Pharmaceutical Care Excellence Let's go get It! was the theme for
this year's Pharmacy Conference held at Sun City on 2 to 5 August.
Supported by platinum sponsors Adcock Ingram and Sandoz and other
business partners, the conference saw 83 Clicks Nursing Practitioners
and more than 300 pharmacists from Clicks, Link, UPD and the broader
pharmaceutical industry gathering to celebrate their pharmacy
professions.
Another first is having the leaders representing the 8 local
PharmacySchools as well as representatives of the respective Pharmacy
Practice departments attending the Conference.
Pharmacy Conference 2009 exceeded all expectations - kicking off with an
emotive opening event on Monday morning. Two handsome MCs, Drs Michael
Mol and Gareth Tjasink, were introduced and they managed to take care of
the first day - ensuring fun, enjoyment, but at the same time, the
smooth-running of the programme.
After Michael Harvey, MD of Clicks, and UPD's MD Lynda van Niekerk
welcomed the delegates, the Clicks Group CEO David Kneale did an
informative overview of the group's health strategy - highlighting
certain accomplishments and indicating clear direction in terms of
priorities for the future.
Pharmacy Conference 2009 was honoured to have Bada Pharasi, President of
the South African Pharmacy Council, as one of the speakers. Bada
explained the role of the SAPC and gave an overview of new legislation
impacting the industry - i.e. the marketing code, code of conduct, CPD
implementation - amongst others.
The plenary slot concluded with Dr Vikash Salig's presentation on the
Globalization of Indian Generics, highlighting the expected impact on
the emerging markets, and a pre-recorded presentation by Prof Zubin
Austin from Toronto - reinforcing the importance of engagement as a key
element of pharmaceutical care.
Clicks and Link delegates had their separate break-away sessions in the
afternoon. Clicks celebrated the 200th in-store pharmacy as a
significant milestone with presentations by Michael Harvey, Clicks MD,
and Willie Jordaan, Head of Clicks Professional Services. This was
followed by an update on the Clicks HealthCare System hosted by Michael
Mol. He interviewed Rene Jain, Clicks PMO and Governance Manager, Sorina
Oberholzer, CHC System Project Manager, and Feroz Rassool, one of the 10
CHC System specialists.
The programme was concluded by Jan Roos, Head of Clicks Pharmacy
Operations, and the announcement of the nominees of the various Clicks
award categories, i.e. Pharmacist Intern of the Year, Nursing
Practitioner, Pharmacist, Responsible Pharmacist and lastly, GPP Manager
of the year.
The Conference Exhibition was well organised under the tight reigns of
John Elford, and Sam Roy, radio DJ and entertainer, kept delegates and
exhibitors going throughout the Conference.
Evening programmes included a fun evening at the Valley of the Waves on
Monday evening - sponsored by Sandoz - where Dr Victor and the Rasta
Rebels entertained conference delegates. A more formal dinner event
sponsored by Adcock Ingram was held in the Royal Ballroom on Tuesday
evening. The winners of the various award categories and superheroes of
excellence in healthcare were announced, i.e. Lize CorneliusPharmacist
Intern of the Year), Fiona Lee (Nursing Practitioner of the Year), Koos
Steyn (Pharmacist of the Year), Annelize Meyer (RP of the Year) and Ina
Schutte (GPP Manager of the Year). Sam Roy, Spanish dancers of the
Helena Montoya School of Dancing and Abby Artico with the all-girl
SHE-band looked after the entertainment.
The Continuing Professional Development programme on Tuesday offered
delegates a wide variety of interesting, quality sessions by reputable
industry leaders. Highlights included updates on swine flu, new trends
in immunisation, legislation for pharmacists and a variety of other
health issues.
Greg Melvill-Smith of The HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTICE's session on Wednesday
reinforced the importance of engagement in delivering pharmaceutical care
excellence and he presented delegates with various practical tips and
guidelines on how to become more effective in managing themselves. Greg
introduced delegates to the skill of juggling and they were given the
opportunity to break wooden boards under the close supervision of 20 trained
facilitators – a truly inspiring moment and conference highlight for many.
CATIA BAPISTA (creative director, Beyond the Blue),
Dave Redman, Elrika Zeier (head: sales management and macro space, Clicks)
and Dean Waters (Clicks).
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GREG JOACHIM and Carol-Anne Ferreira (both of Sonafi
Aventis)chat to Dale Fenton and nadia Jansen van Vuuren (both Clicks
pharmacists).
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LIANNE LEMBECK and Charlene Brand (both of Clicks) with
Sam Roy (radio presenter and entertainer) and Desiree Brand (Clicks).
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SUE STUCKIE and Pat van Eeden (both of UPD), Peter
Morland, Annemie van Heerden (Nativa) and Matthew Matthysen (UPD).
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MAXINE SMITH and Craig Frank (both of Sandoz) with
Craig Small (commercial head: ethicals, Clicks Pharmacy) and Roger Maynard
(Sandoz).
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GODFREY DIRKSE and Donna Samuals (both of Clicks
Parklands) and Alison Richards Langenhoven (Clicks N1 City).
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CHARMAINE AND MARTIN BROODRYK, Hanli Swanepool, Louis
Scheepers and Johane Smit (all of Clicks).
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Mike Harvey (Managing Director, Clicks group)Willie
Jordaan (head of proffesional services, clicks)and David Kneale (CEO Clicks
group.
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DU TOIT BRITZ (financial director, Clicks), Quinton
Cronje, George Lilley and Dave Redman.
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Debbie adams (Aspen), Malthew Matthysen (UPD) and Abby
Artico (saxophonist from She Band)
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