Source: Medscape

On May 4, 2007, a meeting held in Milan, Italy, gave rise to this consensus statement. All of the organizations participating in issuing this statement urged that these recommendations be implemented globally as soon as possible. Their specific recommendations are as follows:

* A1C test results, including the reference system and results reporting, should be standardized worldwide.

* The new IFCC reference system is the only valid basis on which to implement standardization of the A1C measurement.

* Throughout the world, A1C results should be reported in IFCC units (mmol/mol), and derived National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) units (%) should be calculated from the IFCC-NGSP master equation.

* Provided the ongoing “average plasma glucose study” described above fulfills its a priori–specified criteria, an A1C-derived average glucose (ADAG) value calculated from the A1C result should also be reported as an interpretation of the A1C results.

* In clinical guidelines, glycemic goals should be expressed in IFCC units, derived NGSP units, and as ADAG.

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If you have not done so, do take a look at Medscape and sign up. Registration is free and you can choose to receive regular newsletter with professional opinions about the latest developments in the medical and pharmaceutical scene. If you prefer to read RSS feeds rather than receive emails, they provide feed services as well.

Recently, two of my classmates, Maggie and Mandy, went on a Student Exchange Programme for their preceptorship. The two lucky girls had the chance to experience work in the pharmaceutical industry academic hospital in the Netherlands.

Here are some pictures taken from their blog.

A nice little (?) cottage!
Maggie in wonderland

Mandy overwhelmed by the beauty of the garden

Have you ever thought of going for a student exchange programme? If so, do take a look at their blog and you might just realise that it is something that you would definitely want to try in your time in NUS Pharmacy.

If you are keen to find out more about the exchange programme, simply leave a message here or drop any of the Exco members an email. We will be more than willing to help you out.

As the saying goes, a picture says a thousand words. There are tons of photos of their time in Holland for you to view and share their experience. If you are interested to see more photos or read more about their preceptorship, visit their blog: http://www.hollandhollers.blogspot.com/

Hello pharmers! If you do not know me by now, I’m Kelvin Lai from Year 2 (2nd from right), aka the NUSPS Media Resource Team Director. Just want to let you guys know that I’m back in ACTION, and furiously updating this cool website! Many thanks to Jenxi, the 45th MRT director for helping me keep this website alive while I was away in Taipei for the IPSF Congress.

And meanwhile, you’ve gotta WATCH THIS SPACE for more updates ok!

Went overseas for vacation before school term started? Well, while many of you were busy printing lecture notes and packing your bags for the start of school, 2 of our NUSPS Exco Members attended the 53rd IPSF Congress from 6th to 16th August this month in Taipei. They are our Vice-President Lauw Xiu Ting (left) and Media Resource Team Director Kelvin Lai (right). Being the Singapore Official Delegates representing the NUSPS, they attended several General Assembly Meetings, Symposiums and many other enriching workshops. Not forgetting the social events, they also performed during the International Night and had a sumptuous meal during Gala Night in a posh ballroom at the 5-Star Grand Hotel!! Many friendships were also forged with pharmacy students from around the world!

Interested in joining the Congress next year?… Guess what? It will be held in Romania! It will be held from 1st to 11th August 2008. Registration will start in early December this year. Do keep a lookout for more updates! 

Visit our Gallery for more photos.     

 ”3 Cheers!!” for our performers and helpers who have done us proud on the Rag Day this year! After sacrificing so much time and effort into practising their cabaret dance routine, designing the costumes & painstakingly building the lovely float from scratch, they have done our Pharmily PROUD at the Padang on the 11th August 2007! Did you know that the very last float done by our own Pharmacy students was more than 25 years ago? Despite lack of experience in “floating”, we took up the challenge and made our dreams come true once again! It was indeed a memorable event for every one of us, especially for our dear floaters, the dancers who did a STUNNING, SEXY-BACK, Shanghai cabaret dance on stage as well as the rest of our helpers who were working behind-the scenes..indeed it will be one of the most unforgettable moments we share together in Pharmacy. Visit our Gallery to view more snapshots now!! Visit http://www.pharmrag07.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Given the recent lull around here, I decided to post about some personal opinions. Since the Media Resource Team Director, Kelvin, is still away in Taiwan for the 53rd International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) Annual Congress 2007, I will take over the reins and inject some activity around here. As always, in such an event, I am obliged to…

DISCLAIMER: This post expresses the views of the author alone and is in no way representative of the views of NUS Pharmaceutical Society.

There you go.

For the avid blog readers amongst you, if you haven’t heard of this well-known pharmacist blogger, do take a visit to The Angry Pharmacist. The owner and author is a register pharmacist practising in the United States.

True to the blog’s slogan “Rants from the most trusted profession”, the Angry Pharmacist provides you an insight on the working life of a pharmacist. Although most of the articles lean towards the negative side, they do portray the problems faced by a working pharmacist. This is, after all, the Internet and you should be well-advised to take things with a pinch of salt, especially when the entries are full of angst. After a stressful day, it is a good way to release some steam by blogging about the various problems.

There are funny anecdotes and references to some real problems encountered by the author. All in all, the blog is a good read if you are looking for something to entertain yourself. For those of you who have yet to go on any attachment, it would give you a glimpse of what working life is like. I’m sure those who have been on attachments could very well relate to the various topics covered there.

One last note, as the Angry Pharmacist is based in USA, certain issues may not be of concern to us.

Got an idea for an article? Want to contribute an article? Have a suggestion for a topic to be discussed? Drop us a message here!

If you are a member of NUSPS, register on the main site and forum to contribute articles or interact with your fellow Pharmacy undergraduates.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the national professional society of pharmacists, has just published three new books for practising pharmacists and pharmacy students.

Peripheral Brain for the Pharmacist

… is a collection of lab coat pocket-size, durable cards containing key clinical information that pharmacists and student pharmacists look up frequently. The cards are hole-punched with a metal ring to hold the collection together and color-tabbed to speed lookup of similar information. Tables and figures in the collection cover lab test values; serum concentrations; aminoglycoside therapy; pediatric dosages; INR; creatinine clearance; conversions; weights and measures; diabetes, cholesterol, and asthma guidelines; and other clinical information….

Marketing for Pharmacists, 2nd edition

… presents new marketing techniques and ideas that will assist student pharmacists, pharmacists, and pharmacy managers become more effective in meeting their patients’ needs and wants. New to this edition is a branding checklist that pharmacists can use to assess how effectively they differentiate themselves from their competitors. Each chapter ends with a list of questions to help readers apply the information to their own practice, as well as activities for more in-depth learning and skill development…

Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician, 2nd edition

…focuses on the tasks that technicians actually perform. Based on the most recent content outline of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the text covers all the responsibilities and knowledge that PTCB tests for on its certification examination. The book, containing more than 100 color illustrations, is geared to students entering formal technician training programs, to new community and hospital pharmacy technicians beginning in-house training, and to candidates preparing for the certification exam…

Source: Medical News Today