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.

Finland

Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements

Helsinki Vocational College

Acknowledgements

This handbook has been produced by Mrs. Asta Lehtinen, Mrs. Kirsi Rosenqvist and Mr. Matti Remsu 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 Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare Sector, Education Department, City of Helsinki, Finland. Altering of the materials is prohibited without permission from the partnership group represented by Helsinki Vocational College.

• Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare Sector Mrs. Paula AistrichMrs. Marjo HavukainenMrs. Maija MooreStudents of HVC: Ms. Anna Laihanen, Ms. Emmi Nieminen, Ms. Janita Singh and Ms. Marika Tuohino

• Savo Consortium for Education (peer evaluation)Mrs. Jaana Jaakonaho Mrs. Tarja Tarvainen

• Oulu Vocational College (peer evaluation)Mrs. Tiina Toukkari Mrs. Sari Karhu

• Srednja šola za farmacijo, kozmetiko in zdravstvoMrs. Katarina VrhovnikMrs. Ljubica Gabrovsek Students of SŠFKZ: Ms. Lidija Kranjec and Ms. Karin Jurcvek

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

• St. John’s Central CollegeMrs. Sarah MagnerMrs Majella O´DriscollStudents of SJCC: Ms. Lydia Dowley and Ms. Jemma Hurley

• Kellebeek CollegeMrs. Angela DeelenMrs. Gerda van der MeerStudents of ROC Aventus: Ms. Mirna van Dartel and Ms. Sanne van Schaik

• Birmingham Metropolitan CollegeMr. Robert BiggsMrs. Karen SocciMrs. Deborah Cooper

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

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Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements in Finland

Content

1. Introduction 2

2. EducationalSystem 52.1. FinnishEducationSystem2.2. PharmaceuticalEducation2.3. CurriculumContentofPharmaceuticalAssistantsandTechnicians

3. StructureofPharmaceuticalSectorinFinland 103.1. HealthCareSysteminFinland3.2. PharmaciesinFinland

4. DefinitionofProfessions 124.1. RetailPharmacy4.2. HospitalPharmacyandHospitalDispensary4.3. PharmaceuticalIndustry4.4. Wholesalers

5. Legislation 24

6. References 28

7. Glossary 29

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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 Finland, 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.

In Chapter 2 you will find a general description of our country’s education system and more information on how pharmaceutical training is provided in our country.

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 Finland.

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!

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Welcome to Finland!

u We are happy that you have chosen Finland as the destination for your practical training and we hope you will have a successful and productive learning experience.

Finland is one of the Nordic countries located in north-eastern Europe. The country became independent on 6th December 1917. Prior to that we were a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire and before that part of the Swedish Kingdom. Finland is a constitutional democracy and has a multiparty system. There are 16 registered political parties (2012), 8 of which have seats in Parliament. The country joined the European Union in 1995 after a referendum in 1994 in which 57% of the population supported membership.

Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. The official minority language Sami is spoken in most northern municipalities by less than 2000 inhabitants.

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The population is approximately 5.5 million, of which more than 90% are Finnish speaking. The Swedish speaking population, some 5.5% of the population, is located on the southern and western coastlines and in the Åland autonomous province. The rest of the population consists of migrants of various nationalities, of which Russians and Estonians are the biggest groups.

The southern province of Uusimaa is the most densely populated area with approx. 1.5 million inhabitants. Three of the four biggest cities are located in Uusimaa: Helsinki (capital of Finland), Espoo and Vantaa. There are some 19 cities that have more than 50,000 inhabitants and numerous smaller towns all around the country. As a pharmaceutical sector student coming to Finland for practical training, your destination may be in the capital area, in Turku (approx. 180,000), in Oulu (just under 150,000 inhabitants), Kuopio (just under 100,000), or Vaasa (approx. 60,000).

In comparison to other European Union Member States Finland is the fifth largest by land area but has the lowest population density, only 16 inhabitants per km².

According to Eurobarometer (2005) almost 2/3 of the respondents in Finland indicated that their English language skills were good enough for conversation, so you can be sure that you will be able to communicate in English!

We would be happy to welcome you for a practical training period in Finland!

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u ThediagramistogiveyouanoverallviewonstructureoftheeducationalsysteminFinland.Educationisfreeonalllevelsofthesystem.Inbasiceducation,generaluppersecondaryeducationandinuppersecondaryvocationaleducationandtrainingstudentsarealsoentitledtofreemealaday.

2.  Educational System2.1. Finnish Educational System

Source:NationalBoardof

EducationCompulsoryeducation

beginsattheageof7andlastsfor

9years.Itisprovidedinasingle

structuresystemcalledbasic

education.Thenine-yearbasic

schoolingisfreeforallpupils.

Allchildrenhavetherightto

participateinvoluntarypre-primary

educationduringtheyearpreceding

compulsoryschooling.Nearlyall

six-year-oldsdoso.

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Generaluppersecondaryeducationcommonlytakesthreeyearstocompleteandgiveseligibilityforpolytechnicanduniversitystudies.Attheendofuppersecondaryschoolstudentsusuallytakethenationalmatriculationexamination.Typically matriculated students apply either to universities or polytechnics for higher education. Those matriculated students not being able to pass entry exams to universities or polytechnics may apply for upper secondary vocational education. Due to completed three year general

upper secondary education their studies in vocational education last two years. Students coming to vocational education directly from compulsory basic education are to complete their vocational studies in three years.

Pharmaceutical education in Finland is only available in upper secondary vocational education and training and in universities. Polytechnics – or Universities of Applied Sciences do not offer pharmaceutical training.

2.2. Pharmaceutical Education

Pharmaceutical education and training in universitiesMasterofScience(Pharmacy)isahigheruniversitydegree.MastersofScience(Pharm.)workinsupervisoryandexpertfunctions.Pharmacists(retailpharmacy),hospitaldispensarypharmacists,andresponsiblepharmacistsinthepharmaceuticalindustryandpharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesmusthaveamaster’sdegreeinpharmacy.

BachelorofScience(Pharmacy)isaloweruniversitydegree.BachelorsofScience(Pharm.)mainlyworkinpharmaciesincustomerserviceandprovidingpharmaceuticalguidance,inhospitaldispensarieswithresponsibilityforpharmaceuticalproductionandindispensingofdrugs.Inpharmaceuticalcompaniesandpharmaceuticalwholesalecompanies,Bachelorsof

Science(Pharm.)workininspectionandsupervisoryfunctions.

Pharmaceutical training in vocational educationPharmaceuticaltechniciansandassistantsaretechnicalworkerswhohavestudiedatavocationalschool.Thosecompletingsuchstudiespreviouslyreceivedthetitlepharmaceuticalworker.Theirtasksweresimilar.Pharmaceuticaltechnicianshavespecialisedduringthelastyearoftheirstudiesinpharmacywork,pharmaceuticalassistantsinhospitaldispensaries,aswellasinpharmaceuticalcompaniesandpharmaceuticalwholesalecompanies.Belowyouwillfindmoredetailedjobdescriptionsbyfieldofoperation.

Therearealsopeoplewithnoeducationinthefieldworkinginauxiliary

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functionsinthepharmaceuticalfield.Theirtasksvarygreatly.

Pharmaceutical assistant and pharmaceutical technician training programmesInpharmaciespharmaceuticaltechnicianstakecareofstorage(e.g.ordering,receivinggoodsandtakingthemtothestoragelocation).Theirtasksoftenincludeofficeworkandrecordingprescriptions.Inaddition,pharmaceuticaltechnicianstakecareofinvoicingtheSocialInsuranceInstitution(Kela)andcreditcustomers,aswellasofwindow-dressinganddecoratingcustomerpremises.

Inhospitalpharmaciespharmaceuticalassistantsworkin,forexample,pharmaceuticalproduction

departments,logisticsandinhospitaldispensaries.

Pharmaceuticalassistantsspecialisinginthepharmaceuticalindustrymayworkasassistantsin,forexample,clinicalresearch,marketing,orresearchanddevelopment.Theymightalsospecialiseinpharmaceuticalproduction,beingfamiliarwiththetreatmentofstartingmaterialsandtheuseofequipmentandmachineryrequiredforthepharmaceuticalmanufacturingprocess,tonamejustacoupleofexamples.

Pharmaceuticalassistantsspecialisinginpharmaceuticalwholesalingstore,pickandpackmedicinesandotherproductsfororderassemblyandtakecareofcustomerserviceandpurchasing.

2.3. Curriculum Content of Pharmaceutical Assistants and Technicians

u Pharmaceuticaltechniciansworkinpharmaciesandpharmaceuticalassistantsinhospitalpharmaciesunderthesupervisionofapharmacist.Pharmaceuticalassistantsmayalsobeemployedinthepharmaceuticalindustryorinthewholesalesector.Theyassistinthepreparation,checking,storageanddispensingofdrugs.Theirworkdutiesmayalsoincludeofficeandcomputerwork.Pharmaceuticaltechniciansnorassistantsarenotallowedtogiveadviceonmedication.

ThescopeoftheVocationalQualificationinPharmaceutics(PharmaceuticalAssistantorPharmaceuticalTechnician)is120credits.Studentscandothetrainingfollowingcompletionofbasiceducation,inwhichcaseitlasts3years,orafterpassingthematriculationexamination(completionofuppersecondaryschooleducation),inwhichcaseitlasts2years.ThegradingscaleandpassrequirementsareExcellent3,Good2,Satisfactory1(lowestacceptableperformance1).

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Thequalificationgivesgeneraleligibilityforfurtherstudiesatauniversityorpolytechnic.ThelanguageofeducationisFinnish.

Curriculum:Pharmaceuticalassistant/technician(Finland,forexampleHelsinkiVocationalCollege,WelfareSector)(credit=40hrsofworkforstudent)

•Basic vocational studies(40cr.)(listofcoursesandcreditsmakingupthemodules)

>Workinginthepharmaceuticalfield(9cr.theory+1cr.on-the-joblearning)>Commandofinformationtechnology(10cr.theory+5cr.on-the-joblearning)>Logistics(10cr.theory+5cr.on-the-joblearning)Basic vocational studies are compulsory for both pharmaceutical technician and pharmaceutical assistant.

•Aftercommon/basicvocationalstudymodulesthestudenthastochooseonefromthefollowingoptional study programmes(1x30cr.=10cr.theory+20cr.on-the-joblearning):

>Pharmacywork(choosingthisoption,studentwillgraduateaspharmaceuticaltechnician)

>Hospitalpharmacywork(choosingthisoption,studentwillgraduateaspharmaceuticalassistant)

>Pharmaceuticalindustrywork(choosingthisoption,studentwillgraduateaspharmaceuticalassistant)

>Pharmaceuticalwholesalework(choosingthisoption,studentwillgraduateaspharmaceuticalassistant)

Thus the difference between two qualification titles derives from choosing one of the optional study programmes.

•and two optional studymodules(10creditseach)>Qualityworkinpharmaceutics>Visualmerchandisingandmarketing>Commandofinformationtechnology>ManufacturingmedicinalproductsPharmaceutical technicians and pharmaceutical assistants are to choose two optional modules according to their own interest.

Composition of the qualification Thecompulsoryqualificationmodulesforallcandidatesareworkinginpharmaceutics(10cr.),information

technology(15cr.)andlogistics(15cr.).Inaddition,candidatesmustalsotakeoneofthefollowingqualificationmodules:workingata

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hospitaldispensary(30cr.),workinginthepharmaceuticalindustry(30cr.),workinginthepharmaceuticalwholesalebusiness(30cr.).Inaddition,candidatesmusttakeoptionalqualificationmodulesthatsupportvocationalspecialisation,suchasqualitywork,useofinformationtechnologyatworkandpreparationofpharmaceuticals.Furthermore,itispossibletochoosemodulesfromothervocational,furtherandspecialistqualifications.

Thetotalcreditvalueofthevocationalqualificationmodulesis90credits(thisdoesnotincludecompetence-basedqualificationmodules).Inaddition,studentsenteringtheprogrammeafteruppersecondaryschoolmusttake20creditsofcoresubjectsand10creditsoffree-choicequalificationmodules.Studentsmayindividuallychoosemodulestoexpandthequalification.

Vocational skills and competences required for completion of the qualification Thosewhohavecompletedthequalificationshall:

•haveacommandofpharmacylogistics;

•knowhowtouseITequipmentandsoftware;

•knowhowtopickandpackpharmaceuticals/befamiliarwithqualityrequirements/knowhowtohandlecustomerreturns;

•knowhowtotreatpharmaceuticalandchemicalwaste/takeinto

accountsalesbansandquarantines/befamiliarwiththelifecyclesofpharmaceuticals;

•beabletoworkindosagedispensation/storage/pharmaceuticalindustryassignments;

•beabletoworkergonomicallyandincompliancewiththeprinciplesofbusinessoperationsandsustainability;

•beabletofunctionproactively,co-operativelyandinaquality-consciousandservice-orientedmanner;

•knowhowtodrawupthenecessarymessagesandworkreports,makinguseofinformationtechnology;

•beabletoassumeresponsibilityfortheirownwork,assesstheirownworkperformanceanddeveloptheirvocationalskills;

•beabletomanageinwork-relatedinteractivesituationsinoneforeignlanguageandbothnationallanguages.

TherearefivedifferentvocationalcollegesinFinlandprovidingthequalification(inalphabeticalorder):

•Stadinammattiopisto,hyvinvointiala–HelsinkiVocationalCollege,WelfareSector

•Oulunseudunammattiopisto–OuluVocationalCollege

•Savonammatti-jaaikuisopisto–SavoConsortiumforEducation

•Turunammatti-instituutti–TurkuVocationalInstitute

•YrkesakademiniÖsterbotten–VocationalEducationandTraining(EducationprovidedinSwedish)

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3.  Structure of Pharmaceutical   Sector in Finland3.1. Health Care System in Finland

u SafeguardingthehealthofFinnishcitizensisbasedontheconstitutionofFinlandandonsocialandhealthlegislation.Theprovisionofhealthcareservicesavailableforeveryoneasspecifiedinlawbelongstotheobligationsofmunicipalities.InFinland,basichealthcareservicescanbeobtainedbothfrompublichealthcareproviders(healthcentresandhospitals)withmainlyfreeservicesandfromprivateserviceproviders.PublichealthcareisvirtuallyfreeofchargeandavailableforallthoselivinginFinland.Forhealthcentreservicestheclientpays,forexample,onlyanannualfeeof20eurosandtherestofthecostsarecoveredbymunicipalandstatetaxfunds(thisvariesindifferentpartsofFinland).Forhospitalstays,theclientpaysafixeddailyrateofabout20euros,andforvisitstooutpatientclinicsaboutthesamesum.Theproblemwithpublichealthcareservicesisthataccesstotreatmentmaysometimestaketimeandthattherearemanypeopleneedingtreatment,whichmeanstherewilloftenbequeues.

Privateserviceprovidersoffersimilarservices,fromprimaryhealthcaretohospitalservices.Somepeoplepayfortheservicesthemselves,somemayholdinsurance,andforsomeoccupationalhealthcarewillcoverthecostsofsuchprivatelyprovidedhealthcare.Servicesarerelativelyexpensivebutalsoquick.

InFinland,everypersoniscoveredbyhealthinsurance.Ifanannualmaximumsumdefinedfortheinsuranceisexceeded,theclientwillonlyneedtopayanominalsum,suchas1.5eurosperprescriptionmedicinebought.

Thenationalhealthinsurancereimburses,forexample,drugsprescribedbyadoctorthatarenecessaryforthetreatmentofdisease.Drugreimbursementcovers:

•medication

•dietaryfoods

•basicointmentsusedforthetreatmentofchronicskindisease

•medicationprescribedbydentists.

3.2. Pharmacies in Finland

u InFinlandyoucanonlybuymedicinesinretailpharmacies.InFinland,pharmaciesareprivately

owned,withtheexceptionofuniversitypharmacies,whicharecompaniesownedbythestateandadministeredby

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Reimbursementsaredividedintothreeclasses:

•basicreimbursementof35%ofthedrugpriceorreferenceprice

•lowerspecialreimbursementof65%ofthedrugpriceorreferenceprice

•higherspecialreimbursementof100%ofthedrugpriceorreferenceprice;thecustomerwillneverthelesshavea3-euromandatorypaymentforanydrugbought.

Customerswillreceivethereimbursementdirectlyfromthepharmacyaslongastheypresentwhatiscalledtheir“Kelacard”orotheridentificationcardwithsocialsecuritynumberinconnectionwiththepurchaseofprescriptiondrugs.Withthissocialsecuritynumberthereimbursementinformationcanbecalledupelectronicallyfromthenationaldatabase(includinganoteofanyentitlementtospecialreimbursementduetoaspecificdisease).Ifamedicinefallswithinthescopeofthereferencepricesystemanditspriceexceedsthereferenceprice,customerswillneedtopayanyshareexceedingthereferenceprice.

Finlandappliesgenericsubstitutionandareferencepricesystem.Thismeansthatoncertainconditionspharmaciesareobligedtoexchangethemedicinalproductprescribedbyaphysicianoradentistforthecheapestorclosetocheapestcommonlyavailableinterchangeablemedicinalproduct.

universities.Therearetwouniversitypharmacies,oneisadministeredbytheUniversityofHelsinkiandtheotherbytheUniversityofEasternFinland.TheHelsinkiUniversityPharmacyhasseveralpharmacypointsofservice,fiveofthemsituatedinHelsinki.Helsinkiisalsothelocationofapointofservicewherethecompanyadministration,pharmaceuticalmanufacturing,invoicingandothersimilaractivitiestakeplace.Inaddition,theUniversityPharmacyhas12pointsofserviceintheothermajorFinnishcities.TheUniversityofEasternFinlandpharmacyissituatedinKuopio.

InFinlandmostprescriptionsareinelectronicform.Withanelectronicprescriptionthepharmacistneedsanidentificationcardandtwoidentificationcodestoprocesstheprescriptionatthepharmacy.TohandleanelectronicprescriptionyouhavetobearegisteredpharmacistinFinland.Pharmacisttechniciansdonothaveidentificationcardsandthustheydonothandleprescriptions.

Customersreceivepartialorcompletereimbursement(seebelow)forproductstheybuyifthePharmaceuticals Pricing BoardworkinginconnectionwiththeMinistry of Social Affairs and Healthhasconfirmedreimbursabilityandamoderatewholesalepricefortheproducts.Inaddition,theproductsmusthavebeenprescribedfornecessarytreatmentofdiseaseasspecifiedintheHealthInsuranceAct.

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4.  Definition of Professions4.1. Retail Pharmacy

u Apharmacyowner,orpharmacist,mustobtainapharmacylicencefromtheFinnishMedicinesAgency,Fimea.FimeaistheauthorityresponsibleforthesupplyofmedicinesinFinland.Tobeabletoapplyforapharmacylicence,onemusthaveamaster’sdegreeinpharmacy.Pharmaciesareownedbyprivatepharmacists,notcompanies.Oneownercanownonepharmacyandamaximumofthreesubsidiarypharmaciesorpharmacypointsofserviceinthevicinity.

Pharmacystaffinclude,inadditiontotheowner,MastersofScience(Pharm.),BachelorsofScience

(Pharm.),pharmaceuticalassistants,pharmaceuticaltechnicians,pharmaceuticalworkers,officeworkersandcleaners.Thosewithamaster’sdegreeinpharmacyworkinsupervisoryfunctions.Thosewithabachelor’sdegreeinpharmacyworkincustomerservice,dispensingofprescriptiondrugsandontheself-servicesidegivingadvicetocustomers.Pharmaceuticalassistantsalsogiveadviceontheself-serviceside.Pharmaceuticaltechniciansandworkersmainlyworkinstoremanagement,atthecashdesk,intheofficeorinauxiliarytasksinpharmaceuticalmanufacturing.

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Pharmaciesdonotnormallypreparealotofmedicines.However,mostpharmaciesdopreparemedicinesprescribedtobemadeupatthepharmacy.Pharmaciesmakeup,forexample,ointmentsandsolutions.However,therearepharmaciesinFinlandthatmaketheirowncoughmedicinesandotherproprietaryproducts.Theyproducemedicinesforotherpharmaciestosell.

Finnishpharmaciesvaryinsize.ForforeignstudentsbasedinHelsinki,on-the-joblearningassociatedwithpolytechnicstudiesinpharmaceuticsmostoftentakesplaceinlargeormedium-sizedpharmaciesinHelsinki,EspooorVantaa.

Studentsmostcommonlyfetchprescriptiondrugsfromthestoreforbachelorsormastersofpharmacy,workatthecashdesk,fillshelves,receiveandplacegoods,inventory,separatepharmaceuticalwaste,organiseandwipeshelves,archiveorshreddocuments,printoutreports,changemoneyorrunotherbankerrands,packanddispatchcopiesofdeliveredprescriptionstotheSocialInsuranceInstitutionofFinland(Kela),returnmedicinestopharmaceuticalwholesalersandmaintainrecordsofregularcustomers.

MostcustomersencounteredatthecashdeskspeakFinnish.Therefore,studentsoninternationalexchangedonotworkatthecashdeskorin

customerservice.Insomepharmacies,however,astudentspeakinggoodEnglishmayworkatthecashdesk.Pleasenotethateachpharmacyhasslightlydifferentduties,especiallyforforeignstudents.

Example of a pharmaceutical technician’s working day in a small pharmacy:

Thepharmacyisopenfrom9amto7pm.TodayIamonthemorningshift,i.e.Iopenupthepharmacy.AB.Sc.(Pharm.)comesinatthesametime.

FirstIswitchonthecomputers,takemoneyfromthesafeandplaceitinthecashdesk.Inaddition,Iprintoutandfiletheprescriptionlogfromtheprecedingday.

Tamropharmaceuticalwholesalersdelivergoodsbeforetheopeningtimeofthepharmacyalready.Ithereforecheckthegoodsthathavecomein,entertheminourrecordsandplacethemonshelves.EverynowandthenIinterruptthisworktoservecustomersatthecashdesk.

Ialsoprintoutstickerswithnewpricesforself-caremedication.Newmedicinespricelistscomeineverytwoweeks,changingsomeprices.At11amanotherB.Sc.(Pharm.)comesin,aswellasatechnicalworkerfortheeveningshift.Icanthengototheshopandpostofficeandafterwardstakea20-minutelunchbreak.

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Afterlunch,Iworkatthecashdeskagain,servingcustomers.Atabout1pm,wheneveryonehashadtheirlunchbreak,orderedgoodscomeinfromanotherpharmaceuticalwholesalecompany,Oriola.Icheckthegoods,entertheminourrecordsandplacethemonshelves.

Before2pmIgotothehealthcentretodelivermedicinesandcollectprescriptionstoberenewed.Wegothereeveryday.OnthesametripItakeorderedmedicinestothehomecarecentreandcollectneworders.Afterreturningtothepharmacy,Imakesomecoffeeandtakeaten-minutecoffeebreak.

Afterthecoffeebreak,Iwipeself-careshelvesandfillthemup,asnecessary,fromthestoreatthebackofthepharmacy.Intheafternoon,thereareusuallymorecustomers.Inthatcase,Ispendalotoftimeatthecashdeskandservingcustomers.Atsomepointintheafternoon,Icashupandpackmoneyfordeliverytothebank.Themoneyiscollectedbyaguardwhotakesgoodstothecentralpharmacyatthesametime.Ileaveworkat5pm.

InFinland,pharmacieshaveoperatinginstructionsforalltheirmaintasks,suchasreceiptofgoods,pharmaceuticalwastedisposalandcleaningup.Theinstructionsarewrittenbyapersonwithbestknowledgeofthatparticularduty(e.g.amaster’sdegreeinpharmacy)andupdatedasnecessary.

TheyareinFinnishbutstudentswillbefamiliarisedwiththecontents,asrelatedtotheirduties.Attheverybeginningoftheon-the-jobtrainingperiod,thesupervisorusuallydiscussesoccupationalsafetyissues,suchasalarmbuttons,withthestudent.

Theworkingoutfitusuallyconsistsofaprotectivecoat,insomepharmaciesacoatandtrousersorskirt.Themaincolouroftheworkingoutfitisoftenwhite.Thepharmacywillprovideworkingoutfitsandhavethemcleaned.Studentsmusthavetheirownworkingshoes.Sturdyshoeswornonlyindoorsaresuitableworkingshoes.

Smokingisforbiddeninpharmacies.Somepharmaciesinlargershoppingcentresmayhaveseparatesmokingrooms.Staffcangothereintheirlunchandcoffeebreaks.

Thenumberofworkinghoursoffull-timepharmaceuticalworkersis115hoursperthreeweeks.Thenormal

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numberofdailyworkinghoursis8,andonemayhaveashorterworkingdayonceaweek,forexample.Duringworkplacementstudentsworksevenhoursaday,fivedaysaweek.Workinghoursvarygreatlydependingon

whetherthepharmacyisopenintheeveningorduringweekends.AstudentmayhaveaneveningshiftaboutonceaweekandmayneedtoworkonSaturdays.However,themainworkingtimeisweekdaysandduringtheday.

4.2. Hospital Pharmacy and Hospital Dispensary

u Drugdistributioninprimaryhealthcareiscarriedoutbypharmaciesandhealthcentredispensaries.Primaryhealthcareincludeshealthcentresandregionalhospitals.Theheadofahealthcentredispensaryoftenholdsabachelor’sdegreeandsometimesamaster’sdegreeinpharmacy.Inspecializedcare,drugdistributioniscarriedoutbyhospitaldispensaries.Hospitaldispensariesalsotakecareofdrugsupplyforhospitalsandinstitutions.Thetasksofhospitalandhealthcentredispensariesincludepurchase,manufacturing,storageanddistributionofmedicinestovariousdepartments.

Hospitalandhealthcentredispensariesmakeupfarmoremedicinesthanpharmaciesdo.Theymakeup,forexample,localanaesthetics,disinfectantsolutionsandsachets(dividedpowders).Theyalsohandlecytotoxicdrugs.Partofthedrugmanufacturingactivitiesinhospitaldispensariesisaseptic.

Inhospitaldispensaries,thosewithamaster’sdegreeinpharmacywork

insupervisoryorexpertfunctions,thosewithabachelor’sdegreeindrugdispensingandmanufacturing.Pharmaceuticalassistantsandworkersworkinstoremanagementandauxiliarytasksinpharmaceuticalformulation.

Inpharmaceuticalproduction,studentsmainlyweighsachets,label,printoutlabels,preparetechnicalsolutions,suchasalcoholdilutions,monitorstorageconditions,wipewithalcoholproductstakentoasepticareas,foldupsachetsforpowders,producecapsules,sortoutwaste,bottleproducts,checkandcleanscales.Indrugdispensing,studentscollectdrugs,file,enterdatafromnarcoticscardsonthecomputer,receivegoods,puttheminplace,anddealwithmedicinesreturnedfromthewards.Studentsmayalsohavethechancetobeintroducedtowardsandwardpharmaceuticstogetherwithapharmaceuticalworker,includingvisitingthesolutionsstoragefacilities,unloadinggoodsandassemblingorders.Theymayvisitacytotoxicdrugslaboratorywithapharmaceuticalworkerbutstudentscannotworkinsuchlaboratories.

16   

Example of a pharmaceutical assistant’s working day in a smallish hospital dispensary:

Hereisatypicalpharmaceuticalassistant’sworkingdayatahospitaldispensary:AtHelsinkiCityHospitalDispensarypharmaceuticalassistantsworkatoneworkpost(e.g.collection,unloading)foroneweekatatimeandthenchangeposts.ThisweekIhavebeenunloading.Therearenormallytwopharmaceuticalworkersattheunloadingpostbutasmyworkmatehasbeensick,Ireceivedgoodsfrombothpharmaceuticalwholesalers(OriolaandTamro)duringtheearlypartoftheweek.

Istartworkat8.00am,andwhenIarriveatmyworkpost,Tamro’sdeliveryhasalreadyarrived.Istartunloading

andtakethefirstcoffeebreakatasuitabletimearound9.30am.

AfterthebreakIcontinueunloading.Tamro’sdeliveryhasusuallybeenreceived,unloaded,recordedandshelvedby11.00am.WhenIhavecompletedunloading,Ihelpwithassemblingordersororganisethestore,asnecessary.

Mylunchbreakisat11.30am.Afterlunch,Icheckwherehelpisneededandhelpasnecessary.Oriola’sdeliveryarrivesat1to2pm.IreceivetheconsignmentbutbeforeunloadingItakeacoffeebreak.Oriola’sconsignmenthasusuallybeenreceived,unloaded,recordedandshelvedby4pm.Ifthereisstilltime,Iorganizethestore.Mydayiscompleteat4pmwhenIleaveforhome.

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Duringthefirstworkingdays,thestudentisintroducedtooccupationalsafetyinstructionsattheworkplace.Hospitaldispensarieshaveoperatinginstructionsforallmainactivities,suchasthereceiptofgoods,disposalofpharmaceuticalwaste,andpackinganddispatchoforderedmedicinestowards.Instructionsareusuallywrittenbythepeoplenormallydoingthework,andupdatedasnecessary.Athospitaldispensariestheworkingoutfitconsistsofaprotectivecoatandpossiblytrousers,usuallywhite.Theworkingcoatandtrousersareprovidedattheworkplace.Studentsmusthavetheirownworkingshoes.Workingshoesmustbelow-heeled,cleanshoes

wornonlyindoors.Forpharmaceuticalproductionshoesaremostlyeitherprovidedattheworkplaceorprotectiveshoecoversareused.SmokingisnotallowedatworkplacesinFinland.

Atahospitaldispensary,thenormalworkingtimeforfull-timeworkersis8hoursaday,from8amto4pm.Theworkingtimeincludesalunchbreakof20minutesandacoffeebreakof10minutes.Ashorterdayisdoneonceaweekduetotheshorteningofworkinghours.SaturdaysandSundaysarefree.Studentsdoingtheiron-the-jobtrainingatahospitaldispensaryworksevenhourseveryweekday.Theirworkinghoursareoftenfrom8amto3pm.

4.3. Pharmaceutical Industry

u Likepharmaceuticalwholesalers,pharmaceuticalcompaniesarelimitedliabilitycompaniesownedbytheirshareholders.TheymustcomplywiththeLimitedLiabilityCompaniesAct.Somearepubliccompanies,meaning,forexample,thattheirsharesarepubliclytraded.Inlimitedliabilitycompanies,theGeneralMeetingelectsthecompanyBoardwhich,undertheleadershipoftheChairmanoftheBoard,appointstheManagingDirectortomanagecompanyoperations.

InFinland,thepharmaceuticalindustryemploysabout5,300peopleinresearchanddevelopment(R&D),marketing

authorisationmanagement,marketingandproduction.MostcompanyemployeesworkinR&D.Thesecondlargestsectorismarketing.

IndustrialpharmaceuticalproductionhaslargelymovedoutsideEurope.Therefore,thenumberofemployeesinpharmaceuticalproductioninFinlandislowerthaninpreviousdecades.OfcompaniesoperatinginFinland,Orion,Bayer,SantenandAyandahaveproductioninFinland,butonlyOrionintheHelsinkiareamayofferon-the-jobtraininginproductionforforeignstudents.Inaddition,thereareservicecompaniesmarketingvariousservices

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fortheindustry,wherestudentscanreceivetheiron-the-jobtraining.Suchservicesinclude,forexample,activitiesassociatedwithclinicalresearch,workonmarketingauthorisation,logisticsservicesandtempservices.

Thepharmaceuticalindustryemploysmembersofmanyprofessionalgroups.Mastersandbachelorsofpharmacyworkthereinsupervisoryandexpertfunctions.Pharmaceuticalassistantsandworkersworkinpharmaceuticalproductionandinauxiliarytasksinoffices.Thepharmaceuticalfieldinall,aswellasthepersonnel,issubjecttoexactregulation.ThisregulationisexplainedinmoredetailinSection5Nationallegislation.

Inthepharmaceuticalindustry,workisavailableinR&D,marketingauthorisationmanagement,marketingandproduction.On-the-jobtrainingisavailableinpharmaceuticalcompaniesbutalsoincompaniesofferingthemservices(suchasclinicalresearchservices,processingofmarketingauthorisations,logisticsservicesandtempservices).Moston-the-jobtrainingplacesforpolytechnicstudiesinpharmaceuticsareavailableinthecapitalarea.Themostcommontasksofstudentsinthepharmaceuticalindustryvarydependingonthefieldofactivityandconsistofauxiliarytasksmainlyinoffices(suchascopying,filing,documentwritingandorganisation).Dependingonthefieldofactivity,

thetasksmaybeassociatedwith,forexample:

•pharmaceuticalmanufacturing,importing,marketingordrugdevelopment

•applicationforandmaintenanceofmarketingauthorisations

•writingandrenewalofpriceandreimbursementapplications

•pharmacovigilance,i.e.collectionandanalysisofdataonadverseeffects.

Inthepharmaceuticalindustry,manyclientsandemployeesspeakEnglish.OperatinginstructionsanddocumentationareinEnglish,too(withtheexceptionofpharmaceuticalproduction).Therefore,studentsshouldcopewellinEnglishinmoston-the-jobtrainingplacesinthepharmaceuticalindustryeventhoughthedailyworkinglanguageisusuallyFinnish.

Thepharmaceuticalindustryissubjecttomanymultinationalrequirementsandhighlyregulated,whichmaybeproblematicforstudentsonexchange.Fulfillingtherequirementsfororientationandmasteringofoperatinginstructions,forexample,maytakeseveralweeks.Inaddition,thenumberofon-the-jobtrainingplacesinthepharmaceuticalindustryisquitelimited.Asthecompaniesareoftenratherlargeandtherearealotofstaff,itisimportantforstudentstohaveplentyofinitiativeandbeindependenttodowellinon-the-jobtrainingthere.

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Ordinaryeverydayclothesandgoodshoesaresuitableforofficework.Ifthetasksareassociatedwithproduction,aworkingoutfitwillbeprovidedattheworkplace.Eachcompanyhasitsownrulesconcerningsmokingbutmostlysmokingisforbiddeninsidethecompany(designatedareasmightbeavailable).

Thenormalworkinghoursforpharmaceuticalassistantsinpharmaceuticalcompaniesare8hours,includingtheopportunitytohaveamealandnormallytwobreaks.Studentsinon-the-jobtrainingusuallyworksevenhoursaday,fivedaysaweek.Iftheworkplacementisinpharmaceuticalproduction,theworkingtimemayincludeeveningshiftsbecauseproductionmostcommonlyoperatesintwoshifts.

Example of a pharmaceutical assistant’s working day in production at a pharmaceutical company:

Istartmydaybycheckingonthenoticeboardwhichfilm-coatingsolutionwearegoingtoproducethatday.ThenIgotothe“kitchen”tocheckwhetherthestartingmaterialsareavailableorwhethertheyneedtobefetchedfromtheweighingdepartment.Iftheyarenotavailableintheweighingdepartment,either,Iwillfetchthemfromthestore.Whenstartingmaterialsareinorderandhavebeenchecked(e.g.forname,amountandquality),Ichoosetheplannedapparatusand

equipment(e.g.mixer,homogeniser,etc.)forpreparingthesolution.Wehavealogdescribingeverything(workinstructions)thatwefollowcarefullyinourwork.Wedocumentourprocessstepbystepinthelog.Beforebeginningproduction,anindependentpersonwillcheckthecleanlinessofequipmentandcontainers.

Tostartthework,weuseabarcodereadertoenterstartingmaterialsinthelogandstartmanufacturingaccordingtoworkinstructions(concerning,forexample,mixingtimeandspeed,temperature,anycoolingconditionsandtimes,etc.).Towardtheendoftheshift,whenthesolutionisready,wedocumentitstransfertothewarehouse.Thepremisesarethencleaned.Somecontainersaresentawayforwashingandsomeofthem(e.g.smallandeasilydamagedparts)wewashourselves.

Mealandcoffeebreaksaretakenastasksallow.Forexample,ahomogenisationcycletakesabout60minutes,duringwhichonecaneasilyhaveameal.Wehavetowearspecialclothesontheproductionpremises,andwhenIleaveforameal,forexample,Ichangemyclotheswhenleavingtheproductionpremisesandagainonreturn.

Knowledgeandskillsrequiredforthesetasksinclude,forexample,qualityassurance,drugmanufacturingequipmentandprocedures,andbeingsystematic,preciseandcomposed.

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Example of a pharmaceutical assistant’s working day at a pharmaceutical company with production activity, products for clinical research:

Istartmydaybyreadingmye-mailandcheckingforanyurgenttasksthere.Informationonsuchurgenttasksmaysometimesbegivenonanoteleftonmydesk.ThenIcontinuecheckingandrecordingresearchproductjars,ajobIstartedthedaybefore.Eachmedicinejarbearsacode,andIcheckthatthecodeisincludedonthelist.Ithenrecordthejarsintheclinicalresearchstorage.

Afterlunch,Idiscardpharmaceuticalwaste.Iseparatecardboardfromsecondarypackaging,plastic,glassandpharmaceuticalwasteinseparatedesignatedcontainers.ThenIpackresearchproductsforclinicalresearchabroad.Theproductshavetobelabelledfirst,andappropriatedocumentationhastobeenclosed.Iperformallmytasksexactlyaccordingtotheoperatinginstructions,documentingwhatIdo.

Knowledgeandskillsrequiredforthesetasksinclude,forexample,familiaritywiththebasicprinciplesofclinicalresearch,documentation,andpreciseness.

4.4. Wholesalers

u Pharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesarelimitedliabilitycompaniesownedbytheirshareholders.TheymustcomplywiththeLimitedLiabilityCompaniesAct.Somearepubliccompanies,meaning,forexample,thattheirsharesarepubliclytraded.Inlimitedliabilitycompanies,theGeneralMeetingelectsthecompanyBoardwhich,undertheleadershipoftheChairmanoftheBoard,appointstheManagingDirectortomanagecompanyoperations.

Pharmaceuticalwholesalersservevarioustypesofclients,suchaspharmacies,hospitaldispensaries,pharmaceuticalcompanies,medicalcentresandveterinaries.Theymainlydealwithlogistics,i.e.storage,

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orderassemblyanddistributionofmedicines.Inaddition,theirservicesincludeimportationofproductsforcompassionateuse,distributionofmedicinesforresearch,supportservicesforsalesandmarketing,suchasstorageanddistributionofmarketingmaterial,otherlogisticssolutionsandtrainingservices.InFinland,asinglechannelmodelisappliedfordrugdistribution,i.e.pharmaceuticalmanufacturersconcentratethedistributionofalltheirproductstoonepharmaceuticalwholesalecompany.

Pharmaceuticalwholesalersemploymembersofmanyprofessionalgroups.Mastersandbachelorsofpharmacyworkthereinsupervisoryandexpertfunctions.Pharmaceuticalassistantsandworkershavelogistictasksandauxiliarytasksinoffices.

Customersofpharmaceuticalwholesalersinclude,forexample,pharmacies,hospitaldispensaries,pharmaceuticalcompaniesandmedicalcentres.Pharmaceuticalwholesalersworkmainlywithlogistics,i.e.storage,collectionanddistributionofmedicines,andrelatedofficework.Theworkofpharmaceuticalwholesalersiscloselyregulatedandcontrolled.AsanexampleonecouldmentionthatpharmaceuticaldistributorsmustbeabletoensurefaultlessdeliveryofmedicinestoanypharmacyinFinlandwithin24hours.ThereareonlyafewpharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesactiveinFinland.TheseoperatemainlyinthecapitalareabutonehasitsmainlogisticscentreinTampere.

Inpharmaceuticalwholesalecompanies,studentsmainlyworkonlogistictasks.

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Suchtasksmayvaryfromthereceiptandunloadingofgoodstoplacementinstorage,puttingtogetherordersforcustomersanddispatch.Pharmaceuticalwholesalinginvolvesplentyofofficework,andsometasksmayconsistlargelyofsuchwork.

PharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesworkmainlyinFinnishbutsomedocumentsareinEnglishandcooperationwithforeignpharmaceuticalcompaniesandotherforeignactorsoccursinEnglish.InwarehousesmanyofthestaffmaynotspeakEnglish.Inofficesthesituationisdifferent.Nevertheless,astudentwillbeabletocopeinEnglishinbothenvironments.Thereareonlyfewon-the-jobtrainingplacesinpharmaceuticalwholesalecompanies.Aspharmaceuticalwholesalersoftenhaveratherlargeorganisations,therearealotofstaffandeveryoneisbusy,itisimportantforstudentstohaveplentyofinitiativeandbeindependenttodowellinon-the-jobtrainingthere.

Ordinaryeverydayclothesandgoodshoesaresuitableforofficework.Forwarehousework,aworkingoutfitisusuallyprovidedattheworkplace.Eachcompanyhasitsrulesconcerningsmokingthatshouldbefoundoutbeforetraining.

Thenormalworkinghoursforpharmaceuticalassistantsatpharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesare8hours,includingtheopportunity

tohaveamealandnormallytwobreaks.Theworkismostoftendoneinshifts.Duringon-the-jobtrainingstudentsusuallyworksevenhoursaday,fivedaysaweek,inmorningandeveningshifts.

Example of a pharmaceutical assistant’s working day at a pharmaceutical wholesale company:

Theworkingdaybeginswithchangingintoaworkingoutfit.Allstoreworkersmustwearprotectiveshoes.

Therearemanytasksavailableatpharmaceuticalwholesalecompanies,suchasreceiptofgoods,orderpickingusingaconveyorbeltsystem(passlinepicking)orpallets,workinthereturndepartment,anddispatchofgoods.Inthereturndepartment,thedayisstartedbyunloadingpalletsofreturnedgoods.Returnedgoodsaredividedbyreasonofreturn,suchassuspectedmedicinalproducterror,falseorderorfalsecollection.Returnedgoodsaretreatedindividuallyandrecompensedaccordingtooperatinginstructionsand/orinstructionsgivenbyprincipals.Atthesametime,thedecisionismadewhethertoreturntheproducttothesalesdepartmentortodiscardit.Productsapprovedforsalearetakenbacktotheirrespectiveplacesinstorageeverymorning.Suspectedmedicinalproducterrorsarehandledfirst,then“ordinary”returns.Workinthereturndepartmentischallengingandsuitable

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forthosewholiketosolveproblems.Workersconstantlydiscusswitheachotherandaskeachother’sopinionsonthereasonsforreturnandonwhetherproductscanberesold.

Inpasslinepickingsystems,boxesmoveonanautomaticconveyorbeltandstopatvariousstationsdependingonwhatgoodsareavailablethere.Ateachstation,thepickinglistofproductsorderedbythecustomeristakenfromthebox.Theproductsarepulledfromtheirplacesontheshelvesspecifiedonthelist.Eachcollectedproductissignedoffbyinitiallingthelist,andtheproductandlistarereplacedinthebox.Theboxispushedbackontothemovinglinetoproceedtothefollowingstationandfinallytobeclosedautomaticallyandpackedbyhand.Theboxisthenreadyforthedispatchdepartment.Wholesalersdispatchgoodsseveraltimesaday,andonecanbeverybusytryingtocollecteverythingplannedfordispatchatacertaintime.Workmustoftenbedonefastandrequiresprecision.

A typical working day in the return department

9.00amTheworkingdaybeginsbychangingintoworkingclothes.ThenIgotothereturndepartment,wherethemorningbeginsbyunloadingincomingreturnpallets.

10.00amHandlingofsuspectednon-medicinalproducterrors,i.e.

compensatingcustomersanddecidingaccordingtooperatinginstructionswhethertheproductswillbesenttoprincipalsorproductmanagersin-houseordiscarded.

12.30pmOnceaweek,allproductssuspectedofnon-medicinalproducterrorthataretobesentonelsewherearepackedinboxes,addressstickersareprintedout,andtheboxesaretakentothedispatchdepartment.

1.00pmHandlingofordinaryproductreturns.Example:Aproductthatwasnotneededwasaccidentallyorderedbyapharmacy.Thepharmacyreceivesarefund,andtheproductisreturnedtoitsplaceinthestore.

4.00pmEverythingisputinplaceandthecomputerswitchedoff.Boxesaretakentothedispatchdepartment.Clothesarechangedbeforeleavingtheworkplace.

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u Itisimportantforthestudenttobefamiliarisedwiththehealthandsafetyproceduresrelevanttotheparticulartasksinvolved.Theseincludeforexamplehandlingofchemicals,cytotoxicsubstancesandsoon.Inmostofthecasesthisistakencareofduringtheinitiationperiodandwhilereadingthestandardoperatingprocedures.

TheMinistryofSocialAffairsandHealthisresponsiblefordevelopingpharmaceuticalservice,andpreparinglegislationonmedicines.Theaimofpharmaceuticalserviceis:

•topromotesafemedicaltreatment

•tosafeguardcomprehensivepharmaceuticalservicenationwide

•topromotecosteffectivenessintheuseandprescriptionofpharmaceuticals

•todevelopthereimbursementsystemappropriatetotreatment

•tokeeppharmaceuticalcoststopatientsandsocietyreasonable.

Pharmaceuticalserviceisguided,supervisedanddevelopedbytheFinnishMedicinesAgency(Fimea),thePharmaceuticalsPricingBoard,theNationalSupervisoryAuthorityforWelfareandHealth(Valvira)andtheNationalInstituteforHealthandWelfareundertheMinistryofSocialAffairsandHealth.

TheFinnishMedicinesAgency,Fimeaisresponsibleforthegeneralplanning

andguidanceofpharmaceuticalservice.Itpromotesthepopulation’shealthandsafetybysupervisingmedicinalproducts,bloodandtissueproductsandbydevelopingthepharmaceuticalsfield.

5.  Legislation

TheNationalSupervisoryAuthorityforWelfareandHealth(Valvira)guidesandsupervisestheprescriptionpracticesofthehealthcareprofessionalsandunits.

FimeaissuesquarterlylistsofinterchangeablemedicinalproductswithvalidmarketingauthorisationinFinland.Someofthemedicinalproductsbelongingtothegenericsubstitutionsystemalsobelongtothereferencepricesystem.MedicinalproductsbelongingtothereferencepricesystemaredefinedinalistbasedonFimea’slistofinterchangeablemedicinalproductsandpublishedbythePharmaceuticalsPricingBoard.Basedonpricesreportedbycompanies,

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thePharmaceuticalsPricingBoarddefinesareferencepriceforeachreferencepricegrouptoformthebasisforreimbursementforproductsinthegroup.

Finnishpharmaciesaremainly(withtheexceptionofuniversitypharmacies)privatelyownedcompanies.Thereareover800pharmaciesinFinland.Thereisatleastonepharmacyinnearlyeverymunicipality,andinmostmunicipalitiesseveral.YouneedtohavealicencetooperateapharmacyinFinland.PharmacylicencesaregrantedbyFimea.Fimeaalsodecidesontheestablishmentofnewpharmacies.Thelicencesystemandobligationsassociatedwiththelicencearemeanttoensuregoodandequalavailabilityofmedicinesandpharmacyservicesthroughoutthecountry.InFinland,asinmanyotherEUcountries,apharmacylicencecanonlybeobtainedbyanapplicantwithmaster’sdegreeinpharmacy.

TheFinnishMedicinesActdefinesthatapersondispensingmedicinesorprovidingpharmaceuticalinformationmusthaveamaster’sorbachelor’sdegreeinpharmacy.Therefore,suchdutiescannotbeincludedinthejobdescriptionofapharmaceuticaltechnician.

AllpharmaceuticalcompaniesandpharmaceuticalwholesalecompaniesoperatinginFinlandarelimitedliabilitycompanies.

ThepharmaceuticalwholesalesectorinFinlandisdividedintotwo:distributingpharmaceuticalwholesalers,andpharmaceuticalwholesalersbetterknownasaffiliatesofforeignpharmaceuticalcompaniesandmarketingtheirproducts.ForexampleOriola,TamroandMagnumMedicalareactuallypharmaceuticaldistributioncompaniesoperatinginFinland.InFinland,pharmaceuticalwholesalingfollowsasingle-channelsystem,whereeachmedicinalproductismostlyavailablefromonewholesalecompanyonly.Responsibilitiesandjobdescriptionsvarygreatlybetweenvariouscompaniesandtheirservices.Needschangeasthefunctionalenvironmentchanges.Pharmaceuticalwholesalerscomplywithqualitystandardsimposedonthem,suchasGoodDistributionPractice(GDP).

Inthepharmaceuticalindustry,therearesmallandlargecompanies.Somehavewideproductranges,whileothersarepureresearchcompanies.Orionisanall-Finnishlargishpharmaceuticalcompany.Pharmaceuticalcompaniescomplywithrelevantdirectivesandguidelines,suchasGoodLaboratoryPractice(GLP),GoodClinicalPractice(GCP)andGoodManufacturingPractice(GMP).Drugsafetyisfollowedworldwidethroughoutaproduct’slifecycle,fromthebeginningofclinicaltrialsprecedingmarketingauthorisationuntiltheexpiryofthelastmarketingauthorisation.Thisprocedureistheretoensure

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patientsafety.Systematicemphasishasbeenplacedonstructuredriskmanagementduringthelastfewyears.Thismeanspredictingpharmaceuticalrisks,whetherweareawareofthemornot,andreactingtotherisks.Themarketingauthorisationdocumentationfornewmedicinalproductsneedstoincludeaseparateriskmanagementplan.Accordingto§30oftheFinnishMedicinesAct,themarketingauthorisationholderofamedicinalproductmustkeeparecordofallverifiedorsuspectedadverseeffectsoftheproductandreportthesetoFimea.Pharmacovigilance,orvisibledrugsafetyworkinpharmaceuticalcompanies,isassociatedwiththis.

Nearlyallcompaniesimporting,manufacturingorsellingmedicines

releasedforconsumptioninFinland,aswellasthosewithresearchactivity(thathaveformedacooperative)holdapharmaceuticalinjuriesinsurance.TheinsurancewasgrantedforthecooperativebythePharmaceuticalInsurancePool.ThePoolismadeupofinsurancecompanies.ThepharmaceuticalinjuriesinsurancecompensatesforanyunexpectedadverseeffectsinusersofmedicinessoldorreleasedforconsumptioninFinland.

FinnishethicalguidelinesaresetforFinnishpharmacies.Theinstructionsareintendedtosupportthepharmacypersonnelinethicalproblemsarisingineverydaysituations.Theguidelineinbrief:Theaimofthepharmacyistotakecareofthesafe,effectiveand

   27

highqualitydrugdispensingaswellasinformingaboutmedicinesandhealth.Thepersonnelatthepharmacyactforthebestofthecustomer.Allpharmacistsrespectgenerallyacceptedprinciplesinhealthcare.Thepersonnelofthepharmacyrespectdecisionsofthecustomersandinformthecustomeradequately.Allcustomersareentitledtouniqueservice.Thepharmacypersonnelimproveanddeveloptheirprofessionalknowledgeinordertoactinthebestinterestsofthecustomer.Theyalsocollaboratewiththeotherhealthcarepersonnelandauthorities.Pharmacistsenhancetheappreciationandreliabilityofthepharmacysectorinsocietyaswellastheproperandsafeuseofmedicines.Allinformationrelatedtobusinessandcustomersiskeptconfidential.

ThebodyawardingthecertificateofvocationaleducationandtrainingistheproviderauthorisedbytheMinistryofEducationandCulture.Thequalificationcertificateforanuppersecondaryvocationalqualificationcompletedasacompetence-basedqualificationisawardedbytheQualificationCommitteeappointedbytheNationalBoardofEducation.Thelevelofthecertificate(nationalorinternational)isEUclassificationlevel3orUpperSecondarySchoollevel(ISCED3).Thenational/regionalauthorityprovidingaccreditation/recognitionofthecertificateistheMinistryofEducationandCulture’sFinnishNationalBoardofEducation,acentraladministrativeboardoperatingundertheauspicesoftheMinistryofEducationandCulture.

28   

http://www.fimea.fi/frontpageFinnishMedicinesAgency(e.g.GLPinformation)

http://www.oph.fi/english/education/overview_of_the_education_systemNationalBoardofEducation

http://www.stm.fi/en/social_and_health_services/pharmacotherapyMinistryofSocialAffairsandHealth(e.g.MedicinesPolicy2020)

http://www.lvp.fi/en/FinnishPharmaceuticalInsurancePool

http://www.valvira.fi/en/NationalSupervisoryAuthorityforWelfareandHealth

Certificate Supplement by National Board of Education:source:

http://www.oph.fi/download/133164_Pharmaceutical_Assistant_Pharmaceutics_Study_Programme_.pdf

6.  References

   29

Fimea=TheFinnishMedicinesAgency

GCP=GoodClinicalPractice

GDP=GoodDistributionPractice

GLP=GoodLaboratoryPractice

GMP=GoodManufacturingPractice

IVT=InitialVocationalTraining

Kela=TheSocialInsuranceInstitutionofFinland

R&D=ResearchandDevelopment

Valvira=TheNationalSupervisoryAuthorityforWelfareandHealth

7.  Glossary

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.

Finland

Pharmaceutical Assistant’s and Technician’s Work Placements

Helsinki Vocational College

Acknowledgements

This handbook has been produced by Mrs. Asta Lehtinen, Mrs. Kirsi Rosenqvist and Mr. Matti Remsu 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 Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare Sector, Education Department, City of Helsinki, Finland. Altering of the materials is prohibited without permission from the partnership group represented by Helsinki Vocational College.

• Helsinki Vocational College, Welfare Sector Mrs. Paula AistrichMrs. Marjo HavukainenMrs. Maija MooreStudents of HVC: Ms. Anna Laihanen, Ms. Emmi Nieminen, Ms. Janita Singh and Ms. Marika Tuohino

• Savo Consortium for Education (peer evaluation)Mrs. Jaana Jaakonaho Mrs. Tarja Tarvainen

• Oulu Vocational College (peer evaluation)Mrs. Tiina Toukkari Mrs. Sari Karhu

• Srednja šola za farmacijo, kozmetiko in zdravstvoMrs. Katarina VrhovnikMrs. Ljubica Gabrovsek Students of SŠFKZ: Ms. Lidija Kranjec and Ms. Karin Jurcvek

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

• St. John’s Central CollegeMrs. Sarah MagnerMrs Majella O´DriscollStudents of SJCC: Ms. Lydia Dowley and Ms. Jemma Hurley

• Kellebeek CollegeMrs. Angela DeelenMrs. Gerda van der MeerStudents of ROC Aventus: Ms. Mirna van Dartel and Ms. Sanne van Schaik

• Birmingham Metropolitan CollegeMr. Robert BiggsMrs. Karen SocciMrs. Deborah Cooper

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