SEVERAL JAMAICAN pharmacists copped regional awards at the recently concluded annual convention of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) held in Belize.
Grace Allen Young, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, received the prestigious Caribbean Pharmacist Primus (CPP) insignia for her contribution to pharmacy practice in the region. Mrs. Allen Young is also the first female president of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).
Joan Neill, community pharmacist and owner of Fairhaven pharmacy, emerged winner of the CAP Fairplay award for upholding the highest ethical standards in pharmacy practice in the region.
Thelma Nelson of Dunrobin Pharmacy and Carol Muschette of Royale Pharmacy were honoured for clinical innovations in delivering care to their patients. Claudette Hobbins, head of Jamaica's Public Sector pharmacy group, carried home the award for outstanding Hospital Systems. Pharmacist C. Aleen Gray, the first female president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica (PSJ), received a special citation.
COUNCIL SEATS
Ellen Campbell Grizzle was elected unopposed for a third consecutive term, making her the first female president to lead the association for six years. Vice-presidencies went to Barbados, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago respectively. Yvonne Johnson Reid of the University Hospital of the West Indies was elected to the Executive Council of the organisation. The remaining three council seats went to Trinidad and Tobago with Guyana securing two seats.
Members of the 29-year-old organisation voted to incorporate the organisation in one of the member states. Jamaica, The Bahamas and Barbados are lead territories for the site. Cuba was represented for the first time.
In preparation for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), many high level meetings were held with the CARICOM representative, Timothy Odle, to study the first draft of the laws to harmonise pharmacy legislation.
Curriculum and costs of the distance education programme to upgrade registered pharmacists in the Caribbean were presented by the Pharmacy School in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Eugenie Brown, Head of the Pharmacy programme, introduced the Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) which is based at the University of Technology.
The convention was held under the theme 'Advancing the Social Value of Caribbean Pharmacy Practice and Research'. James Moss Solomon of Grace Kennedy, a keynote presenter, spoke about the impending challenges and opportunities that the CSME will bring.
IRREVERSIBLE CHANGE
He painted a scenario of irreversible change to the face of Caribbean pharmacy in a globalised world. Mr. Moss Solomon urged the pharmacy community to prepare to meet the powerful distributive and retail chains that will enter the Caribbean market.
Dr. Henry Lowe, head of the Environmental Health Found-ation and the Caribbean Herbal Business Association, outlined the opportunity for pharmacists in the herbal business.
Delegates participated in plenaries and workshops on many clinical topics including HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, contraceptive options, sickle cell disease, depression and preparing liquid medicines to meet the special needs of patients including children living with HIV/AIDS.
The meeting was attended by 200 representatives of the pharmaceutical industry representing Caribbean States, USA, UK, Denmark, Canada and New Zealand. Jamaica had the largest delegation. Guyana won the bid to host the next Convention in August 2005.
