2012 PPhA National Convention Puts Quality and Safety of Medicines in Focus
The Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA), the only accredited professional organization of pharmacists in the Philippines had successfully held its National Convention last April 26-28, 2012 at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Espana, Manila. The three-day event with the theme, Best Pharmacy Practices for Quality and Safety brought together international pharmacy leaders and experts in the persons of Dr Kamal Midha, Immediate Past President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP); Mr John Ware, President of the FIP Western Pacific Pharmaceutical Forum (WPPF); and Mr John Chang, President of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA). Pharmacists from all areas of practice and geographical locations in the country, totalling 2,640 had gathered for the three-day event together with representatives of government regulatory bodies and the pharmaceutical industry that were eager to learn more about the science as well as the different initiatives along the area of quality and safety of medicines.
The keynote address of Dr. Midha entitled, From Science to Practice: Ensuring Patient Outcomes through Responsible Medicines Use set the tone of the convention. This was followed by plenary sessions on Leadership and Management for Quality and Safety; Ensuring Patient Safety through Quality Drugs and Services; and Responsible Use of Medicines.
In addition to the relevant presentations by both overseas and local speakers, Filipino pharmacists witnessed some innovations in the conference format. There were parallel sessions intended for oral presentations of researches in the areas of pharmacy practice, pharmacy education and policy development and pharmaceutical sciences. A special session was also dedicated for the oral presentations of young pharmacists and pharmacy students. Pocket lectures on Non-Communicable Diseases and their Pharmacotherapy were also provided by three pharmaceutical companies for the participants on the second day. An expanded poster exhibit, consisting of scientific posters and local chapter posters, was also initiated to develop the culture of research and documentation among pharmacists. In this conference, the new electronic ID system was also utilized in the election of members of the PPhA Board of Directors. Pharmacists enjoyed the social activities and competed among themselves in the Dress Up your Jeans and the Pharmacists Got Talent competitions held on the Welcome Reception and the Fellowship Night, respectively.
PICTURES OF THE CONVENTION
Dr Midha, Immediate Past President of FIP (center)led the opening of the convention
exhibit together with Mr John Ware, WPPF President (far left) and Mr. John Chang,
FAPA President (second to the left). Onlookers were Mrs. Neelam Midha, Dr Soo Ja
Nam, Immediate Past President of FAPA, and Mr Reynaldo Umali, WPPF Secretary
From left: Mr Reynaldo Umali, Dr Kamal Midha, Mr John Ware, Mrs Neelam Midha,
Ms Normita Leyesa, Dr Soo Ja Nam and Mrs Nariel Ware posed with a participant
during a convention break.
From Left: Mr Roderick Salenga, former FIP WPPF Travel Grant Scholar chats
with Mrs Leonila Ocampo, PPhA President with Keynote Speaker, Dr Kamal Midha,
FIP Immediate Past President and wife, Mrs Neelam Midha.
Members of a local chapter, Cavite Pharmacists Association, posed after their dance presentation
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