PharmaEDGE, a unique Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for pharmacists of Middle East and North African (MENA) countries was organized in Abu Dhabi, UAE recently. The initiative was supported with an academic grant by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a leading research-based global pharmaceuticals company with operations in over 90 countries including the Gulf countries.
PharmaEDGE was an Interactive Continuous Pharmacy Education program developed in accordance with Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and Emirates Medical Education (EMA). The objective of PharmaEDGE was to enhance the knowledge, skills and competence of pharmacists which will ultimately lead to improvement in patient and public health outcomes.
The faculty included leading global as well as local experts from UAE who shared their perspective on the latest state-of-the-art research advances over a wide spectrum of topics such as optimal clinical management of chronic disease, utilizing best practice guideline, reduction of medication error, patient compliance and adherence, acute pain management and current and future role of pharmacist in healthcare system.
PharmaEDGE was chaired by Dr Mariam Galadari - Chairperson Pharmacy Division-Emirates Medical Association. The International keynote speaker of PharmaEDGE was Prof. Geoffrey Wall from Drake University, USA. The key messages that Dr Wall emphasized was the importance of pharmacist in patient education to optimize treatment and clinical management of chronic disease and also intervention of pharmacists to reduce medication errors.
Prof. Tariq I Mughal, from Tufts Medical Centre, Boston was the program director of PharmaEDGE. Prof. Mughal spoke about treatment adherence and compliance. He mainly emphasized on the role of pharmacists in patient compliance and patient education to ensure adherence to the treatment.
Dr Nehad M Hamoudi from Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE presented a case about drug interaction and also mentioned the importance of understanding drug interactions, as in today's practise, doctors usually co-prescribe medications.
Dr Sathvik B Sridhar from Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, spoke about the role of pharmacists in adverse drug reaction monitoring with the help of case study presentations. Dr Sathvik also helped the audience understand the errors in identifying an adverse reaction and reporting of such a reaction.
The symposium was also graced with the presence of Dr Azad Moopen. Dr Azad Moopen, who is the founder of Aster Group (Chain of Pharmacies and hospitals), shared his experience and gave deep insight about topical challenges in pharmacy establishment in MENA region. He also shared his views on the evolution of E-prescription and the impact it will have on pharmacist's practice. Dr Moopen also addressed various queries of the audience and explained to them the importance of being a pharmacist, continuous medical education of the pharmacist and what difference a can pharmacist make in the treatment process.
PharmaEDGE was a successful event with 362 pharmacists attending the programme. All the speakers, panelist and attendees appreciated the symposium and congratulated the organizers and Glenmark for such a successful and unique initiative for pharmacists in the MENA region
