“Nine undergraduate pharmacy students were sent to undertake elective international rotations in community pharmacy in Scotland (Mint Pharmacy) and the pharmaceutical industry (IKOP Pharma) in Malaysia as part of our commitment to broadening their professional horizons and meeting CCAPP accreditation requirements. The rotation in Scotland provided students with hands-on experience in patient-centered care within a community pharmacy setting, exposing them to diverse healthcare practices and fostering skills in medication counselling and patient engagement. In Malaysia, students gained insights into industrial pharmacy, including drug formulation, manufacturing, and quality assurance, while exploring interprofessional collaboration within the pharmaceutical industry. These rotations aimed to enhance students' understanding of different pharmacy practice models, encourage cross-cultural learning, and prepare them to implement innovative practices and interprofessional strategies in Qatar, ensuring they become globally competent healthcare professionals."
Dr Ziad Nasr – SPEP Program Coordinator
1. Mint Pharmacy, Glasgow, Scotland
International site's URL: https://mintpharmacy.com/
Site Coordinator: Mubashar Khan
Contact details: mubashar.khan@mintpharmacy.com
Winners of the 2023 Scottish Pharmacist Awards – Innovation in Community Pharmacy Practice: https://scottishpharmacist.co.uk/winners-2024/
Students' quotes:
“We had the privilege of completing an international rotation at a community pharmacy in Scotland, UK, from August 26 to September 20th, 2024. This experience offered me a unique opportunity and gave me a new perspective to compare the scope of practice of community pharmacists between Qatar and Scotland. I was impressed by the pivotal role that independent prescriber pharmacists play in the National Health Service (NHS) alongside dispensing prescription medications, offering services like smoking cessation, clinical examinations for minor illnesses, vaccination and travel clinic services. It was interesting to witness that with this healthcare accessibility the public there approaches their community pharmacists first with trust for common minor conditions. This experience highlighted the potential for Qatar to adopt similar advancements, further bridging the gap between pharmacy practice and patient-centered care."
Roaa Rustom and Rouaa Elhani - P4 students
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"We came away inspired by the trust placed in pharmacists in Scotland to perform physical assessments and prescribe medications. These responsibilities helped relieve the burden on hospitals and clinics. Witnessing these practices firsthand ignited our passion to advocate for more progressive practice in Qatar, including pharmacist-led vaccination services and expanded prescribing authority. Overall, this experience united us in our commitment to broaden the impact of community pharmacy, and it reaffirmed our belief that empathy, collaboration, and innovation are key to delivering exceptional patient care."
Hassan Mohammadian, Omar Abd Elrahman, Ghaith Alali - P4 students
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2. IKOP PHARMA, KUANTAN, MALAYSIA
International site's URL: https://ikop.com.my/
Site Coordinator: Ms. Nur Aqilah
Contact details: training@ikop.com.my
"IKOP Pharma was a beautiful and welcoming place, and the people there were incredibly kind and supportive. During the month of December 2024, we had the opportunity to rotate through departments like Research and Development (R&D), production, quality control, quality assurance, and sales. A major highlight was observing their strong adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards and halal certification processes. While IKOP's operations were on a smaller scale, relying more on manual processes compared to Qatar's larger, more tech-driven industry, their commitment to quality, safety, and resourcefulness was impressive. Participating in the international SPEP rotation at IKOP Pharma, Malaysia, was a transformative journey that introduced us to the intricacies of pharmaceutical manufacturing, GMP, and the unique 'Halal Tayyiban' concept. This experience not only deepened our technical knowledge but also emphasized the importance of interprofessional collaboration and innovation for advancing the pharmaceutical industry in Qatar."
Haneen Hunaiti, Ayesha Ahmed, Salah Almaflehi and Mohammed Haitham Elsayed - P4 students
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23AY International Rotations