TOPIC 4: EDUCATIONS & TRAINING OF

PHARMACISTS
NOTES: PHARMACY EDUCATION
Pharmacy Education is a four year-Bachelor’s Degree which provides a broad spectrum of
scientific training and can lead to employment in a wider range of scientific fields principally in
higher education institutions, community drug stores, hospitals, in government agencies, research
establishments, public health and pharmaceutical industry.
– policies and standards are adopted and promulgated by the Commission
– a four year Bachelor's Degree
– provides a broad spectrum of scientific training
– can lead to employment in a wider range of scientific fields
Can be employed in:
- higher education
- institutions - in government agencies
- community drug stores - research establishments,
- hospitals - public health pharmaceutical industry
It should also encompass:
- pharmaceuticals
- cosmetics
- household hazardous substances
- drug delivery services, and veterinary medicines
Main concern of Pharmacy Education
– to provide the country with pharmacists who are scientifically competent

Knowledge, skills, aptitude and competencies in:

1. conducting scientific research methods and processes
2. developing drugs for prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of diseases of
man and animals;
3. identifying, compounding, manufacturing, storing and dispensing of drugs
4. managing drug establishments based on sound entrepreneurial practice;
5. providing pharmaceutical care as well as counseling clients in the proper use of both
prescribed and patient chosen medications
6. providing drug and health related information
7. advocating professional and ethical pharmacy practice
8. contributing to the overall social, mental, emotional, and physical health of
individuals, communities and country

THE COUNCIL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION

– The Council of Pharmaceutical Education was created to take care of the standardization
and regulation of pharmaceutical education. The Council is composed of the:
1. Secretary of Education
2. Undersecretary of Health Service
3. FDA Administrator
4. Chairman of the Board of Pharmacy
5. Dean, College of Pharmacy, U.P.
6. Dean, College of Pharmacy, Private School
7. Representative of a bonafide national pharmaceutical organization in the Philippines.
The following are the laws and policies that affects Pharmacy Education in the Philippines:

LAW TITLE DATE

RA 10918 The Philippine Pharmacy Act July 21, 2016
- An act regulating and
modernizing the practice of
pharmacy in the Philippines
RA 7722 Higher Education Act of 1994 May 18, 1994
- An act creating the CHED,
appropriating funds therefor and
for other purposes.
CHED Updated Policies and Standards for January 21, 1998
Memorandum Pharmacy Education.
(CMO) No.42 - In accordance with pertinent provisions
Series of 2017 of RA7722 and for the purpose of
Rationalizing Pharmacy Education in
the country
- meeting the health needs of the
people through quality health services
- – keeping it relevant and space with
the demands of global competitiveness

PHARMACIST LICENSURE EXAMINATION

Pursuant to the Philippine Pharmacy Act, after graduation a person must take and pass the
Pharmacist Licensure Examination administered by the Board of Pharmacy before
practicing the profession.

The following are the qualifications for taking the Licensure Examination:
– (a) He must be a citizen of the Philippines/ Foreign reciprocity (RA 10918)
– (b) He must be of good moral character
– (c) He must have completed an internship program of at least 960 hours
– (d) He must have graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from an
accredited school.

Foreign reciprocity- Unless the country or state of which the foreign pharmacist is a subject or
citizen, specifically permits Filipino pharmacists to practice within its territorial limits on the same
basis as the subjects or citizens of the said foreign country or state under reciprocity and under
international" agreement, no foreigners shall be admitted to licensure examinations, given a
COR to practice as pharmacist nor be entitled to any of the privileges under RA 10918.
– The Pharmacist Licensure Exam is composed of 6 Modules:
o Module 1- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
o Module 2- Pharmacognosy & Biochemistry
o Module 3- Practice of Pharmacy
o Module 4- Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics
o Module 5- Pharmaceutics
o Module 6- Quality Assurance & Quality Control
– Must obtain 75% with no rating lower than 50% in any modules
– Failure for the 3rd time= refresher course (Pre board review course)

Requirements to become a Pharmacists:

– is at least 21 years of age;
– has satisfactorily passed the corresponding examination given by the Board of Pharmacy;
– is a holder of a valid certificate of registration duly issued to him by Board of Pharmacy

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

– Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the “Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) Act of 2016”, is an act which requires CPD as the mandatory
requirement for the renewal of Professional Identification Card (it is renewed every 3 years)
– The CPD Act lapsed into Law on July 21, 2016 and it took effect on August 16, 2016
– Required CPD for Pharmacist is 15 units.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the process of developing professional skills

and knowledge through interactive, participation-based or independent learning. It enables
learners to proactively develop their professional capabilities through certified learning or self-
guided learning methods.

Importance:
1. prove they are capable of adhering to current essential standards
2. helps people retain a consistent set of high quality, relevant skills and knowledge
throughout their professional life.
3. demonstrate new knowledge, work to impressive standards, and progress in their
career.

TYPES OF CPD
The learner engages in interactive, participation-based
learning, usually provided by somewhere other than the
Formal CPD: company for which they work. Structured CPD often
structured, active involves more than one learner for the benefit of idea
learning sharing and group activities, but it can be one-to-one.
Structured CPD includes:
• Online and offline training courses.
• Learning-oriented conferences and meetings.
• Group events.
• Workshops.
 Self-directed learning refers to any development activities
that are guided solely by the learner, often without
following a curriculum. If you are going to engage in self-
directed CPD, you should draw up a CPD plan that covers
Informal CPD: what you expect to learn.
unstructured, self- Self-directed CPD includes:
directed learning • Studying online and offline publications written by
industry experts.
• Reading articles and case studies.
• Listening to and making notes on podcasts.
• Following industry-specific news feeds.
• Writing articles and essays for personal
development.
• Additional studying and revising for professional
examinations.

POST GRADUATE TRAINING & SPECIALTY

As a pharmacist, we are presented with a myriad of opportunities for postgraduate studies, both
locally and overseas.

PHD or MS Pharmacy PhD and MS candidate must have a sufficient fundamental

knowledge in research methodology, statistics and
his/her discipline of study.

Pharm D (Doctor of – prepare advanced generalist and specialist pharmacists

Pharmacy) to provide collaborative seamless and holistic care for
patients across different stages of their healthcare
journey - from diagnosis and treatment to post-
discharge follow-up.

– The program is highly patient-focused and is suitable for

candidates who are currently practicing in an
institution providing direct patient care.

– a residencies programmes are designed for

Pharmacy Residency pharmacists who will like to gain more hands-on-
Programme knowledge and skill set in advanced patient care
practice
– Advance practitioner or specialist pharmacist in a
medical specialty of oncology, infectious diseases,
psychiatry, cardiology or geriatrics.
Postgrad degree unrelated – Pharmacists who prefer non-clinical postgrad degree
to Pharmacy often opt to do Masters of Public Health, Masters of
Health Administration or an MBA.

– These pharmacists often became epidemiologist,

statistician, public health advocates, health
administrators or natural scientist, depending on their
interests. Such masters are available in both local and
overseas context and as either a part time or full time
course.
 PHARMACY RESEARCH

– Any research activity done by pharmacists, regardless

of the topic.
– Pharmacists must be involved in all aspects of health
research, from basic laboratory investigations to
population-based studies. Our unique set of skills and
our focus will ensure that we have distinctive research
topics.

It includes the following as research topics:

1. Basic pharmaceutical sciences

– including the development and testing of new dosage forms or medication-
administration modalities
2. Clinical research
– concerning the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of drugs
3. Pharmacy practice research
– addressing various issues such as the evaluation of new and existing services, workload
measurement, pharmacoeconomics, and quality management

REFERENCES:
◉ Republic Act 10918
◉ Republic ACT 7722
◉ CHED Memorandum Order No. 9
◉ Mims. (n.d.). Pharmacists: Here are your options for postgraduate studies. Retrieved July
25, 2020, from https://today.mims.com/pharmacists--here-are-your-options-for-
postgraduate-studies
◉ Koshman, S., & Blais, J. (2011, March). What is Pharmacy Research? Retrieved July 25,
2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093426/
 TOPIC 5: LAWS & ETHICS AFFECTING
PHARMACY PRACTICE

NOTES: LEGAL CONTROL

– The practice of pharmacy is regulated by the law of the country. To practice pharmacy, a
pharmacist must be a registered pharmacist (RPh) in that country. Administration of
pharmacy laws and the granting of registration to practice pharmacy are authorities vested
in the Board of Pharmacy.
– The following laws govern the practice of pharmacy profession and relative to drugs in the
Philippines.
R.A. No. 10918 - The Pharmacy Act
R.A. No. 3720 - The Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act
R. A. No. 9165 - The Dangerous Drug Act of 2002
R.A. No. 6675 - The Generics Law of 1988
R.A. No. 8203- The Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs
R.A. No. 9994- The Senior Citizen Act
R.A. No. 7394- The Consumer Act of the Philippines

THE PHARMACY ACT (RA 10918)

– An act regulating the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose RA
5921
– Signed by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III
– Approved on July 21, 2016
– Enforcement: Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy

EXAMPLE OF PROVISION REGULATING THE PHARMACY PRACTICE

A pharmacist shall be required to indicate the serial numbers, the
Indication of Information date of expiry of the pharmacist’s PIC and APO Certificate of
Membership on all pertinent documents signed by him/her.
Display of COR Display the COR in a prominent and conspicuous place.
– Category A (establishments that require direct
supervision of RPh)- original copy
– Category B- (outlets where the supervision and oversight
of a duly registered and licensed pharmacist is required)
duplicate copy
Dispensing/Sale and It should be done by a registered Pharmacist in an establishment
Compounding of with a valid License to Operate given by the FDA Phil.
Pharmaceutical Products In emergency cases, dispensing of Rx and Pharmacist only OTC
can be done by non-pharmacist.
Partial filling of Prescription – Partial filling of prescription less than the total quantity
indicated in the prescription shall be allowed,
– Pharmacist dispensing the last quantity completing the
prescription to keep the prescription according to proper
prescription recording guidelines.
Recording of Patient – Prescription logbook (kept in drugstore for 2 years after
Medication Profile the last entry)
– Discount logbook (2 years)
 – Dangerous Drug logbook (kept for 2 years. A certified
true copy covering 6 months is forwarded to the
Dangerous Drug Board)
– Referral Registry Logbook (2 years)
– Poisonous Substances Logbook (5 years)

All logbooks must be kept in a secured locked cabinet to

protect the private information of the patient. Only the
Pharmacists or the Manager of the outlet has the access in
these files.
Administration of Adult – licensed and trained pharmacist can now administer adult
Vaccines vaccines
– The doctor’s prescription for vaccine has a validity of 7 days.
– Pharmacist must submit AEFI report to DOH regional offices
monthly.
AEFI- Adverse Event Following Immunization
Ghost Pharmacist – Allowing the display of one's COR in a pharmaceutical
establishment where the pharmacist is not employed and
practicing.
– It is an act punishable by the law.
Protection for Pharmacists – Forcing, coercing, or intimidating a duly registered and
licensed pharmacist to compound or dispense medical and
pharmaceutical products in violation of the provisions of RA
10918.

FOOD, DRUG, DEVICES & COSMETICS ACT (RA 3720)

– An act to ensure the safety and purity of foods and cosmetics, and the purity, safety,
efficacy and quality of drugs and devices being made available to the public
– Approved on June 22, 1963
– Amended by EO 175 on May 22 1987 (Its original title is Food, Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
There is no provision about medical devices prior to amendment)
– Enforcement: Food and Drug (FDA) Philippines

Provision affecting Pharmacy Practice

• The manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution or transfer of
any food, drug, device or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded is prohibited.

ADULTERATED MISBRANDED
It can cause harm when consumed by If it can confusion or it is misleading to
humans. the consumers.
– contains any poisonous or deleterious – If its labeling and container is false or
– consists of decomposed substance misleading
– prepared under unsanitary conditions – if it is offered for sale under the name
(doesn’t conform to CGMP) of another product
– container contains poisonous – If the product is counterfeit (fake)
substance – Required information in the label is not
– contains coal tar (a coloring agent that present (ex. Adverse effect, possible
is banned due to its toxic effect) allergic reactions)
 THE GENERICS ACT (RA 6675)

– It is an act to promote, require, and ensure the production of an adequate supply,

distribution, use, and acceptance of drugs and medicines identified by their generic names.
– Approved on September 18, 1988
– Signed by Pres. Corazon Aquion
– Enforcement: Department of Health
– Administrative Orders related to the Generics Act
o A.O. No. 55 (Labelling Requirement)
o A.O. No. 62 (Prescribing Requirement)
o A.O. No. 63 (Dispensing Requirement)

GENERIC NAME
– It is also known as Non-Proprietary Name
– simpler term for scientifically recognized AI of the drug
– Using GN can reduce the cost of treatment by reducing the promotions and advertising cost
associated with branded products.

Who shall use Generic Names?

– government health agencies
– medical, dental and veterinary practitioners
– organization or company involved in the manufacture, importation, repacking, marketing
and/or distribution of drugs
– Drug outlets, including drugstores, hospital and non-hospital pharmacies

PRESCRIBING ERRORS
1. Violative Prescription
– Generic name is not written
– Generic name is illegible but brand name is legible
– Both are written but with word “NO SUBSTITUTION”
What to do?
– Shall not be filled
– Kept and reported to DOH
– Advise patient to get proper Rx

2. Erroneous Prescription
– Brand name precedes generic name
– Generic is in parenthesis
– Brand is not in parenthesis
What to do?
– Shall be filled
– Kept and reported to DOH
3. Impossible Prescription
– Only generic is written but not legible
– Generic name does not match with brand name
– Both written – both illegible
– Drug is not registered with DOH
What to do?
– Shall not be filled
– Kept and reported to DOH
– Advise patient to get proper Rx

CODE OF ETHICS FOR PHARMACISTS

Ethics- it means the science of morality.

Declaration of Principles:
– Provide efficient service in compounding and filling of prescriptions and the dispensing
of drugs, chemicals, and medicines
– Special knowledge, skill, and integrity are demanded on the part of those engaged in
Pharmacy
o Ex. An old lady asking you what would be the side effects of taking paracetamol at
its exceeding dose and what must be done to overcome this side effects. This is an
example of special knowledge because not all professional know what could be the
possible side effects and the antidote for its toxicity
– Pharmacists should pursue a prescribed course of study and should pass a professional
examination.
– Qualified pharmacists have a full recognition of their responsibility for the preservation of
public health.
– The pharmacist should therefore ever bear in mind that he is more than a merchant. (We
are not “glorified merchant” we are an integral part of the health care team giving drug
information to the public.)

DUTIES OF PHARMACISTS
– They should refrain the use of substitutes or drugs of substandard strength.
They should maintain all standards established by Pharmacopeia and
National Formulary.
– No drugs should be dispensed with inferior quality, injurious or of no
effect to the patient.
– Poisonous substances must only be dispensed to a qualified persons
PUBLIC except: elderly, children and mentally ill
– Pharmacists should follow laws involving dispensing of narcotics and
abortives
§ Narcotics- drugs that induces sleep
§ Abortives- drug that can induced labor
– The pharmacist should endeavor to gain the confidence of customers by
attending promptly to their wants.
– The pharmacist is entitled to just and fair compensation (Professional Fee).
What they are paying to you reflects your services offered to them.
– Pharmacist should be concerned about the health and safety of his
customer
– Pharmacist should keep his establishment clean, neat and sanitary
 – There should be no secret agreement with a physician to share with him his
profits in prescriptions.
– The pharmacist should be a good citizen and should uphold and defend
the laws of the land.

– The pharmacist should not prescribe or diagnose disease even when

urgently requested to do so, but should, in such cases, refer the patient to
reputable qualified physician
– Should not perform replacement or substitution of prescribed medicine in
PHYSICIAN
a prescription except with the consent of the prescriber. Also dispensing of
generics medicine is exempted.
– The dispensing pharmacist should follow strictly and thoroughly the
instructions of the prescriber relative to the filling of a prescription
– The pharmacist should consult the prescriber in order to avoid an error.
This must never be done with the knowledge of the patient to protect the
integrity of the prescriber.

– He should contribute to the progress of his profession

– He should join pharmaceutical organizations
– He should not perform any act or be a party to any transaction that may
bring discredit to himself
– The pharmacist should expose any corrupt or incorrect conduct on the
COLLEAGUES
part of a member of the profession
– He should not accept any commission for the distribution of secret
remedies or advertisements or correspondence to promote their sale.
– He should not accept the managership of pharmacies in any locality
where such acceptance may be detrimental to other pharmacists owning
establishments.
– Avoid the dispensing and sale of misbranded products.
– comply with all business regulations
– It would be unprofessional for a pharmacist if he promises or boasts of
radical cares in the use of his products

– Special attention must be given to the selection of assistants.

PHARMACY – Every pharmacist should take interest, instruct and train his apprentices in
ASSISTANTS professional practice
– keep a register for recording the time and kind of employment of such
apprentices and the efficiency rating obtained by each while connected with
the establishment.

REFERENCES:
◉ Pharmacy: An introduction to the Profession, 2nd edition by Posey, L. Michael
◉ Remington : The Science & Practice of Pharmacy 21st edition by Genaro Alfonso
◉ Limuaco, O.M. (2009). Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence and Ethics 6th ed. Manila: Centro
Escolar University
 TOPIC 6: PHILIPPINE PRACTICE STANDARDS
FOR PHARMACISTS

NOTES: PHIL PSPs

– This is to guide, advise and provide reference to Filipino pharmacists on how they can
best fulfill their duties and responsibilities as health professionals.

This includes:
– Competency Standards: Specific functions to be carried out by a
pharmacist who is deemed professionally qualified

– Performance Criteria: Evaluative statements that specify the

activities and/or tasks needed to be accomplished in order to carry
out specific processes

– Evidences: Outputs, outcomes, and/or examples relevant in

achieving the competency

– Elements: Actions and processes that are expected to be

performed in demonstrating a specific competency

SIX CORE COMPETENCIES OF FILIPINO PHARMACISTS

1. Practices in a professional, legal and ethical manner.
– Each pharmacist must carry out professional duties with outmost competence and in
accordance to legal and ethical standards.
2. Places client’s/patient’s welfare at the center of the practice.
– Each pharmacist must consider at all times the well-being of the client/patient as the most
important professional concern.
3. Demonstrate leadership and management skills
– Each pharmacist must exemplify leadership through managing conscientiously one’s work
and improving client/patient outcomes by creating innovative and timely solutions.
4. Demonstrate cultural competence and effective communication skills
– Each pharmacist must be able to relate and communicate with people of diverse values,
beliefs, backgrounds and expectations in carrying out his/her important role as medication
expert
5. Engages in interprofessional collaboration
– Each pharmacist must be able to actively work in an interprofessional and multidisciplinary
environment.
6. Commits oneself to continuing professional development
– Each pharmacist must proactively seek opportunities for life-long learning and professional
development.
 Competency Standards in the Different Areas of
Pharmacy Practice

Area of Practice Competency Standard

Academic Pharmacists Enriches teaching with additional training and
practice experience
– Seeks formal learning opportunities to improve
knowledge and professional skills.
– Maintains up-to-date understanding of practice
issues and developments.

Regulatory and Manufacturing Ensures compliance to health vigilance

Pharmacists requirements
– Contributes to the development of a health
vigilance system within the organization
– Participates in post-marketing surveillance
– Participates in organization- or regulatory
authority-initiated product recalls.
Community, Hospital and Engages actively in client/patient safety and health
Institutional Pharmacists promotion activities
– Ensures continuity of care and safety
of clients/patients
– Contributes in the management of the
client’s/patient’s disease states.
– Engages in health promotion, education and
disease prevention activities
Public Health Pharmacy Ensures clinical governance and continuous
quality improvement in service design and
delivery.
– Maintains an effective and efficient quality
assurance system in conjunction with
stakeholders involved.

REFERENCES:
◉ Pharmacy: An introduction to the Profession, 2nd edition by Posey, L. Michael
◉ Remington : The Science & Practice of Pharmacy 21st edition by Genaro Alfonso
◉ Philippine Practice Standards for Pharmacists (PPHA)
 TOPIC 7: PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY
ORGANIZATIONS

NOTES: PHARMACY ORGANIZATIONS

– When the practicing pharmacists grew in number, they saw the need to form societies
and organizations to bind themselves towards attaining the same goal and objectives for
the upliftment of pharmacy as a profession and to improve the pharmacy services in the
delivery of better patient care.
– The different organizations were established on international, national, and local levels.
Some organized themselves based on their field of specialization.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

FIP (FEDERACION INTERCIONALE PHARMACEUTIQUE)

– It is an international pharmaceutical federation whose main purpose of
existence is to promote and defend the interest of the profession
world-wide.
– Based in Hague, Netherlands
– OBJECTIVE: Development of pharmacy at the international level both in
the professional and in the scientific fields and the extension of the role of
the pharmacists in the field of health care.

FAPA (FEDERATION OF ASIAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATIONS)

– A professional organization of ASIAN pharmacists.
– FOUNDED in 1964 , based in MANILA Philippines
– First general assembly was held in April 1964 in Manila with
Prof. Jose P.B. Gallardo as the first elected PRESIDENT of FAPA.
– Dr. Patricio Valenzuela – Secretary General
– Every 2 years the FAPA congress is being held.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
PPhA (PHILIPPINE PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION)
– Founded in 1920.It is national profession organization of pharmacists
in the Philippines.
– Considered as the main organization with which other associations of
pharmacists and pharmacy students are affiliated.
– Official Newsletter: THE HYGEIAN
Main objectives:
1. To encourage to study pharmacy
2. To foster research in Philippine medicinal plants
3. Stimulate scientific investigations
4. To improve close relationship among pharmacist.
5. To improve local market for drugs, chemicals and pharmaceutical manufacturing in the
Philippines
 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF PHARMACY IN
THE PHILIPPINES

Pharmacy Organizations
PACOP It is an association of duly government-recognized colleges of
Philippine Association of pharmacy in the Philippines represented by their deans who are the
Colleges of Pharmacy regular members.
1) Associate members - licensed pharmacists who are faculty
members of duly recognized colleges of pharmacy
2) Auxiliary members - pharmacy students

FJCPPhA – It is composed of pharmacy student officers from different

Federation of Junior Chapters schools of duly recognized colleges of pharmacy.
of the PPhA – Officers of FJCPPhA are elected every school year and their
advisers are appointed by PPhA.

PSHP – It is a professional association of licensed pharmacists working in

Philippine Society of Hospital government and private hospitals as hospital pharmacists.
Pharmacists – It was founded in 1962.
Its official organ is The PSHP Bulletin.

CMFFI It is a professional organization of doctors and pharmacists who

Colegio Medico Farmaceutico are members of the Manila Medical Society and the Manila
de Filipinas, Inc. Pharmaceutical Society.
DSAP It is an organization of drugstore owners or those who manage
Drugstore Association of the drugstores.
Philippines
CPAP It is an association of licensed pharmacists working in private or
Community Pharmacist chain of community pharmacies.
Association
of the Phil.
It is a professional association of licensed pharmacists working in the
industry or manufacturing firms.
PAPPI
Philippine Association of OBJECTIVES:
1. The general aim and objective of the association shall be to
Pharmacists in Pharmaceutical
organize and unite all duly licensed pharmacists
Industry registered with the Professional Regulation Commission-
Board of Pharmacy and
2. To work for the upliftment of their role in the field of the
pharmaceutical industry

LGP Phil. It is a professional organization of licensed pharmacists who are

League of Government working in government agencies like the Department of Health,
Pharmacists Food and Drug Administration, and government hospitals.

REFERENCES:
◉ Pharmacy: An introduction to the Profession, 2nd edition by Posey, L. Michael
◉ Remington : The Science & Practice of Pharmacy 21st edition by Genaro Alfonso
◉ Pharmacy by Cowen D. and Helfand W.