Tribune News Network
Doha
The College of Pharmacy at Qatar University (QU) has successfully concluded the 2024 Structured Practical Experiences in Pharmacy (SPEP) Program, enabling nine undergraduate students to participate in elective international internships.
These rotations, held in Scotland and Malaysia, align with the College’s mission to broaden professional horizons and meet the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accreditation requirements. In Scotland, students collaborated with Mint Pharmacy in Glasgow, immersing themselves in patient-centred care within community pharmacy settings. They were exposed to the UK’s healthcare practices, including medication counselling and patient engagement strategies.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, students collaborated with IKOP Pharma in Pahang, gaining insights into pharmaceutical manufacturing, GMP, quality assurance, and innovative industrial practices, such as the ‘Halal Tayyiban’ certification.
Dr. Ziad Nasr, assistant professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice and Coordinator of the SPEP Program at QU, highlighted the significance of the program. “Nine undergraduate pharmacy students were sent to undertake elective international rotations in community pharmacy in Scotland (Mint Pharmacy) and the pharmaceutical industry (IKOP Pharma) in Malaysia as part of our commitment to broadening their professional horizons and meeting CCAPP accreditation requirements.”
Dr. Nasr added, “The rotation in Scotland provided students with hands-on experience in patient-centred care within a community pharmacy setting, exposing them to diverse healthcare practices and fostering skills in medication counselling and patient engagement. In Malaysia, students gained insights into industrial pharmacy, including drug formulation, manufacturing, and quality assurance, while exploring interprofessional collaboration within the pharmaceutical industry. These rotations aimed to enhance students’ understanding of different pharmacy practice models, encourage cross-cultural learning, and prepare them to implement innovative practices and interprofessional strategies in Qatar, ensuring they become globally competent healthcare professionals.”
He concluded, “These rotations provide students with unique opportunities to compare pharmacy practices across borders. By fostering cross-cultural learning and interprofessional collaboration, we are equipping our students to implement innovative practices and strategies in Qatar.”
Participating students expressed enthusiasm for their experiences. Rouaa Elhani and Roaa Rustom reflected on the distinct role of independent prescriber pharmacists in Scotland’s National Health Service, highlighting their pivotal role in improving accessibility and trust in community healthcare.
Similarly, students Hassan Mohammadian, Ghaith Alali, and Omar Abd Elrahman emphasized the inspiration they drew from Scotland’s progressive practices, igniting their advocacy for pharmacist-led vaccination services and expanded prescribing authority in Qatar.
The Malaysian rotation also left a lasting impact. Students, including Haneen Hunaiti and Ayesha Ahmed, noted the meticulous adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the innovation demonstrated at IKOP Pharma. They expressed admiration for the blend of technical expertise and cultural sensitivity embodied in Malaysia’s pharmaceutical industry.
The 2024 SPEP Program underscores QU’s commitment to fostering academic and professional excellence through experiential learning, preparing students to excel as leaders in pharmacy and healthcare.