Health authorities, associations and academic sectors in the GCC to collaborate in the advancement of pharmacy practice in the region
Dubai, 16 August 2015:
The shift from product to patient-centered practice in pharmacy is said to be a leading trend in the globe nowadays. The GCC region, believed by some experts to witness rapid developments in its pharmacy practice and education, is among those who are moving towards this trend.
Dr. Lamia Yahya, Clinical Pharmacist at Corniche Hospital in the UAE, believes that the pharmacy practice in the region is booming and is an actively growing profession. "It had moved away from the classic role of just ‘handing in' the medication to the patient, to more orientation towards patient care," she adds. However, some expert suggests that the entire region should place a great emphasis to effectively further advance the profession. An expert from Qatar, Dr. Ahmed Nadir Kheir, Associate Professor and Continuing Professional Pharmacy Development (CPPD) Coordinator for Qatar University, shares that one of the most important factors and tools of change is the advancement in pharmacy education and the emergence of accreditation initiatives, which target quality in health care.
The need to strategize in order to advance further the pharmacy practice in the GCC region paved way for health authorities, associations and academic sectors to collaborate in a 4-day congress to discuss relevant topics to realize this objective. Governmental bodies and associations including The Executive Board of Health Ministers' Council for GCC States, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), Oman Pharmaceutical Society, Emirates Medical Association Pharmacy Society, and Dubai Healthcare City; and academic organizations including Qatar University, University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University and Dubai Pharmacy College are set to support the GCC Pharmaceutical Congress taking place on 5 to 8 of October 2015 at Dusit Thani Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
This congress, now on its second year and is being organized by Maarefah Management, will provide insights into new technologies and innovations in pharmacy practice as well as innovations in implementing pharmacy practice in the most advanced hospitals in the region; examine the implementation of continuous professional development and pharmacy mentorship programmes; and review the means to improve process and waiting time for out-patient pharmacy and managing key operational challenges facing pharmacy managers in a hospital setting.
A keynote address discussing the setting the scene of pharmaceutical care with Primary Health Care (PHC) will be delivered by Dr. Mohamed Alhaidari, Head of Drug Central Registration Department, Executive Board of Health Ministers' Council for GCC States. "[I want] to highlight [an important] point to change the practice to provide pharmaceutical care in the primary health care," he shares.
Another key expert who will share best practices include Dr. Ahmed Aljedai, Director of Pharmaceutical Care Division for King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia who will discuss their unique state-of-the-art formulary management experience. "This presentation will shed some lights on the KFSH&RC's experience in overcoming the challenges encountered by its formulary committee and discuss the implementation of the first paperless, completely electronic, web-based formulary management system across a large health care institution in the Middle East," said Dr. Aljedai.
For more information about the GCC Pharmaceutical Congress, please visit: http://www.gccpharmacongress.comEnd.
Notes to Editors:
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