International seminar in clinical pharmacy

An international seminar in clinical pharmacy was organised by the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta on 25 and 26 May. A group of students from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, led by Dr Alex Ebied participated in the seminar.

The opening of the seminar was addressed by Professor Godfrey Baldacchino, Pro-Rector for International Development and Quality Assurance. Professor Baldacchino welcomed the students to the University of Malta and gave an insight to historical aspects related to medicine in Malta.

During the seminar, the students followed ward-based exercises with the clinical pharmacists at Karin Grech Hospital, led by Aaron Camilleri and Marise Gauci. The students visited Mater Dei Hospital Pharmacy where they had the opportunity to experience pharmacy services offered in the Accident and Emergency Department, Hospital Discharge Lounge, Chemotherapy and Reconstitution Unit, Quality Assurance Units, and the Clinical Pharmacy Practice Unit. The experience at Mater Dei Hospital Pharmacy was led by pharmacists Dr Louise Grech, Anthony Cutajar and Stephen Falzon.

Research studies being conducted at the Department of Pharmacy by postgraduate doctoral students in the areas of type 1 dia- betes mellitus, anticoagulation therapy, secondary prevention of stroke in the elderly and heart failure were presented.

Research on statin prescribing practices in ischaemic heart disease patients being undertaken by a student from the University of Padova, participating in the Erasmus+ mobility with the Department of Pharmacy at University of Malta was presented.

Discussions on clinical pharmacy education and service provision in Malta, the USA and internationally were held. The seminar enabled the local and USA students to share their experiences and discuss issues related to the advancement of clinical pharmacy.