ePlacebo - January/February 2024

President’s Report

Dearfriends,

Ihopeyouenjoyedyoursummer holidaysandaresettlingintoanew academicyear!Toournewmembers, welcometoNAPSA!Andtoourexisting members:how’sthehangovergoing?

InJanuarythisyear,150pharmacystudents fromacrossthecountryandAotearoa,New ZealandcametogetheronNipalunaCountry (Hobart,Tasmania)forourannualNAPSA

PRESIDENT

Bano Serhan

Congress-aweekfullofinsightfuleducationandothershenanigans.Ihad thepleasureofmeetingalloftheamazingfuturepharmacistswhojoined usthere,andthoroughlyenjoyedconnectingwithyouall!Ifyouhaven’t heard,thenextcongresswillbeinBrisbane!Sostaytunedonoursocial mediachannelsformoreonthat!

Ofcourse,itwouldn’tbeaNAPSACongresswithoutacheekylittle scavengerhunt!Thisyear,wehadatieforthewinner-Congratulationsto UoNAPS(NewcastleUniversity)andQPSA(UniversityofQueensland)!

TheSpiritofCongressawardwasalsoadifficultdecisionbecause everyonecamewithsuchgreatenergyandenthusiasm Still,oneperson stoodouttous,aroundofapplausemustgotoourCartwheelKing,Caspar TownsmedfromWAPSA(CurtinUniversity,WA)!Finally,theawardforBest BranchwaspresentedtoourgoldencowgirlsandcowboysfromupNorth, JCUPSA(JamesCookUniversity)!Congratulationstoallofourwinners!

AmassivethankyoutoallofourCongresssponsors,especiallyour DiamondSponsor,thePharmaceuticalSocietyofAustralia,andour PlatinumSponsors,thePharmacyGuildofAustraliaandPharmaceutical DefenceLimited,weappreciateyou!

ThankyoualsotoourincredibleCongressChair,LucyRowellforhertireless workbehindthescenes,aswellastherestoftheorganisingcommittee, McKinley,Felicity,Chelsea,Megan,Mia,Caeli,Alec,Jake,andSebastian Congress2024wouldn’thavebeenpossiblewithoutyourunwavering supportanddedicationtothefutureofthepharmacyprofession.

Thisyear,wealsohavesomereallyexcitingnewstosharewithyou!For 2024,allNAPSAmembershipsareeitherfreeorsubsidised,thankstothe supportofthePharmacyGuildofAustralia Pleasegetintouchwithyour localbranchtosignupifyouhaven’talready!

Somemoreexcitingnews…wehaveabrandnewadditiontoourNAPSA pharm-ily!PleasegiveawarmwelcometoUNSW-PharmSoc(Universityof NewSouthWalesPharmacyStudents'Society),NAPSA’s19thbranch!

Lastly,CharityCupisinfullswing,runningfromFebruary26thtoMay17th, andifyouhaven’talreadyheard,thisyearNAPSAwillberaisingfundsfor Qendo,anorganisationthatprovidessupport,education,andawareness foranyoneaffectedbyendometriosis,adenomyosis,PCOS,andinfertility acrossAustraliaandNewZealand.Iencourageyoualltogetinvolvedwith yourlocalbranch,andtogetyourfriendsandfamilyinthelooptoo!

Untilnexttime,

Bano

BanoSerhan

NationalPresident2023/2024 president@napsa.org.au

Congress Report

DearNAPSAmembers,

Weweresothrilledtohostpharmacy studentsfromalloverAustraliaand NewZealandfortheNAPSACongress 2024inHobart!

Congresswasaweek-longstudent conferencewithover150students,various educationandworkshopspeakers,anda hugelysuccessfultradeshow Thisyear,the themefortheweekwas‘SmallbutMighty’ andforme,thistrulyrepresentsthepharmacyprofessionwithonly4.2%of thehealthcaresysteminAustraliabeingmadeupbypharmacists.Aswe continuetostudyandbecomeourcommunity'smedicineexperts,wewill holdthevitalroleofbeingthemostaccessiblehealthcareprofessionalto ourpatients Theworkthatpharmacistsdodayinanddayoutiswhat makesmesoproudandexcitedtohaveeveryonevisitingmyhometown

Somepersonalhighlightsfromtheweekwerethemovingpresentationby MitchMcPhersonfromSpeakUp,StayChatTYaboutbreakingthestigma aroundmentalhealthandsuicideandtheimportanceofsupportingour colleagues,patients,friends,andfamily.Ialsolovedthepresentationfrom CysticFibrosisTasmaniaabouttheimportantrolepharmacistscanplayin patientcareandthenewesttreatmentoptionsintheCFspace Thesocial eventsweresomuchfun,andIespeciallyenjoyedtheGalaBallcelebrating theamazingweekthatwas.I’msogratefultohavemetsomanyamazing peopleandhavecontactsthatwilllastalifetime.

Ineedtoexpressmygratitudetoallofouramazingsponsorsfortheir supportofCongress,fromincredibleeducationsessionstoengagingtrade showstands,ouramazingeventwould’vebeenpossiblewithoutyou.

I’msogratefultohavehadsuchanamazingteamthroughoutthewhole journeywithme,supportingmeandcontributingendlessamountsofwork. McKinley,Felicity,Chelsea,Megan,Mia,Caeli,Alec,Jake,Sebastian,youall workedsohardtomakeCongresspossibleandyoushouldbesoproudof allofyourefforts

Wecan’twaittoseeyouallinBrisbanein2025!

LucyRowell CongressChair

WEEK IN REVIEW

NAPSA Congress Hobart 2024

WELCOMENIGHT

SponsoredbyMedReleaf

Delegatescametogetherfordrinksand dinnertocelebratethestartofNAPSA CongressHobart2024!

PUBCRAWL

SponsoredbyChemistWarehouse

Alldelegatesputontheircolouredshirts, andinsmallgroupswereledaroundthe iconicbarsandvenuesofHobart.

BATTLENIGHT

SponsoredbyLifePharmacy

Alldressedup,branchescompetedagainst eachotherinanumberoffunchallenges andgamesforprizes.

ALUMNINIGHT

SponsoredbyLocumCo

Setinarelaxedyetsophisticated atmosphere,thecocktailstyleevent providedaperfectsettingfornetworking andrekindlingoldfriendships.

TRADESHOW

Aside from the abundance of freebies, the tradeshow provided a platform for students to interact with a multitude of organisations and businesses relevant to their future careers.

GALABALL

Sponsoredby PSA

HeldatthebeautifulGlenAlbynEstate, therewasplentyofdrinksanddancing togoaround,theperfectfinishtoan amazingweek!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

International Congresses

InternationalCongresses:WhattheIPSF canofferyou!

Asthepost-congressdepressionwearsoff, youmayfindyourselflongingtoattend moreconferences Ofcourse,NAPSA Congresswillcomearoundagainnext January,butwhywait12monthswhenyou canattendinternationaleventshostedbythe IPSFinJulyandAugust?

TheInternationalPharmaceuticalStudents’Federation(IPSF)istheleading internationaladvocacyorganisationforpharmacystudents,whonow representover500,000pharmacyandpharmaceuticalsciencesstudents inmorethan100countriesaroundtheworld.IPSFpromotespublichealthby providingmemberswithinformation,education,andnetworking opportunitiestodeveloptheirskillsasahealthcareprofessional Through thedimensionsofpublichealth,pharmacyeducation,andprofessional development,IPSForganisesarangeofinitiativessuchaspublichealth campaigns,research,studentexchange,andhostsinternational congresseseveryyear.Thesecongressesincluderegionalsymposiumsfor allfiveregionsofIPSF,ofwhichNAPSAfallsundertheAsiaPacificregion,as wellasthe

TheAsiaPacificRegionalSymposium(APPS)willbeheldinChiangMai, Thailandfromthe30thofJunetothe7thofJuly Overthecourseofthe event,therewillbethreehighlyinformativesymposiumsheld,discussing theareasofhospitalpharmacy,marketinginthepharmaceuticalindustry, andbioinformatics,whichusesspecialisedsoftwaretoanalysegenomic data.Additionally,APPSwillhaveacademicworkshopscovering compounding,druganalysis,designingtheidealpharmacy,andThai herbalmedicines IfyouarelookingtoexpandyourunderstandingofThai culture,APPSwillprovideyouwiththatthroughfourculturalworkshops whereyoucanlearnaboutThaitraditionalgamesanddances,Bosang umbrellacrafting,andevenlearnhowtospeakThai.APPSisalsothehost offourexcitingcompetitions,coveringtheareasofclinicalskills, compounding,pharmacycounselling,andindustrialskills.Everynightyou areprovidedwiththeopportunitytonetworkwithotherdelegatesand exploreThaiculture,aswellasculturesfromallovertheAsiaPacific Finally, afterAPPSyoucanjoinpost-symposiumtourstoChiangRai,Bangkok,or Phuketifyouwouldliketofurtherexploretheregion.APPSpromisestobean amazingexperience,rightinourownbackyard.

Lessthanamonthlater,theInternationalPharmaceuticalStudents’ FederationWorldCongresswillbehostedinIncheon,RepublicofKorea fromthe9thofAugusttothe17thofAugust MuchlikeAPPS,World Congresswillhavethreesymposiumsexploringtheroleofpharmacistsin solvinghealthindustryproblems,thecompetenciesandattitudesofworld healthleaders,andtheroleofpharmacistsindigitaltherapeutics.World Congressprovidesdelegateswithfiveworkshopsthatcovertopicsranging fromclinicalpharmacyandcommunicationskills,toKoreancultureand arts Thiseventwillalsohostcompetitions,whereyoucancompeteagainst studentsfromnotjusttheAsiaPacific,butfromallovertheworld!Each nightyouwillexperiencewhatKoreahastooffer,aswellasnetworkingwith otherstudentsandcelebratingthe75thAnniversaryofIPSF.Tocapoffthe event,therewillbeagalanight,followedbyapost-congresstourtoover10 breathtakinglocationsoverthreedays,ifyouareinterested.

BothAPPSandIPSFWorldCongresspromisetobethebestexperiencesof yourtimeasapharmacystudent,andaretrulyaonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Formoreinformationoneachevent,makesureyoucheckouttheAPPS, andIPSFWorldCongressInstagramaccountsbyclickingontheimages below,orcontactmeatipsf@napsaorgauorviaMessenger

GageEde

IPSFDirector/ContactPerson

ipsf@napsa.org.au

@appsthailand2024

@wc.ipsf

Branch Update

UNSWPharmacyStudents’Society(UNSWPharmSoc)

TheUniversityofNewSouthWales,Sydney(UNSWSydney)isthe19th universityinAustraliatohaveanaccreditedPharmacyDegree

UNSWSydneywasfoundedin1949withamotto,“ScientiaCordeManuet Mente”whichtranslatesto“KnowledgebyHeart,HandandMind”whereit embodiesthecommitmenttoembracediversityofthought,integrity, innovation,andourdeepconnectionswiththecommunity.

In2021,UNSWintroducedanewschoolundertheFacultyofMedicine& Health,calledtheSchoolofHealthScience Theschoolintroduced4new degreesin2023thatincludedNutrition/Dietetics,ExercisePhysiology/ Physiotherapy,AppliedExerciseScience/ClinicalExercisePhysiology,and PharmaceuticalMedicine/Pharmacy.

Ournewpharmacydegreeisadoubledegree,consistingofaBachelorof PharmaceuticalMedicineandaMasterofPharmacy Itisafive-year degreethatconsistsofathree-yearbachelor'sandatwo-yearmaster's Asof2024,UNSWPharmacyhastakeninits2ndcohort,whichbringsthe totalnumberofpharmacystudentsatUNSWtoaround140.

Onthe29thofSeptember2023,UNSWPharmacySocietyheldourInaugural GeneralMeeting Wewereabletopassourconstitutionandelectourvery firstExecutiveTeamwhichconsistedof9Executivesacross10positions Sincethen,over150members,bothpharmacystudentsandnonpharmacystudentshavejoinedoursociety,andexpectingmoremembers intheweekstocome.

Oursocietyhasamission:

“Torepresentournewpharmacydegreeandprovidetheopportunityfor UNSWpharmacystudentstoconnectwithoneanotheraswellas prominentfiguresintheindustrytocultivateanddefineourownpathsas wepavethewayforUNSWpharmacy.Weaimtoprojectyourvoices throughadvocacyandtoholdexcitingeventstogetusontrack academicallyandsocially.”–UNSWPharmSoc

DuringtheNationalCouncilMeetingatNAPSACongress,UNSWPharmSoc becamethe19thOfficialBranchtobeapartofNAPSA.Thisbecamea historicdayasthefirstpharmacysocietytojoinNAPSAinover15years.

WearethrilledtobeapartofNAPSAandtoworkalongwiththeother branchestospreadawarenessandconnectpharmacystudentsfromall overAustralia

ImmanuelMansour PresidentofUNSWPharmacyStudents’Society

Branch Update

JamesCookUniversityPharmacyStudentAssociation(JCUPSA)

G’dayeveryone!

Hopeyou'reallsmashingitinyourrespectivecornersofourvastand beautifulcountry!I'mheretoshareasliceoflifefromJCUPSA,andtrustme, it’sbeenawhirlwindofayearfilledwithachievements,firsts,andloadsof communityspirit.

Oneofthestandoutmomentswaslaunchingourfirst"Conversationswith Chemists"eventinCairns Imagineacasualmeet-upbutwiththeadded bonusofminglingwithsomeofthesharpestmindsinpharmacyandthe healthcareindustry.ItwasafantasticeveningwherestudentsfromCairns gottorubelbowswithlocalpharmacistsandindustryprofessionals, sparkingconversationsthatwentwaybeyondthetextbooks.It'sthekindof eventthatremindsuswhynetworkingcanbebothfunandinvaluableto ourfuturecareers

Inanexcitingturnofevents,we’vewelcomedthefirstcohortofPharmacy StudentsinthenewTrimesterProgramatJCU,andletmetellyou,they’ve hitthegroundrunning.TheirenthusiasmforgettinginvolvedwithJCUPSA hasbeeninfectious,andit’sclearthey’reeagertodiveintoallthe opportunitiesandexperiencesweoffer.

Speakingofthriving,ourmembershipnumbershaveseenasignificant boost,thanksinlargeparttoNAPSA’sincrediblesupport.Bymaking membershipcompletelyfree,we’veopenedthedoorstomanymore studentswhowanttobepartofsomethingbigger.Thismovehasnotonly expandedourcommunitybutalsoreinforcedthevalueofinclusivityand accessibilityineverythingwedo

Andwhocouldforgetaboutthenewmerch?Thisyear,weintroducedsome cool,sustainablefrankgreenwaterbottles,makingasmallbutmeaningful statementaboutourcommitmenttotheenvironment.It’sbeengreat seeingthesepopuparoundcampus,andevenatotherbranches!It’sa littlereminderofthedifferencewecanmake,eveninsmallways.

Winning'BestBranch'attheNAPSACongresswasthecherryontopofa fantasticyear It’sabigshout-outtoourmembers'passion,dedication,and thecommunityspiritthatweembodyatJCUPSA Thisrecognitionisn’tjust forus;it’sawinforallofusinthepharmacystudentcommunity,showing whatwecanachievewhenwecometogether.

Aswelooktothefuture,we’rebuzzingwithexcitementforwhat’stocome. We’reallaboutbuildingbridges,notjustwithinourowncommunitybut acrossthecountry So,whetheryou’repartofJCUPSAorrockingitin anotherpartofAustralia,we’reallonthisjourneytogether.

Thanksforlettingusshareourstory.Here’stomorelearning,connecting, andmakingadifferenceintheworldofpharmacy.Can'twaittoseewhat wecanallachievetogetherinthecomingyear!

Cheersfromthetropics!

JordanDickson JCUPSAPresident

CongressReflection

NAPSACongress2024wasalife-changingexperience-aweekofamazing presentations&theopportunitytomeetsomanyfantasticpeoplefromall overAustralia.Thetimeawayopenedmyeyestothewondersofthe amazingprofessionwechosetostudy.Iwouldn’tchangeanything,andI can’twaittodoitallagainin2025Congressgavemeanewprofound passionforourprofession,andIcan’twaittoseewhereitwilltakeme!

Shi-AnneWallace(JCUPSAMember)

JCUPSAFundraiserforMcGrathFoundation

Internationally,OctoberisBreastCancerAwarenessmonthandJCUPSA createdalimited-editionpinkshirttofundraiseandbroachconversations aroundthisimportanthealthissueThelimited-editionRingersWesternpink shirtisaversionofthecurrentblueshirtintheJCUPSAmerchandisestable.

AllproceedsfromthepinkshirtsweredonatedtotheMcGrathFoundation, anationalBreastCancerNursesupportservicethatreliesongovernment, corporate,andcommunitydonationsMcGrathBreastCancerNurseswork tirelesslytoofferfreesupporttowomenwithbreastcancerregardlessof privateorpubliccaretreatmentandearlyormetastaticdiagnosis.

Weraised$600andJCUPSAPresidentJordanandIpresentedthecheque toMcGrathBreastCancerNurseDeidreatCairnsHospitaltoexpressour gratitudefortheirwork,especiallyforwomeninNorthQueensland.Many conversationshavebeeninitiatedaboutthepinkshirt,andaspharmacy students,weareproudbeabletoopendialoguearoundhealthpromotion

Mli Gib (JCUPSAT )

VampireCup2023

AsthepharmacyawarenesschairsforJCUPSA,theNAPSAVampireCup competitionisaneventweeagerlyanticipateeachyear.Over10weeks,we tirelesslyralliedeveryfriend,cousin,sister,brother,lecturer,mum,dad, grandparent,friendofafriend,andreallyanyoneelsewhowouldlistento us—todonatebloodorplasma,allinthepursuitofbringingtheVampire CuptrophybacktoJCUPSAfor2023

Thisyear,thevictorywasdoublysweetasJCUPSAemergedtriumphant onceagain,followingourwinin2022.Withatotalof92donations, surpassinglastyear'swinningscoreof86,wewereastoundedbythe collectivededicationandgenerosityofourfellowstudents.

Participationinthecompetitionnotonlysolidifiedourappreciationforthe significanceofbloodandplasmadonation,butalsohighlightedthe profoundimpactithasoncountlesslives.Itwasinspiringtowitnessour studentbodyuniteforsuchanoblecauseandgivebacktothe community.

Weweresoproudtobeapartofthiscompetition,andweareprivilegedto havecontributedtoitssuccess RubySchembri&ShelbyJoyce(JCUPSAPharmacyAwarenessChairs)

Highlights from NAPSA Congress in Hobart

The National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association recently held its muchanticipated annual Congress in the picturesque city of Hobart, Tasmania. This event presented a wealth of opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development. Among the standout features of the Congress were engaging workshops, a dynamic trade show, and the unforgettable Gala Ball at the Glen Albyn Estate Winery

Workshop on Interview Skills

As director of LocumCo, I had the privilege of presenting a workshop on interview skills This session was an opportunity for me to share invaluable insights into the world of pharmacy recruitment I focused on providing practical advice and strategies to excel in job interviews, covering aspects such as resume building, effectively showcasing skills and experiences, and navigating challenging interview questions. I aimed to equip the final-year students, poised to enter the workforce, with the necessary tools to stand out in competitive job markets It was a rewarding experience to interact with these bright, upcoming professionals and contribute to their career journey.

Alumni Cocktail Party Sponsored by LocumCo

Another notable event was the Alumni Cocktail Party, sponsored by LocumCo As the host of this elegant evening, I had the opportunity to welcome a diverse group of alumni, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. The event was designed to foster connections between the past and present members of the pharmacy community, encouraging a meaningful exchange of experiences and insights. Set in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, the cocktail party provided a perfect setting for networking and rekindling old friendships. It was a pleasure to see the vibrant interactions that took place, further highlighting the sense of community and support that is so vital in our profession.

Trade Show Day: A Platform for Connection

The trade show was another focal point of the week, presenting an excellent platform for students to interact with a multitude of businesses and organisations relevant to their future careers. LocumCo had a stand at the event, where we engaged with students, sharing insights into career paths, locum work, and the vast opportunities available across Australia. The day was marked by enthusiastic participation, with students keenly exploring various career options and networking with professionals.

Social Highlight: The Ball at Glen Albyn Estate Winery

The social highlight of the Congress was undoubtedly the Gala Ball, hosted at the stunning Glen Albyn Estate Winery on Friday night This event provided a splendid opportunity for students to unwind and socialise before going their separate ways back home. The picturesque backdrop of the winery, combined with exquisite local cuisine and entertainment, made for a memorable evening It was a perfect way to conclude the productive and inspiring days of the Congress, allowing students to forge lasting connections with their peers and industry professionals

The 2024 NAPSA Congress in Hobart was a resounding success, marked by informative sessions, fruitful networking opportunities, and memorable social events Such events play a crucial role in shaping the future of pharmacy students, offering them a platform to learn, grow, and prepare for exciting careers ahead

Written by Sue Muller

PSA Upcoming Events

FormoreinformationonanyofthePSA’sUpcomingEvents,checkout theirwebsite-https://wwwpsaorgau/networking-events/all-events/

March2024

Wednesday20March-LiveWebinar:RespiratorySyncytialVirus PreventioninOlderAdults

Wednesday27March-LiveWebinar:ReducingtheRiskofCumulative Medicines(Deprescribing)

April2024

Tuesday9April-LiveWebinar:OptimisingEczemaCare

Friday12April-PharmacistsinAgedCareSymposium2024-Adelaide

Friday12April-Saturday13April-SA/NTAnnualTherapeuticUpdate(ATU) -Adelaide

Wednesday17April-LiveWebinar:Influenzain2024–TheRightVaccine fortheRightPatient

Friday19April-WAPharmacistAwardsNight2024-Perth

Tuesday23April-LiveWebinar:PharmacistInitiatedTreatmentofUrinary TractInfectioninWA

EditedbyMiaAvram

NAPSAPublicationsChair2023/2024

Email:publications@napsaorgau