Ministry Of Health And Prevention Marks World Pharmacists Day 2019
On the occasion of the World Pharmacists Day 2019 which falls on September 25, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) organized on September 23, at Grand Hyatt Dubai, a scientific conference to highlight the vital role of pharmacists in patients’ safety and preventing harm.
According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), this year’s theme is “Safe and Effective Medicines for All”.
The conference shed light on means of improving the use of medicines, reducing pharmaceutical errors, bolstering pharmaceutical services and developing performance in accordance with the best international standards.
The event was held in the presence of H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry’s Hospitals Sector, Dr. Aml Al Awady, Director of Pharmacy Department with the participation of number of pharmacists from government and private sector, besides a number of local and international speakers.
Highlighting the Pharmacist’s Integrated Role
“MoHAP’s pays great attention to the development of the pharmacy sector and enhancement of innovation methods, in addition to keeping abreast with the latest international technological updates and pharmaceutical smart services,” said H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, noting that the aim of this conference is to underline the integrated role of the pharmacist, as an effective member of the medical team, in enhancing the quality of the medical services provided to patients, through the safe and effective use of medications.
This comes as part of MoHAP’s programs and plans to develop quality systems, therapeutic and health safety, and to scale up the services of pharmaceutical facilities to provide high-quality pharmaceutical
Smart Transformation in Pharmacy Field
The conference agenda included panel discussions on the latest technological concepts and smart transformation in pharmacy and pharmaceutical security fields.
Moreover, the participants reviewed the major challenges confronting pharmacists in the pharmaceutical safety field and their fundamental role in curbing pharmaceutical errors, so as to protect patients from undesirable complications.
Conference Sessions: Patient Safety Improvement and Role of Informatics in Drug Safety
The Director of Error Reporting Programs at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has tackled the importance of reporting a pharmaceutical error to improve patient safety and the procedures taken after reporting such errors.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Jedai, Assistant Deputy Minister for Medical Support Services, discussed the Saudi Ministry of Health experience on the use of value-based agreements and economic evaluation in decision-making process and its impact on the patient safety.
Also, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi showcased its experience in the role of automation and informatics in drug safety and controlled medicines.
Improvement of Drug Quality & Antimicrobial Monitoring and Supervision
Aliaa Mahmoud Al Jasmi, Head of Pharmacy Department, Kuwait Hospital Dubai, reviewed the topic of improving drug quality and patient safety through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Under the title “Future & Challenges”, Dr. Thamir Al Shammari, Advisor to the CEO, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) discussed the progress made in the field of drug safety in KSA.
In turn, Duaa Salim Jawhar, Saqr Hospital, highlighted the impact of Antimicrobial Supervision Program on patient safety.
