Rohan Mc Nellie President, JAPPO

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” Lao Tzu

The year 2020 has brought us a novel virus that has changed how we do almost everything including the first Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica’s Virtual Conference. It is my honor and pleasure to bring you greetings on behalf of the Officers and Members of the Jamaica Association of Private Pharmacy Owners (JAPPO) as we celebrate this years’ Annual Conference.

Your theme “Pharmaceutical Care 5.0: Creating a New Frontier” is relevant and timely given the changes that have occurred because of the pandemic. The PSJ has been a model professional organization that has become the envy of many other organizations and this can be seen in the caliber of professionals found in education, practice, regulation, and leadership at the national level.

The re-energizing of JAPPO over the past few years have seen a greater collaboration between all stake holders including the MOHW , The Pharmacy Council of Jamaica (PCJ) , The Pharmaceutical

Society of Jamaica (PSJ) , The National Health Fund (NHF) , Sagicor Health Insurance Company , Canopy Health Insurance Company and Guardian Health Insurance Company . This collaboration has allowed for a smoother working relationship and has paved the way for a greater delivery of service to our customers/patients, especially in this pandemic. Let us continue to embrace change united towards helping Jamaica achieve the targeted Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

I want to use this opportunity to encourage all pharmacists to be active members of the PSJ and to support its programmes. Heartiest congratulations to President Ernestine Watson and her team. We wish you a most successful virtual 35th Annual Conference in the history of this 92-year-old organization.