TO IMPROVE the quality of pharmaceutical services and to intensify the battle against counterfeit medicines, some 2,300 pharmacists gathered in a convention at the Quadricentennial Pavilion from April 26 to 28.
Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. President Leonila Ocampo said pharmacists in charge of medicines in the market face the challenge of standing by their oath of professionalism.
“[Their] core function is to provide only quality medicines and services to the public in the most cost-effective manner,” she said in her opening remarks.
Kamal Midha, former International Pharmaceutical Federation president and convention keynote speaker, said developing “need-based” medicine and practice must be the focus of pharmacists.
“The profession needs to be recognized. They have to be given appropriate roles to be able to help the health care [sector] and needs of the patient,” he told the Varsitarian.
Other guest speakers were Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations President John Chang and Western Pacific Pharmaceutical Forum President John Ware.
Marilyn Tiu, chairperson of this year’s convention, said UST was chosen as venue because it was the first school to offer a Pharmacy program in the Philippines.
“When we invited the delegates, we said it’s time for them to come home to where Pharmacy started here in the Philippines,” she added.
The association elected a new set of officers in the annual convention. Former Pharmacy dean Rosalinda Solevilla was elected member of the board of directors.
Solevilla graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1952 and served as dean for nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, 86-year-old Thomasian pharmacist Purita Tuazon was named Outstanding Pharmacist of the Year.
Solevilla and her student, Sr. Melecia Garcia, were also recognized as two of the oldest participants in the convention. With reports from B. D. Nicolas
