PQ+2 September 2023

DEAN'S WELCOME

wait make this an extremely enjoyable time of year

I began my term as dean in July and served as interim dean before that. I have been a part of the faculty for the past 26 years, and am a proud University of Alberta alumna and pharmacist Along with our faculty and staff, I am thrilled to officially welcome you to the pharmacy family We are highly committed to excellence and evolution of our educational programs and fostering an exceptional student experience. We look forward to engaging our student body in the upcoming academic year as we develop our strategic priorities

I am very excited to see you new and returning students and extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences I hope you enjoyed your summer break and are now looking forward to the exciting year ahead

The beginning of the new academic term is always a special time for our students, faculty and support staff here in Pharmacy. While the air may be getting crisp outside, the new friendships beginning to form and the opportunities that

I hope this coming academic year is filled with both academic and personal achievements As you continue your journey, please remember to reach out to your support network or to any of us in the faculty. We are here to help you achieve success and I look forward to getting to know you throughout the year

Wishing you all a successful year

Dr. Christine Hughes BSc Pharm, PharmD, FCSHP

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

environment that is made for you to learn and grow as an individual and a healthcare professional Whatever your goal may be, remember to give yourself grace Be kind to yourself throughout this process Surround yourself with likeminded individuals that support and encourage you. Build core memories with folks that bring you happiness and fulfillment

In addition, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the APSA executives and councilors that have been working diligently this summer to bring you all fantastic events. We are kick starting the semester off with our annual events such as Saving Second Base followed by other staple pharmacy events such as RxFactor, Blue and Gold and the Pharmacy vs Dentistry Hockey Game later on this year! I encourage you to come out and meet all your pharmacy friends and colleagues!

Dear PQ+2 Readers,

I hope you had a summer filled with enjoyment and had time to recharge! I would like to give a warm welcome to the class of 2027, as well as a welcome back to each and every one of you!

As the fall term begins, every student comes in with different academic, social and personal goals. I’m here to tell you that with discipline, support and motivation, you will find opportunities for yourself that you’ve never even thought of Don’t be afraid to take up space in an

Thank you for taking the time to read my welcome address - I am thrilled to have the opportunity to get to know you better throughout this year!

Kind Regards,

Prerna Sharma (she/her) APSA President

1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Most (if not all) of our courses start off their lessons with LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Frame your studying around these these key concepts. These are what they want us to take away from the lesson (and as a result, are what they will test)

TIPS TO SUCCESS

(WHAT I AM DOING TO SURVIVE PHARMACY SCHOOL)

By: Amy Phung

LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Studies say that to effectively learn (and retain this information long-term), we should have multiple exposures to the information in a variety of ways. Learn content by attending lectures, asking questions, listening to lecture recordings, writing and reviewing notes, doing practice questions and talking with others!

DAILY REVIEW

Studying one lecture is a lot easier than 20 at once, and I definitely learned that the hard way. Develop a routine of revisiting lectures regularly. It'll save you a lot of time and stress in the long run.

BOOKMARK RESOURCES

There is so much information being thrown at us at all times. When our professors give us links, resources, guidelines and readings, save them so you can explore and refer back to them when you have time!

PRACTICE SELF-CARE

2 3 4 5 6

Although cliche, take time for yourself and do things you enjoy! Breaks prevent burn-out and helps you revisit difficult concepts with fresh eyes and mind. Pharmacy school is a marathon, not a sprint. Take things at your own pace.

ACCEPT IMPERFECTION

It took us a lot of hard work (and high marks) to get here This is an ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING program and we WILL get ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGED. Your grades don't define your skills as a pharmacist. View mistakes as a chance to learn and grow.

student groups X

BPSA

Black Pharmacy Students’ Association

Join Now!

The Black Pharmacy Students’ Association is a student group that was established in 2020 Our mission is to increase both Black representation and engagement in the pharmacy profession We hope to provide a safe space for both current and prospective Black pharmacy students Additionally we aim to empower, advocate, as well as create and solidify a strong network. In summary, our three main goals are increased representation, advocacy, and mentorship.

To accomplish our goals and meet our founding objectives we plan and coordinate a variety of initiatives during the school year Some of our initiatives have included our mentorship program, interdisciplinary Black History Month Gala, Pharmacy School 101, the “Let’s Talk” Speaker Series, Intersectional Literature Night (in collaborating with the U Of A LGBTQ+ Pharmacy Student’s Club), and a Pop-up Dermatology Clinic This coming year we look forward to hosting more of these initiatives! For the most up to date news regarding the BPSA or see what we are up to, feel free to give our Instagram @bpsa uofa a follow!

student groups X

LGBTQ-PhSC

LGBTQ+ Pharmacy Students Club

Hi all! My name is Samantha Gottschalk, one of the Co-Presidents of the LGBTQ+ PhSC Our group is made up of Pharmacy Students who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, as well as students who self-identify as allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and who are committed to expanding their knowledge around inclusivity. The LGBTQ+ PhSC aims to provide a safer, inclusive space within the faculty for 2SLGBTQ+ students to feel empowered. We hold social events to promote the development of support networks, create initiatives so students can learn more about health and intersectional identities, and advocate for the interests of 2SLGBTQ+ students within the faculty Our long term aim is to equip students with skills to improve advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ and other underrepresented patient populations in health care overall/ There are so many cool opportunities and clubs that you can find during your time in Pharmacy! I know that studying can be tiring, so take advantage of the many opportunities to make some new friends and fun memories. In the past we have held movie, bowling and game nights - so keep your eyes peeled for what we have in store for this year! If you are interested in getting involved or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us on instagram: @uofa lgbtq phsc" Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions I am open to any feedback you may have Thank you once again for the opportunity to increase student awareness of our club! Samantha Gottschalk

MEET THE EDITORS

Hi readers! My name is Nick Yamamoto (he/him), from the Class of 2025 I am thrilled to be acting as Publications Director, a position that is heavily involved in the production of PQ+2. In the past, Last year I had the opportunity to write for PQ+2 and my coverage includes RxFactor, Independent Night, and Black History Month, among others. My goal for PQ+2 this year is to instill more character into PQ+2 by incorporating topics which our editors can have fun with and by featuring guest writers to introduce a diversity of perspectives that are reflective of our student body Let's make 2023/2024 another memorable year and I hope you take a peek at more issues in the future!

Hello everyone! My name is Evana D'Abreo and I am one of the PQ+2 Editors this year I hope to put my passion for writing and creativity into practice by helping put together a magazine filled with happiness, love, friendship and excitement that you are able to enjoy! I look forward to being able to educate students on what is happening in the world of pharmacy and to foster a sense of school spirit through a wonderful publication such as this one! I hope you enjoy what we create and please feel free to reach out at any point in time throughout the year!!

Hi friends! My name is Amy (she/her) and I'm entering my second year of pharmacy I'm all about creating and preserving memories, and I'm excited to share memories with all of you! I hope PQ+2 becomes your go-to read in the present and a time capsule to look back on in future years. I'm excited to work on this magazine and to continue exploring pharmacy with y 'all!

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My name is Laura Huynh (she/her) and I am excited to have joined the PQ+2 team this year as an editor I am a proud Calgarian and I am entering my third year During my free time, I like to bake and eat pretty pastries I also enjoy binge watching The Office and I’ve vicariously picked up many survival skills through Dwight Schrute – perhaps I have watched the show too many times. I am glad to have the opportunity to participate actively in the faculty and look forward to meeting more of my pharmacy peers.

Hi! My name is Haleema and I am one of the PQ+2 editors for this school year I am a second year student and when I’m not busy with school or work, I like to read, draw, garden, sew and spend time outdoors I am very excited to be a part of the team this year as writing and design have always been interests of mine. Looking forward to highlighting all there is to showcase this upcoming year.

Hi! My name is Sara and I am a PQ+2 Editor for this year. I am a member of the class of 2026, and came to Edmonton for school Prior to pharmacy school I went to the University of Calgary for my undergrad During my free time, I enjoy writing, reading, cycling and playing the piano. I love developing my hobbies and having new experiences. I am excited to be writing for PQ+2 because it gives me a chance to document all the amazing experiences and opportunities that pharmacy school has to offer.

in Review in Review

By: Laura Huynh

Photos: Naomi Aggarwal

Hope you have Hope you have a great year a great year Class of 2027! Class of 2027!

What is CAPSI?

The Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) is a national non-profit organization made up of Canadian pharmacy students who are interested in student advocacy.

Membership Benefits

Connect with pharmacy students across the country Opportunities for personal and professional development such as: PDW (professional development week), lunch and learns, compounding competitions, and more! Gain leadership experience through special planning committees for PAM (Pharmacy Appreciation Month), CIBC Run for the Cure fundraiser, IPSF Annual Health Campaign, and many other CAPSI events!

How can I join?

All APSA members are automatically CAPSI members so with an APSA membership, you can access all CAPSI events. However, committees require applications and are normally advertised by APSA in early September so be on the lookout!

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Zach Yopek-Stabel (UAlberta CAPSI Sr.) or Angela Zhao (UAlberta CAPSI Jr.).

Special thanks to Jazzi Li and Naomi Lozinski

ADIVERSITY OFSERVICES Featuring

StrathmoreRemedy'sRx

AninterviewwithAhmedEltokhy,RPh

By:NickYamamoto

This summer, I had the opportunity to work at Strathmore Remedy'sRx, a community pharmacy located in Strathmore, located 45 minutes west of Calgary. This pharmacy is notable for its broad range of services provided, including supplying medical devices, INR and hemoglobin A1c measurement, strep throat point-of-care testing, a pharmacist-led clinic, and many more!

The owner behind all of this is Ahmed Eltokhy. He is a pharmacist from Egypt who moved to Canada in 2011 He started out modestly working as a volunteer at Shoppers Drug Mart before attaining licensure in Canada. He then worked as a pharmacist and later as pharmacy manager at the same pharmacy before opening his own pharmacy in Strathmore. Under the Remedy’sRx banner, Ahmed opened Strathmore Remedys’Rx in 2015. He provided me with insight on his experiences as a pharmacy owner.

How did you choose Strathmore?

When I was looking to start my own pharmacy I monitored all the rural areas to see if there were any clinics not served by a pharmacy [since I did not plan on owning] a big corporate pharmacy [The market in] Calgary is very crowded so I was looking for better opportunities [elsewhere]. I worked a couple of relief shifts [in Strathmore] and noticed that there was one clinic [which had] a pharmacy but it was closed and bought by Shoppers; [there was no longer a pharmacy there] for about two, three years so I decided to take that space and [downsized] to make it cost effective.

How did you determine which services to provide?

When I started the pharmacy, I started a traditional small pharmacy. I didn't know what services we needed to provide–how we [would be] different from other pharmacies. You [have to] look at what the people need in the community how you want to serve your community,

When we moved here, we found that there was a gap in home healthcare products and when I talked to the customers, they have problems with this They have to go to Calgary to for this and most of them are seniors who have difficulties driving. They would prefer it if you have the service here in town. So keep your eyes open and see what the people need. You don't come with a formula [that will guarantee] success. You [must] notice what is happening around you and what [patients] need and you can develop your service to suit the community

What makes Strathmore different from other communities?

When I was working at Shopper’s Drug Mart [as] an assistant, I was at the dropoff So I received the prescription, then [it went to the] next step, then to the next one, and onto the next. The relationship between the pharmacist and patient is mainly clinical, and there is no personalized service. Strathmore [and other rural communities] are slightly different. You have a relationship with your patients. In the beginning you are a stranger to [the patient] and they are suspicious [of you, but] once they trust you, they give you all the support. We know most patients by [their] first name. The patients know you and you know everything about them [because] they are a [regular] patient–they come every month with the same problems. This makes it easier for [both parties] because you know their history, and what works and what does what doesn’t work for them They trust you and you support [each other].

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH

As most students come to learn, pharmacy is not limited to community practice. Emerging careers in pharmacy, especially in the biotech industry, involve clinical research. For those who are interested, the FoPPS here at the University of Alberta is in the top 5 research faculties for pharmacy in the country, and there is ample opportunity for students to get involved.

Pharmacy Research at the U of A

The two main research points in the faculty are the Drug Development and Innovation Centre, and the Pharmaceutical Analysis Lab. There is a wide variety of research divisions including drug delivery, computational drug discovery and medicinal chemistry, to name a few

I’m interested - how do I get involved?

Many of our professors are principal investigators (PIs) in these fields, so if a topic piques your interest a good way to get started is to reach out and see if they have room in their labs for volunteers or research assistants. Different labs have different protocols for working hours, and it is up to the PI to determine how much or how little you work. Outside of approaching professors, there are summer research opportunities presented to students in March/April sent by the faculty These positions come with funding and will require students to submit written applications and transcripts for consideration.

Do I need prior experience?

Oftentimes no prior experience is required, so if you have ever had an interest in trying research, it is a good idea to act on it during pharmacy school!

How else can I learn more?

Opportunities to explore academic papers in research can be found by attending APSA Lunchtime Journal Clubs (September - TBD). During these clubs students will have the chance to present their dissections of papers and engage in educational discussions. Questions about research can be further answered by your designated faculty advisor or by our APSA Research Councilor Vincent Chiang. He will be hosting office hours and can be reached vchiang@ualberta.ca.

Sumer Highlights

By: Nick Yamamoto, Haleema Pannu, Sara Housh

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

Grand Prismatic Spring (from Google; unfortunately the weather was not the best when we had visited)

Yellowstone Canyon near Inspiration Point

View from the summit of Mt. Washburn

EDMONTON HERITAGE FESTIVAL

The Edmonton Heritage Festival is an annual festival occuring on Heritage Day. Festivalgoers can watch various performances and try different foods from multiple cultures across the world! Here’s what I had!

Assorted Raspberry Pastries and Desserts

Scandanavia

Crispy Fried Lokma/Bamiya topped with a Sugary Sweet

Syrup

Azerbaijan

Falafel Patties made of Fava Beans and Chickpeas served with a side of Salad

Palestine

Chicken Biryani + Chappal Kabab Made of Mince Meat and Spices + Papri Chaat made of Crispy Fried Papris Chickpeas and Potatoes topped with a Mint and Tamarind

Chutney

Pakistan

Dutch F with Fri

nd Cur

Ketchup

Netherl

Caramel Filled

Churro

Peru

PHARMACY IN CUBA

Visiting a pharmacy while on vacation is not what most people would do However, on a trip to Cuba this summer my tour guide in the city of Matanzas surprised us with a tour of a historical pharmaceutical museum, and the student in me could not help but be interested The French Triolet pharmacy was built in 1880, and is preserved in its original state It was declared a national monument in 2007, and Cuba has applied to UNESCO to designate the pharmacy as a World Heritage Site Original ingredients, preservatives and labels are all intact, as is the original recipe book from 1882, containing 200,000 recipes for ailments ranging from lethargy to lung disease It is a marked fact that the use of ‘Compound Coffee’ was made prevalent as a treatment for headaches; the revelation came to the founder Enrique Triolet after his wife Dona Maria de los Dolores brought him a cup of coffee Dona Maria de los Dolores was the first woman in Cuba to hold a pharmacy degree Triolet's son also became a pharmacist and kept the pharmacy open after his somewhat ironic passing from pneumonia in 1900. Aside from the glimpse into 19th century pharmacy, I found the European stylings and inner decor to be visually pleasing. The use of Brazilian cherry wood gave the pharmacy an aristocratic feel, and the quality of the equipment and setup proves itself to be built for a lifetime One of my favorite pieces in the museum was a completely wooden bicycle that was hanging on the wall– a relic of pharmacy delivery services of the early 1900s If you ever visit the area, I'd deem this pharmacy as a must-see for sure!

Compounding tools

Compounding solutions, essential oils, flavourings,

Photos taken in Matanzas, Cuba

etc.

Old-school antiseptic

Frontal view of the pharmacy

Original recipe book

Let'sGo! Let'sGo!

SPEEDERS

Speeders now has a 3 level track with rainbow LED lights They also have a bowling alley, an arcade and axe throwing so you can easily spend a full day here But be sure to make a reservation online as it gets fully booked up very quickly, especially on the weekend!

PRO TIP!

Go during your birthday month and get the elite membership to get an additional free race!

TELUS WORLD OF SCIENCE

The Art of the Brick exhibit features Lego recreation of famous art pieces like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Va Gogh’s Starry Night There is even a fun interactiv scavenger hunt that you can do on your phone as yo make your way through the exhibition Tickets co $30 90 and also includes entry to the Telus World o Science It runs until October 9th so be sure to check out before its gone!

STANLEY A. MILNER LIBRARY

Spend some time at Edmonton’s central library! The library offers enhanced services and activities in addition to housing a wealth of books and plenty of study spaces. Tap into your creative side by taking advantage of their recording studio and 3D printing (among others), take a study break at their Gamerspace or even brush up on your cooking skills through their classes! The library is a quick LRT ride away at Churchill station, so if you ’ re looking for a change of study scenery, this is the spot!

THE WILDLIFE UNDERPASS

If you ’ re looking for a local daytrip, try visiting this unique location in Edmonton’s southwest! Although designed to be a crossing for wildlife under the Henday, people can also marvel at the graffiti in this secluded location. Park in the nearby neighbourhood north of the freeway and it’s a brief 1-km walk through the ravine to access the spot The path and the underpass are a perfect place to take fall photos!

ZOCALO

If you ’ re into plants, coffee, and desserts then this is the place for you! Located in the heart of Edmonton’s Little Italy, this cafe inside a vibrant garden centre features a tasty menu of espressos, sweets and savoury treats Its wide array of succulents, plants and flowers give it a fresh and calming vibe making it the perfect weekend study spot or get together with friends

Movie Review

I am writing this article with the assumption that almost everyone had a barbie-heimer moment this summer. If you ' re like myself, and only saw one side of that peculiar dichotomy this summer, continue reading for a Barbie themed PQ+2 review, but be warned that spoilers lie ahead

I'll start with the obvious and say that the pink themed Barbie land held a lot of nostalgia for many viewers The concept of ‘weird Barbie’ was not unfamiliar to most of the people I discussed this movie with, as a lot of people admit to trying out their hair stylist abilities on an unsuspecting Barbie's mane Now, aside from the physical portrayal of Margot Robbie as ‘stereotypical Barbie’ being pretty spot on, the role in the film was a lot different to what I expected based on the trailer Barbie enters the ‘real world’ to be savagely taken down by an emo pre-teen who scorns the fact that Barbie is an emblem of unattainable plastic perfectionism and then enters what seemed to me to be a Scooby Doo inspired cartoon chase to an albeit killer soundtrack She then discovers that the emo teen’s mom is having dark thoughts and sketching depression Barbies, which somehow taints Barbie and gives her thoughts of death and flat feet? Didn't the emo pre-teen imply that Barbie was an unchangeable plastic doll that had put women down for decades? Maybe I am missing the point there. Anyways, Barbie goes back to Barbie Land with the mother-daughter duo to find it overrun by Kens, but through empowering messages they turn the dojo mojo casa house back into the DreamHouse Now, in my humble opinion, I was under the impression from both the trailer (and Instagram, TikTok, Twitter etc ) that Barbie was going to help heal the mother-daughter relationship and take me on an emotional journey that left me wanting to seek out my own inner child and give her a Barbie to play with I can not say that this level of poignancy was attained for me Despite the saccharine nature of the film and a few impactful monologues, I felt that the “Barbie I Can Be Anything I Want

To Be”

message was a bit lost in the fight to overcome the Kens While I fully support the feminist movement and appreciate its presence in the film, I found there to be too many redirections throughout the plot By the end of the film, I was left slightly disappointed, and confused

Why did she choose to go to the human world at the end? Was it to show us the irony in young children wanting to be Barbies when *gasp* Barbie wanted to be human all along? Is the glorious world of the 9-5, business suits, and gynecologists really better than an idyllic all pink Barbie land? I'll leave that for others to decide For me, I'll give the film a solid 4/10 for the all-star cast, meticulously accurate set design, and the soundtrack The plot was a bit too spotty for my taste, and disappointing in its limited exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. All in all, I think there are better ways to empower women than by taking down Kens, but I think that Barbie's expression of not feeling like enough had good resonating capabilities for viewers of all ages Thanks for reading!

Written By: Sara Housh

WrittenBy: SaraHoush DesignedBy:AmyPhung

PHARMACY INTRAMURALS

As pharmacy students, we spend the majority of our time focusing on medication based therapies to cure a variety of ailments and mental health issues However, there is truth to the saying ‘exercise is the best medicine’ or was it laughter? At any rate, exercise has been proven to be a great way to not only maintain physical health, but also keeps mood even and greatly relieves stress, especially when partaking in group activities If you are looking for the chance to participate in group sports this year, APSA hosts its own intramural sports that are held on a regular basisEach semester, student interest is gauged using Google Forms, so keep an eye out for these polls on APSA socials! Previous intramural sports have included basketball, futsal, dodgeball, and volleyball, but female sports representative Naomi Aggarwal mentions that suggestions for atypical intramural sports such as water polo may be on the agenda this year if enthusiasm presents itself Signups occur at the beginning of each semester and are not accompanied by a fee The commitment is up to each player, but it's encouraged to participate as many times as possible to keep the ball rolling Each sport runs for an hour once per week, and people of all levels are welcome as there are recreational and competitive groups available each week If you ever have questions regarding intramurals, APSA sports representatives Naomi Aggarwal and Mike Lemme are willing to answer questions They hope to see you on the courts this year!

UPCOMING UPCOMING EVENTS EVENTS

SEPT

Pharmacy Cup Banner Contest

Amazing Rx-Race

OCT

Run for the Cure

LGBTQ+PhSC Movie Night

CSHP Student Symposium

APSA Mentorship Night

White Shirt Bar Night

Saving Second Base

CSHP Student Symposium

GSK Lunch and Learn

First year CAPSI/IPSF Lunch and Learn Pumpkin Pie Day

Who's that Drug

Unveilloween

Pumpkin Carving Contest

DON'T MISS OUT!

By: Amy Phung

ENJOYING PQ2+ SO FAR?

OURTEAM JOIN

ALL ARE WELCOME!

PQ2+ Editor (Writer, GraphicDesigner)

Help us grow PQ+2! This role is perfect for those with a creative mind with a passion for sharing stories. PQ+2 is not only limited to topics in pharmacy and if you have a fun idea, you can write about it in PQ+2! If you are interested in becoming a regular writer or graphic designer, or if you just want to write an article on something that you love, contact us!

APSA Photographer

Calling all pharmacy students with an interest in photography! APSA owns a camera so no problem if you don’t have one! You also get the opportunity to attend multiple pharmacy events free of charge. Photos that you take will end up in PQ+2, the yearbooks, and on the APSA website!

Contact:

pqplus.2@gmail.com