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IPSF News Bulletin 39 July 2010

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InternationallPharmaceuticallStudents’’Federationn NewssBulletinn||2010000 I'mmMohameddSultan,,frommtheebeautifullcityyoffAlexandria,,whichhissonnthee northhcosttoffEgypt..MyyIPSFFexperiencestarteddbackkinn2007,,whennIdiddmy StudenttExchangeeProgramminBudapest,Hungary..Inn2008,,inClujjNapoca,, RomaniaaIgottelecteddassChairpersonnoffPubliccRelations..DuringgthissyearrI haddtheehonourrtoobeetheefirsttEgyptiantooserveetheeFederationnassPresident.. DearrIPSFerssanddfriendssoffPharmacy,,

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International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Dear�IPSFers�and�friends�of�Pharmacy,�

I'm�Mohamed�Sultan,�from�the�beautiful�city�of�Alexandria,�which�is�on�the�north�cost�of�Egypt.�My�IPSF�experience�started�back�in�2007,�when�I�did�my�Student�Exchange�Program� in�Budapest,�Hungary.� In�2008,� in�Cluj�Napoca,�Romania�I�got�elected�as�Chairperson�of�Public�Relations.�During�this�year�I�had�the�honour�to�be�the�first�Egyptian�to�serve�the�Federation�as�President.�

Through� this� News� Bulletin� it� will� be�my� great� pleasure� to� inform� you� of�IPSFs’� achievements� this� year� as� the� Federation� has� been� moving� from� success� to� success� and�challenge�to�challenge�throughout�the�last�few�years.��

In�terms�of� international�collaboration,�IPSF�has�managed�to�renew�its�relations�with�World�Health�Organization� (WHO)� during� the� WHO� 126TH� session� of� Executive� Board� meeting� in� Geneva,�Switzerland� in� January� 2010.� In� addition,� IPSF� has� had� a� couple� of� new� developments�with� other�International� relations.� Through� strengthening� IPSF� relations� with� International� partner�organizations,� starting� with� participating� in� the� UNESCO� International� Youth� Forum� in� Paris� in�October� 2009� and� through� co�operation�with� other� non�governmental� organizations’� (NGO),� IPSF�has� set� the� stage� for� future� years� of� great� collaboration� and� work� with� these� exemplary�organizations.��

The�3rd�World�Healthcare�Students’�Symposium�(WHSS)�was�held�in�November�in�2009�in�Alexandria,�Egypt�and�IPSF�took�responsibility�as�joint�organizers�along�with�European�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Association�(EPSA),�International�Federation�of�Medical�Student’�Association�(IFMSA)�and�European�Medical�Students'�Association�(EMSA).�The�aim�of�the�symposium�was�to�discuss�the�importance�of�effective� cooperation� between� different� professions� in� health� care� professionals.� Furthermore,�students� representing� IPSF� supported� the� importance� of� the� pharmacists’� contribution� to� a�healthcare� system.� In� addition� the� discussion� of� possible� cooperation� of� projects� between� the�different�student�organizations�in�terms�of�public�health�and�humanitarian�activities�was�addressed.�

A� major� IPSF� event� that� was� launched� this� year� was� IPSFs’� humanitarian� project,� The� Mobile�Pharmacy� in� Northern� Uganda� Project� (MPNUP).� The� project� aimed� to� provide� basic� health� care�services� to� Ugandan� citizens� in� refugee� camps� in� the� Pader� District.� In� addition� Public� health�campaigns�on�Hygiene�and�Sanitation,�we�were�tried�to�provide�people�with�basic�health�education�to� allow� them� to� help� themselves� to� prevent� the� spread� of� disease.� Furthermore,� IPSF� provided�pharmacy�students�from�all�over�the�world�with�the�opportunity�to�undertake�humanitarian�work�in�Uganda�and�gained�some�important�life�changing�experience.��

With�regards�to�regional�activities�IPSF�initiated�a�strong�co�operation�with�European�Pharmaceutical�Students'�Association� (EPSA),� through� the�organization�of� IPSF�Leaders� in�Training� (LIT)�Workshops�during�EPSA�Autumn�Assembly�in�Genoa,�Italy�in�October�2009.�In�addition�several�joint�workshops�in�Anti�Counterfeit�products,�HIV/AIDS�and�tuberculosis�(TB)�were�offered�to�the�delegates�in�order�to�share�the�collaborative�work�done�by�the�two�associations�on�these�very�important�public�health�issues.��The�IPSF�Eastern�Mediterranean�Regional�Office�(EMRO)�also�deserves�a�special�mention�as�has�recently� launched� its� first�Eastern�Mediterranean�Pharmaceutical�Symposium�(EMPS)� from�the�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

2nd�to�9th�of�July�2010�in�Amman,�Jordan.�It� is�themed�‘A�Dose�of�Change’�and�will�be�the�first�IPSF�symposium�to�address�the�challenges�of�pharmacy�profession�that�are�specific�to�that�region.�

�IPSF� also� has� also� taken� big� steps� to� re�structure� IPSF� congresses� in� order� to� establish� a� quality�framework�for�all�future�IPSF�congresses.�This�is�with�the�aim�of�improving�the�data�and�workshops�presented� during� the� congresses� to� allow� maximum� member� involvement.� � In� addition,� full�evaluations� for� each� congress� and� for� each� session� have� been� enforced� in� order� to� produce� a�sufficient�and�accurate� summary� for� the� congress� in�a�Post� congress�booklet.� In�addition,� this�will�allow�congresses� to�develop�over� the�years� in�a�way� that� they�can�benefit�members� to� the� fullest�extent.�

Over� the� past� few�months� IPSF� has� been� working� on� re�building� and� re�activating� its’� Pharmacy�Education�portfolio,�starting�with�the�creation�of�a�new�Subcommittee�for�Pharmacy�Education�and�reviving�IPSF�Moving�On�2�Project.�This�is�a�questionnaire�based�project�designed�to�investigate�the�learning�skills�of�Pharmacy�students�and�is�being�conducted�in�cooperation�with�Pharmacy�Education�Taskforce�along�with�preparing�the�IPSF�Educational�supplement�(IPSF�Phuture).�Furthermore�an�IPSF�international�Essay�competition�was�launched�in�April�2010…..�

Last�but�not�least,�relations�between�FIP�and�IPSF�have�been�strengthened�through�IPSF�involvement�in�the�organization�of�the�IPSF�–�FIP�Students'�day�in�the�FIP�Congress�in�Lisbon,�in�co�operation�with�the�Pharmacy�Education�Taskforce.� It� is�themed�"Leadership� in�Practice"�and�during�this� important�event,�IPSF�will�have�its�own�reception.�IPSF�have�also�created�special�page�for�FIP�and�especially�the�Young�Pharmacists�Group�(YPG)�on�IPSF�website�in�order�to�show�the�connection�between�IPSF�and�FIP�to�promote�FIP�amongst�young�pharmacists.�Furthermore,�IPSF�are�working�on�arrangements�to�establish�an�IPSF�FIP�Joint�publication�and�Educational�supplements.�In�addition,�FIP�will�be�present�at�IPSF�Annual�Congress�in�Ljubljana,�Slovenia�in�August�2010.��

We�hope�that�there�will�be�more�progress�in�the�next�year�that�can�take�IPSF�forward�into�the�ever�changing�world�of�pharmacy.�I�also�hope�that�this�has�whetted�your�appetite�and�has�given�you�some�food� for� thought.� I� would� like� to� say� a� warm�hearted� word� of� thanks� to� FIP� for� their� continued�support�over�the�years�and�we�sincerely�hope�to�continue�to�strengthen�collaboration�between�both�federations�in�the�future.�

Viva�la�Pharmacie!��

IPSF,�where�students�make�the�difference!�

Mohamed�Sultan�IPSF�President�2009�10�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Dear�IPSFers,��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

My�start�in�pharmaceutical�students’�association�was�in�2001�and�my�first�IPSF�involvement�was�during� the�world� congress�held� in�Cairo� in� 2001.� Since� that�I’ve� been� the� contact� person,� SEO� and� vice�treasurer� for� ATEP� (Tunisia)� in�2001�2003.�After�a�couple�of�years�of�a�“long�distance�relationship”�with�IPSF�world,�I�joined�the�executive�committee�in�08�09�and�it�has�been�a�pleasure�to�serve�the�federation�as�a�treasurer.��

After�graduating�from�pharmacy�school�in�Monastir,�Tunisia,�I’ve�started�an�MSc�in�management�in�the� School� of� Management� of� Lyon,� France.� So� my� involvement� as� a� treasurer� fits� with� my�background.��

This�year�has�been�really�challenging.�A�lot�of�projects�have�been�implemented,�although�there�were�limited�incomes�and�human�resource�issues.�All�the�members�deserve�big�thanks,�whom�have�shown�their�generosity�and�devotion�with�donations�and�participations.��

Besides�the�progress�made�in�several�projects,�the�main�goal�is�still�to�have�financial�independency�that�will� facilitate�the�executive�and�the�members�to�use�their�enthusiasm,�passion�and�energy�for�the�good�of�the�federation.��

Today,� IPSF� and� its� members� are� facing� constant� challenges� and� it’s� in� your� hands.� Pharmacy�students� from�all� around� the�world�will� drive�our� federation� to� constantly� stay�on� the� top�and� to�achieve�projects.�

Yours�in�IPSF,��

Mehdi�Zeghal�Vice�President�and�Treasurer�2008�10��

Dearest�IPSFers,�

I�am�Pedro�Lucas,�a�23�year�old�recent�pharmacy�graduate�who�is�honoured�to�write�you�as�the�IPSF�Secretary�General�2009�10.�

I� started�my� journey� in� IPSF� back� in� 2005,�when� I� became� CP� of� AEFFUL,�Lisbon,�Portugal,�and�attended�my�first�IPSF�Congress�in�Bonn,�Germany.�At�the� Bonn� Congress,� everything� looked� astonishing� marvellous� and� I� got�easily� contagious� by� the� IPSF� Spirit.� I� also� attended� the� Taiwan� Congress�

2007,� and� the�Bali�Congress�2009.�At�every� congress� I� gained� friends� for� life� and�became�a� richer�person.�

A� long� discussion� could� be� generated� about� what� bring� us� together� in� IPSF.� For� me,� in� a� simple�sentence:� it� is� the� belief� that� pharmacists� have� an� important� role� to� play� in� society,� and� that�students�can�help�define�this�role.�This�is�why�I�think�students�come�together�every�year�at�the�IPSF�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Congress,�we�want�to�be�better�pharmacists,�to�have�a�positive�contribution�to�the�health�outcomes�of�the�society.�

This�vision,�together�with�the�will�of�pharmacy�students�all�around�the�world,�is�reflected�in�the�IPSF�Team� and� Structure.� � Some� people� have� to� be� in� the� centre� of� this� global� network� of� pharmacy�students� in�order�to�assure�communication,�communication,�and�communication.�Only�by�assuring�communication� can� we� aspire� to� discuss� goals,� cooperate� in� projects,� and� improve� ourselves� as�students�and�future�pharmacists.�

Being�part�of�this�Team�and�Structure�is�a�great�privilege�and�a�big�responsibility.�I�was�privileged�to�be�appointed�to�the�Secretary�General�position�and�I�rapidly�connected�to�the�Executive�Team.�I�tried�to�fulfil�all�my�portfolio�responsibilities,�and�more�than�that�I�tried�to�contribute�to�other�aspects�of�the�Team�as�much�as�possible.�

The� 2009�10� was� very� rich� in� terms� of� brain�storming� and� was� very� sincere� in� terms� of� internal�thinking�of�the�Federation.�I�hope�the�Executive�can�clearly�pass�this�message�to�all�of�you�during�the�Congress� in� Slovenia,� but� from� my� point� of� view� the� conclusion� to� all� the� discussion� is� simple:�pharmacy�students�can�greatly�benefit�from�daily�international�networking�and�IPSF�can�only�grow�with�every�students’�efforts.�

Yours�in�IPSF,�

Pedro�Lucas�Secretary�General�2009�10�

Namaste�(The�Indian�way�of�greeting)�IPSFers,�

I� am� Murthy� Chittoory� from� India.� I� graduated� with� a�Bachelors� of� Pharmacy� from� Bombay� College� of� Pharmacy,�Mumbai�in�June�2009.�I�am�currently�pursuing�my�Masters�in�Pharmaceutics�at�the�Northeastern�University,�Boston,�USA.�I�was� infected� by� the� IPSF� virus� in� Nepal� at� IPSF� APRO� Asia�Pacific� Pharmaceutical� Symposium� back� in� 2007.� It� was�

amazing�to�see�how�student�pharmacists�from�all�over�the�world�came�together�for�a�unifying�cause�under�the�IPSF�banner.��

I�have�been�working�for�IPA�SF�(Indian�Pharmaceutical�Association���Students'�Forum)�for�the�last�few�years�and�am�currently�Immediate�Past�Chairperson.�It�has�always�been�a�dream�since�APPS�2007�to�serve� the� International� Pharmaceutical� Students’� Federation.� This� year�was�my� opportunity� to� do�this�as�part�of�the�IPSF�executive.��We�have�taken�many�new�initiatives�for�the�pharmacy�education�portfolio�including�revival�of�the�Moving�on�II,�establishing�the�Pharmacy�Education�Sub�committee�and�working�with�WHO�on�the�patient�safety�curriculum�guidelines.�

It�was�a�great�experience�to�be�part�of�the�IPSF�executive�and�share�the�IPSF�vision.��

Murthy�Chittoory�Chairperson�of�Pharmacy�Education�2009�10�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Dear�IPSFers,������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

I� am� Shirley� Yeung,� a� 23� year� old� from� the� beautiful� city� of� Vancouver,� Canada.� � I�graduated� from� The� University� of� British� Columbia� last� year� and� I� got� my� license�shortly� after.� I� just� finished� my� hospital� residency,� so� I� am� a� clinical� pharmacist;�however,� I� decided� to� work� as� an� academic� detailing� pharmacist� instead,� where� I�educate�general�practitioners�on�various�treatment�guidelines.���

My� first� exposure� to� IPSF�was� back� in� 2007,� at� the� 53rd�World� Congress� in� Taipei,�Taiwan.� � Ever� since� going� to� the� congress� and� getting� involved� in� the� PCE,� I�was� hooked� to� IPSF.��After�winning�the�beginner�PCE,�I�went�on�to�become�the�PCE�coordinator�the�next�year�at�the�Cluj�Napoca,�Romania�World�Congress.� �Afterwards,� I�noticed� the�need� to�bring�back� the�Clinical� Skills�Event�(CSE)�and�was�the�coordinator�for�that�the�subsequent�year.��Although�I�was�unable�to�attend�the�Bali�congress,� I�assisted�with�the�CSE�workshop.� �And�afterwards,�I�applied�for�the�Chairperson�for� Professional� Development� and� here� I� am,� hoping� to� push� the� boundaries� of� our� professional�skills.��I�hope�to�share�my�pharmacy�passion�and�spirit�with�everyone�around�the�world.�

Since�my�appointment� in�November�2009,�our�professional�development� team�have�been�working�away� at� patient� counselling� events,� clinical� skills� events,� and� leaders�in�training� programs� and�compiling�campaigns� for�pharmacy�professional�awareness.� �Our�goal� is� to�help�you,�as�young�and�future�pharmacists,�to�have�all�the�necessary�skills�to�become�successful�in�not�only�patient�care,�but�also� as� leaders� and� inspirations� to� others.� � �We� are� critical�members� of� the� healthcare� team�and�when�we�are�the�best� that�we�can�be,�we�can�make�differences� in�our�patients’� life.� �With� that� in�mind,� I�hope�all�of�you�will�participate� in�at� least�one�professional�development�event� in� the�near�future�and�see�what�you�already�know�and�what�you�can�gain.��School�will�give�you�the�therapeutic�knowledge�that�you�need�to�know�but�this�will�show�you�how�applicable�that�knowledge�is!��It’s�also�a�great�way�to�meet�new�friends�and�have�some�fun.��You�may�surprise�yourself�and�I�promise�you�that�it’ll�be�an�experience�you�wouldn’t�want�to�miss!�

Slovenia�was�amazing,�see�you�all�in�Thailand!��

Shirley�Yeung�Chairperson�of�Professional�Development�2009�10�

A�big�HELLO�from�Luxembourg�to�all�IPSFers�out�there!��

I� am�Anca� Pop,� one� of� the� oldies� in� the� executive� committee.� For� the� past� 5�years,� just� thinking�about� IPSF�made�me�feel� super�energetic�and�positive.�My�great� IPSF� adventure� started� back� in� 2005,� in� Bonn,� Germany� as� an� official�delegate� for� FASFR� Romania.�Wonderful� time…� And� then� Cairns,� Taipei,� Cluj�Napoca� and� finally� Bali,� when� thought� that� it� will� be� officially� my� last� IPSF�experience.�But�things�were�not�as�I�thought,�and�I�am�glad�they�turned�out�this�way.��

I�was�appointed�as�Chairperson�of�Public�Health�and� I� feel� that� this� is� the�best�way�to�express�my�gratitude�to� IPSF�for�the�beautiful�moments�offered�all�my�student� life.� I�hope�that�the�work�done�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

this� year� together� with� public� health� coordinators� and� public� health� subcommittee� is� a� big� step�forward.��

This� year� had� a� variety� of� feelings� to� experience,� successful� initiatives,� less� successful� ones,� but,�overall,�with�my�executive�fellows,�I�think�we�manage�to�leave�something�big�to�be�carried�on.�

Currently� I� am� doing� an� internship� in� Luxembourg,� internship� that� will� end� just� before� the� IPSF�congress,�perfect�moment�to�draw�the�line�and�analyze�together�with�the�congress�participants�the�work�done,�the�future�steps�and�how�we�should�make�them.��

I�hope�that�this�bulletin�will�be�an�inspiration�for�students�all�over�the�world�to�get�more�involved�in�IPSF�projects�and�I�am�looking�forward�to�meeting�you�in�Slovenia!��

Cheers,�

Anca�Pop�Chairperson�of�Public�Health�2009�10�

Dear�Pharmacy�Friends�Worldwide,�

Many� warm� greetings� from� Taiwan,� China!� I� am� Jane� Ai�Chen� Ho,� the�Chairperson� of� Public� Relations� 2009�2010.� The� IPSF� experience� has� been�simply�phenomenal�for�me.�It�started�off�with�the�2007�IPSF�World�Congress�in�Taipei,� where� I� was� part� of� the� Reception� Committee� as� English� Training�Coordinator,� hostess� on� stage� for� all� social� events� and� Chief� Editor� of� the�Congress� Daily.� It� showed� me� the� dynamics� of� the� only� international�

organization� representing�pharmacy� students,� I�made�so�many� friends�around� the�world�and� so� it�inspired�me�to�join�my�own�national�association,�the�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Association�of�Taiwan�(PSA�Taiwan,� China),� where� I� became� the� Contact� Person� and� external� Vice�President.� � In� 2008,�when� I� attended� the� Regional� Symposium�of� IPSF� in� Asia:� Asia� Pacific� Pharmaceutical� Symposium�(APPS)� in� Thailand� as� an� Official� Delegate� for� PSA�Taiwan,� China,� I� also� ran� for� election� for� the�Regional�Relations�Officer�(RRO)�of�the�Regional�Working�Group�(RWG)�of�the�Asia�Pacific�Regional�Office� (APRO)� of� IPSF� and� was� elected.�Working� on� the� regional� level� was� a� whole� other� special�experience,� been� able� to� contact� with� pharmacy� students� regionally� and� to� be� able� to� assist� in�finding� new�members� for� IPSF.� All� this� encouraged�me� to� get� involved�more� on� the� international�level�and�hence�here�I�am�as�the�Chairperson�of�PR.��

This� year�has�been� the�busiest� year�of�my� life,�but�at� the� same� time� the�most� rewarding.�Getting�involved� in� student� organization� does� not� only� inspire� you�more� to� promote� our� great� pharmacy�profession,�it�also�taught�me�so�much�of�the�skills�in�life�that�can�only�be�gained�through�experiences�within� these� organization:� � project,� event,� stress,� time�management,� brain�storming� for� solutions,�writing,� leadership�and�most�of�all:�a� lot�of�communication�with�different�people�from�all�over�the�world,�which�was� the�main�part� of� being� a� PR.� Being�passionate� about�what� you�do�will� increase�one’s� level� in� communication.� Every� single� person� that� I� have� communicated�with� has� taught�me�more�of�its�importance.�Getting�to�know�more�about�the�different�activities�that�pharmacy�students�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

are� doing� around� the� world� will� make� a� difference� and� be� able� to� promote� IPSF� to� new� joining�members�this�year�has�been�the�most�rewarding�part�of�my�portfolio.��

Get�involved�in�IPSF!�Make�a�difference!��

Viva�La�Pharmacie!��

Jane�Ai�Chen�Ho��Chairperson�of�Public�Relations,�2009�10�

Hey�everyone!��

One�turning�points�of�my� life�was� joining�the� international�Executive�Committee�of�IPSF�by�being�elected�as�Chairperson�of�Media�and�Publications�2009�10�in�Bali.��I�consider�myself�one�of�the�luckiest�persons�to�be� in�this�position.� � I’m�a�senior�pharmacy�student�in�Egypt�studying�at�Tanta�University.��Ever�since�I�got�elected�in� Bali,� I� tried� to� take� publications� of� IPSF� into� another� level� of� creativity� and�professionalism.�

This� year� we� conducted� partial� re�designing� for� the� website,� released� many� stylish� and� dynamic�newsletters,� and� with� the� help� of� Design� and� Creativity� subcommittee� we� were� able� to� publish�Phuture�and�this�news�bulletin�in�their�current�form.��Working�in�an�international�organization�in�a�multi�ethnic,�multi�cultural�environment�has�broadened�my�scope�and�added�a�lot�to�my�experience,�it�has�been�a�great�pleasure� to� travel,� � represent� IPSF� in�many�events�and�work�among�a� team�of�enthusiastic�hard�working�individuals�,�it’s�a�dream�came�true�.�

Big� things� start� small,� joining� IPSF� executive� committee�was� just� a� small� thought� inside�my� head;�therefore,�my�message�to�all�IPSFers,�trust�your�abilities,�confront�new�challenges�and�always�thrive�for�more,�you’re�the�future�of�IPSF�.�

Cheers,�

Amr�Sobhy�Chairperson�of�Media�and�Publications�2009�10�

Dearest�IPSFers!�

I� am� Bálint� Tóth,� current� Chairperson� of� Student� Exchange� from� Hungary.�Having�worked�for�IPSF�in�3�out�of�my�4�years�in�the�degree�so�far,�I�can�surely�say�the�Federation�made�a�huge�impact�on�my�life!��

During� the� term� with� the� other� great� Executive� members,� my� love� for�multiculturalism� and� international� cooperation� got� even� stronger� than�before.�In�other�words,�IPSF�rules!�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

As�the�administrator�of�one�of�the�larger�projects�of�the�Federation,�the�Student�Exchange�Program,�I�was� responsible� for� liaising�with� the� Student� Exchange�Officers�of�member�organizations,� chairing�the�ever�great�Student�Exchange�Committee�as�well�mediating�and�solving�various�issues�regarding�the� Program.� Besides� these� activities,� I� contributed� to� general� Executive� topics� in� which� I� felt�competent�about.��

Since� my� appointment� not� long� after� Bali,� I� enjoyed� every� moment� of� my� job� regardless� how�challenging� it� was� at� times.� If� you� have� a� passion� for� international� mobility� and� professional�development� with� a� hint� of� fun� here� and� there,� SEP� might� be� for� you� too!� I� can� only� support�everyone�to�try�what�the�famous�SEP�and�IPSF�spirit� is�about,�you�will�not�regret�for�sure.�You�can�contact�me�at�[email protected]�if�you�have�any�queries.��

As�our�slogan�goes:�Let’s�SEP!��

Bálint�Tóth�Chairperson�of�Student�Exchange�2009�10�

Dear�IPSFers,�

I� first� became� involved� in� IPSF� when� I� was� appointed� CP� of� Nairobi� University�Pharmacy�Students’�Association�(NUPSA),�Kenya� in�2007.�Representing�Kenya�at�the� 2nd� World� Healthcare� Students’� Symposium� in� Albufeira,� Portugal� in�November�2007�courtesy�of�the�IPSF�Development�Fund�Events�grant�was�such�an�eye�opener�to�the�magnificent�IPSF�world.��As�anyone�who�has�had�a�taste�of�IPSF�would�attest,�IPSF�is�like�a�virus,�once�you�are�infected,�you�can�just�spread�it�but�

not�eradicate!�On�appointment�as�the�Chairperson�of�AfRO,�I�felt�the�immense�desire�to�spread�this�IPSF� spirit� to� the� whole� African� continent� to� ensure� that� all� corners� can� feel� it� too� and� that� the�regions’�voice�in�IPSF�becomes�louder�than�ever�before!�The�ultimate�fruit�of�active�IPSF�participation�is�just�so�sweet:�cementing�friendships�globally�and�personal�and�professional�development.�I�am�a�living�proof�of�that!�Give�it�a�try!�See�for�yourself!�

Bedan�Maina,��

Chairperson�of�African�Regional�Office�2008�10�

Greetings�from�the�Asia�Pacific�Regional�Office�of�IPSF,�

My� name� is�Melissa�Hong� from�Malaysia.�My� first� experience�with� IPSF�was�back�in�2008�where�I�attended�the�7th�Asia�Pacific�Pharmaceutical�Symposium�in�Khonkean,�Thailand.�Since�then,�I�have�been�actively�promoting�IPSF�back�in�my�home�country�and�decided�to�bring�it�up�a�notch�by�getting�involved�in�the�Asia� Pacific� Regional� Office� of� IPSF� in� the� following� year.� It� has� been� a�wonderful�journey�where�many�friendships�and�inspirations�were�made.�I�look�

forward�to�work�with�a�very�passionate�team,�which�has�shown�great�enthusiasm�to�serve�and�work�for� IPSF.� In� the� coming� year,� the�office�will� continue� to� carry� out�more� activities� and�we�hope� to�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

extend�the�IPSF�hand�of�friendship�to�non�member�countries�whilst�improving�our�relationship�with�our�beloved�members.��

Viva�la�Pharmacie!�

Melissa�Hong�Chairperson�of�Asia�Pacific�Regional�Office�2009�11�

��

Dear�pharmacists�of�tomorrow,��Warm�greetings�from�Egypt,�especially�from�the�charming�Alexandria,�where�I�had�my�first�steps�in�my�IPSF�life.��Locally,�I�started�in�ASPSA�as�the�Chairperson�of�Public�Relations�and�IPSF�Contact�person,�then�shortly�I�was�appointed�as�the�IPSF�Eastern�Mediterranean� Regional� Coordinator� and� now� I� have� the� honour� of� working�together�with� the� first� EMRO�Regional�Working�Group� in� the� history� of� IPSF.�My�policy� is� that� with� each� privilege� comes� higher� responsibilities� and� my� personal�belief�is�that�each�one�of�us�was�brought�to�this�world�for�a�unique�reason�and�that�

the�journey�of�our�lives,�is�the�journey�of�finding�this�reason�and�fulfilling�it.��Working� in� IPSF�resembles�an�opportunity� for�me�to�try�to�carry�out�what� I�believe� in;� I�believe� in�humanity,� in� our� potentials,� in� our� abilities� to� create� a� brighter� future� �� a� future� where� we� can�eradicate�the�frowns�of�people�in�pain�and�draw�a�smile,�a�glimpse�of�hope.��So�dare�to�dream,�dare�to�believe,�dare�to�make�a�difference�and�make�your�life�count.���Marwa�Beltagy�Chairperson�of�Eastern�Mediterranean�Regional�Office�2008�11��

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

News�Section�IPSF� has� reached� several� progresses� during�the� last� few� months.� Through� strengthening�IPSF� relations� with� international� partner�organizations,� starting� with� participating� in�the� UNESCO� International� Youth� Forum� in�Paris,� October� 2009� and� started� to� improve�relations� between� IPSF� and� UNESCO� along�with�cooperating�with�other�NGOs�that�have�a�relations�with�UNESCO,�also�IPSF�managed�to�renew� its� relations� with� World� Health�Organization�(WHO)�during�the�126th�Session�of� the� Executive� board� meeting� in� January�2010�In�Geneva,�Switzerland.���

During�November�2009,� IPSF�managed� to�co�organize� the� 3rd� World� Healthcare� Student�Symposium�(WHSS)�in�Alexandria,�Egypt,�with�European� Pharmaceutical� Students’�Association� (EPSA),� International� Federation�of�Medical� Student’� Association� (IFMSA)� and�European� Medical� Students'� Association�(EMSA).� The� symposium� aim� was� to� discuss�the� ways� of� cooperation� between� different�professions� in� health� care� and� possible�cooperation� projects� between� the� different�student� organizations� in� terms� of� public�health�and�humanitarian�activities.��

The� IPSF�major�event�this�year�was� launching�IPSF�humanitarian�project�Mobile�Pharmacy�in�Northern� Uganda� Project� (MPNUP).� The�project�is�to�provide�basic�health�care�services�in� refugee� camp� in� Pader� District� and� also�running� several� public� health� campaigns� by�the�IPSF�volunteers�there.�

In� terms� of� regional� activities,� IPSF� started� a�strong� cooperation� with� European�Pharmaceutical� Students'� Association� (EPSA),�

by� organizing� IPSF� Leaders� in� Training�Workshops�for�IPSF�and�EPSA�members�during�EPSA�Autumn�Assembly�in�Genoa,�Italy�during�October�2009.��

There� were� also� several� joint� workshops� in�Anti�Counterfeit�products,�HIV\AIDs�and�TB�in�order� to� share� the� efforts� done� by� the� two�associations� in� terms� of� this� very� important�public�health�issues.��On�the�other�hand,�IPSF�Eastern� Mediterranean� Regional� Office�(EMRO)� launched� its� first� Eastern�Mediterranean� Pharmaceutical� Symposium�(EMPS),�which�took�place�from�the�2nd�to�9th�of� July� 2010� in� Amman,� Jordan� with� the�theme� (A� Dose� of� Change).� � EMPS� this� year�was� a� great� success,� as� the� first� IPSF�symposium� to� address� the� challenges� of�pharmacy�profession�in�the�region.�

��

IPSF�has� also� taken�big� steps� in� restructuring�the�IPSF�congresses�and�establishing�a�quality�framework� for� the� future� IPSF� congresses� in�order� to� improve� the� data� and� workshops�presented� during� the� congress.� � This� will�increase� involvement� for� IPSF� members� in�structuring� the�congress�along�with�making�a�full� evaluation� for� the� congress� and� for� each�session�and�make�a�summary�for�the�congress�in�a�post�congress�booklet.�

In� the� past� few� months,� IPSF� was� trying� to�rebuild� and� activate� its� Pharmacy� Education�portfolio,� starting� from� creating� a� new�Subcommittee� for� Pharmacy� Education� and�reviving� IPSF�Moving�On�2�Project,�which� is�a�questionnaire�based�project�to�investigate�the�learning�skills�for�students�in�cooperation�with�Pharmacy� Education� Taskforce.� We� also�prepared� the� IPSF� Educational� supplement,�IPSF� Phuture,� and� the� IPSF� international�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Assays� competition,� which� was� launched� in�April 2010.

Last� but� not� least,� in� terms� of� cooperation�between� IPSF� and� FIP,� IPSF� is� organizing� the�IPSF�–�FIP�Students'�day�in�the�FIP�Congress�in�Lisbon,� in� cooperation� with� the� Pharmacy�Education� Taskforce� with� the� theme� of�

"leadership�in�practice".��Also,�IPSF�is�planning�to� have� its� own� reception� during� the� FIP�congress,� along� with� inviting� FIP� to� have� its�own� reception� in� IPSF� congress� in� Slovenia�2010.� � IPSF�have�created� special�page� for�FIP�specifically� YPG� in� IPSF� website� in� order� to�show� the� connection� between� IPSF� and� FIP�and� that� FIP� is� the� step� after� IPSF.� We� also�intend� to� have� IPSF�FIP� Joint� publication� and�Educational�supplements.�

HLM�Message�(Or�How�IPSF�Changed�My�Life...)�

To�IPSF�to�IPSF,�Viva�la�Pharmacie!�The�words�of� the� song� are� guaranteed� to� lift� my� spirits�and� remind� me� of� many� happy� IPSF� times.��Without� IPSF,� I� may� not� have� seen� the�mountains� and� beaches� of� El� Salvador,� the�palaces�and�temples�of�Thailand,�the�fantastic�city� of� Singapore� and� not� to� mention� the�international� version� of� the� renowned� BPSA�rave!�

IPSF� started� for�me�when� I� entered�and�won�the� BPSA� competition� to�win� a� place� at� IPSF�Congress�and�I�was�on�the�way�to�El�Salvador.�

Friendships�made� there� remain� strong� today,�and� I� still� have� souvenirs� and� pharmacy�clothing� from� the� DF� auction.� �My� volunteer�

tendencies� got� me� a� job� working� on� IPSF�subcommittees�and�the�new�President�of�IPSF�was� my� friend� and� fellow� Scot� Lindsay�McClure.� Over� the� years,� I� gained� a� real�professional� awareness� and� a� sense� of� what�pharmacists� could� achieve� all� over� the�world�as� well� as� a� fantastic� group� of� international�friends�of�whom�many�were�also�at�the�recent�FIP�Congress�in�Istanbul,�where�we�helped�the�IPSF� Exec� celebrate� the� 60th� anniversary� of�the�Federation.�

I�experienced�the�IPSF�spirit�in�two�main�ways,�which� I� would� encourage� members� from� all�over� the� world� to� try� –� through� the� Annual�Congress�and�by�working�on�the�Executive.�

I� loved�all� of� the�Congresses� I� attended� from�El� Salvador� to� Bonn;� whether� I� was�participating� in� the� General� Assembly� by�submitting� points� of� order� from� the� back� of�the� room�or� trying� to�answer� them� from� the�Secretary� General’s� seat� or� whether� helping�lead� a� Future�of� the� Federation�workshop�or�trying�to�catch�up�with�the�Congress�bar�crawl�in� Halifax,� Canada.� I� have� not� seen� anything�else� in� the� world� like� International� Evening�where� each� country� performs� something� to�entertain� the� audience.� � I� must� also� have�bought�hundreds�of�Euros�worth�of�pharmacy�fashions� from� the� DF� auction� over� the� years�coming� pretty� close� to� Lindsay� McClure� and�Simon�Bell�in�the�all�time�rankings.�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

I�also�feel�privileged�to�have�been�part�of�two�fantastic� Executives.� I� responded� to� a� call� to�serve� on� my� first� Exec� when� the� post� of�Secretary�General�was�unfilled�and�although�I�did�not�move� to�The�Hague,� there�was� still� a�fair� bit� of�work� for�me� to� do!� Staying� in� The�Hague� is�a� real�experience�and�you�definitely�need�an�IPSF�veteran�to�show�you�the�ropes�–�luckily� I�had�Boyan�and� later�Katja.�That�year�was�a�year�of�many�developments�within�the�Federation,� including� our� links� with� WHO,�regional� developments,� and� steps� towards�our�online�SEP.��

We� had� a� great� Congress� in� Halifax� and� I�thought� that� was� the� end� of� my� active�participation�in�IPSF.�I�quickly�discovered�I�was�wrong� and� experienced� a� very� large� IPSF�shaped� gap� in� my� life,� so� when� the�opportunity� came� up� (again)� to� serve� the�Federation� and� work� with� a� new� great� Exec�team�I�jumped�at�the�chance.�

That�last�year�on�the�Executive�included�many�stories� including� being� in� The� Hague� for� an�Exec� meeting� during� the� worst� snow� in� 20�years,� so� much� so� that� our� Canadian�

colleagues� felt� right� at� home.� � I� also�remember� a� fancy� dress� party� in� the�apartment� attended� by� something� like� 30�people�from�15�countries�that�exemplified�the�IPSF�spirit.�

I�feel�lucky�to�have�been�part�of�IPSF�over�the�years�and�would�strongly�encourage�members�everywhere� to� experience� the� Congress� and�consider� running� for� Executive� posts.� If� not,�there� are� so�many� other�ways� to� experience�the� IPSF� spirit� whether� writing� for� News�Bulletin� or� supplements� to� tell� students� all�over�the�world�what�you�are�doing,�attending�national� or� regional� events,� participating� in�student� exchange� or� running� public� health�campaigns� in� your� schools� and� faculties.� It’s�fair� to� say� my� life� would� be� completely�different�without�IPSF.��Yours�can�be�too.�

Yours�in�pharmacy,�

Scott�(from�Scotland)�Dalgliesh�Secretary�General�2003�2005�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Being�an�IPSF�CP…�Veliki� pozdrav� iz� Hrvatske� (Greetings� from�Croatia),�

My� name� is� Mateja� Vrtacnik.� I'm� a� 5th� year�student� at� the� Pharmaceutical� and�Biochemistry� Faculty� at� the� University� of�Zagreb.�For�about�a�year,� I've�been�a�Contact�Person� (CP)� for� Croatian� Pharmaceutical� and�Biochemistry� Students'� Association� (CPSA).�This� was� my� first� experience� with� IPSF.� Our�president,� Samy� Jebrini,� and� Student�Exchange� Officer� (SEO),� Maja� Lisjak� Besedic,�asked� me� to� step� up� and� take� over� the� CP�position.� I� was� very� honoured� but� scared�because�I�didn't�know�if�I�could�do�the�job,�so�needless�to�say�that�my�beginnings�were�a�bit�bumpy.� When� I� took� over� this� position,� a�whole�different�world�opened�up�to�me.�I�was�very� overwhelmed� and� not� actively� involved�in�discussions�because� I� didn't�want� to�do�or�say� anything� wrong.� The� thing� was� by� not�communicating,� I� was� actually� doing�everything� wrong.� But� then� I� got� a� wakeup�call� that� I� needed� from� my� amazing� and�motivating� team� who� told� me� to� relax�because� being� a� CP� means� being� a� bridge�between�my�association�and�IPSF.��

I� started� to� loosen� up� and� opened� my�communication� lines.� That's� when� I� realized�something,� communication� is� a� two� way�street.�So�in�order�to�communicate,�you�have�to� contribute� to� the� conversation.� By�

reporting�about�different�projects,�I�started�to�realize�how�diverse� IPSF� is�and�how�different�associations�respond�differently�to�challenges�with�interesting�solutions.�

A�couple�of�months�ago,�I�reported�about�one�of�our�biggest�projects,�Sign�Language,�which�was� organized� by� Nikolina� Kelava.� The�responses� I�got� from�other�associations�were�so� amazing� and�motivating.�When� I� reported�the� responses� back� to� my� association,� we�were�all�very�glad�to�know�that�we�are�doing�something� new� and� interesting� but� also� that�our� association� is� heading� in� the� right�direction.��

For�me,�being�a�CP�is�an�honour�and�privilege.�I'm�able�to�promote�my�association�and�active�members�from�my�association�in� IPSF�but� I'm�also� able� to� exchange� ideas� with� other�amazing�CPs�around�the�world.�Can�it�get�any�better?!�

Mateja�Vrtacnik��Contact�Person��Croatian�Pharmaceutical�and�Biochemistry�Students'�Association�(CPSA)��

�Hello�everybody!��I'm�Bastien�Venot,�vice�president� in� charge� of�international�affairs�for�Association� Nationale�des� Etudiants� en�Pharmacie� de� France�(ANEPF).� � I'm� in� 6th�year,� and� at� the�moment,�I'm�having�a�practice�in�a�community�pharmacy�for�6�months.�

I� got� involved� in� IPSF� last� year� in�Bali,� during�the�Annual�Congress.�There,�I�met�a�lot�of�new�friends.� For� sure,� this�was� the�most� amazing�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

experience�of�my� life.�At� that�time,� I�was�not�sure� that� I� wanted� to� run� for� my� ANEPF�position�few�months�later,�but�I�have�to�admit�that�this�international�spirit�went�directly�into�my�blood�there.�

I� started� my� role� of� Contact� Person� (CP)� in�October.�This�means�I'm�the�link�between�my�country,� my� students,� my� association� and�IPSF!�Well,�OK,�this�is�the�definition�so�I’m�not�saying�anything�new.�But�I�wanted�to�give�you�my�own�definition.��

The� main� reason� that� led� to� the� creation� of�IPSF�is�to�encourage�cooperation�between�the�countries.�The�CP�will�never�hesitate�to�ask�for�other� countries’� opinion� and� will� always� be�free� to� give� a� hand� to� countries� in� need� for�support�or�help.�The�CP�has�to�be�devoted�to�his�position.�It's�kind�of�full�time�job.�You�have�to� be� connected� with� the� other� CPs� 95%� of�the�year�behind�your�computer�and�5%�during�the�Congress.��

To�my�mind,�the�Congress�is�the�CP's�moment�of�glory,�there,�CP�is�the�one�aware�of�all�the�international�stuff�in�his�own�association�so�he�can� explain� everything� to� his/her� national�executive.�And,�the�most� important�point,�CP�can�talk�about�everything� in�real� life� to�other�CPs� that�he�only�met� virtually.� In� accordance�with�my�predecessor,�this�is�really�amazing.��

But�still,�as�I�said�to�you,�my�first�IPSF�congress�was�unforgettable�and�at�that�time,�I�was�not�even� CP,� that's� why� I'm� even� more� than�impatient�to�attend�the�next�one�in�Slovenia!�But�to�make�this�one�legendary,�I�need�to�see�you�there,�yes,�you.�You,�that�is�reading�these�few�lines!�As�Slovenian�says:��“Come�on!�Taste�it,�live�it,�never�forget�it!”�

Bastien�Venot��Contact�Person��Vice�President�of�International�Affairs��Association�Nationale�des�Etudiants�en�Pharmacie�de�France�(ANEPF)�

Our�Future,�Our�Responsibility�IPSF� and� its� members� do� not� believe� in�standing� and� waiting� for� things� to� happen,�they� make� things� happen.� Some� of� our�members�have�written�about�what�they�did�to�bring� the� change,�which� they�had�envisioned�starting� with� a� peek� about� what� IPSF� did� to�improve�Pharmacy�Education�globally.��

MOVING�ON�II�PROJECT���INTERNATIONAL�TRENDS�IN�PHARMACY�EDUCATION�

There�is�an�increasing�interest�in�standards�of�pharmacy� education� as� health� policy� world�wide�becomes�more�focused�on�extending�the�roles� of� pharmacy� practitioners.� As� students�are� at� the� centre� of� pre�service� education,�their�input�is�important�in�the�development�of�educational�policies�and�practices.�Therefore,�it� is� of� interest� to� survey� the� extent� of� the�student� learning� experience� for� the�construction� of� an� evidence� base� for�educational�development.�

Educational� equity� cannot� be� achieved�without� assuring� the� quality� of� education.�Several� approaches� have� been� made� to�quality;� measuring� the� student� learning�experience� is� a� convincing�marker� for�quality�and� satisfaction� to� provide� information� for�educational� policy� development� and�implementation.���

As� changes� occur� in� our� profession,� the�requirements� for� education� are� changing� as�well� to� meet� the� new� services� that� are�emerging� or� even� new� roles� due� to� public�demand.�Curriculum�design�and�delivery� is�as�important� as� curriculum� content� to� ensure�that�students’�expectations�are�met,�effective�learning� takes� place,� and� competent�graduates� are� produced.� Pharmacy� students’�educational�experience�is�likely�to�affect�their�decisions� to� join�or� remain� in� the�profession,�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

as� well� as� their� attitude� towards,� and�competence�in,�practice.1�

"Moving� On� II,”� allows� worldwide�comparisons� of� the� learning� experiences� of�students� (undergraduate)� enrolled� in�pharmacy� programs.� It� is� the� first� survey� to�make�international�comparisons�in�the�field�of�pharmacy� education� and� is� the� largest� study�of�its�type�to�date.�Data�collected�will�be�used�as� a� tool� for� education� advancement.� In�particular,� the� project� is� interested� in� why�pharmacy�is�an�attractive�profession�to�young�people,�and�the�motivations�that�are�currently�driving�enrolment�at�pharmacy�schools.��

It� has� already� obtained� evidence� of� student�demographics� and� their� motivations� for�choosing� pharmacy� from� around� 10,000�students� in� 32� countries.� Data� collection�started� in� 2004/2005� and�has� been� collected�until� 2008.� This� year� we� are� launching� the�survey�once�more,�this�time�an�online�version�to�make� it�easier�and�simpler� for� the�student�to�reply.�If�you�would�like�to�participate�again�or�for�the�first�time,�please�contact�your�local�CP.���

Some� of� the� previous� results� show� that�pharmacy� students’� learning�experiences�and�course�satisfaction�vary�widely.�Gender,�social�support,� geographical� regions� and� level� of�country�development�affect�the�measurement�variables�and�indicate�that�efforts�are�needed�to� narrow� the� quality� and� equity� gap� in�pharmacy�education�globally.��

If� you� would� like� to� read� more� about� the�previous� results� regarding� the�Moving� On� II,�please� see�–� “Pharmacy� students�are�moving�on�–�but�how�was�the�journey?”�Zhining�Goh,�Luis�Lourenço,�Lesley�Zwicker,�Tana�Wuliji�and�Sarah� Carter.� International� Pharmacy� Journal�Vol�22,�No.�1�June�2007�pages�23�26.1��

Students’�have�a�voice�that�can�be�responsible�for� the� way� their� future� is� shaped.� Engaging�

with�associations�is�one�way�to�be�heard.�Tell�us� how� you� feel� about� your� learning�experience,� what� you� think� can� be� different,�what� you� like� to� see� in� a� near� future…�Remember�that�the�students�of� today�will�be�the� pharmacists� of� tomorrow!� Grab� the� IPSF�experience�and�be�change�makers…����

Andreia�Bruno� � � �Research�Associate,�FIP�Collaborating�Centre�

IT�STARTS�WITH�ONE:�PROPER�RX�DISPOSAL�

“It�Starts�with�One”�is�the�project�of�American�Pharmacists� Association� –� Academy� of�Student� Pharmacists� (APhA�ASP).� On� January�2009,� a� group� of� student� pharmacists,�including� myself,� decided� on� Proper� Rx�Disposal� as� the� topic� of� the� project� for� our�chapter.�The�aim�of�this�project� is�to�educate�community� members� on� proper� way� to�dispose� their�unused�or�expired�medications.�There� is� increasing� awareness� on� how� the�medications� that� got� into� the� environment�have� brought� harm� to� pets,� plants,� and�wildlife.��

Based� on� smarxtdisposal.net,� unused� or�expired�medications�should�not�be�flushed�or�poured� down� a� sink.� Some� simple� steps� to�properly� dispose� medications� include:� (1)�pour�medication�into�a�sealable�plastic�bag;�if�solid,�crush�the�medication�and�add�water� to�dissolve;�(2)�add�kitty�litter,�sawdust,�or�coffee�grounds�to�the�plastic�bag;�(3)�seal� it�and�put�it� in� the� trash;� (4)� remove� all� identifying�personal� information� from� all� medication�containers�before�recycling�or�throwing�them�away.� However,� there� are� some�medications�that�FDA�recommends� to�be� flushed,� such�as�narcotics�and�drugs�with�high�abuse�potential.�

For� one� semester,� we� gave� presentation� at�local� community� pharmacies� to� educate� the�public� on� this� matter.� This� small� project,�

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which�was�started�by�five�pharmacy�students,�was�developed�into�a�larger�scale�project�this�year.� From� “It� starts� with� one:� Proper� Rx�Disposal,”� the�program�has�changed�to�“Take�Back� Rx.”� The� “Take� Back� Rx”� project� is� a�county�and�community�organized�program� in�conjunction� with� the� pharmacy� students.� At�these�events,�community�members�were�able�to� bring� their� unused� medications� to� be�properly�disposed.��

Also,� pharmacy� students� together� with�preceptors� provided� health� screenings� called�brown�bag.�At�brown�bag�events,�patients�can�bring� their�medication� lists� to�be�checked� for�any� interactions� or� side� effects.� This� new�project� provides� the� opportunity� to� all�pharmacy� students� at� the� college� to�participate� in� educating� the� public� and� in�health�screenings�during�different�health�fairs�and� pharmacy� events.� Proper� medication�disposal�has�also�been�a�part�of�the�Toxicology�class�materials�for�pharmacy�students.�We�are�hoping� by� increasing� awareness� among�students� and� local� community� members,�more�people�can�be�influenced�to�reduce�and�to� prevent� the� harm� that� can� be� caused� by�medications�that�get�into�the�environment.�

Juliane�Christina,�APhA�ASP�Tucson,�Arizona,�USA�

OUR�JOURNAL�CLUB�

When� I� was� in� the� first� year,� I� always�wondered� “What� is� research,� how� are� they�done,� can� our� small� mind� really� understand�such� great�work?”�There�was�no�one� to�help�me.�When� I� asked�my�seniors�and� faculties,� I�got�same�reply�–“it�is�in�your�final�year,�don’t�worry� now,� you� will� learn� then”.� I� wasted�whole� of�my� first� year� just� wondering� about�the�research.�

When�I�was�in�second�year,�I�heard�that�there�were�few�activities�by�journal�club�in�the�past,�

but� remained� somewhere� in� the� history.� I�tried� to�understand�what� journal� club� is,� and�then� I�got� solution� to�all�of�my�wonderings.� I�soon� contacted� my� seniors,� passed�out� and�faculties� and� our� students� society� and�determined� to� revitalize� it.� I� managed� our�journal� club� for� a� whole� year.� The� meetings�were� well� attended� by� faculty� and� students�alike.� Sometimes� we� also� managed� to� bring�external�speakers,�which�added�to�experience.�The� faculties� showed� interest� and� most�importantly,� our� final� year� students,� who�need�to�make�research�presentations,�showed�great�interest.��

Towards� the� end� of� my� tenure,� we� came� to�see�a�very�satisfactory�result.�Those�final�year�students� who� made� a� presentation� in� our�journal� club� and� attended� it� regularly� were�found� it� very� helpful.� They�were� also� able� to�have� a� better� insight� to� various� aspects� of�their� own� research� work� by� understanding�crucial� terms� like� of� confidence� level,�sampling� procedure,� eliminating� biasness,�referencing� style� etc.� � The� Department� of�Pharmacy� also� realized� that� journal� club� has�really� improved� the� critically� analyzing� skills�and� understanding� of� a� research� work.� This�helped� us� have� a� better� understanding� of�research�and�improve�our�analytical�thinking.��

Amit�Subedi,�NPSA�Kathmandu,�Nepal.�

THE�DRIVE�TO�INTEGRATE�TECHNOLOGY�INTO�OUT�SCHOOLS�

“Education� is� a� fundamental� human� process;�it�is�a�matter�of�values�and�action.”�

I�was�the�key�member�of�my�college�student’s�advisory�committee�during�the�second�year�of�my�undergraduate�course.�We� initiated�an�e�learning� system� in� our� university� and� its�affiliated� colleges.� The� university� chancellor�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

was� impressed� by� our� proposal� and� also�funded�our�project.��

Firstly,�we�started�our�project�with�the�help�of�few�engineering� students�of�our�university� in�the� engineering� college� and� then� slowly� to�other�departments.� It� took�nearly�18�months�to� finish� the� project� within� the� university�campus.� Later� we� took� the� project� to� other�schools�in�our�locality.�

Teachers� and� students� have� instantaneous�access� to� vast� amounts� of� information� and� a�wide�range�of�learning�tools.��We�made�these�resources� available� not� only� to� affluent�schools� but� also� to� rural� school� districts� and�inner�city� schools.� The� main� goal� of� this�project�was�to�spread�the�Broad�access,�which�can�reduce�differences�in�the�quality�of�online�education� and� give� children� in� all� areas� new�opportunities� to� learn.� � To� date,� our� project�was� implemented� in� our� complete� university�and�almost�9�schools�in�the�near�by�rural�and�sub� urban� places� of� Salem� district� in� Tamil�Nadu,�India.�

We� provided� schools� with� potential� access�points� and� online� educational� centres� for�exploring� Internet� resources.� A� software�company�called�“Pancharam�systems”�owned�by� my� university� controlled� the� main�database.�

My� personal� conclusion� is� that� all� students,�regardless� of� race,� ethnic� group,� gender,�socioeconomic� status,� geographic� location,�age,�language,�or�disability,�deserve�equitable�access�to�challenging�and�meaningful�learning�and�achievement.� This� concept� has�profound�implications� for� teaching� and� learning�throughout�the�school�community.�It�suggests�that� ensuring� equity� and� excellence�must� be�at� the� core� of� systemic� reform� efforts� in�education�as�a�whole.�

And� we� are� trying� my� best� to� convince� and�explain� its� advantages� to�many�more� schools�

to� establish� e�� learning� system� in� their�schools.�

Manideep�Gupta,�IPA�SF�Hyderabad,�India�

WHERE�IS�THE�PHARMACY�EDUCATION�HEADING�AT�IPSF???�

The� education� portfolio� is� a� relatively� young�area� for� IPSF,� which� has� also� remained�relatively�unexplored.�This�was�also�one�of�my�reasons� to� run� for� the� position� of� the�Chairperson�of�Pharmacy�Education.��

IPSF�through� its�Moving�on�Projects�has�tried�to� create� tools� which� to� help� pharmacy�education� globally.� As� part� of� my� term,� we�were�able� to� revive� the�Moving�On� II� project�again.� This� research�project� tries� to� compare�the� learning� experiences� of� the� enrolled� in�pharmacy�programs� in�a�global� level.� It� is�the�first�to�make�international�comparisons�in�the�field�of�pharmacy�education�and�is�the�largest�study� of� its� type� to� date.� I� feel� that� MO� II�should� be� a� continuous� project� where� it� is�revived�every�2�4�years� to�give�a� fresh�global�and�national�perspective�of�what�students�are�thinking� about� their� programs� and� how� to�improve�them.��

We� should� also� move� on� and� get� global�opinion� for� other� issues,� which� matter,� for�pharmacy� students� across� the� world� by�creating� sequels� to� the� Moving� On� projects.�The� International� Essay� Competition� being�started� this� year� and� should� be� promoted�more� aggressively.� This� competition� could�also�be�source�for�ideas�and�projects�at�IPSF.��

IPSF�does�not�provide�medium�term�and�long�term�research�opportunities� for� its�members.�The� next� chairperson� should� work� towards�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

identification� and� creation� of� internship�positions� in�pharmaceutical�sciences�research�for� interested� members� by� tying� up� with�institutions� and� companies� alike.� � I� also� see�the� need� for� creation� of� an� undergraduate�research�award,�which�will� support�a�project,�proposed� by� IPSF� members� to� encourage�pharmacy�students�to�take�up�research�early.��

IPSF� should� continue� its� close� collaboration�with� WHO� and� FIP� on� the� Patient�Safety�Curriculum� Guide.� The� Pharmacy� Education�Subcommittee� should� be� activated.� Positions�for� Moving� On� coordinators� and� Phuture�coordinator� should� be� created.� This� will� not�only�reduce�the�workload�for�the�Chairperson�but�also�ease�human�resources� issues�for�the�portfolio.��

The� pharmacy� education� portfolio� has�immense� potential� to� individuals� and� the�education� systems.�We�need� to�work�on� this�portfolio,�reviewing�our�progress�and�revising�our�targets�to�make�the�difference�it�can.��

Viva�la�Pharmacie�

Murthy�Chittoory�

Chairperson�of�Pharmacy�Education,�2009�10�

PROJECTS�AND�ACTIVITIES�CLINICAL�SKILLS�EVENT�(CSE)�IN�SERBIA�

Serbia� has� moved� one� step� further� in�developing� its� pharmacy� field� toward� clinical�skills� together�with�medical� students.�For� the�fifth� time� this� event� took� a� place� in� a� Novi�Sad,� Serbia� in� March� 2010,� with� the� quite�popular�topic�“Modern�obesity�therapy”.�This�topic�was�chosen�because�of�potential�failures�and�mistakes� related�with� pharmacotherapy,�nutrition� counselling,� and� also� with� many�misconceptions� about� the� surgical� aspect� of�obesity� treatment.� Improvement� of�

communication� between� pharmacy� and�medical� students� as� well� as� increasing�student’s� knowledge� of� the� mentioned�relevant�issues�was�the�aim�of�this�project.��

During�the�theoretical�part�of�the�project,�the�students� had� the� opportunity� to� be�introduced�with�newest�discoveries,�the�most�common� therapy�mistakes,�diet�of� the� target�population� groups� and� their� physical�activities.� After� gaining� the� theoretical� basis,�participants� took� part� in� a� workshop� in� a�groups� made� from� pharmacy� and� medical�students,�where�they�under�the�supervision�of�moderators� solved�patient� cases.� In�addition,�the�most�valuable�part�of�CSE�was�exactly�that�when� students� identified� and� recognized�patient� problems� and� then� together� made�diagnosis�and�suggested�therapy.��

NAPSer�felt�this�event�needful�because�of�the�importance� of� collaboration� between�healthcare� professionals� which� is� not�recognized�in�Serbia�as�it�should�be.�By�giving�them�a�chance�to�work�as�a�team�during�their�studies,� they�will� perceive� the� importance� of�their� communication� and� make� them�improving� their� clinical� skills� that� can� only�bring�benefits�for�the�patients.�

Judging�by�the� large�number�of�students�that�have�attended� the� conference�and� their� very�positive�comments,�this�CSE�was�a�full�success�and�NAPSer�will�keep�it�doing�like�that.�

Nina�Bukumirovic�

National�Pharmaceutical�Students´�Association�–�Serbia�(NAPSer)�

FIRST�PCE�IN�SLOVAKIA�IN�BIGGER�SCALE�

Our� SPSA� (Slovak� Pharmaceutical� Students´�Association,�www.sssf.sk)�plan� for�year�2009�10�was�really�huge.�We�implemented�two�new�and� great� projects� for� our� members,� the�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Pharmaceutical� Job� Fair� (Farmaceutický� trh�práce)�and�the�Patient�Counselling�Event�(PCE)�in�our�national�level�under�name�Majstrovstvá�v�lekárenskej� komunikácii.� It�was� first� time� in�15�years�that�we�have�had�this�project�and�we�are�really�happy�that�we�achieved�it.�But�how�did�it�start?��

Our� preparation� started� in� September� 2009�when� SPSA� and� SLeK� (Slovak� Chamber� of�Pharmacists,�www.slek.sk)�had�meeting�about�PCE.�We� started� to�work�on� it,� but� in� late�of�year�2009�Ján�R�der�president�of�CPSA�Czech�republic� called� me� with� offer� for� SPSA� join�bigger� Patient� Counselling� Event.� CPSA� has�a�lot� of� experience� with� this� project,� so� the�answer�was�YES.�He�explained�to�me�that�we�will� conduct� it� also� with� faculty� in� Brno� and�their� student� union.� So� in� the� end,� the� PCE�project� involved� 3� faculties,� 3� students´�associations,� Czech� and� Slovak� chamber� of�pharmacists� and� sponsor.� It’s� a�huge� project�for� the� first� year,� isn´t� it?� The� plan� for� the�project�was�divided�into�few�steps.�First,�there�was�an�interactive�whole�day�workshop�about�communication� for� students.� Next,� 12�students� from� each� faculty� moved� on� to�national/regional� PCE.� Then,� there� were� 4�winners,� who� advanced� into� Czech�o�Slovak�PCE� in�Prague.�From�this� round�the�winner� is�coming�to�Slovenia� IPSF�congress�to�compete�with�international�students�in�PCE.��

But�more�about�the�Slovak�part.�The�effective�communication� workshop� held� place� in�headquarter� of� Slovak� Chamber� of�Pharmacists� on� 18March� 2010.� 25� students�attended� this� workshop� and� were� really�happy� they� could� attend� it.� 12� of� these�students�move�on�into�national�Slovak�round.�This�happened�on�8April�2010�in�the�faculty�of�pharmacy.� Three� actor� students� came� to� be�a�pseudo�patient.� One� of� them� was� buying�medicine� for� 8� years� old� sister,� who� had� a�cough.� He� doesn´t� know� all� symptoms� so� he�called� his� mother.� In� mean� time� second�patient� was� in� a�hurry� and� wanted� only�paracetamol� quickly.� The� last� patient� were�coughing� all� the� time� and�making� a� stressful�atmosphere.� Students� had� to� solve� this�horrible� problem.� And� they� did� really� great.�This� event� brought� also� attention� of� media.�Articles�were�in�newspapers�in�local�television�and� also� afterwards� SPSA� were� invited� for�studio�interview�about�SPSA.��

Our� finalists� Matej� Mydla,� Eva� Hroncová,�Marián� Sko�ík� and�Katarína� Krútelová�moved�on� into� Czech�o�Slovak� PCE� round� in� Prague�on�21�April�2010.�The�finals�were�great�and�all�three�faculties�could�showcase�their�qualities.�Our� national� winner� Matej� Mydla� is� also�attending� IPSF� congress� in� Slovenia� and� we�are�really�happy�for�this.�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

Last�part�of�this�project�was�releasing�of�DVD�from� Slovak� part� on� 6May� 2010.� This� DVD�with�12�scenes�could�be�really�helpful�tool�for�teaching� students� how� to� communicate�better.��

Keep� in� touch� with� SLOVAKIA.� May� the� IPSF�spirit�be�with�you!��

�Viva�la�Pharmacie.��

Tom�Valena�

Board�of�Trustees�of�Slovak�Pharmaceutical�Students´�Association�2010�12�

�MOBILE�PHARMACY�IN�NORTHERN�UGANDA�

PROJECT��The� lives� of� nearly� two� million� Ugandan�citizens� have� been� devastated� by� a� twenty�three� year� long� civil� war� between� the�Ugandan� government� and� the� Lords�Resistance�Army� (LRA).� 25�000� children�were�recruited� and� forced� to� become� children� of�war� and� thousands� of� people� were� killed� or�injured.� In� 1996� the� government� made� a�decision� to� move� 1.8� million� citizens� out� of�the�Pader�district�and�into�IDP�Camp.�

Today,� around� 1� million� Ugandans� still�populate� these� camps� and� although� these�camps�were�built�and�designed�with�the�best�intention,� they� lack� infrastructure,� education�systems� and� health� care.� Not� only� they� are�

overcrowded,� poverty� and� disease� are�widespread.� Furthermore,� moving� citizens�away� from� their� homeland� has� resulted� in� a�lack�of�crops�being�planted,�fertilized�and�the�abandonment� of� water� systems,� education�and�health�services.�The�people�of�Pader�want�to� go� back� to� their� homes� and� although�arrangements�are�being�made�to�allow�this�to�happen,�it�may�take�until�the�end�of�this�year.���

An�example�of�one�of� these�camps� is�Amoko�Lagwai,� which� is� home� to� 1,229� inhabitants.�The�majority�of�people�are�unable� to� read�or�write.� The� nearest� health� centre� is� 18�kilometres� away,� which� is� close� to� a� 4� hour�walk.��

The� inhabitants� of� these� camps� commonly�suffer�from�diseases�such�as�malaria,�typhoid,�oral�genital� candidiasis,� dysentery,� fungal�Infections,� worms,� schistosomiasis,� HIV/AIDS�and� TB.� A� symptom� of� a� number� of� the�aforementioned�diseases�is�diarrhea.��

Diarrhea�causes�1.9�million�deaths�in�children�under� 5� every� year1.� In� addition,� unsanitary�environments,� such� as� those� in� IDP� camps,�increase� the� rates� of� pathogens� that� cause�diarrhea�and�facilitate�their�ability�to�multiply�more� easily.� And� treatment� is� simple.� The�WHO�has�reported�that�oral�rehydration�salts�decrease� the� effects� and� duration� of�diarrhoea1� and� i� the� gold� standard� for� the�treatment� of� this� condition.� In� Gulu,� 1� USD�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

covers�enough�treatment�for�100�people�with�diarrhoea.�

On� identifying� a� need� for� the� provision� of�basic� healthcare� in� these� camps,� IPSF� agreed�to� collaborate� with� Respond� ReNU,� a� non�governmental�organization�based�in�Northern�Uganda,� to� establish� and� develop� a� project�that�would�remedy�this.�

Since� the� beginning� of� January,� a� team,�consisting�of�the�Field�Operations�Manager,�a�Physician,� a� Translator� and� three� pharmacy�students,� visited� the� camps� 3� times� a� week�and� provided� basic� healthcare� to� the�inhabitants� of� IDP�camps.�Communication� has�been� established�with� Village� Health�Team� Leaders,� who�communicated� the�visitation� days� to�camp� inhabitants.�On� this� day,� people� requiring� healthcare�assemble� at� a� predetermined� contact� point�and� those� requiring� care�are�assessed�by� the�physician.�The� role�of� the�pharmacy�students�was� to� dispense� medication� and� counsel�patients�on�its�use.� In�addition,�they�played�a�role�in�implementing�public�health�campaigns�on� topics� such� as,� hygiene,� sanitation� and�malaria�prevention.��

Healthcare�for�these�patients�could�mean�the�difference� between� life� and� death� and� this�project� provides� pharmacy� students�with� the�unique�opportunity�to�change�their�world!��

ANTI��TB�CAMPAIGN�2010�

IPSF�BEM�KEMAFAR�Padjadjaran�University,�Indonesia�

On� the� 24th�March,� we� always� organize� the�TB� campaign.� � It� is� a� day,� when� more� than�usual,�we� increase� TB� awareness� because� TB�is�still�there�and�it�kills�people�almost�2�million�per� year.� This� year,� IPSF� BEM� KEMAFAR�Padjadjaran�University�did�a�mini�TB�campaign�with� the� tagline� “We’re� the� Community�Educators,�Stop�TB�Now!”�

We� organized� the� campaign� at� our� faculty�building� and� in� front� of� the� main� gate� of�Padjadjaran� University,� Jatinangor.� Besides�this,�we�put�up�the�TB�posters�in�campus�area,�we� gave� people� stickers� that� consist� of� TB�information�such�as�TB�facts,�how�to�treat�TB,�and� TB� prevention.� We� gave� the� stickers� to�the�students�of�pharmacy�and�other� faculties�around� our� campus� area,� and� also� to� the�lecturers�and�administration�employees.�They�were� so� excited� because� we� also� told� them�directly� about� TB� facts� and� DOTs� strategy� to�cure�TB.��

We�also�approached�the�high�school�students�that� were� visiting� Padjadjaran� University�(School�Goes� to�Campus�event)� and�we� gave�them�TB�information�and�stickers.�

The� weak� points� of� the� event� were� the�limitation� of� stickers� that� we�made� and� also�there�were�students�doing�lab�examination�so�they�couldn’t�join�the�campaign.��

But�with� this�mini� campaign�and�with� a� little�preparation� of� the� committee,� the� campaign�could� be� held�with� a� lot� of� enthusiasm� from�students,�lecturers,�and�also�the�employees.�

Hope�they�can�remember�the�information�and�that�we�also�made�a�difference!!!��

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

��

Nadia�Putri�Utami�Dikti��CP�of�Padjadjaran�University�

References:�

1.� The�United�Nations�Children’s� Fund� (UNICEF)/World�Health�Organization�(WHO),�Diarrhea:�Why� Children� are� still� dying� and�what� can�be�done;�2009�

WORLD�AIDS�DAY�

December�1st�is�celebrated�as�World�AIDS�Day�all�over�the�world.�On�the�occasion�of�such�an�important� day,� the� students� of� Acharya� &�B.M.Reddy� College� of� pharmacy� (ABMRCP)�Bangalore,�Karnataka�–� INDIA�has�arranged�a�

whole�day�of�HIV/AIDS�campaign.��

The� students� had� participated� in� several�events� such� as� poster� presentation,� oral�

presentation� and� debate.� The� students� and�also�the�people�living�around�the�hostel�were�addressed� by� the� guest� lecture� on� the�awareness�of�HIV/AIDS.�

Later� in� the� afternoon� a� BLOOD� DONATION�camp� was� organized,� the� students,� staff�members� and� other� people� had� participated�voluntarily.�There�was�a�marked�achievement�shown�by�ABMRCP�by�collecting�more�than�90�units� of� blood� in� a� day.� It� is� supposed� to� be�the� highest� units� collected� by� any� college� in�one�day.��

The� event� was� a� graceful� one� due� to� large�number� of� enthusiastic� participants� and� also�everyone� was� guiding� and� making� everyone�else�aware�about�the�positive�aspects�of�blood�donation.�The�college�is�proud�to�have�a�great�achievement� and� also� looking� forward� to�making�a�new�mark,�next�year.�

The� fundraising� for� the� children� and� people�suffering� from� HIV/AIDS� was� also� done.�People� donating�money� got� a� red� ribbon� on�their� shoulder� with� slogan� LIVE� STRONG.� It�was� great� to� see� a� huge� participation;� the�funds� raised� were� more� than� 15,000� Indian�Rupees.� This� donation� was� used� for� caring�people� suffering� from� HIV/AIDS� in� hospitals�and�some�was�donated� to�NGO’s�helping� the�HIV/AIDS�victims.�

The� event� ended� in� evening.� It� was� a� great�success� as� students� have� learnt� a� lot� from� it�like� hosting� campaign,� leadership� qualities,�opening�their�social�spheres�and�enjoyed�a�lot�too.� Participants� were� awarded� certificates�for�their�priceless�work.�We�hope�this�activity�will�happen�again�next�year�on�a�much�wider�platform,� so� that� more� people� can� be� saved�and/or�helped.�

Jasmit�Singh�IPSF�Public�Health�Sub�committee�member�IPA�INDIA.�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

WORLD�TUBERCULOSIS�DAY�

World�TB�Day� is� commemorated�on� the�24th�of� March� every� year.� This� year� the�International� Relations� Committee� (IRC)�collaborated� with� the� Singapore� Anti�Tuberculosis� Association� (SATA)� and�organized� a� 2� day� campaign� in� lieu� with� the�health� bazaar� from�22nd�–� 23rd�of�March� to�promote� tuberculosis� awareness� among� staff�and�students�in�NUS.��

The� committee� started� preparations� for� the�bazaar� in� late� February.�Members� of� the� IRC�brainstormed� for� ideas� for� attractive� games�that� are� both� fun� and� educational� about�tuberculosis,�collected�posters�from�SATA�and�also� obtained� loads� of� prizes� for� the� games.�Two�meetings�were�held�to�delegate�work�on�the�various�games,�and�ultimately,�we�settled�with� four� games� which� are� both� innovative�and�educational.��

The� first� game�was� an� on�� the�go� crossword�puzzle�on�facts�about�tuberculosis�which�upon�completion� would� allow� the� participant� to�obtain� a� souvenir� from� the� booth.� The� next�game�was�an�“aim�and�shoot”�game,�whereby�a� participant� had� to� throw� three� ping� pong�balls� into� numbered� cups� and� answer� the�questions� indicated� by� the� number� on� the�cup.� The� third� game� was� a� memory� game,�where� participants� had� to� memorize� a�timeline� on� the� major� breakthroughs� in�treatment,� discoveries� and� diagnosis� of�tuberculosis�and�arrange�these�events�back�in�the� right� order.� The� last� game� was� Mix� and�Match;� participants� had� to�match� six� sets� of�statements� about� prevention,� symptoms,�diagnosis� and� treatment� of� tuberculosis�together�to�win�a�prize.�

On� the� first� day�of� the� campaign,�we�arrived�at�9am�to�set�up�the�stations�and�prepare�the�prizes.�At�first,� I�was�quite�worried�that�there�would�be�no�one�and� it�would�be�difficult� to�

give� out� the� pamphlets� to� the� public,�however,� it�wasn’t� that� hard� and� there�were�actually� individuals� who� were� interested� in�finding� out� more� and� those� who� attempted�the� games.�I�believe�that�the�most�popular�game�was�the�crossword� puzzle� as� we� distributed� many�copies� of� them� and� had� many� students�coming� back� to� the� booths� to� claim� their�prizes.��

I�was� also� quite� surprised� that� our� campaign�managed� to� pique� the� interest� of� Medical�professors�and�cancer�researchers�from�NUH,�who�came�down�and�attempted�the�questions�and�looked�at�the�posters�set�up.�One�of�these�individuals�was�a�doctor�from�NUH,�who�used�to� work� with� tuberculosis� control.� Some�students� took� this� opportunity� to� ask� them�more�about�his� field�of� study�and�also�about�tuberculosis�and�his�experiences�with�patients�who�contracted�the�disease.�I�never�expected�the� campaign� to� be� a� platform� for� medical�professionals� to� teach� and� share� with�students� about� medical� advances� and�experiences�in�the�medical�field.�

I�found�the�experience�organizing�and�helping�out�at�the�campaign�quite�enriching,�because�I�know�almost�nothing�about�TB,� I� took� this�as�an� opportunity� to� learn� more� about� the�disease,� including� its� nature,� prevention,�diagnosis,� treatment� and� prognosis.� The�campaign� also� provided� me� a� chance� to�interact� with� the� “layman”� and� explain� to�them�facts�about�tuberculosis�in�simple�terms.�I� found� that� the� campaign� was� also� a� good�opportunity� to�meet� and�work� together�with�my�fellow�course�mates.�It�was�fun�interacting�with�friends�and�members�of�the�public�alike.�

I’m� sure� that� many� staff� and� students� alike�have� benefitted� from� this� campaign� and� are�now� more� informed� about� the� disease.�Hopefully�through�organizing�such�campaigns,�we� will� learn� to� be� more� competent�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

pharmacists.�May� next� year’s� campaign� be� a�success�as�well!�

Fabian�Aw�Year�1�Pharmacy�Student�NUS�Pharmaceutical�Society�Member�

EVENTS�1ST�EASTERN�MEDITERRANEAN�PHARMACEUTICAL�

SYMPOSIUM���A�NOTE�TO�REMEMBER�

This� year� Eastern� Mediterranean� Regional�Office�(EMRO)�had�a�lot�of�steps�to�go�through�starting� from� empowering� its� roots� by�building� a� strong� foundation,� placing� policies�of� communication� and� ending� by� the� most�obvious�accomplishment�of�our�work� for� this�year:� The� 1st� Eastern� Mediterranean�Pharmaceutical�Symposium�(EMPS�2010).�

The�event�started�as�a�dream�which�came�true�with�the�help�of�the�Jordanian�Pharmaceutical�Students'� Federation� (JPSA)� that� hosted� the�event�and�helped�shape�the�history�of�IPSF�in�the� region.� With� complete� professionalism�and�enthusiasm�the� JPSA�team�organized�the�1st�EMPS.��

The� event� was� hosted� in� Al�Hussein� Cultural�Centre� in� Amman� and� had� delegates� from�Egypt,�Jordan,�Qatar,�Kuwait�and�England.�For�seven� days,� students�were� received�with� the�Jordanian� warm� hospitality� enjoying� the�academic� program� that� included� sessions,�

workshops,� Patient� Counselling� Event,�scientific� poster� exhibition,� public� health�campaign�and�community�service�with�orphan�children,�whom�we�have�accompanied�to�the�amazing�Children�museum�of�Amman.��

And�with� all� the�work�we� did� not� forget� the�entertainment� of� participants� who� enjoyed�charming� Eastern� Mediterranean� nature� in�Jordan� and� tasted� the� Jordanian� food� which�was� delicious� "kteer� zaaki."� After� several�beautiful� places� participants� finished� by�visiting� the� Dead� Sea� for� the� elegant� gala�night� where� EMPS� had� its� closing� ceremony.�This�last�night�was�very�special�with�cheers�for�the� lovely� moments� that� we� all� spent� in�Amman� and� goodbye� tears� of� those� who�came�to�Jordan�as�strangers�to�each�other�and�left�it�as�a�family.�

That�was� the� spirit� of� the�1st� EMPS.�Are� you�thinking�of�joining�the�family�next�year?�

Marwa�Beltagy�

Chairperson�of�IPSF�EMRO�2008�11�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

56TH�IPSF�WORLD�CONGRESS�

AUGUST�2010,�LJUBLJANA,�SLOVENIA�

This�was�the�third� IPSF�World�Congress�that� I�have� attended,� but� my� first� as� an� IPSF�Executive.��I�was�not�sure�what�to�expect,�only�knowing�that�it�will�be�an�extremely�busy�two�weeks.� � It� was� quite� interesting� for� me�because� I� was� meeting� most� of� the� other�executive� members� for� the� first� time;�however,�this�was�not�a�problem�at�all.��Since�we� spend� so� much� time� together,� we� were�like�a�family�instantly.��

With�the�short�time�during�Executive�meeting�3� for� congress� preparations,� the� first� day� of�congress�crept�up�on�us�silently.��Soon,�all�300�participants� from� around� the� globe� were�arriving�in�the�lobby�of�the�DIC�Hostel.� �Some�faces� were� familiar,� but� most� of� them� were�new.��It�was�an�exciting�time�for�all�of�us.��The�friendly� Slovenian� Reception� Committee� (RC)�was� greeting� everyone,� allowing� a� smooth�registration� for� all� the� participants.��

This� was� followed� by� the� opening� ceremony�at�Ljubljana�Castle,�which�stood�majestically�at�the� top�of� the�city,�providing�us�with�a�bird’s�eye� view� of� Ljubljana.� � All� of� the� official�delegates�proudly�received�their�country’s�flag�during� the� opening� ceremony.� � After� this,� it�was�truly�the�beginning�of�the�congress.��

After�introducing�IPSF�to�all�the�participants�at�“Discover� IPSF”,� everyone� mingled� while�workshops� and� General� Assembly� (GA)� were�happening.� � Official� Delegates� attended� GA�and�assisted�with�various�important�decisions�for� the� federation,� while� other� participants�attended� parallel� workshops.� � There� were� a�variety� of� workshops,� which� were� well�received�by�the�audience.� �The�Executive�had�to� ensure� all� the� different� parts� of� the�congress� were� operating� smoothly!� � There�were� also� the� Scientific� and� Educational�Symposium,� which� provided� the� participants�with� some� insight� on� gene� therapy� and�leadership�respectively.�

In� between� all� of� the� workshops� and� GAs,�there�was�a�day�trip�to�Bled,�sports�activities,�a�basketball�show,�salsa�dancing,�and�themed�parties.� � The� RC� was� wonderful� at�coordinating� all� the� social� components� to�ensure�everyone�got�a�taste�of�Slovenia.� �The�RC� also� had� a� public� health� campaign� on�human�papillomavirus.� �Congress�participants�reached� out� to� the� streets� of� Ljubljana� and�the�towns�on�the�Slovenian�coast� to� increase�the� public’s� awareness� about� the� dangers� of�HPV.� � They� provided� the� public� with� short�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���

information�brochures�as�well�as�quizzes.��This�was� the� first� time� that� a� public� health�campaign� was� held� during� a� world� congress�and�it�was�quite�successful.�

Of� course,� there� were� the� traditional� events�of� IPSF,� the� Development� Fund� (DF)� Auction�and� International� Night.� The� Auction� night�successfully�raised�money�for�the�DF�by�selling�various� items� from� the� different� countries.��This�was� followed�by� the� International�Night,�where�the�Executive�tried�dancing�to�Shakira’s�“Waka�Waka.”��All�the�countries�also�brought�treats� to� share� with� everyone� else;� this� was�truly�an�international�event.�

Before�we� knew� it,� it�was� the� gala�night� and�time� for� everyone� to� say� farewell.� � It� was�tiring�journey,�but�an�amazing�one�and�I�have�loved�every�second�of�it.���

“Taste� it!� Live� it!� Never� forget� it!”� � This� was�the� theme� for� this� congress� and� I� have�been�hearing� this� since� the� Romania� congress.� � I�have�to�say,�the�RC�successfully�achieved�what�they� have� strived� for� as� this� was� an�

experience� that� participants� would� never�forget.� � I� would� like� to� thank� my� fellow�Executive�members.�And�on�behalf�of�the�IPSF�Executive� 2009�10,� a� huge� thanks� to� the�Urban� and� his� entire� RC� team.� � All� of� the�Slovenians� were� extremely� hospitable� and�you�ensured�we�all�felt�the�love�in�Slovenia.�

And� because� words� are� not� enough� to�describe�this�amazing�event,�do�visit�the�IPSF�Facebook�page�for�picture�and�videos.�

Finally,�on�behalf�of�the�entire�IPSF�Executive�2009�–�2010,�we�would�like�to�congratulate�the�incoming�executive�team.��We�wish�you�the�best�of�luck�for�the�upcoming�year.�

Vive�la�pharmacie!�

Shirley�Yeung�Chairperson�of�Professional�Development�2009�10�

International�Pharmaceutical�Students’�Federation��News�Bulletin�|�2010���