches to address those gaps. In Ghana
Among the people I presented the poster to, I have to mention Emmanuel Alphonce, from the Ministry of Health Tanzania Food and Drug Authority, who collaborated with IPSF for the Neema Project. I gave him an IPSF Annual Report and we discussed about the Neema Project. He was grateful to the federation for this project which helped a lot of people. What can IPSF and pharmacy students do to improve access? I asked Keith Johnson, the director of the SEAM programme, what IPSF and pharmacy students could do to improve access to medicines. His suggestions included: - Work to sensitise fellow students and faculty members as well as others in your respective communities, to the problem of lack of access to essential medicines in underserved populations - both in developed and developing countries.
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Members’ Activities - Develop outreach and educational initiatives relating to access to essential medicines. - Organise and promote institutional and individual "twinning" initiatives that support enhanced access. - Encourage the addition of coursework and educational programmes that focus on pharmaceutical management and enhanced access to medicines. - Create internship and externship experiences that focus on improving access to essential medicines. - Consider pursuing a career path that would help improve access to medicines in underserved populations. - Work to decrease the "brain drain" from less developed to developed countries and to minimise its impact. - Support the sharing of experiences and resources, not only between developed and developing country programmes (north to south) but between developing country programmes (south to south). - Develop new initiatives like the Neema project. - Continue and expand initiatives like the HIV/AIDS awareness programme. I am grateful to IPSF for giving me the opportunity to motivate my team to begin the "Open your eyes, open your heart" Campaign! I also have to thank MSH and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for sponsoring the award, and especially John Vivalo and Keith Johnson who had the idea for the award. Georgiana Cornea Romanian Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (FASFR) Romania
World Tuberculosis Day Campaign Indonesia On 24th March 2006, while the world was in a full spirit to fight tuberculosis, Himpunan Mahasiswa Farmasi Unpad (Himafar Unpad) held a big campaign in Unpad, Indonesia, to fight and raise awareness of tuberculosis, both the disease and the pandemic. The campaign was a great success. On campaign day, Himafar members who are the students of department pharmacy Padjajaran University in Unpad, were separated into several groups. One group was in charge of a stand where people could learn more about tuberculosis, how it spreads, how to avoid it, and how to be cured from tuberculosis. People who visited the stand added their signatures to prove that they agree on the importance of avoiding and gaining knowledge about the care of tuberculosis. Another group carried a banner and a poster raising awareness of tuberculosis. The rest of the
students were in charge of distributing pamphlets containing lots of information on tuberculosis. Our Himafar president, Rahmat Riyadi, used a microphone to address everyone present about tuberculosis. "We collected more than 570 signatures of people who visited the stand and gave them all the pamphlets containing the inf or mation on tuberculosis. It proves that people here have a strong interest to fight against tuberculosis", said the chairperson of the campaign, Christiyanti Dewi, at the end of the day. With this campaign, we now know that we as pharmacists have to be more active in fighting tuberculosis, because lots of people suffer from tuberculosis and others are in danger of being infected. Rifki Radian Himpunan Mahasiswa Farmasi Unpad (Himafar Unpad) Indonesia
World Tuberculosis Day and World Health Day Activities of FoP, Nepal The World Tuberculosis Day (WTBD) and World Health Day (WHD) were celebrated in Nepal by the pharmacy student association Forum for Pharmacy (FoP). The aim of the WTBD Campaign was to raise awareness of tuberculosis. Pamphlets related to epidemiology, transmission and treatment were posted in the different bulletin boards on The University premises. FoP also organised a small talk program addressing the "State of TB treatment in Nepal." In April, WHD was celebrated in Nepal with the theme, "Working together for health." It was a day to make people aware of the pharmacy profession and the importance of pharmacists in healthcare. Pamphlets requested from The World Health Organization (WHO)-Nepal were distributed at The University. FoP also organised an IPSF Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign (PPAC) targeting students in grades eight and nine in three schools. The aim of the campaigns by FoP was to strengthen the presence of the pharmacy profession and raise awareness of the importance of pharmacists in health care. Without the motivation of IPSF, FoP would not have been able to organise such programmes successfully. FoP would like to thank IPSF and WHO-Nepal for their guidance and support regarding the materials. We hope to continue receiving such support in the future. Badri K.C. Forum for Pharmacy (FoP) Nepal
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Members’ Activities Translating Patient Counselling Booklet into Chinese I am very proud to share this big initiative of the Pharmacy Students' Association of Taiwan (PSA-Taiwan) with all of you. PSA-Taiwan is translating the booklet Counselling, Concordance, and Communication Innovative Education for Pharmacists into Chinese. In 2005, the booklet was launched at the 51st IPSF Congress in Bonn, Germany, and the 65th Congress of the Internatio nal Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Cairo, Egypt. Creating the booklet was a joint initiative between IPSF and the FIP Pharmacy Information Section, who and currently collaborating with PSA-Taiwan to translate the booklet. Many specially recruited qualified pharmacy students are working on the translation while professional pharmacy organisations in Taiwan play an important role in quality control and advising. Printed copies of the translated booklet will be launched at the national PSA-Taiwan congress in 2006. The translation of the booklet is our first step. In Taiwan, there has been no patient counselling training for either undergraduate pharmacy students or graduated pharmacist. Inspired by the IPSF-FIP booklet on patient counselling, the Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group and PSATaiwan have created a continuing education curriculum where patient counselling training would be part of compulsory continuing education for young practitioners. Our long-term goal is to add IPSF Patient Counselling Events into our undergraduate pharmacy education. In addition, in the future we plan to create our own booklet on patient counselling, based on the IPSF-FIP booklet, which would be tailored towards local trends and pharmacy practice. I am very pleased to have a long-term plan for improving patient counselling. It will be great to put the plan into practice. I am honoured to be the chair of the translation working group in PSA-Taiwan. I will keep working hard to make this wonderful dream come true. Liu, Wei-Chih (Michael) Pharmacy Students' Association of Taiwan (PSA-Taiwan) Taiwan, China
Pharmacy Week in Australia The Pharmacy Week of the National Association of Pharmacy Students of Australia (NAPSA) is a pharmacy awareness campaign all pharmacy students can run. Pharmacy Week expands upon the original Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign (PPAC) within shopping centres (The Public Campaign) to also promote careers in
pharmacy, particularly in rural areas within schools (The Schools Campaign) and to promote future career options and further education for current pharmacy students (The Student Campaign). Pharmacy Week 2006 will be conducted all around Australia by all branches of NAPSA to reach out to the public. The Public Campaign includes focussing upon promoting disease states and wellness, including anti-tobacco, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and weight management. Pharmacy Students and volunteer pharmacists stand side by side providing opportunity for the public to gain free health testing and advice. The pharmacist will always be present to ensure that they can be consulted about any health or medication related queries. This public face to the campaign makes an appearance in local newspapers and in pharmacy media, not only promoting the campaign itself but also the work and services of pharmacists as part of the overall healthcare team. The Schools Campaign will involve pharmacy students visiting local high schools and undergraduate students promoting the careers within pharmacy. The Student Campaign is a creative way to highlight any current issues current to pharmacy such as "Our Future Sustainability" or "Careers in Pharmacy". Pharmacy Week is a campaign we can involve our pharmacy community - pharmacy students, pharmacists and pharmacy organisations. Many international friends have contacted me in regards to pharmacy awareness. The easiest approach is to find out what you want to achieve from the campaigns and creatively promote your value to your community with very keen volunteers. Through five years of trial and error we hope you can have as much fun as we've had! Perlon Leung National Association of Pharmacy Students of Australia (NAPSA) Australia
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Members’ Activities Serbian Students Training Clinical Skills
This year, for the first time in Serbia & Montenegro, the Clinical Skills Event was organised by the National Association of Pharmacy Students - Serbia & Montenegro (NAPSer) in collaboration with a national medical students' association. The idea was that along with the practical use of knowledge gained throughout the curricula, we can also promote cooperation between medical and pharmacy students as future health professionals. The benefits of such a symbiosis would be shown, as well as the conflicts that may arise when this cooperation is absent. On the first Saturday, we organised a symposium where medicine and pharmacy professionals from different fields emphasised the inevitable progression towards a deeper cooperation between these two professions in the future. "The aim of both professions is to bring better health for patients. With each other, we can provide significantly better health care then separately. It is our responsibility to develop ways and fields on which we will cooperate," concluded our mentor in the project and the Chief of Studies, Branislava Miljkovic. This year, for the first time in Serbia & Montenegro, the Clinical Skills Event was organised by the National Association of Pharmacy Students - Serbia & Montenegro (NAPSer) in collaboration with a national medical students' association. The idea was that along with the practical use of knowledge gained throughout the curricula, we can also promote cooperation between medical and pharmacy students as future health professionals. The benefits of such a symbiosis would be shown, as well as the conflicts that may arise when this cooperation is absent. This year, for the first time in Serbia & Montenegro, the Clinical Skills Event was organised by the National Association of Pharmacy Students - Serbia & Montenegro (NAPSer) in collaboration with a national medical students' association. The idea was that along with the practical use of knowledge gained throughout the curricula, we can also promote cooperation between medical and pharmacy students as future health professionals. The benefits of such a symbiosis would be shown, as well as the conflicts that may arise when this cooperation is absent.
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On the first Saturday, we organised a symposium where medicine and pharmacy professionals from different fields emphasised the inevitable progression towards a deeper cooperation between these two professions in the future. "The aim of both professions is to bring better health for patients. With each other, we can provide significantly better health care then separately. It is our responsibility to develop ways and fields on which we will cooperate," concluded our mentor in the project and the Chief of Studies, Branislava Miljkovic. On the second Saturday, workshops attracted 20 participants. Workshops were divided into five groups. Each group consisted of two pharmacy and two medicine students. Two mentors were responsible for each group to help them solve the case. To each group a separate case was presented and it was left up to the students alone to diagnose and select correct medication therapy. At the end, each group presented their case, diagnosis and medication therapy while other participants and moderators asked questions and judged which group solved their case superiorly. For the symposium, around 140 students from both faculties participated. Thanks to our sponsors for not only providing folders, pencils and a coffee break for all participants, but also t-shirts for those who participated in the workshops. The successful event was beyond our expectations. All participants found their experiences to be quite valuable and asked when the next Clinical Skills Event would be held.
Evidently, there is big demand for continuing education, practical use of gained knowledge, working in small groups, and getting up to pace with global standards among students in our country. As a result of these needs, NAPSer will continue towards implementing more events and projects like this in the future. Marko Niketic National Association of Pharmacy Students - Serbia & Montenegro (NAPSer) Serbia & Montenegro
Members’ Activities Moving On II Project in Spain I first heard about the Moving On II Project when I attended the 51st IPSF Congress in Bonn. From the beginning I thought it would be great to run the project in my Faculty, the University of Barcelona, Spain. After talking with several partners in the pharmacy association, Associacion d' Estudiants de Ciencies de la Salut (AECS), we decided to participate in the research this year. During the distribution procedure we faced some problems, as we had no contact with students from all the courses. We decided to talk to the Head of Pharmacy Studies in our University to ask for some assistance. We thought this was the best way to get a good representative response from students of the different years of study. Her interest and support in this IPSF project has been great. As English is not our first language, we decided that it would be useful to translate the students' questionnaires into Spanish and Catalan, our two official languages. After a long, hard, team-based procedure, we were finally ready to start data collection from our students. These translations have been useful for the distribution in the whole country, and may be useful in the future for use in some Central and South American countries. At this stage, more than 250 questionnaires have been answered in our faculty. This project has generated a huge interest amongst the professors, the Faculty Direction and the students. There are great expectations about the results. For me it has been great to be part of this international research team. It has also given me the chance to get to know many people, from my faculty, other parts of Spain and overseas. I am really grateful for the good moments we have shared. Sara Saelices Prellezo Associacion d' Estudiants de Ciencies de la Salut (AECS) Spain
Trends in Migration of Pharmacists in Zimbabwe As the national coordinator of the IPSF Moving On III research project in Zimbabwe and I am excited to be part of the project, which is very valuable in our current situa-
tion. Currently, Zimbabwe faces a critical shortage of health professionals, including pharmacists. This has been worsened in the past few years by a massive unilateral flow of the health workers from Zimbabwe, the main destinations being the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Recent migration trends now shift pharmacists to neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in the Sub Saharan Africa which some do not have a training institute for pharmacists. With only the University of Zimbabwe producing around 40 graduates per year, and the mass exodus of experienced pharmacists from Zimbabwe, there is a critical pharmacist shortage. The shortage has affected both public and private sectors where services of pharmacists are required, with the public sector most affected. Most health institutions, including referral hospitals, operate without the essential services of pharmacists, compromising patient safety and quality of health care. In both public and private institutions, the critical shortage of pharmacists has severe repercussions on the quality of pharmaceutical services, the development of the profession and health services in general as well as pharmacist job satisfaction. Several factors influence on the decision to migrate, with remuneration disparities especially in Zimbabwe and other African nations being a key factor for migration. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most important and first step in managing migration of workers is data collection as it aids in good and effective policy development and implementation based on accurate and reliable information. Studying the reasons behind migration trends through the IPSF Moving On III research project will help to provide data on pharmacist migration, which is central in policy development and management of migration. Most studies focus on migration of doctors and nurses but little or no data is available regarding pharmacists and motivational factors behind the trend. The information gathered from the Moving On III project will be useful, not only for international comparison, but also at national level and for the pharmacy profession in Zimbabwe. Luther Gwaza Zimbabwe Pharmacy Students' Association (ZPSA) Zimbabwe
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Issue 36 May 2006
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Student Exchange Programme The majority of more than 500 IPSF Student Exchanges will take place between May and September. IPSF Student Exchange Officers of France and Portugal describe their experiences in organising exchanges. An IPSF intern at Stop TB Partnership tells about his work at the World Health Organization (WHO). Hosting Exchange Students in France Let us speak a little about the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) in France. We collect the files of the French students until the end of November, and in December we send them out to the foreign correspondents. The remainder of the year is occupied by promotion of SEP to students studying in 24 faculties of pharmacy in France. The promotion is done through articles in newspapers, conferences, flyers, and by the searching for training courses and residences for the foreign students. We organise training courses in dispensary, research laboratories and hospital. For housing we try to have free or low-cost rooms. Last year the expense was approximately 70 euros for one month. The amount may vary each year according to availabilities. It is necessary to be present and available for the reception of the students. Therefore, foreigners are placed in the city of the IPSF Student Exchange Officer (SEO). Last summer, they were in my city, Nantes, on the coast of the Atlantic. We also try to set up "local delegates" in other cities to increase our surface and our capacity of reception. We received students in July and August, although it is possible also to come on other dates. Each student was accommodated straight after arrival to the city. After discovering their room and environment, I accompanied them to their place by training course or we contacted the person in charge for the training course. The schedules were well arranged to also facilitate visits to downtown and the beach! I organised meetings and dinners with French students as well as I could.
Now we are ready to tackle a new year full of exchanges and discovery! Ludivine Perrier l' Association Nationale des Etudiants en Pharmacie de France (ANEPF) France
Good Memories Organising Student Exchange in Portugal I become very emotional when I look at photos of IPSF exchange students I have housed over the last three years. Here, I take another look at these flashing memories passing me by, reminders of all the good moments I had throughout the years. In my second year of pharmacy school, I accepted a position of the Local Exchange Officer (LEO) of our student association. Since the beginning, I felt immensely motivated with the IPSF Student Exchange Programme (SEP), as I always had an urge to meet new people of other nationalities and different cultures. I also felt that it was very encouraging to have someone beyond the borders of our own country that would support us during our stay abroad. Due to great efforts of AssociacĂŁo Portuguesa de Estudantes de FarmĂĄcia (APEF) and its five local associations, Portugal was proud to be able to offer a very professional and cultural training for 53 foreign students last year. During the past three years all IPSF-SEP students who choose Portugal have been provided with training and welcomed with our warm Portuguese hospitality and our deeprooted culture.
For me, with all dimensions of organisation, it was very enriching to be in contact with so many countries, languages and different cultures in such a short period of time! It was very satisfying to see all the students leaving with beautiful memories, many photographs and a smile on their face, thinking of the good moments they had just lived. I received very good feedback when they left France. They were very well accommodated and sent postcards to me as well as gifts, all very passionate!
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Student Exchange Programme
During the past three years, I have seen my friends and SEP trainees happy with their experiences. I travel and accompany them whenever possible. They quickly integrate into the everyday lives of our institutions and our friends, which always makes me cheerful. There were many unique meals different from their own countries', cinema nights, and trips filled with conversations about different methods and techniques of pharmacy education that vary from country to country. These talks were very constructive and satisfying. I was also heartbroken when exchange students missed their loved ones. At the end of each exchange, it was always difficult to say goodbye because the exchange students had become a part of our lives, our friends. Today in my fifth grade and at the end of my studies, I am the IPSF Student Exchange Officer (SEO) for Portugal. I am proud to continue embracing this honour and the wonderful academic spirit of SEP that has taught me so much. I must thank IPSF, APEF, and the five local associations of APEF for all the hard work and support to make SEP possible in Portugal. This year, we await the arrival of our exchange students with open arms offering fabulous training. IPSF-SEP is made for all students to gain amazing experiences living and working in a foreign country. Take your chance while you still can! Cátia Gonçalves Associacão Portuguesa de Estudantes de Farmácia (APEF) Portugal
Keeping an Eye on the Small Numbers The advent of industry produced drugs is one of the milestones in the pharmacy profession: it was the beginning of the mass production of formulations that could suit to the majority of the patients in need. However, there is a minority of patients for whom these formulations are not suitable. Fortunately, pharmacists have the skills and the expertise to make drugs available to everyone who needs them.
After participating in an IPSF essay competition I was enabled to undertake an internship at the Global Drug Facility (GDF) / World Health Organization (WHO) for 3 months. WHO is the specialised agency for health of the United Nations (UN) and has as its main objective the attainment of the highest level of health by all people. GDF is part of the Stop TB (Tuberculosis) Partnership and aims to increase the access to tuberculosis drugs. WHO is a member of the Stop TB Partnership and hosts the organisation. GDF has a list of drugs that are available to countries that can't afford buying them. This mechanism of supply enables an effective treatment of tuberculosis and prevents further contaminations in developing countries. The internship addressed the deficiency of paediatric formulations on the list. The topic embraces many problems. First, there is a lack of data on the incidence of TB in children worldwide, so future formulation demands are difficult to predict. Secondly, there is a lack of clinical research on TB drugs' usage in children, which makes dose recommendations difficult to establish. In addition, industries are not keen to produce paediatric drugs because they may not be profitable. During the first part of the three-month internship, an extensive literature review on the topic took place, which was the cornerstone of the project. Afterwards, data was compiled (children's metabolism, recommendations for paediatric TB treatment) calculations were made (liquid to use with sachets, epidemiology on TB amongst children), and recommendations were presented (how encourage companies to produce TB paediatric formulations, how to eliminate crushed tablets as a formulation). The role of the pharmacist was emphasised, both as a compounding professional and as a valuable resource to assess the effect of drugs in children. This project highlighted the role of the pharmacist in worldwide issues related drug usage and accessibility. In addition, it proved that the profession is a valuable partner in the health care team: while industry increases its focus on the majority, we should also keep an eye on the minority. Luís Miguel Lourenço World Health Organization Intern Portugal
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FIP Corner It has been a while since I wrote for the IPSF News Bulletin and I feel the honour and pleasure to contribute again, as the Project Coordinator for the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). In this article, I aim to introduce FIP to you. This will be the first of a series of articles to showcase key projects in FIP. Not surprising, you may find a similar IPSF feel to them. Perhaps this is life after IPSF? FIP is the global federation of national organisations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists dedicated to improving the access to and value of appropriate medicine use worldwide, and contributing to changes in science, practice and health policies worldwide. Through its member organisations, FIP connects, represents and serves more than one million pharmacists around the world. FIP works in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), national pharmacy representative bodies and other health related organisations to advocate and initiate action across a wide spectrum of public health issues. FIP initiatives have been developed to provide tools and direction for national member organisations to implement strategies to better enable pharmacists to prevent disease, manage chronic diseases, and ensure the appropriate and safe use of medicines. FIP Project: Technical assistance for the implementation of WHO/FIP Guidelines on Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) in developing countries The overall goal of this project was to contribute to the health and well being of the populations in Thailand and Uruguay through improved standards and practice in pharmacy services, drug distribution and drug use. For Thailand, one of the key challenges was to increase the number of government-accredited pharmacies. The project also looked into developing community pharmacy-based services. For Uruguay, a proposal to create a Training Pharmacy within the University, open to the public had been developed. Pharmacy students would be trained in communication skills, drug dispensing and GPP in general. It was envisioned to develop this pharmacy as a model for other pharmacies in the country. Good Pharmacy Practice has its role in health promotion as we can see the potential of how developing and implementing professional pharmacy-based services can be beneficial to the patients and public. Community pharmacists are points of access for health information and may serve to be crucial in the dissemination of public health services. For more information, do visit www.fip.org. Xuanhao Chan Project Coordinator International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
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Regions and Allied Organisations The regional offices of IPSF, the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and the Pan American Regional Office (PARO), keep strengthening. New strategies will take place to further consolidate APRO and PARO. Collaboration between IPSF and the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA) maintains excellent, with a new Memorandum of Understanding to be signed soon. PARO Corner Membership promotion and participation has been the theme for 2005-2006 of the IPSF Pan American Regional Office (PARO). The Regional Working Group (RWG) is working hard to find and maintain contacts within the region. This year's RWG members are Karen McGill (Chairperson), Rocio Mendez (Relations Officer) and Elizabeth Sarles (Secretary). An introductory letter about IPSF went out to many universities within the region and communication started between the RWG and new contacts in several countries. Currently, the RWG is helping countries pursuing membership within IPSF. The next step in membership participation is the annual Pan-American Regional Symposium (PARS). The new RWG group for is looking for a host country for PARS 2007. With the PARS host country, the RWG would like to create guidelines for future conferences. These guidelines will make organising a regional event much easier. Incorporating training into the PARS programme is being considered as well. Also for membership participation, a PARO newsletter will be created. Student members will have a chance to tell about their activities and success stories. The regional newsletters are meant to supplement, not replace, the IPSF News Bulletin. Due to the language differences, many IPSF documents and other information have been translated into Spanish. Huge thanks to everyone who helped to translate, especially Nuria Blanch and the pharmacy students in Catalonia, Spain. In the future, an international translation team could be in place to continue this needed assistance. The RWG is currently developing a three-year strategic plan. This plan will have certain goals which future RWG members will be working to achieve. An action plan will provide direction and continuity for upcoming RWG officers. The top goals involve communication and membership promotion.
The 5th PARS held in Quito, Ecuador in May was a great success! Many good memories and friendships were created by all the students who participated. Thanks to Javier Logrono, Chairperson of PARS, and the organising committee for all their hard work! Karen McGill IPSF Chairperson of Pan-American Regional Office 2005-06 paro@ipsf.org http://paro.ipsf.org
APRO Corner Many exciting things are happening in the IPSF Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO)! Members of IPSF-APRO Regional Working Group (RWG) attended the Asian regional meeting of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 24th to 28th March 2006. Taking part in the meeting was a great learning experience, especially the IFMSA training session. IPSF is
creating a training program to develop skills of IPSFers, future leaders in health care. The first ever IPSF training will be held over two days prior to the 5th IPSF Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Bandung, Indonesia, in June 2006. The Chairperson of IPSF-APRO and the IFMSA-Asia Pacific regional coordinator singed a Memorandum of Understanding to take a step forward in strengthening collaboration between IPSF and IFMSA within the Asia Pacific region.
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Regions and Allied Organisations Overall the meeting was very successful. Thanks to John Nguyen- my dearest APRO Secretary who does everything for me, to Audrey Clarissa- the most active and cheerful APPS Chairperson, to Keiko Sakurai and Nancy Kerdrit to come along and helped me. During my trip to Indonesia, I had a great opportunity to be present in a meeting of the Indonesian National Organisation of Pharmacy Students. They are very interested in becoming a full member of IPSF, just like they did back in 1979! I also went to Bandung to personally meet the Pharmacy Department Dean of Bandung Institute of Technology, Dr Tutus. He was very kind and looking forward to hosting APPS in June. We discussed many points with the reception committee and I felt that they are working very hard on every single detail.
APRO has been able to improve regional relations. We have strengthened communication with our Indian members, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). Ganesh Subedi from Nepal, active Indian students and Nene Patcharawadee as the IPSF-APRO Regional Relations Officer deserve big applause. We surely keep in touch with new potential members, including China, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam. I am excited to meet Minh Le Thi, an IPSF Individual Member, and many other pharmacy students during my upcoming visit to Hanoi University, Vietnam. I hope to see many of you in the 5th APPS in Bandung! Please read more about APRO in the upcoming issue of the IPSF-APRO e-Newsletter. Jang Doungporn Leenanupan IPSF Chairperson of Asia Pacific Regional Office 2005-06 apro@ipsf.org http://apro.ipsf.org
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EPSA Corner European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA) is currently preparing for the biggest annual EPSA event - 29th EPSA Congress, which will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania between 17th and 23rd April. This year's theme is, "Pharmaceutical Leadership Team Management." This year, Executive and Officials have tried to enlarge the number of the EPSA projects. Together with the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP), we are starting the "Student Award project," to encourage involvement in pharmaceutical science and hospital pharmacy. Students will have an opportunity to publish their research and projects in the EAHP journal and win a trip to the EAHP congress to experience the development of hospital pharmacy. The last edition of the EPSA Newsletter featured the Scientific Section, which is written in collaboration with European Medical Students' Association (EMSA). We hope it will encourage students to submit their research papers. If you want to gain more knowledge from the humanitarian field, then the Training Camps of Pharmaciens Sans Frontières Comité International (PSF-CI) might be interesting for you. EPSA took a challenge in developing Training Camps, where students may receive additional knowledge about pharmacy to which they are not exposed during their studies. This can help increase practical education towards open-minded pharmacists Europe may need. Lastly, I would like thank to the IPSF Executive 2005-2006, especially Axel Thomas, Katja Hakkarainen and Gina Gál. They put a lot of energy from IPSF's side to improve the communication and collaboration between the associations. I hope that next Executives will continue our work and even strengthen the bonds between EPSA and IPSF. Jaka Brumen EPSA President 2005-2006
How to Get Involved in IPSF? How to Get Involved in IPSF? IPSF offers its members various opportunities to get involved in the federation, which span everything from organising activities at a local level to working abroad in an international health organisation. Member associations of IPSF coordinate these activities at local and national levels and inform their student members about international opportunities. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the member association of IPSF in your country or directly IPSF at ipsf@ipsf.org. Student Exchange Programme The IPSF Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is global programme criss-crossing students from all corners of the world in the name of an international pharmacy experience. Approximately 50 different countries participate in SEP, with upwards of 500 students placed in exchanges annually. SEP runs throughout the year, with the majority exchanges taking place between May and September. The length of placements is usually from one to three months, and possible hosts include retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, wholesale companies, pharmaceutical industry, schools of pharmacy, government, private health agencies, and even the World Health Organization (WHO). The application process is simple and convenient - you can apply right online! Professional Development IPSF is dedicated to developing the profession and increasing public awareness and appreciation of the pharmacist as a vital member of the healthcare team. The Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign (PPAC) aims to increase general awareness of the pharmacy profession amongst other healthcare professionals and the public. The Patient Counselling Event (PCE) and the Clinical Skills Event (CSE) provide opportunities for pharmacy students worldwide to develop their skills and pharmacy education. IPSF provides material and resources to its members to organise these activities in their countries. These activities are also commonly organised at IPSF events. Promoting Public Health IPSF members are eligible to participate in all public health initiatives of IPSF, and receive support, advice, information and encouragement regarding their own public health interests, whilst increasing awareness of the pharmacist as a key player in public health. There are several main campaigns that IPSF encourages throughout the year. These
include HIV/AIDS Awareness, Healthy Living and Diabetes, Tobacco Awareness, World Health Day, and World TB (tuberculosis) Day. IPSF holds Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and through this partnership, is able to develop campaigns, publicise efforts, and receive valuable resources and opportunities for members. Research Projects: Moving On II and Moving On III IPSF is committed to original research in the area of pharmacy education and professional satisfaction. The Moving On II research project is a global questionnaire-based study looking into pharmacy students' academic experiences and pharmacy education. The Moving On III research project studies the "Brain Drain" phenomenon by surveying final year pharmacy students' intentions and aspirations to migrate. Thousands of questionnaires for more than 20 countries have already been analysed to be published soon. New countries are welcome to join! IPSF Events One of the simplest ways to participate is to attend one of the many events organised by IPSF. IPSF events offer educational forums, scientific symposia, poster exhibitions, workshops about IPSF activities, and of course the opportunity to socialise with peers from all over the world while becoming familiar with local culture. The IPSF Development Fund grants students from less developed countries opportunities to take part in these events by offering travel support. Please check the events at the back cover of this IPSF News Bulletin for more information on these. IPSF Positions Each year an Executive Committee of nine IPSFers is elected at the IPSF Congress. Members of various SubCommittees, working on developing the federation and supporting its activities, are appointed. The Regional Offices of IPSF have Regional Working Groups promoting IPSF at a regional level. Each Member Country elects or appoints an IPSF Contact Person and an IPSF Student Exchange Officer who represent their national or local organisation in IPSF. These dedicated individuals work all year so that their peers may have the opportunity to expand their professional horizons. IPSF is always looking for hard working, dedicated students who would like to enthusiastically fulfill these roles.
Interested in sending an article to IPSF News Bulletin? Your article should be related to the world of pharmacy students, young pharmacists and IPSF. There are no other special limitations on the topics. Keep in mind that IPSF is a non-political, non-profit and non-religious organisation. All the articles will be reviewed and politically and religiously motivated sentences or paragraphs will be dismissed. The articles should have between 200-600 words. You can send it to us in MS Word Document format. Do include some photos in JPG/TIFF/Bitmap files. Please send your article and photos to publications@ipsf.org. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact us publications@ipsf.org or ipsf@ipsf.org.
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