EPSA in Action Pharmaceutical Care Education

Table of contents

------Presidential words 4 French Faluche review 15 ------10 things about antibiotics 5 Bologna process 16 ------5th Autumn Assembly - Dubrovnik 6 Life after studies? 17 ------From studies to work Map of Competences project 8 ------Professional Development 18 Pharmaceutical Care survey 10 ------e-Prescribing 19 BhPSA 12 ------Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Students Association TWINNET events 20 - 23 ------A.N.E.P.F. 13 Pharmaceutical Sciences Articles 24 French National Pharmaceutical ------Studentsʼ Association Pharmacy education in UK 25 ------

Dear Reader,

You are looking at the second edition of the 16th volume of EPSA Newsletter. I tried to focus on what EPSA is doing at the moment - developing projects, as well as to show you some great results we have achieved and collected in past few months. Design in coming pages is little bit more ﬂexible than it was before, I hope you will like it, because it shows some creativity in our “molecular” life. Everyone I asked to write an article for EPSA Newsletter kindly and quickly answered which shows just how much students want to participate and help! Beside our already established collaboration with DIA (Drug Information Association) and AstraZeneca , who also contributed their articles as part of Partnership, we have some new partners, and hopefully will have much more soon.

Enjoy your reading, in a bus, train, plain, home or during lectures :-)

Edited and designed by: Bojan Davinić EPSA Vice-President of Communication 2008/2009 [email protected]

3 Presidential words

Dear EPSA Friends, As students, travelling is something which interests the majority of us. EPSA offers so many It gives me great pleasure opportunities for that. Throughout this publica- to introduce to you the tion you can read about the various team mobil second newsletter for the EPSA team mandate ity projects organised throughout this year, the 2008/2009. It is hard to IMP Project and also EPSA events organised believe that nine months by the EPSA team. It gives me great pleasure have already passed to look back at the photos of all these events since the congress in and see all the smiling faces of all those stu- Serbia. Since April 2008 dents t h e E P S A t e a m h a s worked very hard to make this association one who have left a mark on EPSA and have con- of the most respected student organisations out tributed to make my term as president a suc- there and if you have a look at this newsletter I cessful and rewarding one. am sure you will be as convinced of this as I am. I would like to thank those students who have submitted any sort of article be it scientific or Indeed 2008 has been a very special year for descriptive for this newsletter as they have all EPSA. We have seen the successful launch of contributed in sharing knowledge and spreading a new project the EPSA MAP of Competencies. the EPSA Spirit to all the corners of Europe. This project is a really important one not only for EPSA but also for you, my dear friends, as it Finally I would like to end by expressing my is you who will ultimately profit from it. You can gratitude to the amazing team I have been read all about it in a very interesting article you working with over the past months. EPSA has will find in this newsletter. had many successes through the hard work and dedication of everyone on this team. I Our Working Committees have all been working would like to encourage all of you out there to extremely hard in gathering information about get involved in your student associations and in the hottest topics around the EU. By gathering EPSA. Being a student is not only about books knowledge of how things work in different coun- and studying; itʼs about experiences and memo- tries EPSA can really hope to make a difference ries which will help you grow as a person and and this is also what makes EPSA so unique – as a professional. Just look around you there it brings together the voices, experiences and are many ways of getting involved and every opinions of pharmacy students all over Europe. little bit counts. I look forward to meeting you in For this I want to thank the Working Committee France for the EPSA Annual Congress. Directors for their dedication and also the Work- ing Committee members for gathering all this information. Yours in EPSA,

I would like to urge you to have a look at these articles, and contact the authors of these arti- Marisabelle Bonnici cles with any comments you might have. EPSA President 2008 - 2009

4 10 things I know about antibiotics Antibiotic Awareness Day

European Antibiotic Awareness Day is a European They are medicines efﬁcient only Health Initiative in close collaboration with the against infections caused by bacte- World Health Organization. Its first edition took ria, which donʼt help me cure my place this year, on 18th November, and focused common cold or ﬂu (infections specifically on the need for everybody to caused by viruses) stop any unnecessary use of antibiotics.

It is important to take my treatment The EPSA Public Health Working Commit- to an end and not give up antibiotics tee celebrated this day and selected 10 as soon as I feel better essential things we should all know about antibiotics; below you can find these statements, There are also natural “antibiotics” together with pictures from the field work done in (garlic, honey, oregano, thyme, Bucharest, Romania by the students in pharmacy. sage, Echinacea), which donʼt show adverse reactions and can During this health awareness campaign we distributed question- strengthen my immune system naires and flyers among the young public, aiming to find out their perception about antibiotics and draw their attention on the impor- It is important for me to take antibiot- tance of using these medicines in a responsible manner. ics only by following the physicianʼs or pharmacistʼs advice The results of the survey we did in Romania during They are prescription only medicines campaign: -Out of 165 people, 77% take antibiotics following the physicianʼs ad- Frequent usage can lead to unde- vice and 88% follow the treatment as the pharmacist/doctor told them sired reactions, such as: gastro- - 69% of the respondents are aware of the fact that antibiotics cure intestinal disorders (diarrhoea, nau- infections caused by bacteria, but 41% still believe that these medi- sea), weakening of the immune sys- cines are efficient against viruses too tem, predisposition to allergic reac- - 62% know that one of the undesired effects is the growth of drug tions, kidneys and liver conditions resistant bacteria, while 57% mention the gastrointestinal disorders - 64% state that they are careful about consuming alcohol while they Alcohol can increase the adverse are under a treatment with antibiotic, but only 55% are aware about reactions and extend the diseaseʼs the significance of an antibiogram duration And, the most important outcome: - 96% say that they need to know more about antibiotics; 45 % prefer Antibiotics donʼt take away my pain to get this information from a doctor and 50% from pharmacists and (headaches, sore throat, tooth public health campaigns. aches) and donʼt reduce fever This encourages us to con- If I use birth control pills, itʼs good to tinue the health awareness use an additional contraception campaigns in this direction, method during the antibiotics treat- so that the Antibiotic Aware- ment ness Day will be celebrated yearly by our local associa- Irresponsible administration can lead tion (SSFB) and by the to antibiotics not showing the right EPSAʼs PH WC. effect in the future Public Health Working Committee

5 5th EPSA Autumn Assembly Dubrovnik, Croatia 2008

The 5th EPSA Autumn Assembly was held from 20th- 25th of October in fantastic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, situated on a coast of Adriatic sea.

Participants enjoyed sunny weather, sea view from hotel, amazing lecturers during a Symposium day with European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP), great workshops, inspiring social program and of course true EPSA Spirit!

This autumnʼs theme was Pharmaceutical Care Models and Therapeutic Innovations.

3 speakers held lecturers (Mr. Fergal Cooney, Dr. Julienne Johnson and Dr. Tony Bayer) in fantastic 5 star hotel with beautiful view of the sea, as well as 3 student speakers (Ms. Aja Petrikova, Ms. Ersa Tsout- soura and Ms. Magdalena Kurnik). EPSA is pleased how these 6 lecturers were attended, and how the discussions were live.

After all the lecturing Heena Bhakta, Working Com- mittee Professional Development Director took the microphone and with very dynamic approach among the participants, lead all the discussions among

students, lecturers and guests. Atmosphere was very live, progressive and ended up with statement of opinion, which was written by EPSA Secretary Gen- eral - Jamie Wilkinson.

EPSA Working Committees workshops were split in 2 days, and moderated by EPSA Working Committees Directors. All of the workshops achieved good feed- back from students, and it was nice to see interactive presentations and live discussions afterwards.

Since Individual Mobility Project has attracted good attention, EPSA organised training for National IMP Coordinators, and rest of participants who are interested. Central IMP Coordinator, Boštjan Č eh, together with several members of EPSA executive, presented the whole procedure of IMP process from ﬁrst contact until actual departure and saying “good bye” to registrated participant.

6 The General Assemblies were set in a room across the hotel, so we had no any problems with anybody being late, everything was on time. All LSʼs attended every GA, and we have to admit most of people siting in the room gave us their opinion. Debates were very fruitful and effective.

Going through the motions true EPSA Spirit showed itʼs face - all the students were interested in the topics, giving their opinions, thoughts, telling us about experiences! It was real pleasure being there. Even though GAʼs were pretty much exhausting, beside LSʼs, a lot of observers who were there joined debates and contributed EPSAʼs development.

Social program has been veeery good organized, starting with opening party, over National night, where everybody was in White-Red outﬁts, and European night where every country had a chance to present their national food, drinks, music or even dance, party was quite crazy.

Next party - Marinero night which was ﬁesta of crea- tive sailors and pirates costumes. We went to the end party in a fancy club on the coast, with sea view and realised that EPSA Spirit was among us all the time, and certainly will stay for a long time.

As it goes usually event had to came to the end. Fan- tastic time in Dubrovnik, great friends, new knowl- edges, experience, fun... it will remain in us for a long long time.

Special thanks to Croatian Reception Committee!! EPSA Map of Competences project

Self-Medication Related Competencies for European Pharmacy Students and Pharmacists

Background: Competence Throughout Europe, governments are becoming in- A close examination of modern ideas about compe- creasingly concerned with the safety of products, but tence reveals several facets; competence can (and also the safety of practitioners (doctors, pharmacists, should be) undoubtedly seen as a complex construct, surgeons, etc). Cost and efﬁciency of health sys- comprising a set of knowledge, skills, behaviours and tems has always been a driver for health care policy, values to which effective capability can be ascribed. but there is now an additional challenge of ensuring Knowledge and skills are straightforward enough, that practitioners are safe and effective. Many health and indeed behaviours can also be evaluated if the policies are now being instigated with these attributes right developmental framework is used. Routinely, at the fore, with pharmacy and medicines being no and reliably, measuring “values” in a practitioner is exception. not so easy. However, this is not say that we should not try, and with the right model, in the right circum- The continued education and development of phar- stances, and with an enlightened professional regula- macists, particularly in the community sector, is tory framework, these concepts can – and should – therefore becoming a high priority. Increasingly, feed into a developmental pathway for practitioners, regulators are seeking assurance of ʻcompetenceʼ from pre-service, to general, to advanced levels. (and associated performance) in practitioners who are providing direct health care.

COMPETENCY ICEBERG

KNOWLEDGE

EFFECTIVE AND PERSISTENT BEHAVIOUR SKILLS

ABILITIES

VALUES, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS

8 EPSA Map of Competences project

Practitioner development Continuing pharmacy education (CPE) is a clear req- Industries (AESGP) and the European Association of uisite if we are to realise the potential presented to Faculties of Pharmacy (EAFP) are developing a the profession by the gradual introduction of new unique and innovative self-assessment and learning roles and medicines-focused services. This means resource for European pharmacy students and practi- moving forward from the current idea about contin- tioners. This will encompass general level competen- ued professional development (CPD – which often is cies with particular examples of self-medication. based around attendance at talks and lectures with no direct link with competency development) towards The initial phase of the project focused on the valida- a more structured way of thinking about career-long tion of the UK General Level Framework (GLF) to a development for practitioners, and hence improving European practice context. The GLF supports the the accessibility of medicines, medicines information development of pharmacists as safe and effective and symptom control. And to be clear, this includes general level practitioners. It is used extensively in competent general levels of practice, without which the UK, has been adapted for use in Australia and is the profession would be declining. currently being developed in several other countries. Since November 2008 final year students and new This modern and contemporary outlook requires us practitioners from 27 countries have been assessing to move from the current rhetoric of life-long learning the relevance of the GLF to their own practice via an towards a realistic practitioner development model online research tool on the CoDEG website that fully supports health service reforms and patient (www.codeg.org.uk/egpf). EPSA, which represents care. Realistic continuing education should have a 2500 pharmacy students and newly qualified practi- focus on credentialed competence and performance tioners, and the Pharmaceutical Group of the Euro- is key to this, ensuring that inspirational workplace pean Union (PGEU), whose membership comprises (and work-based) education is at the core. It is ac- professional bodies representing community phar- knowledged that assessment is as much a driver of macists across Europe, have promoted the research. learning as personal development. Therefore, an ef- The investigation will also highlight interesting differ- fective learning tool requires self-assessment and ences and similarities in the beliefs and values of self-evaluation, and develops independent learning final year students and practitioners. skills. This research will lead to the development of a Euro- Self-Medication Related Competencies for pean General Level Framework (EURO GLF), an European Pharmacy Students and Pharmacists online self-evaluation tool for The European Pharmaceutical Studentsʼ Associa- students and practitioners. tion (EPSA) together with the School of This will be one of a number Pharmacy, University of London, the of self-assessment tools European Self-Medication which will be developed in the next phase of the project. An online learning resource will be linked to the self-assessments, ini- tially focusing on cardio- vascular disease risk.

Prof. Ian Bates, Dr. Sarah Carter Ms Jurate Svarcaite (pharmacist and MSc student) School of Pharmacy, University of London

9 EPSA in Action Pharmaceutical Care Education

What is Pharmaceutical Care? Pharmaceutical Care (PC) is an important activity in our future professional life and it means different things to different people from different countries. It can be understood as a holistic approach to patient centred healthcare.

The main elements of the PC intervention process are the patient assessment, the intervention itself and the outcome assessment. Important supporting activities include monitoring of the process, the documentation and communication skills. Behav- ioural aspects are considered to be very important in the curriculum.

In our research the deﬁnition of the pharmaceutical care as stated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) from 1998 was used: 69 faculties from 22 countries replied to this survey representing 40% of faculties of pharmacy in Europe (see the map). “Pharmaceutical Care is the responsible provision of pharmacotherapy for the purpose of The survey was divided into four parts: achieving deﬁnite outcomes that improve or • Basic information about the country maintain a patientʼs quality of life. It is a collabo- • Information about the curriculum rative process that aims to prevent or identify • Teaching methods and solve medicinal product and health related • Information about the faculties who do not problems. This is a continuous quality im- have PC in their curricula. provement process for the use of medicinal products.” Note: if a percentage is stated it refers to all completed replies from the whole Europe if not stated otherwise.

This article gives a preliminary report of a survey Results done by EPSA between September 2008 and Octo- According to the answers PC is not being taught or is ber 2008. The results were presented at the EPSA- poorly taught in Serbia (Novi Sad), Romania, the ESCP Symposium on 21st October 2008 (Dubrovnik, FYR-Macedonia and Slovenia. The answers from Croatia). Novi Sad and Romania stated that the curriculum is old, and needs improvement in order to consider PC as an important course for students. EPSA Survey about Pharmaceutical Care Education around Europe In Europe the PC is taught as an entire course in 43% of the faculties and in 52% as a part of another As the topic of the EPSA-ESCP Joint Symposium course, mainly pharmacology, pharmacy practice or was “Pharmaceutical Care Models and Therapeutic pharmacotherapy. Almost 60% of the lectures are Innovation” EPSA decided to assess the PC educa- obligatory in Europe. The oral examination (72%) is tion in Europe in order to ﬁnd out the similarities and conducted to a similar degree as the with the written differences between the curricula. An online survey examination (75%). was conducted where the EPSA Liaison Secretaries and Working Committee members were asked to The average number of hours dedicated to the PC in collect answers with the assistance of academic staff Europe is 80 hours per year – that could be e.g. 2,5 at the respective faculty. hours per week during two semesters.

10 Is it enough to prepare future The EPSA 36th General Assembly accepted a motion pharmacists for his core role? which encourages the EPSA members to organise “pharmaceutical care contests” e.g. in counselling The highest amount of hours spent with the PC is in skills so the information about logistical and scientiﬁc Croatia (300 hours) followed by Finland (200 hours). support is being shared between LSs right now. Would you like to have a counselling skills competi- The PC is mainly taught in the 3rd year (69%) and the tion at your faculty? Speak with your local associa- 4th year (62%). It is interesting to note that in North- tion!:-) ern Europe PC is equally divided between all years of education so the students start with the PC already in To progress with this project a Working Group on the 1st year. Pharmaceutical Care Education (WG) was created after the 5th EPSA Autumn Assembly. The WG cur- Who is teaching pharmaceutical care at rently has 9 members from 8 countries. More mem- 100% the faculties in Europe? bers are welcomed.

80%

60% The aim of the WG is: • to continue with the survey (in process, 13 40% more replies collected, another 6 countries % of faculties 20% submitted replies) 0% • to present the results to the EPSA externals Academic Staff Community / Doctors Experts from Hospital Pharmacists Societies (results were presented to the Pharmaceuti- cal Group of EU (PGEU), International Which skills in PC does the faculty aim Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Pharma- at teaching the students? ceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE), European Association of Faculties of Phar- Management skills macy (EAFP)) Co-operation skills • to prepare the Statement of Opinion (SoO) $The ability to accept responsibility on the PC education (in process, EAFP has Decission making ability

&A solid grounding in biomedical ethics been asked join the SoO)

Communication skills • to help EPSA members to organise the PC

3The ability to apply knowledge to specific problems contests (e.g. in the Czech Republic) HA solid grounding in pharmacology, pharmacotherapy and disease knowledge • to help EPSA members to improve the PC ,Knowledge of the pharmaceutical care process education (the Romanian students already

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% started discussion with the Faculty of Phar- % of faculties macy in Bucharest). EPSA in Action! When the results of the survey were presented at the As you can see EPSA is a very ﬂexible and active Joint Symposium a lively discussion took place on organisation who has the ability to change things. the topic. Students would really like to improve the EPSA would be nothing without its members and current situation. It was agreed that EPSA should people who care about the pharmacy profession & take action from all perspectives – presenting the the education and who wish to put the profession to results to the professional partners and academia; higher level. organising more actions related to PC such as training camps, workshops, lectures; EPSA member as- Iʼm glad that I had the chance to meet so many en- sociationsʼ initiating the discussion with academic thusiasts and Iʼm happy to see that EPSA is making staff. the difference in the pharmaceutical care education.

This is a good example on how EPSA can be of Aja Petrikova beneﬁt of its members by addressing a problem. Pharmaceutical Care Education Through extracurricular education, efforts to make Working Group Director 2008/2009 the student voice heard and so on EPSA can contrib- USF Czech Republic ute to the improvements in the pharmaceutical education and skills set.

11 Meet the BPhSA Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Studentsʼ Association

The Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Studentsʼ Association was founded by a group of students on the 9th of November 2007 in the Faculty of Pharmacy of Medi- cal University in Soﬁa. The aim of these students was to create an association that will be strongly involved in the pharmacy stu- dentsʼ life and extra-curricular activities.

In Bulgaria, there are two Facul- ties of Pharmacy – one in Sofia, our capital city and one in Plovdiv. As one of BPhSA top priorities is to represent the voice of all pharmacy students in Bul- garia, we contacted the Faculty in Plovdiv. As a result, BPhSA has members from there, too. Thus, BPhSA pretends to be the only national pharmacy studentsʼ association in Bulgaria. dents present at this event. They learned how to educate and better explain the risk of the disease to When we created the association, we set up some their future diabetes patients. At the end each partici- goals in front of us such as motivating studentsʼ sci- pant had the chance to measure its own blood glu- entific work, conducting public health campaigns and cose levels. Other events worth mentioning on training courses, promoting the improvement of BPhSA calendar are the public health campaign on pharmacy studentsʼ skills, helping towards their pro- the 1st of December (World AIDS Day), Students Sci- fessional realisation and scientific advancement, or- entific Congress of which we are co-organisers, Bul- ganising international exchange of students. garian Pharmaceutical Days Forum during which

One year after the foundation of BPhSA we have BPhSA is responsible for the registration of the par- made a great progress in each of these objectives. It ticipants and it is represented with its own pavilion. has become a tradition for BPhSA to organise educa- Apart from the educational part BPhSA throw big par- tional lectures on different topics – HPV vaccines, ties on different occasions – beginning of the aca- oral higiene, HIV, insulin therapy. Only weeks after demic year, Halloween, Christmas and the beginning our foundation, we had a TWIN with PSANS, Serbia. of the spring.

In May 2008 we organised in association with GSK As a young association, BPhSA is constantly devel- an essay contest. The topic was “The OTC products oping and evolving led by its motto “ARS LONGA, and the role of the pharmacist as a consultant”. The VITA BREVIS”. price was 150 euro. One of our recent successful initiaves was the lecture and workshop about the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and self-control Hristina Lebanova of diabetes, commemorating the World Diabetes Day EPSA LS on the 14th of November. There were almost 60 stu- BPhSA Public relations ofﬁcer

12 www.bphsa.org Meet the A.N.E.P.F. Letʼs see who is responsible for EPSA Annual Congress 2009...

General Assemblies are the opportunity to share ideas, thoughts about A.N.E.P.F. and its membersʼ burning projects and issues. Professionals from different ﬁelds of pharmacy or healthcare system are invited to give lectures and students from other countries or from other courses of study are invited as well in order to share with them.

In practical terms, A.N.E.P.F. makes the best of itself with different publications like: • The Installation of the Young Pharmacist handbook - helping the pharmacist to create a community pharmacy • The Antidote (information newsletter pub- lished every two months) • The Practical Handbook for the Pharmacy Student - with a description of main dis- eases, drugs and dosages and some ad- vices for patient counseling • The Pharmaceutical Studies handbook – describing all the Masters available in A.N.E.P.F. is the French National Pharmaceutical France for students Studentsʼ Association. It was created in 1968 and • and the Guide of the Pharmaceutical Professions – represents the 33.000 pharmacy students from all 24 describes all the ﬁelds where a pharmacist can work French faculties in a independent, non-political, and non-religious way. It aims at the promotion and the We organise a public health campaign each month, defense of their rights, the promotion of the national based on national and international campaigns, or unity of the students in Pharmacy. To reach its aims, created by ourselves alone or with the help of EPSA. the association attends the different commissions We print a lot of posters and documents to be given that govern the pharmaceutical studies (National to students every month, we distribute tons of con- Pedagogic Commission for Pharmaceutical Studies: doms, and make a lot of activities to earn some CPNEP, National Training Masters Council). money and give it to health associations. With one of our partners, we allow a grant to the most interesting A.N.E.P.F. has as well tight relations with the Deans humanitarian project from all 24 faculties. of the faculties of Pharmacy as well as with the Na- tional Order (Chamber) of Pharmacists (where the Thanks to EPSA, we are organizing a QUATRINO headquarters of A.N.E.P.F. are located). Contacts with Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Of course the pro- with professional trade unions of Pharmacists are as ject that is the most interesting for you guys is without well numerous in congresses or in meetings. a doubt the upcoming Annual Congress that will be held in Reims in April. In a few words : Exciting lec- A.N.E.P.F. meets its members (local pharmaceutical tures, General Assemblies, outstanding sightseeing studentsʼ associations) several times a year: During trips and 6 open bar parties! We invite you to join us the annual congress (300 participants) and during for an unforgettable experience with us and EPSA! ﬁve general assemblies (200-250 participants) reunit- ing small delegations from each local association as Mickael GROULT well as during the winter and summer “criteriums” ANEPF President (respectively 1000 and 500 participants).

www.anepf.org 13

Gauche Droite French Faluche Did you ever wonder what it means?

When you come to EPSA events, you often look at the French with a curious look… What is that strange thing that they are wearing, what does it mean, and why do they bother wearing such a heavy thing on their heads? Avant Well this strange hat that you see is called the Faluche (with a capital letter, always) and is the traditional hat of the French Student. It is a very old tradi- paramedics, osteopathy) who shall sew a velvet rib- tion and it begins in July 1888, Bologna, Italy. Students bon because in old times, velvet was used to clean up from all across Europe came to celebrate the 800 blood in surgery and that it was not stained by blood. years of the University of Bologna, and this is where The velvet part will give more personal infor- the French saw that some countries had some special mation and is so wide that it will be difficult to explain signs in order to distinguish themselves from others. everything in this article. At least I will try to give some When they came back to France, they decided to details so that you could understand how it is organ- choose the hat of the inhabitants of Bologna in mem- ized: On the left of the Faluche, you have what we call ory of this amazing congress, and to call it Faluche. the associative/student part. You will see the city of Since then, it kept on being modified: At first it was studies with the corresponding crest and the ribbons worn completely blank, like the inhabitants of the Ve- corresponding to the associations where you have netian region. Then, in order to distinguish all the stu- been and the position in it, as well as the years of the dents and to make it more personal, the circular ribbon term. On this part shall be put all the pinʼs given by appeared and then the ribbons and insignias on the friends, other faluchards met during events and those velvet. (See description below). offered by the reception committee of events in mem- The Faluche is regulated by a code, so that ory of events you attended. On the right, you will have every Faluchard is able to read and understand other the personal part. There shall be a ribbon with the col- Faluches. The Faluche is not reserved to associations; ors of the region where you were born with the corre- every student can wear it, regardless of his course of sponding crest and another ribbon, perpendicular to studies. Moreover, it is devoid of any religious, social the region ribbon with the colors of the city where you or political connotation; thus any student and wear it were born with the corresponding crest as well. This as long as he has that spirit of brotherhood and the part shall be the place for personal insignias. Each taste for partying that defines the Faluchard. insignia represents something special, described by The faluche is divided into two main parts, the code of the Faluche. Some of the insignias such what we will call the circular ribbon; and the velvet; as the grape (love of wine), the rose (loss of feminine which is the black part that tops the colored circular. virginity), the sphinx head (polyglot) and the drome- First, the circular: This part is here to represent your dary (single when normal, not single when upside studies and give some general information about you. down) can be put by the faluchard himself, others can Here you will find from left to right: Your nickname, only be given by the grandmaster himself such as the your nameʼs initial letters, and the year when you left Bacchus (dignity in drunkenness), the sword (good at school, which would correspond as well to the year of sex – advice by the sexual partner) or the bee (amaz- entrance in university. Then, depending on your ing associative work – advice by the president of as- course of study you will have a special insignia (cadu- sociation). ceus for pharmacy). After that, you will place a golden I hope that this article helped you in understanding a star for every succeeded year, a silver star for a re- little bit what the Faluche is, and of course, I invite you peated year, and a cow head for succeeding in second to come and talk with us at the congress or any other chance exams. A single palm shall be put after ending event to discover more in depth the amazing universe every cycle (2 years) and a single large palm for ob- and history of the Faluche! taining a diploma. Every course of study will have its own color (green for pharmacy), all students shall sew a satin ribbon on the circular apart from the healthcare Georges DAGHER students (pharmacy, dentistry, midwifery, medicine, Pharmacy Grandmaster of Paris XI

15 Bologna process Where does it go?

Bologna Process known as a process of European Other highlights have included an informal promotion education reforms provides a rigorous education of Bologna Process, which is going to take place in a within the European countries, aiming to be fulfilled faculty bar. EPSA members will inform students in by 2010. Through use of credits such as ECTS sys- different faculties, who are interested to know more tem, transparency, cooperation between students about BP, and hopefully we are trying to attract more and professors, student mobility, quality of teaching, students. Students will be motivated to ask what they application of a system with three cycles(bachelor, want to know about Bologna Process. master, doctorate), recognition of qualifications and period of study, Bologna Process enable a higher Through a wide range of activities where we can dis- education and hence a better society. cuss and interact with each other, we are also aiming to get to know student opinions about the effective- EPSA Pharmacy Education Working Committee team ness of Bologna Process. There are opinions to be are concern about the implementation of Bologna told, and others to be listened to. Arguing rationally in Process in different European countries. This issue different ways, and considering conflicting opinions will be subject to large-scale development projects. that may appear contradictory, will help us to evalu- Our first action was rating knowledge related to Bolo- ate the situation. Our ideas about possible projects gna Process among students at different faculties in and activities have been blossoming so far, and we different countries. After providing our working com- seek transmitting knowledge about Bologna process mittee with these specific information, through brain- to all the pharmacy student around Europe as well as storming and discussion we have decided to raise offering them some of our EPSA Spirit. awareness through different activities and projects.

In countries which are still implementing Bologna process we will organize a Bologna Process day. The Malvina Hoxha best time of organizing this activity will be post ex- Università “Nostra Signora Del Buon Consiglio” amination period, around spring, and the date is rela- 3th Year Pharmacy student tive to each country so local organisations will decide Tirane, Albania when it would be. Details about the event are still on Pharmaceutical Education WC Member discussion.

Different educations systems in Euro- pean countries does not allow us to apply only one activity, therefore in other countries where Bologna Process is already implemented, such as Albania, Portugal, Denmark where student “live” with these education reforms, we have thought that the best decision will be distributing leaf- lets containing some information such as objectives, implementation of Bologna Process in institutional, national and international level as well as BP in relation with pharmacy/pharmacist. Distributing them in different meetings, and workshops all over Europe will be one of our goals.

16 FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS! Life after studies?

Dear colleagues, A mistake, e.g. if a quality deviation is handled Itʼs a great pleasure to write about my first working incorrectly, can lead to experience after graduating; I took on a position in serious consequences the pharmaceutical industry. with high costs, high risk for patientsʼ health and it can have a negative in- After having fulfilled my military obligations I entered fluence on the corporate the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, I am working Image. in the department of Quality Management for Roche in Basel. In general, as a young pharmacist I feel really Name: After five years of studying, my daily life changed a welcomed in the phar- Nicolaos D. Gentis lot, from being the whole day in the lecture audito- maceutical industry. In Born in: Berne, rium or in the lab to working in the office, joining my eyes, our company Switzerland from a meetings and being in contact with the whole world really appreciates the Greek father and a (on a face-to-face level or with audiovisual support). spirit and the open- Swiss mother. I am really satisfied with my job, because I have the minded ideas which are Studies: Pharmacy opportunity to use my pharmaceutical knowledge introduced by young sci- at the Universities of day-to-day. Additionally, I have the chance to learn a entists. Berne, and Basel. lot of things, which you donʼt pick up at the University Graduated in No- (e.g. Communication skills, Management skills, Cul- Even though I am really vember 2006. tural aspects of different countries). satisfied with my current position, there are some One of the main differences between my time at the things I miss a little bit from my time at the University. University and my current work in the pharmaceutical By writing my master thesis I had the opportunity to industry is the degree of responsibility. When some- do Research in the field of Pharmaceutical Technol- thing goes wrong in the lab or during an exercise at ogy. It was a great experience to investigate prob- University, in most cases, there are a lot of ways to lems and questions of the Pharmaceutical Sciences resolve the problem in a fast and reliable way. with different methods and concepts. The pharmaceutical industry provides this opportunity The reality in the pharmaceutical industry looks dif- in the departments of Research & Development. An ferent. The focus on patientsʼ health is an important additional opportunity for doing Research is the ap- factor in Rocheʼs Corporate Philosophy. plication for a PhD position at the University.

Due to my strong interest for Research, I accepted a PhD position at the University of Basel from February 2009 on and will therefore be leaving the pharmaceutical industry, after two years full of interesting and positive experiences.

However, working in the industry after having earned my Ph.D. is certainly an interesting option.

Nicolaos D. Gentis

17 Professional Development Standards of Practice for recently graduated pharmacists in community

They had hoped to gather more information via a Yahoo Groups emailing system and also help to cre- Have you ever wanted to work in another country ate awareness about the project. You too can help by in Europe? Are you daunted by the fact of going taking part in the Prof Dev Project and helping phar- to a new country and practicing pharmacy? Do macists to practice pharmacy across Europe. you want to work as a pharmacist abroad and have a helping hand to start you off? Maybe the Some of the questions Professional Development WorCom has got part of the answer!! we are asking are: How do you become a pharmacist in your country? How would a pharmacist from another country practice as a pharmacist in your country? Across Europe, many pharmacy graduates will start How does the healthcare system work? their careers in community pharmacy. There are lots What are the Continuing Professional Development/ of factors attracting new pharmacists into this area, training requirements post graduation? including ﬂexibility, abundance of jobs and locality as well as good rates of pay and career prospects. If your country has a similar document or you want to However, it is apparent from work previously done in help with this project then EPSA would really appre- the Prof Dev WorCom that the undergraduate degree ciate your help! Contact Heena as below. With your doesnʼt teach you everything you need to know to be help, you can make European changes and help to a “day one” pharmacist and it can be a very over- facilitate the migration of pharmacists across Europe! whelming task.

As a result, one of the aims of the Prof Dev WC is to produce a document to help recently graduated pharmacists to be conﬁdent in working in community pharmacy across Europe. Obviously, there will be sections of the document that are speciﬁc to each country and also many “standards of practice” that will overlap.

At the EPSA Autumn Assembly in October in Du- brovnik, Croatia, the Prof Dev Workshop focused on gathering this information. Lots of different members from lots of different countries helped to ﬁnd out as much information as possible, in a limited amount of time, about how a foreign pharmacist can practice I would like to thank all those who have helped with pharmacy in their country. As the time of the work- this project, especially the participants of the Prof shop was short, many students said they would go Dev Workshop at the Autumn Assembly. back to their own countries and ask more students to help contribute to this beneﬁcial project. For more information or to take part, contact me,

The Romanian delegates who were at the workshop Heena Bhakta said they would ask the faculties in their country for EPSA Professional Development help with gathering this information. Working Committee Director [email protected]

18 www.pharmacist.gone? e-Prescribing is the use of computers to im- Focus on e-Prescribing prove the safety and efficiency of the prescribing process. Under Telemedicine, electronic prescrib- ess of e-prescribing, at European this system, a care provider uses ing, consumer health informat- level the main concern is putting a computer to enter information ics… all these terms are con- e-health, respectively e-prescrib- about prescription medications nected to a new concept in the ing in their legal context, assuring that a patient needs, and then healthcare field: e-Health. It de- the data protection and the pa- electronically transmits that data scribes the application of informa- tientsʼ privacy in electronic com- directly to the pharmacy tion and communications tech- munications. computer nologies (ICT) across the whole range of functions that affect the BENEFITS health sector. In September 2008 Patient the activity of the EPSA Public Pharmacist • Improved safety and accuracy Health Working Committee fo- - Clean claims; fewer phone calls - Fewer difficulties over prescrip- cused on e-Health, approaching to physicians, insurance system tion insurance coverage this topic from patientsʼ and and patients • Prescriptions ready for pick-up healthcare professionalsʼ point - Fewer handwriting problems or • Treatments started without delay of view, as well as analyzing its issues; fewer mistakes because • Potential for most cost-effective effects on the public health sys- of misreads therapy with subsequent cost tems. We had a discussion about - More time spent helping physi- savings the “pros” and “cons” of this cians and patients with drug ther- emerging field and focused on e- apy matters and disease-state Prescribing. management DRAWBACKS - Information security What is the status of Physicians - Patient privacy e-Prescribing in Europe? - Significant reduction in number - Controlled substances: these Even though the term e-Health is of phone calls related to formu- prescriptions canʼt be transmitted quite current in Europe, its level lary and handwriting issues electronically, as they require of development is very different - Half time to create an e-prescription supplementary safety measures across the continent, and so is e- - Medication history available; - Complacency: Patients, physi- prescribing. If countries such as drug interactions and/or duplicate cians, and pharmacists should UK and Denmark already have a therapy flagged up front not believe that the use of an tradition in this practice, with electronic system eliminates all nearly all the prescriptions pro- Healthcare system possibilities for errors duced by computer, others like - Reduced medication cost by in- - Cost of providing and maintain- Sweden, Germany and Norway fluencing a greater use of generics ing e-Prescribing system; De- have adopted e-prescribing re- and preferred brand name drugs pendency on this system cently, while In Spain and Bul- - Fewer phone calls received garia it is still in the pilot phase. If from physicians and pharmacists at national level the challenge is - Less paperwork for staff (faxes, Andreea Raluca Ghinea to ensure the appropriate IT in- letters, etc.) Public Health Working frastructure to support the proc- Committee Director 2008/2009

What do students think about e-Prescribing? According to the online survey that we carried out on the same topic, pharmacy students believe that e-Health will foster collaboration between healthcare professionals and will improve pharmacistsʼ activity. We support the implementation of practices connected to this concept, especially e-Prescribing, that will allow professionals a better time management and a focus on drug therapy matters and patient counseling. However, students wonder if e-Prescribing and available drug-interactions programs wonʼt limit pharmacistʼs role in prescription analyzing and patient counseling.

19 QUATRINO BARCELONA Barcelona, what a beautiful place…

All of us, who had a chance to get to know Barcelona During the week spent in the Catalan capital, we as a fourth and also final stop of our Quatrino, no quickly got used to the easy going mediteranian way doubt agree with these words. And not only the city of life. But still, despite all our efforts, we did not itself, but also people were amazing. The Spanish, manage to be less punctual than the Greeks . the Greeks, the Romanians and the Slovenes – a combination with a great potential which did not leave Seven days were over too quickly, but friendship and us cold-hearted. memories caught with cameras (and also those which stayed hidden to our most fanatic photogra- We lived it up as each day would have 25 hours and phers) will stay until the end of our lives. Or maybe ... no one was bothered with the fact that we had lack of till we get so dementic that we will even not be aware sleep. How could it not be so, since the weather was of ourselves. But hopefully, it's a long way before that sunny all the time and there was a bunch of happy may happen, so we can look forward to many new smiling people around us, filling our batteries with events, where we are going to meet our »no-borders new energy. We enjoyed all these things: the sight- friends« again. seeing with our great guides, delicious food, nice clubs and great disco-parties ... and finally, also the Andreja Adamic presentations of our newly gained knowledge about Tina Grohar the topic of the educational part of Quatrino – »Drug Nadja Pipan abuse«. ŠS SFD Slovenija

20 The 21st of September the Danish delegation got visit from our Portu- guese colleagues.

The theme of the TWIN project was drug abuse and we were 22 Danish and 25 Portuguese participants.

In Portugal we heard about party drugs where we in Denmark had focus on alcohol and cannabis among others.

Portugal vs Denmark The Danish part of the TWIN

During the Danish TWIN week In pharmacies you can buy pain- We must not forget the street we had 5 lectures: killers as over-the-counter drugs, campaign which we held the 27th in packages up to 300 tablets. of September. The weather was • Introduction to drug abuse and the work with drug addicts The workshop was made as a amazing and little groups of a few • Tissue damage following alco- role play and there were six Danes and Portuguese went out hol abuse groups of seven and each person to different places in the city to • Medically Enhanced Normality had a role (a pharmacist, a doc- get the drug abuse question- • From cannabis research to tor, a sales manager in a medical naires filled in. obesity treatment company, a member of the Na- We were present in many differ- • Steps towards the Develop- tional Health Service, a parent ent places, from squares over ment of a Cocaine and a Sales director in a super- shopping malls to studentʼs • Antidote market), which they had to act. dorms, to be able to meet as many people as possible. We Besides lectures and panels we Another initiative was an orien- had put up a pavilion next to the tried to show the participants the teering race where the partici- fountain, equipped with a table theme of the project from differ- pants were divided into groups. and chairs where people could sit ent perspectives and they were Each group then had to go to a and fill the questionnaire. Fur- held with success. series of posts where they en- thermore brochures about drug countered a few problems they abuse containing explanations of One of the initiatives was a work- had to solve. The problems were the most common drugs where shop, where the subject was of varying difficulty, and all re- handed out. abuse of over-the-counter drugs lated to drug abuse. and the liberalization of the Of course we must not forget the pharmacies. Examples of the problems the social events and the sightseeing The specific problem was that groups would encounter were in the Danish capital, Copenha- painkillers are used in suicide naming every stimulant they gen where the participants had attempt among teenagers, and could remember, explaining how perfect opportunity to experience the suicide attempts had in- certain drugs were metabolized in the Danish culture. creased. Since 2003, painkillers the body etc. The group with the have been sold in supermarkets most points received Danish and gas stations in small pack- chocolate, and the competition Anne Windfeldt ages of 20 tablets, in Denmark. was fierce.

21 were made some scenes in movies, which our guests found it amazing. This castle has very interesting museum of middle age weapons. After sightseeing we played vol- leyball, hanged out and just enjoyed in nature.

In the evening we went to rock bar because one of our colleagues had concert there. He played guitar with his friend, many popular rock songs, created fantastic atmosphere. Staff commented that they did not see this kind of atmosphere long time ago in this Wuerzburg visits Zagreb club. 5th day Thursday TWIN Germany - Croatia A charity action: so called Pancake and Cookies day which took place at our college. Our students made and brought cakes, 1st day Sunday drinks and were making pancakes. These sweets The Arrival of our colleagues from Germany were sold in purpose to get money for one little girl in (Wuerzburg) was predicted at 5:00 am. We were very need. Our guests joined the action by making pan- excited to see our guests and make their stay in Za- cakes and buying sweets. We were whole afternoon greb pleasant. In early morning at bus station our at the college: playing cards socialized and were eat- welcome committee was waiting. At 13:00 we met ing huge amounts of sweets. Until night all sweets with our colleagues in café bar near dorm, and were gone. It was not so hard assignment to eat all started with the city tour: botanical garden, than we those delicious sweets in charity purpose! In the eve- showed old parts of city. At 20:00 we made the wel- ning was planed to go out with our guests in a popu- come party! Everybody was satisﬁed with the lar bar- it was jazz night. choice. We danced, chatted, drank and had fun. 6th day Friday 2nd day Monday Class about illegal substances: One of our professors We met at 13:00 on the main square and went with of pharmacology is working on a project with a hospi- our guests into our college botanic garden. Thereaf- tal in Wuerzburg (what a coincidence!!!) so that went ter we made a walk through the most beautiful city quickly and in a relaxed atmosphere talking about all park Bundek. In the evening we went in our biggest kinds of effects that illegal drugs can cause... In the pub. We all sat down at one long table, drank, bier, afternoon we visited the museum of city Zagreb, talked. Our German colleagues said that our bier was where our guest had the opportunity to see the his- in rank with the German. I hope they did not lie to be toric exhibitions and learn something more about Za- polite. greb. The last night was crowned with a visit to very classy discotheque. We danced all night long, until 3ed day Tuesday morning although we were all tired from long sight- At 8:30 we went to Plitvice lakes. It is one of the most seeing and walking in last few days. beautiful Croatian national parks. The weather was beautiful so we truly enjoyed in that unique nature. 7th day Saturday – Last day Our dear guests were amazed with beauty of land- Time ﬂew very fast away with them around! We had scape, lakes, and waterfalls. last lunch together and agreed to see us again at bus station at their departure. It was a bit sad because we became very close with them in last few days. Colleague from Germany commented: Our colleagues from Germany gave us rose for This place was like from fairy-tale. goodbye, we made last few photos and kissed each other and promised to see again in Germany. It was very emotional. They entered in bus and were waving 4th day Wednesday until we could see them. At 9:30 began second excursion. Destination was very known castle Trakošćan. In this very old castle Marina Kusevic

22 6th of November Welcome party for Slovenian delegation started around 18h at bus station in Belgrade, with the sounds of trumpeter's orchestra who were playing a well known Serbian songs- "Kalasnjikov" and "Mesecina"! Boheming together: in bohemian part of Bel- grade - Skadarlija - restaurant “Tri sesira “

7th of November We visited Hemofarm concern - the strongest domestic pharmaceutical industry and Mu- seum of pharmacy in Vršac - so called “Mu- seum at the stairs”. There will also be an article about our visit and the twining program in Hemopress - newsletter that Hemofarm pub- Slovenia vs Serbia lishes every month. TWIN Slovenia - Serbia

Partying with a breath-taking view of Belgrade: very popular club in the Capital, all the way up bowling :-) At the end of the day we went to Kajak at the 9th ﬂoor - Stefan Brown. club for barbecue and party. 8th of November 9th of November Do you know how to get up after parting? Sightseeing of Belgrade down town and Kalemegdan We found the way to wake up after Stefan Brown fortress. Museum of old-timers: this is the only mu- because we knew how important is the role of phar- seum of this type in this part of Europe. Many celebri- macist today in the prevention of Obesity. We wanted ties visited and many cars driven by famous have to hear more... and we really got it. been exhibited from 1990ʼs. Five interesting lectures given by eminent speakers Pizza hut restaurant and free time: enough time to from Faculty of pharmacy in Belgrade: get ready for the 2 memorable parties: Party “To to to Role of the Pharmacists in the Prevention and • je to...“ – night boat trip and “Good-bye party“ in one Treatment of Obesity and Eating Disorders of the fanciest clubs in Belgrade which was organ- Principles of Pharmacotherapy in the Management • ized by NAPSer and Sports society of Pharmaceuti- of Obesity cal faculty in Belgrade. • Functional Foods and Dietary Supplements for prevention and treatment of Obesity 10th of November Herbal Products and Obesity • King Palace and White house: reception and the vis- Attitude of Pharmacists and Residents of Nis Area • iting of palace Lunch in restaurant “Moja kuhinjica“ toward Dietary Supplements for Body Weight Re- Serbian cuisine. duction Time to say bye, bye... :-( This wasnʼt the end because... The third part of TWIN took a place in Ljubljana on 11th of November when crazy Slovenians printed out our photos and brought us with them to the theme party BLACK & WHITE! Thank you!!

These words wouldnʼt be written without support of Sanoﬁ Aventis, Hemofarm concern and Faculty of pharmacy in Belgrade!

Restaurant Kovač and bowling to stay in a good Bojana Bilbija shape and to promote health life style! Urban, Meli, Bojana Bogicevic Miloš, Mehmet, Milanka... they had the best score in Vladimir Obradovic

23 Pharmaceutical Sciences Working Committee Articles

Chemical Characteristics and selected wine samples were source of anti-oxidative substances. The greatest antioxidant activity pos- Antioxidant Properties sessed red wines; this was expected due to fact that of Wine from Serbian Regions red wine has more antioxidant substances then other sorts of wine. Uros Cakar 1, Natasa Cakar1 , Brizita Djordjevic2 1. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 2. Institute of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Univer- sity of Belgrade The promotive effect of 12- Even ancient European civilizations had the monoketocholic and 7,12 -diketo- strong cult of wine that spread across all nations of cholic acids on the transport of Europe, including the Serbs, over centuries. It has held an important place in civilization in the course of centu- lidocaine into 1 -octanol ries thanks to not only the feeling that it gives a taster Zvezdana Spasojević, University of Novi Sad during tasting, but also a positive effect that it has on Medical faculty, Department of pharmacy organism. This health effect has been known of for ages, and nowadays modern science devotes more Introduction : Lidocaine is a local anesthetic, and more attention to the research of its qualities. which has to cross the lipid membrane of a cell in Although exists the growing evidence that order to express its action. moderate consumption of alcohol beverages, and Goal : The aim of this research is to examine especially wines has the cardio protective effects, the the possibility of increasing the partition coefﬁcient of food researchers attention is still occupied in discov- lidocaine, respectively, to enable the transport of its ering numerous compounds that exhibit antioxidant, cationic form through the membrane, using bile acids cardio- protective and other health beneﬁcial effects. which form molecule-aggregates (micelles) and are In the light of so-called French paradox, that despite able to affect the permeability of cationic medicines, of having lots a risk life style factors (smoking, fairly what would lead to a more rapid anesthetic effect. high intake of saturated fatty acids) French people Material and methods: The effect of bile has the lowest rate of cardiac disease mortality in acids on the transport of lidocaine into 1-octanol (imi- Europe. The answer of French paradox lies in fact tates the membrane) was examined using a kinetical that French people consume moderately, but regu- method. The decrease of lidocainʼs concentration in larly wine. Both clinical and experimental evidence the aqua layer was determined at 264 nm using UV/ suggest that wine (especially red) offers greater pro- VIS spectroscopy. Successive measuring were per- tection to health.; this is attributed to grape-derived formed in different time periods when the equilibrium antioxidant polyphenolics found particularly in red was reached. The concentration of bile salts was wine. Unfortunately, the consumption of wine in Ser- based on their critical micellar concentration (CMC), bia is below the European standards. which was determined previously. Both of the bile Based on the aforementioned facts, the pur- acids were at their CMC and the fractions of CMC pose of this work was to test certain sorts of wine, to (0.5CMC, 0.75CMC, 1.25CMC). determine the parameters that mark their quality, as Results: Considering logD (partition coefficient well as their anti-oxidative features. of lidocaine at pH 6.5), 12-monoketocholic acid at the In 8 samples of chosen wines (red, white and concentration of 65.00 mM (1.25CMC) contributed rose) from Serbian market chemical characteristics more to the prolonged effect of lidocaine, since logD were investigated. The dry matter, the alcohol con- was increased for 34.2% compared to the one of the tent, the free sulphur(IV)-oxide content, the glycerin pure lidocainʼs solution (level of reliability: p<0.01). 7,12- content, as well as free acid content was determined. diketocholic acid showed a better effect on increasing After distillation, the content of alcohol in distilled liq- the speed of lidocainʼs transport into 1-octanol. uid was determined in two ways, using alcoholometer Conclusion: The results of this research and pincnometer. The dry matter content was deter- initiate the possibility of using the examined bile acids mined in the rest of distillation liquid. The obtained as the promoters of pharmacologically active sub- results were in good accordance with literature data. stances. The determination of the antioxidant activity was per- Key words: Lidocaine; Bile acids; Critical formed following TBA procedure, and showed that micellar concentration; Onsagerʼs effect

24 Pharmacy education in the UK Letʼs see how Brits do it!

Over the recent years After learning about the Bologna process from my the UK pharmacy pro- European colleagues and the massive implications of fession has been expe- it, I was at a loss as to why the general awareness ditiously evolving, al- amongst UK pharmacy students was lacking some- most to an unrecognis- what. Fortunately I have since discovered that the able degree. indifference is not due to inaction (the UK became signatories in 1999) but rather because the MPharm Pharmacists in the UK program already complies with the 3 cycle structure are quickly moving that the process towards a European Higher Educa- away from the dispen- tion Area (EHEA) aims to achieve. So UK students sary and the traditional are not seeing a huge overhaul of their undergradu- ʻwhite coat chemistʼ ate course because of the implementation of Bolo- image associated with it, and moving into more clini- gna, which must occur by 2010. cal roles, with an emphasis on improving patient centred pharmaceutical care. Qualified pharmacists may However, for students in the UK, education is chang- now, with additional training, undertake private con- ing and will continue to do so. More clinical roles will sultations with patients to review their medication, demand greater clinical training and professionalism become independent prescribers and run clinics in at undergraduate level, and ultimately the MPharm almost any area of clinical expertise in which they are will have to be revised to keep up to date with the competent. Such an extension in the services that changing landscape of healthcare provision in the pharmacists are expected to provide must translate UK. For example, currently there is no formal link in an extension in pharmacy education. between the undergraduate degree and practice, and it is currently being debated whether the degree Currently, aspiring pharmacists must undertake an course should in future be a five-year integrated pro- MPharm degree from one of 24 schools of pharmacy gramme, much like a medical degree is in the UK. in the UK. The MPharm program is an undergraduate degree - contentiously classed and funded as a non- Ultimately, the aim of education in pharmacy at all vocational science degree - which consists of 4 years levels is to support the RPSGBʼs mission to improve of academic study in pharmacy. The Royal Pharma- the populationʼs ceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) accredits healthcare and to the program, and currently sets and monitors the ensure that all standards of pharmacy education at all stages. pharmacists are competent and fit After successfully completing the MPharm program, to practice phar- students must undertake one year of pre-registration macy. Therefore, training. There is an exception to this in one Univer- as practice con- sity (Bradford), where pre-registration training con- tinues to evolve, sists of two six-month placements during the so must the edu- MPharm course, rather than as a single one-year cation and atti- block following graduation. Students must apply for a tude of future pre-registration place like they would for a job, as the pharmacists. position is one year in full time work and is, most im- portantly, paid! Pre-registration training may take place in a hospital, a community pharmacy or in industry (e.g. gsk or AstraZeneca), with opportunities to Amie Woolley experience the different sectors during the year. At 4th Year Pharmacy student the end of the year, students sit an exam, and if they Cardiff University, UK pass, may become registered pharmacists and can [email protected] practise as such in the UK.

25 Executive Contacts

President Vice President of Mobility Marisabelle Bonnici Nuria Peiro Portopalo B1A Flat 10, Ronda Guinardó 164 5ª2ª Bugibba St., St Paul's Bay, SPB 2760, o8o41 Barcelona, MALTA SPAIN [email protected] epsa.smo@gmail. com + 356 79048502 + 34 609 259 852

Vice President of Education Vice President of Communication Louise Winnecke Jensen Bojan Davinić Skotterupgade 10 st th, Brigadira Ristića, B3 L10/20, 2200 Copenhagen N, 23000, Zrenjanin, DENMARK SERBIA [email protected] [email protected] +45 22436002 + 381 63560 597

Secretary General Vice President of EU Affairs Jamie Wilkinson Tomaso Piaggio 76 Hook Road, Surbiton, KT6 5BH, Rue du Luxembourg 19-21, UNITED KINGDOM 1000 Bruxelles, [email protected] BELGIUM + 44 78 84 07 06 00 [email protected] +32 487 363443 Treasurer Marija Marić Braće Dronjak 6/7, 21000, Novi Sad, SERBIA EPSA Office [email protected] + 381 63 8630124 Rue du Luxembourg 19-21, 1000 Bruxelles, Vice President of Partnership BELGIUM Development [email protected] Fokion Sinis www.epsa-online.org Koritsas 20, 26222 Patras, GREECE [email protected] + 306 944 97 97 74

26 Drug Information Association

Monday, 23 March 2008, 09:00-10:30 European Higher Education: Curricula for the Pharmaceutical World

Participants will learn in an informal atmosphere about the education students need to lead them into the pharmaceutical world. They will hear what students themselves all over Europe think about their curricula (EPSA European research project) and will have the opportunity to put questions to and exchange opinions with industry professionals and academia.

This session is being developed by the EPSA with the support of DIA Europe. The EPSA represents over 120,000 pharmacy students in 32 European countries. The objective of EPSA is to develop the interests and opinions of European pharmacy students and to encourage contact and cooperation between them.

The Chair of the session will be: Fokion Sinis VP of Partnership Development of EPSA

The world of the pharmaceutical industry and health authorities (provisional title)

Learning Objective: Students/Emerging professionals will get a principle idea about job opportunities/ characteristics, and some tips from the different speakers in regard to initial contacts, CV, personal characteristics, training and they have the opportunity to ask questions to members from industry, HA or maybe recruiting organizationSpeaker from industry about job opportunities, job characteristics and different industry types (SME vs. big pharma)

‑ Health Authority speaker e.g. EMEA to describe job opportunities at EMEA, national bodies, entry option, training requirements ‑ Head-hunter to speak about recruiting organizations and how they work, tips for CV, interviews, getting in contact with the different bodies etc.

Time for Q/A to address speciﬁc questions from audience. The questions can also be written during session on paper by audience as this will maybe decrease the hurdle to ask questions.

The Chair of the session will be: Mrs. Sonja Pumpluen Vice President, Head Global Drug Regulatory Affairs Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Further information about Student Posters or the DIA Student Fellowship can be obtained from Maureen McGahan: [email protected] or call +41 61 225 5160 or by going to www.diahome.org and clicking on the EuroMeeting icon.

27 What are you waiting for? APPLY NOW!

Individual Mobility Project

EPSA Individual Mobility Project ofers you an amazing opportunity to gain experience and practice in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical institutions, faculties of pharmacy around Europe and research laboratories. EPSA does it for European students of pharmacy, EPSA does it for you! All details at www.epsa-online.org