A blog by: Rukh Yousuf
25th September is celebrated as world pharmacist day and Giving back to pharmacy in Pakistan (GBTPP) is holding virtual conference for uplifting pharmacy profession in Pakistan since 2020. It is a great and much needed motive.
I always used to think Pakistan and Pakistani nation needs pharmacy services the most, there is lot of room here to work for pharmacy services. Our patients are suffering due to lack of Pharmacist in hospital and community and our cream Pharmacists who have studied pharmacy from top rated public universities are serving in other countries, providing world class pharmaceutical care to communities where they live.
I am more than happy, and proud to meet and join GBTPP (Giving back to Pharmacy in Pakistan), knowing their motive to uplift pharmacists in Pakistan at all levels. Giving Back to Pharmacy in Pakistan is a non-profit organization and a volunteer group that focuses on knowledge transfer of best practices in the field of pharmacy to all pharmacy colleagues in Pakistan.
In an effort to uplift Pharmacy profession in Pakistan as per international standard, GBTPP started conducting online conference since 2020.GBTPP held two days second virtual conference on 17 and 18 September 2021. Conference was broadcasted live on Facebook and YouTube to facilitate attendees. Conference schedule remain feasible for Pakistani community on weekend started Friday evening.
Program Schedule was altogether perfect, encompassing all aspects of pharmacy field. Opening is done by Key note speaker Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services in Pakistan, who enlightened on pharmacy in Pakistan and role of pharmacist in Health Sector.
17 September 2021
First day lectures are very informative and recent including, Big data and care transformation in Pakistan presented by Dr. Usman Iqbal, Pharmacy role in management of COVID19 by Dr. Muhammad Amir and Pharmacotherapy updates in Hypertension management presented by Dr. Azam Ishaque. There was very important panel discussion at the end of first day entitled, Bridging for Success - Academia & Hospital Pharmacy, excellent insightful suggestions were given by panelist. Pharmacy set up in Pakistan really need the bridge between academia and hospital pharmacy. The discussion presented all the valuable ways to shorten the gap between pharmacy practice and academia. Scientific posters were also presented at the end of first day sessions, A unique idea was to present posters from students and practitioners in different rooms to keep the competition fair.
First day concluded with excellent sessions, and challenging and thought provoking panel discussion and thrilling posters presentations.
18 September 2021
Second day of conference started in the morning at 11 am and lasted till 11 pm comprising of all great sessions, intelligently divided in four different tracks as per interest and specialties of attendees. Under “SAFETY _ AMBULATORY TRACK” there were number of highly insightful lectures including Non-Communicable Diseases: National Emergency and our role as pharmacists by Dr. Huma Rasheed, I loved the practical ideas and activities we got to engage in.
Establishing meds2beds program at a specialty hospital: Tabba Heart Story, presented by Dr. Sumaira Khan. Definitely learned new strategies from this real story.
Role of Pharmacists in disaster management delivered by Dr. Tahir Aziz was outstanding and a mind-opener. Practical tips were given by Dr. Mubashar Kharalon establishing a med safety program in hospital, exceeded my expectations.
Under “Scientific Program Track” all the talks were outstanding and need of practicing pharmacists. From emerging role of community pharmacists in Pakistan as pain management specialists to Medication safety and ADR reporting. The two parallel workshops on day 2 included, Establishing Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee at your hospital and Engaging in quality research were powerful and useful. The "Bridging for Success - Academia & Community Pharmacy panel discussion was a highly demanded topic, need of the hour of Pakistani Pharmacists community was also discussed in details by experts of academia and community pharmacy.
In addition to Pharmacy practice, conference also included “Leadership and soft skills track”. This track was most powerful and life-changing. A real motivation was given by Dr. Mohammad Siddique who discussed need of EQ or IQ.
Improving Access to medicine presented by very known Professor Dr. Zaheer Uddin Babar. More exciting topics were about leadership, using telehealth, voice and writing for patient care. All the talks were practical and engaging.
Networking: the Value of Making Meaningful Connections in a Digital World - Dr. Janan Sarwar
How to convince hospital administration the need of clinical pharmacist - Dr. Shaikh Hussam
Another important track was “Hospital and Informatics Track” featuring many mind expanding and illuminating topics on pharmacy practice in Pakistan. Refreshing and useful talk on “Typical day in life of critical care clinical pharmacist” was presented by Dr. Umair Ansari. Exceptional! Terrific talk on
E-prescribing and Stimulating discussion on Optimizing care in rural areas of Pakistan for patients with Tuberculosis was also part of this conference.
Dr. Muhammad Siddique Concluded presentation with closing remarks, it was a great motivation for pharmacist working in Pakistan and abroad for uplifting pharmacy profession at home and serving for our own community.
The level of expertise and knowledge of the presenters were excellent. In addition, I appreciate their positive attitudes, willingness to explain concepts, clarity of visual aids and handouts, and opportunities to ask questions.
I’m glad on my attendance to this important Conference. I’ve learned a great deal for application in both my pharmacy practice and my life in general.
The insights I have gained from this one conference far exceed any other conference I have attended to date. Wonderful, insightful, well presented!
Excellent sessions, challenging and thought provoking.
Very systematic, organized, insightful and inspiration, as always. Thank you GBTPP team for organizing such a great useful event successfully.
Very helpful, just what I needed!
Great educational experience.
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