This handbook for students has been produced within Leonardo da Vinci-programme as a transfer of innovation project “Learning Materials for Pharmaceutical Assistant’s annd Technician’s Foreign Work Placements”,

acronym PHARLEMA (2011-1-FI1-LEO05-06161) during 01.10.2011– 30.09.2013. The publication has been co-funded by the European Comission. The Commission accepts no responsibility for the contents of the publication.

The Netherlands

Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements

Kellebeek College

Acknowledgements

This handbook has been produced by Mrs. Angela Deelen and Mrs. Gerda van der Meer, who offer grateful thanks to the following for their guidance, support, donation of appropriate materials and proof reading for accuracy of this package of information.

All materials of the project are downloadable for free from partner colleges’ websites:• www.bmetc.ac.uk/home.aspx• http://hesotenet.edu.hel.fi/english/etm2/pharlema/index.htm • www.kellebeek.nl• www.ssfkz.si• http://www2.stjohnscollege.ie/• www.ttk.ee

Copyright is the property of all partnership colleges represented by Kellebeek College, the Netherlands. Altering of the materials is prohibited without permission from the partnership group represented by Kellebeek College.

• Students of Kellebeek College Mr. Samir Madjidzada, Ms. Fleur Toonders, Ms. Milou Melis, Ms. Indy Stornebrink, Ms. Özge Cekic, Ms. Macy Verhappen, Ms. Sharon Hazelhoff, Ms. Pebbles Geldtmeijer, Ms. Britte Rood, Ms. Jasmijn van Ginkel, Ms. Risha Adolph, Ms. Kristel Elst, Ms. Ghislan El Mokhtari, Ms. Anissa Peemen, Ms. Wies Kleemans, Ms. Eefje Huijtker and Ms. Marieke van Vugt

• ROC Aventus Apeldoorn-Deventer-ZutphenMrs Erica van den BuijsMrs Anneke Bongers

• Da Vinci College DordrechtMrs Arlette BarlochieMr Jeffrey Hogendorp

• PharmasistsMr Frank JochemsMr Klaas Bos

• Birmingham Metropolitan CollegeMr Robert BiggsMrs Deborah CooperMrs Karen Socci

• Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare SectionMr Matti RemsuMrs Asta LehtinenMrs Kirsi Rosenqvist Students of HVC: Ms. Heidi Kontiainen and Suvi Lahtinen

• Srednja šola za farmacijo, kozmetiko in zdravstvoMrs. Ljubica Gabrovsek Mrs. Katarina VrhovnikStudents of SSFKZ: Mr. Marko Koželj and Mr. Rok Žnidaršicv

St. John’s Central CollegeMrs. Sarah MagnerMrs Majella O´DriscollStudents of SJCC: Ms. Julia Schade, Ms. Yvonne O’Brien and Ms. Crystal McCarthy

• Tallinn Tervishoiu KõrgkoolMrs. Merle Kiloman and Mr. Alar SeppStudents of TTK: Ms. Kristi Lemmik, Ms. Liis Märss and Ms. Karolin Nõmm

• Coordination of the project: Mr. Matti Remsu, Helsinki Vocational College• Editing and layout: Rhinoceros Ltd

   1

Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements in the Netherlands

Content

1. Introduction 2

2. EducationalSystem 52.1. DutchEducationSystem2.2. PharmaceuticalEducation2.3. PharmaceuticalAssistantQualification

3. StructureofPharmaceuticalSector intheNetherlands 9

3.1. HealthCareintheNetherlands

4. DefinitionofProfessions 114.1. PublicPharmacy4.2. ThePharmacyasBusiness4.3. HospitalPharmacy

5. Legislation 23

6. References 25

7. Glossary 26

Appendix: 27TrainingandcoursesforpharmacyassistantsintheNetherlands

2   

1. Introduction Dear Student

u This information package is designed to give you an overall view of vocational education and work in the pharmaceutical sector in the Netherlands, together with some useful background information related to legislation on and dispensing of pharmaceuticals. We hope that the package will help you in preparing for your period of practical training in our country. On reading this material package you may find both differences and similarities in pharmaceutical work in comparison to your country. However, due to your position as a foreign student at your placement address your duties may be limited to those you would be allowed to carry out in your own country.

From a learning viewpoint it might be beneficial for you to go through both your own country’s material package and that of your destination country and to compare the two.

Chapter 3 gives an overview of the structure of the pharmaceutical sector and how it is organised.

Chapter 4 defines how pharmaceutical professions are defined and their core expectations. This chapter focuses on the services that are available for foreign

students as placement opportunities in our country. The sub-chapters also include descriptions of daily work which are intended to assist you in defining the work you will encounter during your practical training period. These “snap shot” descriptions have been written by students during their practical training periods.

Chapter 5 describes the most relevant legislation governing the pharmaceutical sector in the Netherlands.

Chapter 6 has some links to help you with search for more detailed information.

Chapter 7 describes some specific terms and acronyms.

We hope you will find this information package useful and we wish you every success with your practical training period in our country!

   3

u We are delighted you have chosen to come here for your practical training. We sincerely hope you will have a worthwhile and interesting time.

Using this handbook will help you prepare for your international practical training. It will provide useful background information on pharmacies in the Netherlands. Every effort has been made to provide you with up-to-date information. Nevertheless, it is possible you could be made aware of and introduced to new legislation, policies and practices during your practical training, which may have been implemented after the publication of this handbook. If you are unsure about certain aspects regarding your job or job description, the staff at your hosting institute will be happy to support you and help you find relevant information.

In this handbook, you will find a lot of information that will be useful in order to prepare yourself for your stay here. We also hope it will be a useful manual during your practical training. We wish you a pleasant stay in the Netherlands and hope you will have a successful practical training.

The NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a country that’s part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The

capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam; it’s seat of government is The Hague. The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are special municipalities within the kingdom.

The Netherlands has a population of 16.730.632 which, in combination with its surface area of 41.526 km², results in a very high population density. Over 18% of the surface area is water and a large part of the country lies beneath sea level. The country is protected from the water by a system of dikes and waterworks. On an administrative level the country consists of twelve provinces.

Nowadays, the Netherlands is one of the most developed countries in the world and it’s ranked as the seventh economy in the world. The Dutch economy flourishes mainly by the highly developed agricultural and horticultural sectors, service industry and international trade and the transit of goods to Germany in particular.

The Netherlands has been a parliamentary democracy, a form of government in which the monarch, ministers and parliament share the power, since 1848. The Netherlands was co-founder of the European Union, NATO and World Trade

A very warm welcome to the Netherlands!

4   

Organization. The country forms the Benelux with Belgium and Luxembourg.The Netherlands has a moderate climate of mild winters and cool summers. This is due to its geographic position near the North Sea, which causes temperatures to be moderate throughout the year, with slightly higher fluctuations on daily and yearly temperatures in the eastern part of the country.

Education is compulsory from the first day of the month after a child has turned five years old, until the end of the school year in which a child turns sixteen. However, most children start school from the age of four. When a child turns seventeen, there’s still partial compulsory education and the child needs to attend school for at least two days a week. When a school has made educational agreements with certain companies, the child can work there four days a week and attend classes on the fifth.

On average around 10 to 11 million tourists visit the Netherlands on a yearly basis. Among the main attractions are historic cities like Amsterdam, the “Deltawerken” and the polder-like landscape.

The Dutch cities are the main tourist destinations. The capital, Amsterdam, is particularly popular among foreign tourists. The canals with their historic buildings and the big museums are the most important attractions. By welcoming 4,9 million tourists a year, Amsterdam is the fifth most visited tourist destination in Europe and the seventh largest conference city in the world.

The other three large cities have their own specific trademarks. Rotterdam has its impressive skyline and harbor, The Hague has the “Ridderzaal”, “Madurodam” and Scheveningen beach and Utrecht is known for its Dom Tower. Besides these cities there are many more sights worth seeing. Historic cities like Gouda, Delft, Alkmaar, Middelburg, Veere and Maastricht and folkloric towns like Volendam, Marken and Zaanse Schans. Many larger and medium towns, like Eindhoven, Groningen, Breda, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Leeuwarden, Leiden en Nijmegen, also each have their own characteristics.

And then there are theme parks like Efteling, Duinrell, Walibi Holland and the miniature city of Madurodam and several zoos like Artis and Diergaarde Blijdorp.

   5

General education

The Dutch educational system has been organized as follows:

2.  Educational System2.1. Dutch Education System

Educationpreparesyouforparticipationinsociety,whichiswhyschoolingiscompulsoryforchildrenfromtheageof5.However,mostchildrenstartattendingschoolatanearlierage.Primaryeducationprepareschildrenforsecondaryeducation.After8yearsofprimaryschool,pupilscanchoosebetweensecondarygeneraleducation,preparatoryvocationaleducationorpre-universityeducation.

Afterhavingobtainedadiplomainsecondaryeducation,youngadultsneedtotakethenextstep.Whatthisstepwillbeisdeterminedbythesubjectstheygraduatedinandthelevelatwhichthey’vegraduated.

Attheageof17or18,adolescentsfacemakingadecisiononwhatdirectiontheywilltakefromthere,whichcanbequitedifficult.Thepossibilitiesarenumerous,varyingfrommanydifferentformsofvocationaleducationatintermediateorhigherlevels,toaneverincreasingnumberofuniversitycourses.

Everyoneaged18orovercanalsoattendadulteducation.Schoolsarefreetoindependentlycompilethecontentoftheircourses,underthesupervisionoftheeducationinspectorate.Theschoolsaretoaccountfortheirpolicybymeansoflong-termplans.

6   

2.2. Pharmaceutical Education

Training for pharmacy assistantsTrainingforpharmacyassistantscomesintheformofacourseatIntermediateVocationalEducation,level4.ThismeansthatitwillbepossibleforstudentstomoveontoHigherVocationalEducationafterobtainingtheirdiploma.

IntheNetherlands,youcanbecomeapharmacyassistantin2ways.First,througha3-yeartheoreticalcoursewhichincludesinternshipsatvariouspharmacies?Thesepracticaltrainingsmakeupforabout30%ofthecourse.

Second,there’sthesocalledapprenticeship.Studentsaged18oroverwillworkinapharmacyforatleast24hoursaweek.Theywillalsoattendschool2eveningsaweek,inordertobecomeaprofessionalpharmacyassistant.

Inbrief,thesestudentsearntheirdiplomabycombiningpracticalandtheoreticaleducation.

2.3. Pharmaceutical Assistant Qualification

Core tasksOnaneducationallevelwecandistinguish3professionalcoretasksforpharmacyassistants.Thesetasksconsistofsignatureactivitiesandfrequentduties.

Core task 1: Offer pharmaceutical patient careInvolves:– listening to the needs of the patients

Competences:a) Givingattentionandshowing

understandingb) Actinginanethicalwayand

showingintegrityc) Beingabletohandlepressureand

dealwithsetbacks– monitoring medication Competences:a) Workinginateamandconsulting

colleagues

   7

b) Applyingexpertise– preparing medication Competences:a) Applyingexpertiseb) Deliveringqualityproductsc) Followinginstructionsand

procedures– meeting the needs of patients Competences:a) Actinginanethicalwayand

showingintegrityb) Applyingexpertisec) Analysingd) Aimingattheneedsand

expectationsofclients– giving advice and information Competences:a) Workinginateamandconsulting

colleaguesb) Presentinginformationc) Usingmaterialsandmeansd) Aimingattheneedsand

expectationsofclients

Core task 2: Compounding ingredients for medicationInvolves:– compounding medication from raw materials Competences:a) Applyingexpertiseb) Usingmaterialsandmeansc) Planningandorganizingd) Deliveringqualityproductse) Followinginstructionsand

procedures– customizing main medication Competences:a) Workinginateamandconsulting

colleagues

b) Usingmaterialsandmeansc) Deliveringqualityproductsd) Followinginstructionsand

procedures

Core task 3: Carrying out organizational and professional tasksInvolves:– improving your skills and maintaining professionalism Competence:a) Applyingexpertise– improving and monitoring the quality of care Competence:a) Followinginstructionsand

procedures– carrying out stock control Competences:a) Workinginateamandconsulting

colleaguesb) Buildinganetworkc) Usingmaterialsandmeansd) Actinginaprofessionalmanner– carrying out administrational duties Competences:a) Formulatingandreportingb) Followinginstructionsand

procedures

Thecoretasksareintegratedinworkandtraining.Apharmacyassistanthastotakeonmanydifferentrolesandresponsibilitiesthatwillbefurtherexplainedinthenextchapter.

PharmacyassistanttrainingFull-timetrainingtobecomeapharmacyassistantrequiresa3yearcourseof4800studyhours.

8   

Layout of practical placementYear 1:Inthethirdperiodofthefirstyear,thestudentwillbeginwith2weeksoffull-timepracticaltraining.Afterthat,therewillbe6weekswith2daysofpracticaltrainingeachandanotherfull-timeweekattheendoftheschoolyear,allofwhichwilltakeplaceatthesamepharmacy.

Year 2:Afterthesummerholidays,thestudentswillkickoffbydoing2weeksoffull-timepracticaltraining,followedbyanother12weekswith2daysofpracticaltrainingeach.Afterthat,studentsmoveontoadifferentlocation

foranother10weeksofpracticaltraining(3daysaweek)ofwhichthefirstandlastweekwillbefull-time.

Year 3:Afterthesummerholidaysstudentsstartbydoing2weeksoffull-timepracticaltraining,followedby12weeksinwhichtheywillbeatthesamepharmacy2daysaweek.Thenextperiodofpracticaltrainingtakes10weeks.Thefirstandlast2weeksofwhicharefull-time,theother6weekstherewillbe2daysofpracticaltraining.

Thetotalnumberhoursforpracticaltraininginthiscourseis1393hours.

   9

3.  Structure of Pharmaceutical Sector   in the Netherlands

u Fewpeoplecanaffordallthemedicalcaretheyneed.Therefore,healthcareusedtobeaprivilegeoftherich.AfterWorldWarII,theNetherlandsbecameawelfarestate.Withsolidarityatitsbasis,asystemwasdevelopedthatmadeitpossibleforeveryonetoclaimcarefromthecradletothegrave.Andmedicalcareplayedanimportantroleinthis.

Foryears,thefundingofthiscarewasbasedonadistinctionbetweenprivateinsurancesandinsurancesprovidedbytheDutchNationalHealthService.Thisdistinctionwasbasedontheheightofincome.Peoplewithhighersalary,paidmoremoneyforcare.Sotheycontribute,incaringforpeoplewithlowerincome.

TheNetherlandshaveanewhealthcaresystemsince2006.Withinthisnewsystem,everyDutchcitizenisrequiredtohaveabasichealthinsurance.There’snolongeradistinctionbetweenprivateinsurancesandinsurancesprovidedbytheDutchNationalHealthService.ThebasichealthinsurancecoversmanybasicthingslikeGPsandhospitalcare.Alotofmedicationisalsocoveredbythebasichealthinsurance.However,theDutchinsurancedoeshaveanownriskpolicyof350Eurosayear.Thismeansthateveryinsuredpersonhastopayanycostsupto350Euroshimself,ontopofthepremium.Pharmaceutical

careisalsoincludedinapatient’sownrisk.Theaveragebasichealthinsurancecostsabout1100Eurosayear.Ifapersonwantsextrainsurancefordentalcare,certainmedicationorphysiotherapyforexample,hecanoptforanadditionalinsurance.

ThedemandforhealthcarewillrisesignificantlyinthenextfewyearsbecauseoftheagingDutchsociety.It’sexpectedthatthecostsforhealthcarewillrisesignificantlyaswell.Thismeansthatthegovernmentwillstarteconomizing.Asaresult,certainmedicationwillnolongerbe(partially)compensated.

PharmacyintheNetherlandscanbedividedin3(large)categories:

•publicpharmacy

•hospitalpharmacy

•pharmaceuticalindustry

Thetwofirstcategoriesarethemostimportantforapharmacyassistant.Therefore,these2categorieswillbeexplainedinmoredetail.

10   

Cure and careInhealthcareadistinctionismadebetweencureandcare.Healthprofessionalsandorganizationsthatdealwithrecoveryandcurearepartofthecuresector.Long-termhealthcareandsupporttoimprovethequalityoflifearepartofthecaresector.Nursinghomes,institutionsformentallydeficientpeopleandcertainelementsofhomecarearepartofthecaresector.

3.1. Health Care in the Netherlands

Primary and secondary health carePatientswhoneedcarecanvisitprimaryhealthcare:healthcareclosetotheirhomes.Thisisthefieldinwhichgeneralprofessionalswork:generalpractitioners,dentists,pharmacistsandtheirassistants,midwives,physiotherapistsandsocialworkers.Patientscancontactgeneralpractitioners,physiotherapists,dentists,midwivesandsocialworkerswithoutareferralletterbeingneeded.Apatientwillonlybereferredtosecondaryhealthcarewhenhe’sinneedofspecialistcare.

   11

4.  Definition of Professions4.1. Public Pharmacy

u PublicpharmaciesareopentoanyonewhoneedsmedicationthatisprescribedbyaGPordoctororforself-medicationforwhichnoprescriptionisrequired.

Thereareabout1980publicpharmaciesintheNetherlandsofwhichabouttwo-thirdsareownedbyindependentpharmacists.Therestispartofanationalchainofpharmacies.

Thecompoundofmedicationusedtobeanimportantpartoftheworkdoneinapublicpharmacy.Today,thiscraftisindeclinebecausemoreandmoreproductscanbeboughtready-madeandthepreparationisdonemorecentralizedinspecializedpharmacies.

Inmostpharmacieswecandistinguishthefollowingjobs:

PharmacistApharmacististhepersonsupervisingthepharmacyandthepersonwhohasthefinalresponsibilityforalltasksexecutedinapharmacy.Themaintasksofapharmacistarecheckingtheincomingprescriptions,supervisingthepreparationofmedication,checkingthemonitoringsignals,executingthefinancialadministration,administeringstocksandcontactingprescribersandhealthcareinsurers.Thepharmacistwillalsohelpcarrying

outdailytaskslikeassistingatthecounter.

Pharmacy assistantApharmacyassistantisresponsibleformostofthedailytasksatapharmacy.

Themaintasksofanassistantare:– processing prescriptionsWhenadoctorprescribescertainmedicationthisprescriptionwillbesendtoapharmacy.Theassistantmakessurethisprescriptionisprocessedintherightway.Itwillbeenteredinthedatabaseofthepharmacyinformationsystemwiththedataofthecorrespondingpatient.It’simportantthattheassistantchoosestherightpatient,therightmedicationandtherightdosage.Anyinteractionswithothermedicationsshouldbechecked.Processingtheprescriptionendsbyprintingthelabels.

– preparing medication for a patientWhentheprescriptionsareprocessedthemedicationneedstobeprepared.Theprescriptionneedstobematchedwiththerightmedication.It’simportanttotakeinaccountthedosageprescribedbythedoctorsothattherightnumberofpackagesaregiventoapatient.Theprintedinformation,themedicationleaflet,needstobechecked.Thelabelthatwasprintedaftertheprocessingneedstobeappliedtothepackageas

12   

wellaslabelswithextrainformation;forexample‘notforinternaluse’or‘keeprefrigerated’.Itisalsothemomenttodoublecheckthepreviousstep,theprocessingoftheprescription:isthistherightmedicationfortherightpatientintherightdosage?

– helping and informing patients at the counterWhenapatientvisitsthepharmacyhemightrequireaprescribedmedicineoradviceonself-medication.

Incaseheneedsaprescribedmedicine,thepatientshouldbeinformedaboutthemedicationhe’sabouttouse.Thisincludesinformationaboutthewaythemedicationworksanditssideeffects.Anychangesinmedicationneedtobeexplainedtothepatient.Thedosageof

medicationmightbechangedbytheGPandthisneedstobeexplainedclearlytothepatientbythepharmacyassistant.

Whenapatiententersthepharmacywithaquestionaboutacertainillnessforwhichnoprescriptionisneeded,it’simportantthattheassistantgiveshimtherightadvice.ThisiswhentheWHAM-questionsareused:1.Whoneedsthemedication?2.ForHowlonghasthepatienthad

thesecomplaints?2.HasthepatienttriedAnythingelse?4.Doesthepatientuseother

Medication?

Byaskingthesequestions,theassistantwillbeabletogivetherightadvicetotreattheillnesswithoutoverlookinganything.

   13

– processing ordersApharmacyprovidesmanydrugstomanypatientsonadailybasis.Torestockthepharmacycertainitemsneedtobeordered.Theseordersaredeliveredtothepharmacy’swholesaleretaileratnightsotheycanbeprocessedthenextmorning.

Thepharmacyinformationsystemusesparametersfororderingmedication.Assoonasacertaintypeofmedicinereachesacertainminimuminstock,itwillbeorderedautomatically.Wheninstallingtheseparametersthecostsandturnoverofthemedicationaretakenintoaccount.Whenthemedicationisbroughtin,itneedstobecheckedforthebestbeforedate,appearanceandwhetherit’stherightamount.Afteralltheseaspectsarechecked,themedicationisstoredawayattherightlocation.

– compounding medicationSomemedicationiscompoundedatthepharmacy,forexampleointments,creams,potions,capsulesandsuppositories.Whenaprescriptionforacompoundmedicinecomesin,thepharmacistwillfirstputupapreparationprotocol.Thisisadetaileddescriptionofthestepsneededtopreparetheproductandofhowthisprocesscanbemonitored.

Thepreparationwillbedonebytheassistantinaroomdesignatedforthispurpose.Afterthepreparation,theproductwillbecheckedbythe

pharmacistbeforeit’sdeliveredtothepatient.

Assistantsoftenalsohavecertainaspecificspecializationincertaindiseases.Forexample:diabetes,asthma/COPDordiseasesoftheheartorvessels.Ortheyarespecializedinmonitoringbestbeforedates,checkingmedication,supervisingthequalitymanagementsystemoraspecializationindruglegislation.

Pharmaceutical consultantThepharmaceuticalconsultantisresponsibleforcontrollingandsupervisingcertainprojectsinapharmacy,forexample:aprojectthatinformspregnantwomenabouttheuseoffolicacid.Furthermore,apharmacistcanchoosetodelegatesomeofhistaskstoapharmaceuticalconsultant.Likemakingworkschedulesandadministeringholidayentitlements.Beingapharmaceuticalconsultantisarelativelynewfunctionandonlyasmallnumberofpharmacieshaveone.IntheNetherlands,onecanbeeducatedasapharmaceuticalconsultantbyhighervocationaleducation.Thepharmaceuticalconsultantisthepharmacist’sright-handassistant.

DelivererThetaskofadelivererisdeliveringmedication.Allpharmaciesdelivermedicationathomewhenpatientsareunabletocomeandpickitupthemselves.MedicationisalsodeliveredtoGPhealthcenters.The

14   

deliveryisafreeserviceofferedbythepharmacy.

Safety of employeesPreparingmedicationinapharmacymeansdealingwith(possibly)dangeroussubstances.Theemployeecarryingoutthepreparationsmightbeexposedtothesesubstancesandputhisorherhealthatrisk.Acombinationofthesetwofactors(toxicityandexposure)determinesthehealthrisk.

Exposuretodangeroussubstancesshouldbeavoidedasmuchaspossible.Inordertodoso,thefollowingmeasurescanbetaken:

•minimizingexposurethroughlocalventilation(safeworkbenches,adequatelaboratoryventilation)

•respiratoryprotection,glovesandsafetyglasses

•replacingcertainsubstances.Cantheprescribedmedicationbereplacedbyaready-madeproduct?

4.2. The Pharmacy as Business

u Apharmacyhas2sourcesofincome:throughtheso-calledprescriptionruleandthediscountonmedication.

Theprescriptionruleisafinancialcontributionapharmacyreceivesfor

executingtheproceedingsofeveryprescription.However,thiscontributionhasalwaysbeentoolowtocoverthecosts.Inthe80’stheStateSecretaryatthattimedecidedthatthisfinancialgapshouldbefilledbythepharmacies

   15

themselvesthroughadiscountonmedication.

Thesediscountshavebeenunderpressuresince2008duetotheso-calledpreferencepolicyintroducedbyhealthcareinsurerstolimitcosts.Inshortitmeansthatpharmaciescannolongerindependentlydecideonwhatmedicinetheybuy,becauseofnationalcontractsfordifferentgenericmedicines.Thedrugthat’slowestinpriceispreferredbythehealthcareinsurerwhichcausescompetition.Asaresult,thecostsofmanygenericmedicineshavedroppedvigorously(sometimesevenby80%).Thedownsideofthesecontractsisthatmanypharmaciesgetintofinancialproblemsbecausetheprescriptionrulecannolongerbesupplementedbythediscountonmedication.

Thismeansthatinthefuture,thefocusofmanypharmacieswillmovefrombusinesstocare.Pharmacieswillgetpaidforthehealthcaretheyofferandnolongerfortradinginmedication.Inthenextfewyears,pharmaciesandinsureswillmakearrangementsaboutthis,withpharmacieshavingtomeetcertaingoals.

Amongothermeasures,pharmacieswillbeallowedtodeclareacertainamountofmoneywhentheygivetraveladvice,reviewthemedicationofachronicpatientorgivepatientsextraadvice.

Mostpharmaciesareclosedattheweekends,butpatientscanvisitaso-calledservicepharmacy.Thisistheresultofa,oftenregional,partnershipbetweenpharmaciesthatmakessurethatpatientscangettheirmedicationattheweekendswithoutallpharmacieshavingtoopentheirdoors7daysaweek.

4.3. Hospital pharmacy

u Everyhospitalhasapharmacythatprovidespatientsadmittedtothehospitalwithmedication.Besidesregulartreatmentsahospitalpharmacyoftenalsodealswithmorespecializedmedication.

Theassistantsworkinghereneedtopreparethemedicationforthepatientsinthehospital,processtheprescriptionsandcompoundmedication.

Oneofthemaindifferenceswithapublicpharmacyisthatapharmacyassistantworkingatahospitalhaslittlecontactwiththepatients,whereasassistantsinpublicpharmaciesdealwithalotofpatients.Inmanyhospitalsthisischangingthough,sopharmacyassistantsdohavemorecontactwiththepatients.

Thismainlyhappenswhenapatientisadmittedtoordischargedfrom

16   

ahospital.Thepharmacylistsanychangesinmedicationandcommunicatesthistothepublicpharmacy,sothestafftherecancheckifnomistakesweremadeduringtheprocessofdischargingthepatientandwhetherthepharmacyhasafullmedicalreportonthepatient.

Hospitalpharmaciesalsodealwiththecompoundofmedicationmoreoften.Especiallymorespecializedmedicationlikeantineoplasticdrugsorgavage.Inordertobeabletoproperlycompoundthesetypesofmedication,pharmacyassistantsarefurthereducatedwithinthehospital.

CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Principles of profession1.1 AsapharmacyassistantI’mpersonallyresponsibleforthewayIworkinthe

pharmacyandprovidepharmaceuticalcaretopatients.1.2 AsapharmacyassistantIwillmakesuretomaintaintheknowledgeand

skillsbelongingtomyprofession.1.3 AsapharmacyassistantIwillonlyconductpracticesthatarewithinmy

professionalcompetence.1.4 AsapharmacyassistantIwillcontributetosafepharmaceuticalhealthcare.1.5 AsapharmacyassistantIwillsupportandinitiateactivitiesthatimprove

thequalityofpharmaceuticalcareandstimulatetheenhancementofmyprofession.

1.6 AsapharmacyassistantIwillsupportinternsandhelpthemincreasetheirknowledgeandprofessionalismaspharmacyassistants.

1.7 AsapharmacyassistantIwilladaptmyclothing,jewelleryandbodyarttothespecificdemandsofmyprofession.

1.8 AsapharmacyassistantIwillcontributetoaresponsiblewayofdealingwiththeavailablematerialsandmeans.

2. The pharmacy assistant and the consumer 2.1 Asapharmacyassistantmygoalistomakesurethateveryconsumergets

properpharmaceuticalcare.2.2 Asapharmacyassistant,myfocusisonpharmaceuticalcareandthe

interestsoftheconsumer.2.3 AsapharmacyassistantIwillprovidepharmaceuticalcarewhilepayingdue

respecttotheneeds,normsandvalues,culturalandphilosophicalbeliefsoftheconsumer.

2.4 AsapharmacyassistantIwillprovideatrustinghealthcarerelationwiththeconsumer(orhis/herrepresentative).

   17

2.5 AsapharmacyassistantIwillacknowledgeandrespectconsumersaspartnersinhealthcare.

2.6 AsapharmacyassistantIwillprovidetheconsumerwiththerequiredinformation.

2.7 AsapharmacyassistantIwilldealwiththeconsumer’sdatainthepharmacyinformationsysteminaresponsibleandconfidentialmanner.

2.8 AsapharmacyassistantI’mawareoftheconsumer’srightsregardinghisdatainthepharmacyinformationsystemandIwilldealwiththemresponsibly.

2.9 AsapharmacyassistantIwilltreatinformationaboutconsumersconfidentially.

2.10 AsapharmacyassistantIwillrespectandprotecttheconsumer’sprivacy.2.11 AsapharmacyassistantIwillrespecttheprofessionalboundariesbetween

theconsumerandmyself.2.12 AsapharmacyassistantIhavetherighttorefusecertainpharmaceutical

activitiesbasedonpersonalconscientiousobjections.

3. The pharmacy assistant and other care-givers3.1 AsapharmacyassistantIwillworkwithothercare-giversinordertogive

theconsumertherequiredpharmaceuticalcare.3.2 AsapharmacyassistantIrespecttheexpertise,experienceandcontributions

ofothercare-givers.3.3 AsapharmacyassistantIwillsuperviseandguardthepharmaceuticalcare

concerningtheconsumer.3.4 AsapharmacyassistantIwillsupervisethequalityofpharmaceuticalcare,

evenafterdelegatingcertaintaskstoothercare-givers.3.5 AsapharmacyassistantIwillrespecttheprofessionalboundariesinmy

relationtoothercare-givers.3.6 AsapharmacyassistantIwillprotecttheconsumeragainstunethical,

incompetent,unsafeorotherwiseinadequatepharmaceuticalcarebyothercare-givers.

3.7 AsapharmacyassistantIwillsupportothercare-giverswhoencounterproblemswhenactingaccordingtothecodeofconduct.

3.8 AsapharmacyassistantIcontributetothedevelopment,implementationandevaluationofthe(quality)policyofthepharmacyororganizationIworkfor.

18   

The “BIG” law (B= Beroepen (professions) I= Individueel (individual) G=Gezondheidszorg (health): protection of health and care professions and titles

Theprotectionofhealthcareprofessionsandtitlesmeans:

•Thatcertainprofessionsareregulatedbythegovernment

•Theworkingfieldoftheseprofessionsisregulated

•Thatthestudiesfortheseprofessionshavetomeetcertainlegaldemands

•Thatdiplomasobtainedthroughthesestudiesgivetheownertherighttousethetitleofthatgivenprofessionifheorsheregistersto“BIG”aftergraduation.

The“BIG”lawcontainsrulesandregulationsforexecutinghazardousprocedures.Asconsumers,peoplehavetobeabletorelyonthecare-givertoexecutetheseoperationsinaliablewayandasrequired.Thismeansthatpharmacyassistantsarenotallowedtodecidetoexecutecertainregulatedprocedures.Theyalwaysneedpermissionfromadoctororapharmacistfirst.

There’sadisciplinaryboardtoregulatehighqualityhealthcare.Anassistantcanneverbecalledtothedisciplinaryboardaftermakingamistake,asitisthepharmacistwhowillbeheldresponsible.

Student’s description of the jobA day in the life of a pharmacy assistantAsapharmacyassistantyoucanworkindifferentworkingenvironments:inapublicpharmacy,ahospitalpharmacyorinpharmaceuticalindustry.

Whatdoesapharmacyassistantdoonaworkingday?Thatdependsonthetypeofpharmacyyou’reworkingat.Andalothaschangedinthepharmacies.Thecompoundofmedicationissomethingthatalotofpharmaciesdon’tdoanymore.Andmanythingshavebeenautomated,withthehelpofarobotorcomputer.

Below,youwillfindareportonanaverageworkingday.Iworkina

   19

pharmacyfrom8.30AMuntil5.30PM.Thepharmacyisopenfrom8.00AMto6.00PM.

Duringmypracticaltraininginthepharmacy,Iexperiencedthateveryonehasadifferenttaskeveryday.Mydaystartedbylookingupwhatmytaskofthatdaywouldbe.Insomepharmaciesitcanbebusierthaninothers.That’swhythedistributionoftaskscandiffer.Inonepharmacyyouwillanswerthephonewhileyou’reprocessingtheprescriptions.Butinanotherpharmaciesthephonewouldringconstantlysotheyhadanemployeetoanswerphonecallsonly.Otherwisetherewouldbenotimetoprocesstheprescriptions.

8.30AMTodayIstartbycheckingandclearingawayanorder.Icheckwhethereverythingweorderedhasbeenbroughtin,ifanythinghasbeendamagedandthebestbeforedatesontheitems.Onceallthishasbeenchecked,theitemscanbestoredattherightplace.Weusuallydothiswithafewassistants.Itemsweneedforprescriptionsareputwiththatparticularprescription.

Today’sorderwascompleteandtherewasnothingwrongwithit.

9.30AMNextIwillhelpprocessingtheprescriptions.Thistaskinvolvesadministeringtheprescriptionsthathavebeenbroughtininthemorningor

putinthemailboxbypatients.Ichecktheprescriptionstoseeifthedosagesarerightandifcertainmedicationcanbecombinedwithothermedicines.Todoso,Iusethepharmacyinformationsystem.Isearchforaparticularpatientandadministerhisprescription.Incasethere’saninteractionwithothermedication,Iwilldealwiththataswellanddiscussitwiththepharmacistifnecessary.

Asapharmacyassistantyouwillbedoingthismostmorningsandmoveontoanothertaskintheafternoon.

10.00–10.15AMBreak

10.15AM–12.00PMAfterthebreakItakeashiftatthecounter.Mostofthetimes,therewillbe2ormoreassistantshelpingpatientsatthecounter.Thisdependsonhowbusythepharmacyis.

Whenworkingatthecounter,youwillhelppatientswiththeirmedication.Youinformandadvisethemandexplainhowcertainmedicationworks.Workingatthecountermeansyouneedtobefriendly,carefulandprecise.Butthisgoesforprettymucheverythingapharmacyassistantdoes.It’salsoimportantyou’regoodatco-operatingandcommunicatingtopreventmisunderstandings.

AlotofpatientsstopbythepharmacyafteravisittotheGP.Inthatcase,you

20   

havetoadministertheprescriptionfirst,beforehandingoverthemedication.

Today,acoupleofpatientscomplimentedmeonmyservicewhichwasreallyniceofcourse.ButIalsohadtodealwithanangrypatient,becausehismedicationwouldnotbefinanciallycompensated.ItriedtoexplainthesituationtohimaswellasIcouldbuthestillwasn’tveryhappyaboutit.Eventually,hedidpayforhismedication.

12.00–13.00PMLunchbreak.

13.00–15.00PMAfterlunch,Istartpreparingpackages.Itakemedicationfromadrawer,counttherightamountandlabelit.Icheckifeverythingisregisteredinthepatientinformationsystem.Icheckthedosageontheprescriptionaswellasonthelabel,andofcourseifit’sfortherightpatientandfromtherightdoctor.

15.00–15.15PMBreak

15.15–17.30PMInthisparticularpharmacy,theyalsoprepareandcompoundmedication.Thistakesalotmorethanjustmixingsomeingredients.Therearecertainrulesandyouneedtofollowastrictprotocoltomakesureyourpreparationwillbeapproved.Youneedtheauthorizationofthepharmacistbeforestartingthecompound.Therearedays

thattherearenoneornotthatmanycompoundmedicinesneeded.Inthatcase,thatparticularassistantwillhelppatientsatthecounterorhelpprocessingorpreparingprescriptions.

Today,Ihadtomakeafewointmentswhichwereallapprovedbythepharmacist.

17.30PMEndofworkingday.

A day in the life of a pharmacy assistantThepharmacywaseasytoreachbybus.Myworkingdaywouldstartat8.45AMandendat17.15PM.

8:45–10:30AMAt8.45Istartedbyclearingawaytheorders.Ihadtotakethemedicinesoutoftrays.FirstItookoutthemedicationforprescriptionsthathadbeenbroughtinearlier.Iscannedthemandcheckedthepaperworkfromthedistributor,afterwhichIbroughtthemedicationtothepharmacy.Imatchedthemedicineswiththerightprescriptions.Anotherpharmacyassistantstartedmakingpackagesfortheprescriptions.

Icontinuedclearingawaytheorders.IusedtoscantheincontinenceproductsfirstsoIcouldclearawaythebigboxes.ThenIcontinuedwiththeregularproductsthatneededtobeputindrawers.AnotherpharmacyassistantandIcheckedtheorders.SometimesIencountermedicationthatwasn’t

   21

orderedandfindsomethingthatwasorderedmissing.Inthatcase,Iusedtocontactthedistributorandgivethemthecodeoftheorderandthenameofourpharmacy.Theywouldnormallytellmetherightmedicationwouldarrivethenextday.Afterthat,Icouldclearawaythepaperworkandstartstoringtheproductsthatweredelivered.

WhileIwasclearingawaytheorders,thefirstgroupofpharmacyassistantswasallowedtotakeabreak.Ifnecessary,IwouldputwhatIwasdoingonholdtogoandhelppatientsatthecounter.

10:30–10:45AMBreak.

10:45–13:00IfIhadn’tbeenabletocleartheentireorderawaybeforemybreakIwouldfinishthatfirst.Afterthat,Istartedpackingtheprescriptions.Iscannedthemedicationthatmatchedtheprescriptionsandputlabelsontheboxes.Beforeputtingeverythinginpackages,myworkneedstobecheckedfirst.Oncetheprescriptionsthatwerebroughtinearlierwereready,Istartedworkingonotherprescriptions.Itookmedicinesfromthedrawersandmatchthemwiththerightprescription.Iscannedthemandlabeledthem.Afterawhile,IwasallowedtoentertheprescriptionsinPharmacom,thepharmacyinformationsystem.Themedicationwouldbe

addedtothedataofaparticularpatientandIwouldimmediatelycheckifitthesemedicineswereright.

13:00–13:30PMLunchbreak

13:30–15:30PMAfterthelunchbreakIwasallowedtohelppatientsatthecounter.Somepatientscametocollectaprescriptionthatwasbroughtinearlier,whileothershadaprescriptionfromthedoctorwiththem.Inthatcase,IneededtoenterthedatainPharmacomandpreparetheprescription.Whenapatientreceivedmedicationhe’dneverusedbeforeIwouldexplaintheuseoftheproductanditsmainproperties.Therewereclientswhowantedtobuyproductsfromthepharmacy’sstore.Forexampletherewasaladywhocameintobuynasalspray.IrecommendedXylometazolinetoher.Iexplainedtothisladyhowtousetheproductandsoldittoher.

15:30–15:45PMBreak.

15:45–17:15PMAftermycoffeebreakIcheckedwhatnecessarythingstherewerelefttodointhepharmacy.MeanwhileIcheckedtheproductsinthedrawersfortheirexpirationdate.AfterhavingdonetworowsIhadtogoandprepareprescriptions.Ididthisuntil17.15PMwhenmyworkingdayendedandIwasallowedtogohome.

22   

A day at internship09.00AMIstartmyworkingdaybyputtingonpharmacistattire.TheorderhasalreadybeenunpackedbyanassistantandIputeverythinginthedrawers.

09.45AMAftertheorderhasbeenclearedaway,Istartworkingondeliveries.Itaketheboxthatlieswiththeprescriptionortakemedicationfromadrawerandscanitatthecomputer.Whenanopiateneedstobedelivered,Iincludealetterthatneedstobesignedbytherecipient.Icheckthename,addressanddateofbirthandgetabag.Ilabeltheboxandthebag.Thiswilllaterbecheckedbyanassistant.Istartwiththeseprescriptionsastheyneedtobereadybeforenoonsotheycanbedelivered.

10.30AMCoffeebreak

10.45AMAfterthebreakIcontinuepreparingthedeliveries.

11.30AMAfterfinishingthedeliveries,Istartwiththeprescriptionsthathavebeenorderedinadvance.Thisisprettymuchthesameasworkingondeliveriesexceptforthefactthattheydon’tneedaddresslabelsandopiateletters.

13.00PMLunchbreak.

13.30PMAfterlunch,Icontinuepreparingtheorderedprescriptions.AfterthatIstartwiththeprescriptionsthatcameintoday.Theseprescriptionsaren’tputtogetheryetandthemedicationsareputinatray.Thesemedicationshaven’tbeenputinboxesyetsoIneedtogettherightboxesfortheprescriptionsfromadrawer.Therestisthesameaswiththeotherprescriptions.

15.30PMCoffeebreak

15.45PMAfterthelastbreakI’mallowedtoworkatthecounterwithasupervisor.Whenclientscomein,IaskthemhowIcanhelpthem.Someclientshaveprescriptionswiththem;otherscomeinformedicationthatdoesn’trequireaprescription.Somecomeintopickupthemedicationtheyordered.Whentheyonlyneedapre-orderedmedication,Iaskforthenameandaddressofthepatientandpicktheirprescriptionfromatray.Thisprescriptioncomesinabagwithalocationonit.ThislocationtellsmewhereIcanIfindthemedication.Icheckthename,dateofbirthandaddress.Atthecounter,ItellthepatientwhichmedicationI’mgivinghim.Ifthepatienthasnofurtherquestions,hecantakethemedicationhome.

Whenaclientcomesinwithaprescription,Iwillputthatdataintothecomputersystem.Thesystem

   23

checksifhehasusedthismedicationbeforeandifitcanbecombinedwithothermedicines.Wheneverythingischecked,Icangoonandpreparetheprescription.ThenIhandthemedicationtothepatientatthecounter.Ifthepatientisusingthemedicationforthefirsttime,Iwillexplainitsuseandpropertiesfirst.Ifthepatienthasuseditbefore,IwillonlyinformhimaboutwhichmedicationI’mgivinghim.

Ifapatientdoesnothaveaprescription,Ilookinthecomputersystemtoseeifhe’susedthismedicationbefore.If

so,Icheckifthemedicationcanbehandedoutagain.Ifso,Iwillpreparetheprescription.Ifnot,thepatientwillhavetogoandgetaprescriptionfromthedoctor.

Allthistimeanassistantwillbecheckingonme.IcanalwaysaskherifIamdoingsomethingwrong.Inthatcaseshewillcorrectme.

17.00PMThisistheendofmyworkingdayandI’mallowedtogohome.

Legislation affecting Pharmacy practice in the NetherlandsTheMedicalTreatmentContractsAct(WetGeneeskundigeBehandelingsovereenkomst-WGBO)wascreatedtogetmoregriponmedicaltreatments.Accordingtothislaw,apatientneedstoagreetoatreatmentfirst.Naturally,thisalsoappliestotreatmentsinvolvingmedication.

Treatment ContractWhenapatientauthorisesatreatmentthisisconsideredasanagreement.Inmostcasesthisagreementstandsforalongerperiodintimeandapatientwillnothavetoauthoriseeverynewprescription.Informationaboutpatientsarefiledinthepatient’sdossier.Inapharmacy,mosttreatmentcontractsare

5.  Legislationclosedbypharmacyassistantswhoactonbehalfofthepharmacist.

There’sapossibilitythatthetreatmentcontractisregistered.Patientsthathandinpresciptionsoraskforadviceormedicationatapharmacywillautomaticallyauthoriseanagreement.

Rights and obligationsRights of the patient1.Righttoinformation

•Aboutpossibleside-effects

•Aboutpossiblealternatives

•Onwhenthemedicationwillstartworking

2.Righttoadequatetreatment

•Thepharmacistdoeseverythinghecantochoosetherightmedicationforapatient

24   

3.Righttoprivacy4.Righttosecrecy

•Informationaboutapatient,obtainedbythepharmacyassistantorapharmacy,cannotbeshared.Thepatient’sdossierisopentodoctorsandpharmacistsonly,ifauthorisedbythepatient.

5.Righttoviewownmedicalfiles

Obligations of the patientThepatientisobligedtoinformthepharmacistabouteverythingthatcouldbebeneficialtothetreatment.Forexample:–Allergies,useofothermedication,etcetera

Thepatientisalsoobligedtopayforthetreatment.Mostexpensesarecoveredbyhealthinsurancebutinsomecasesthepatientwillhavetopayformedicationthatisnotpaidforbytheinsurancecompany.

Obligations of the pharmacist1.Toprovideinformation

•Aboutpossiblealternatives

•Aboutpossibleside-effects

•Abouthowthemedicationworks

•Onwhentheeffectofthemedicationcanbenoticed

2.Toaskthepatienttoconsenttothetreatment,asnoticedabove

3.Tomaintainthepatient’smedicalfiles(allfileswillbesavedfor15years)

4.Toguardtheprivacyofthepatient

Rights of the pharmacistThepharmacistisallowedtobreakanagreementforcompellingreasons.In

thatcase,thepatientshouldbereferredtoanotherpharmacy.

The BIG law and the pharmacistApharmacistisonlyallowedtocarrythistitleaftergraduatingasapharmacistandbeingregisteredintheBIGregister.ThelawonProfessionsinIndividualHealthcare(BeroepenindeIndividueleGezondheidszorg-BIG)protectspatientsfromimproperandcarelessactionsbypeopleworkinginhealthcare.

Inspection on Healthcare Services (Inspectie voor de GezondheidsZorg – IGZ)TheIGZsupervisesthequalityofmedicationandhealthcareprovidedbypharmacies,GPsofferingpharmacyservicesandhospitalpharmacies.Thissupervisionisaimedatmaintaininglegalprovisions,promotingmedicationsafetyandatthequalityoftreatmentsforillnessesanddiseasesusingmedication.

OHS legislation (Occupational Health and Safety)EmployersareobligedtoabideOHSlegislation,soemployeescanworksafelyandinahealthyenvironment.Potentialrisksinapharmacist’sworkingcultureare:

•Physicalrisks

•Fallhazardsandbumphazards

•Psychologicalandsocialstress

•Preparingmedication

   25

Supervising the quality and hazards of medication (pharmacovigilance)Sometimesmedicationcanimposeahealthrisk.It’sthetaskoftheDutchministeryofPublicHealth,WelfareandSports(VWSinDutch)toguaranteethequalityandsafetyofmedication.

Beforeamanufacturercanbringamedicineontothemarket,itwillbetestedonitseffectiveness,qualityandpotentialrisks.TheMedicinesEvaluationBoard(CollegeterBeoordelingvanGeneesmiddelen-CBG)willmonitorwhichmedicinescanbelaunchedontothemarket.Sometimes,medicationdoesn’tshow

itsside-effectsuntilit’sactuallyinuse.Anational,aswellasaEuropeanmonitoringsystemregistersandresearchesunknownandunsuspectedinteractionsbetweenmedicines.IntheNetherlandthisisdonebyLarebPharmacovigilanceCentre.LarebinformsCBGaboutside-effects.CBGwillsuperviseanyfurtherresearch.

Dutch Medicines ActTheDutchMedicinesAct(2007)containsregulationstostimulatethesafeuseofmedication.Doctorsandpharmacistsareobligedtoreportsevereside-effectsandtherearerulesforprescribingmedicationovertheInternet.

www.arbo-apotheek.nl

www.rijksoverheid.nl

www.apotheek.nl

www.knmp.nl

www.igz.nl

www.optimafarma.nl

6.  References

26   

Primary education(primaryschool):obligatoryforallchildrenfromtheageof5-12.Mostchildrenstartattendingschoolattheageof4

Secondary education(secondaryschool):Differentlevelsofeducationforchildren(12andup)

DNHS:DutchNationalHealthService

WHAM questions:WhoneedsthemedicationForHowlonghasthepatienthadthesecomplaintsHasthepatienttriedAnythingelseDoesthepatientuseotherMedication

COPD:ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease

BIG (law):Beroepen(professions)Individueel(individual)Gezondheidszorg(health)=protectionofhealthandcareprofessionalsandtheirtitles

IGZ:InspectievoordeGezondheidszorg=healthcareinspectorate

VWS:MinisterieVolksgezondheidWelzijnenSport=ministryofhealthcare,socialwelfareandsport

CBG:CollegeterBeoordelingvanGeneesmiddelen=evaluationofmedicines

Lareb=TheNetherlandsPharmacovigilanceCentreLarebcollectsandanalysesreportsofadversereactionsofmedicinesandvaccines

7.  Glossary

   27

Appendix:

Training and courses for pharmacy assistants in the NetherlandsKellebeekCollege Etten-LeurArcusCollege HeerlenROCGildeOpleidingen VenloROCSchoolvoordezorgsector EindhovenKoningWillem1College’s HertogenboschROCZeeland GoesDaVinciCollege DordrechtAlbedaCollege RotterdamROCZadkine RotterdamROCMondriaan Den-HaagIDCollege LeidenROCNOVACollege HaarlemROCvanAmsterdam AmsterdamRegioCollegeZaanstreek ZaandamROCHorizonCollege PurmerendHorizonCollege AlkmaarROCMiddenNederland UtrechtROCASA AmersfoortROCNijmegen NijmegenRijnIJsselCollege ArnhemROCFlevoland LelystadROCAventus DeventerROCvanTwente HengeloROCvanTwente AlmeloDeltionCollege ZwolleAlfaCollege HoogeveenROCFriesePoort LeeuwardenNoordepoortCollege Groning

This handbook for students has been produced within Leonardo da Vinci-programme as a transfer of innovation project “Learning Materials for Pharmaceutical Assistant’s annd Technician’s Foreign Work Placements”,

acronym PHARLEMA (2011-1-FI1-LEO05-06161) during 01.10.2011– 30.09.2013. The publication has been co-funded by the European Comission. The Commission accepts no responsibility for the contents of the publication.

The Netherlands

Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements

Kellebeek College

Acknowledgements

This handbook has been produced by Mrs. Angela Deelen and Mrs. Gerda van der Meer, who offer grateful thanks to the following for their guidance, support, donation of appropriate materials and proof reading for accuracy of this package of information.

All materials of the project are downloadable for free from partner colleges’ websites:• www.bmetc.ac.uk/home.aspx• http://hesotenet.edu.hel.fi/english/etm2/pharlema/index.htm • www.kellebeek.nl• www.ssfkz.si• http://www2.stjohnscollege.ie/• www.ttk.ee

Copyright is the property of all partnership colleges represented by Kellebeek College, the Netherlands. Altering of the materials is prohibited without permission from the partnership group represented by Kellebeek College.

• Students of Kellebeek College Mr. Samir Madjidzada, Ms. Fleur Toonders, Ms. Milou Melis, Ms. Indy Stornebrink, Ms. Özge Cekic, Ms. Macy Verhappen, Ms. Sharon Hazelhoff, Ms. Pebbles Geldtmeijer, Ms. Britte Rood, Ms. Jasmijn van Ginkel, Ms. Risha Adolph, Ms. Kristel Elst, Ms. Ghislan El Mokhtari, Ms. Anissa Peemen, Ms. Wies Kleemans, Ms. Eefje Huijtker and Ms. Marieke van Vugt

• ROC Aventus Apeldoorn-Deventer-ZutphenMrs Erica van den BuijsMrs Anneke Bongers

• Da Vinci College DordrechtMrs Arlette BarlochieMr Jeffrey Hogendorp

• PharmasistsMr Frank JochemsMr Klaas Bos

• Birmingham Metropolitan CollegeMr Robert BiggsMrs Deborah CooperMrs Karen Socci

• Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare SectionMr Matti RemsuMrs Asta LehtinenMrs Kirsi Rosenqvist Students of HVC: Ms. Heidi Kontiainen and Suvi Lahtinen

• Srednja šola za farmacijo, kozmetiko in zdravstvoMrs. Ljubica Gabrovsek Mrs. Katarina VrhovnikStudents of SSFKZ: Mr. Marko Koželj and Mr. Rok Žnidaršicv

St. John’s Central CollegeMrs. Sarah MagnerMrs Majella O´DriscollStudents of SJCC: Ms. Julia Schade, Ms. Yvonne O’Brien and Ms. Crystal McCarthy

• Tallinn Tervishoiu KõrgkoolMrs. Merle Kiloman and Mr. Alar SeppStudents of TTK: Ms. Kristi Lemmik, Ms. Liis Märss and Ms. Karolin Nõmm

• Coordination of the project: Mr. Matti Remsu, Helsinki Vocational College• Editing and layout: Rhinoceros Ltd