SYLLABUS

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
• Getting to know each other / orientation/introduction to the course via zoom [1st day]
• The Pharmacy Profession -1. Overview of Practice Scope 2.Roles and Responsibilities
of a Pharmacist [1st week] (Quiz/Assessment (*self) Sept 22)
• Practice Framework for Pharmacy-1. RA 10918 Philippine Pharmacy Act 2. Code of
• Ethics of Filipino Pharmacists [2nd to 3rd week]
• Discussion Board (within the week of Oct 6)
• Synchronous meeting Oct 20 (for online)
• Practice Framework for Pharmacy -3.Good Pharmacy Practice 4.Pharmacy Services National
Certification III (NC III) [5th week ] (Quiz/Assessment (*self) Oct 27)
• Pharmacy Education -1 Evolution and Present Status(Part of history) 2.Philippine Qualifications
Framework [6th to 7th week]
• Discussion board (Oct 27)
• Synchronous meeting (Nov 3)(for online)
• History of Pharmacy -1. Milestones from Ancient Ages to Modern Times ; Evolution of Pharmacy
in the Philippines [8th week]
• Discussion board Pharmacy Practice Settings [ Nov 17]
• Reflections on three topics from weeks 1-4; 5-7 and 8-9 [Nov 24]
• Professional Organizations in Pharmacy [9th week]
• Webinars on Pharmacy 101 Talks Year 3- [ Nov 24, Dec 1, Dec 8]
• Synchronous meeting Dec 15(for online)
*Tea time 101 days Sept 29, Oct. 27, Nov 10
GRADING SYSTEM

Synchronous Activities 25%

Discussion Boards 20%
Learning Checks/Quizzes/Reflection journal 25%
Participation in class 20%
Attitude 10%

RATIONALE FOR THE MEASURES:

Learning checks anchored on the learning outcomes will help students comprehend the topics on a lens
deemed necessary by the faculty-in-charge as required by the course. Reflective journaling anchored on
the learning outcomes will help the students better understand by deeper analyses of the topics as they
see it on their own perspectives relevant to daily living. Communication or discussions board will allow
students to freely, respectfully and professionally interact and share their insights with each other and
the faculty-in-charge questions or issues related to the topic/s. The activity allows them to further
absorb the topic/s previously presented. Synchronous activities will allow the students to learn to work
with each other, allow them to exercise resourcefulness, creativity, presentation skills and sharing of
learnings in the new normal, The activities assigned ahead of time will make the students step into an
expanded level of the covered topic/s for enhanced learning. Attitude is an essential component
especially now in this digital kind of instruction. It is a way to analyze and improve students’ self-
directedness, cognitive skills, behavioral performance/character. Participation in class/webinars will
allow students to exhibit preparedness, attitude, listening skills; aid in clarifying ideas related to the
profession; contribute significant thoughts in exchanges that will transpire.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the learning material, the student must be able to:

1. Discuss the scope of pharmacy practice.

2. Discuss the varied roles and responsibilities of pharmacists.

3. Discuss the code of ethics of pharmacists.

4. Discuss the various articles in RA 10918 as to its contents and significance to the profession.

TOPICS

The pharmacy profession:

• Overview of Practice Scope

• Roles and Responsibilities of a Pharmacist
• Practice Framework for Pharmacy
• RA 10918 Philippine Pharmacy Act
• Code of Ethics of Filipino Pharmacists

MAIN DISCUSSION:

Hello everyone! Welcome to the exciting and colorful world of pharmacy! In this module here’s what I
shall do. I will attach the segment of the RA 10918 or Philippine Pharmacy Act and other resources relevant
to our discussion today then add some commentary related to it so you are enlightened of the profession
that you have chosen to be a part of.

In Section 2 Article I of RA 10918 it states, and I quote ‘The State recognizes the vital role of
pharmacists in the delivery of quality health care services through the provision of safe,
effective, and quality pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical care, drug information, patient
medication counseling, and health promotion. The pharmacists' professional services shall,
therefore, be promoted as an indispensable component of the total health care system to ensure the
physical well-being of the Filipinos. Hence, the State shall develop and nurture competent, productive,
morally upright, and well-rounded pharmacists whose standards of professional practice and service shall
be excellent and globally competitive through regulatory measures, programs, and activities that promote
and sustain their continuing professional development’ (RA 10918. 2016, July 21).

Reading through the above part of the Philippine Pharmacy Act, what came into your mind? Was
there an image of a “botikera ka lang naman”? The role of pharmacists are essential in providing
health to the Filipinos. Pharmacists are the ones who ensure that all patients/clients go through their
prescribed medications safe because of the counselling services and the quality assurance provided
by this profession through its professionals. Pharmacists are the best sources of drug information.
Communication on improvement of health whether in relation to drugs or on general levels are
inherent among pharmacists. With all of these functions, even the law declared this profession as
indispensable to the health care system. That is why the State is in full support of the profession. As
essential as pharmacists are, there is no reason for you to droop where you are. The future profession
that you have chosen is an important one for the society be it in the Philippines or globally.

“Tasks and Functions of Pharmacists. The following are the responsibilities of a pharmacist (1) delivering
patient- centered care, (2) working as a part of interprofessional teams, (3) practicing evidence-based
medicine, (4) focusing on quality improvement, and (5) using information technology. The three broad
competency areas—Patient Care, Systems Management, and Public Health—also reflect a framework that
is used to describe the areas of practice of pharmacists. Pharmacists also provide services in systems
management and public health “(The Council in Credentialing in Pharmacy, 2009).

(The Council in Credentialing in Pharmacy, 2009).

Referring to the figure above with focus on patient care, a neophyte licensed pharmacist start with a
narrow breadth of patients or patient focus. The pharmacist may commence as a generalist pharmacists.
As you journey through the profession, you’ll begin with lots of patients with varied disorders which spans
from minor to more complex ones. As a generalist pharmacist, one may naturally advance in tier into the
advanced generalist practitioner. It is very similar to the first level except that the healthcare issues
become more challenging as the complexity increases. We have here the community-based care,
institutional-based care, population-based care and mail service pharmacy. The breadth of patient or
patient focus is narrowed in the focused practitioner area. For the entry level there are two possible
scenarios- one with a wide variety of disease in a unique setting /population or a narrow disease focus.
As the focus practitioner advances, the patient population becomes focused; patients, therapies and/or
technologies become complex. Note that as pharmacists giving patient care advances, the knowledge,
skills and experience increases as well. Focused practitioners include pediatric, geriatric, compounding
pharmacist and certified diabetic educators. The more advanced ones are nuclear, nutrition support,
oncology, psychiatric pharmacists. There are also pharmacists finding their niche in the non-traditional
setting- hospice, managed care organization, patient care call center and drug poison information services
(The Council in Credentialing in Pharmacy, 2009). There are a lot of opportunities in this profession. There
is so much room to grow, to learn, to be more significant for the society.

According to the Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique and I quote “A competent and capable
practitioner workforce is an essential pre-requisite for all health care professions. The capacity to improve
therapeutic outcomes, patients’ quality of life, scientific advancement and enhancement of our public
health imperatives are dependent on a foundation of competence. Before overarching capability, or
competence, can be determined, the specific competencies that comprise that capability must be
identified. In this case, competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that an
individual develops through education, training, development and experience. Taken together, these
competencies can be formulated into a framework that can contribute towards supporting practitioner
development, within an individual, for effective and sustained performance”. From the diagram of FIP,
2012 on global competency framework for pharmacists on domains and illustrative competencies below, it
shows that pharmacists deal not just with individual patients but with the public. The former is for
pharmaceutical care and the latter for pharmaceutical public health. Both need scientific knowledge.
Pharmacists also focus on the system for organization and management as well as focus in practice-
professional/persona. Both need management knowledge. Both management and scientific knowledge
intersect in the different domains. The tables after global competency framework for pharmacists on
domains and illustrative competencies show the global competency framework components for
pharmacists. It covers competencies for all of the previously described domains (Federation Internationale
Pharmaceutique,2012).

.
LEARNING MATERIALS’ LINKS/PRESCRIPTIONS:

Everything you need to know is in here. Please access, read and understand (memory work is needed
though)

◦ RA 10918: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/07/21/republic-act-no-10918/

◦ Please access A Resource Paper of the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy Scope of Contemporary
Pharmacy Practice: Roles, Responsibilities, and Functions of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

https://www.accp.com/docs/positions/misc/CCPwpScope_Pharmacy_Practice_2-2009.pdf

Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique (2012). FIP Education Initiatives Pharmacy Education

Taskforce A Global Competency Framework Version 1 accessed from
https://www.fip.org/files/fip/PharmacyEducation/GbCF_v1.pdf
 (Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique, 2012)

As for the code of ethics for pharmacists (preamble) I directly quoted it from the home page of the
Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. It say that “Pharmacists are health professionals who help
individuals protect themselves against diseases, maintain good health and make the best use of their
medications. The pharmacists promote rational use of drugs and ensure the provision of safe, effective
and quality drugs for improved patient care and quality of life. This Code, prepared and supported by
pharmacists, is intended to state publicly the principles that form the fundamental basis of their roles and
responsibilities which are based on moral obligations and virtues and to guide pharmacists in their
relationship with patients, health professionals and society.
1. A pharmacist places the well being of the patient at the center of professional practice.
2. A pharmacist promotes the welfare of each individual in a caring and compassionate manner.
3. A pharmacist serves the needs of the individual, community and society and provides health for
all.
4. A pharmacist respects the rights of patients and upholds confidentiality of patients’ records.
5. A pharmacist acts with honesty, integrity and professionalism in relationship with the patients
and other health professionals.
6. A pharmacist respects the abilities, values and contributions of colleagues and other health
professionals and work with them closely to ensure better patient care.
7. A pharmacist is committed to continuously enhance professional competence.
8. A pharmacist, in coordination with the government and other health professionals helps in the
formulation and implementation of health care policies, standards and programs designed for the
benefit of society.”(“Code of Ethics of Pharmacy”, 2017)
As you read further RA 10918 you shall learn of the different terms that is being used in the pharmacy
profession. These will be important as you move along the course. You wouldn’t need or encounter all of
them at the same time but it is good to familiarize yourselves relative to these. Article II of the above
Republic Act tackles the Professional Regulatory Board or Pharmacy- the qualifications, responsibilities,
terms of office among others. The pharmacist licensure exam – the examination topics, registration,
licensure, issuance of certificate and license are discussed in article III. Article IV talks about how the
practice of pharmacy is regulated. Article V is about the accredited professional organization. To quote
‘national organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which shall be
recognized by the board of pharmacy and the PRC as the one and only integrated and accredited
professional organization (APO) of pharmacists’. All licensed pharmacists must be members of the APO which
is the Philippine Pharmacists Association. Article VI essays violations, administrative sanctions, and procedures
while article VII is about penal provisions. The final provision is in article VIII. (RA 10918. 2016, July 21).

Please note that you are expected to browse the links provided for the full articles and full Republic
Act 10918. The copies, particularly the tables are clearer from the access sites provided.

Thank you for staying on with me in this module. I hope that you have a better, clearer, and more
significant image of a pharmacist now in your mind. The pharmacy profession will be your life as you
become a full pledged licensed pharmacist in the future. See you in the next modules!
SELF TEST ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: (Notes may be opened but answering it from memory is best)

True or False. Write T if the statement is correct and F if otherwise. Rationalize on your answer per
number.

1. The state recognizes the vital role of pharmacists in the delivery of quality health care services.

2. Quality health care services is mainly defined by safe and quality pharmaceutical care, drug
information, patient medication counseling and health promotion.

3. Pharmacists must be competent, productive, morally upright and unilaterally focused to the
profession with excellent professional practice and service.

4. RA 10918 has this as one of its objectives: integration of pharmacy profession.

5. A pharmacist teaching in UPCP is an example of a pharmacist following the scope of pharmacy

practice.

6. A pharmacist with the job description of doing research and development related to pharmaceutical
products and health care is within the bounds of the scope of pharmacy practice.

7. A pharmacist analyzing food/dietary supplements for contaminants such as microbial content is

within the scope of pharmacy practice, although other professions may engage similarly.

8. In the Philippines, prescribing medicines to patients is within the scope of pharmacy practice.

9. It is expected of pharmacists to abide by good manufacturing practice amongst other standards set.

10. Only licensed pharmacists can provide services that require pharmaceutical knowledge.

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY:

Discussion Board (group) to be posted in the discussion box of Canvas. You are expected to engage
and respond to your classmates to increase your knowledge on the topic.

◦ The code of ethics for pharmacists do not only reflect the rules of how pharmacists should act. Looking
at it closely, it is more of a way of life. We all strive to approximate what is expected of us though as
humans, we acknowledge imperfection at times. Everything ideal, share one example for an aspect in the
code of ethics for pharmacists.

◦ Example: ◦ A female patient on her reproductive age approaches you as a pharmacist for a drug that
was prescribed to her which is a known teratogen (a substance that may cause harm to the fetus when
given on the first trimester of pregnancy). As a diligent pharmacist, you ask her of whether she is pregnant
or not after some interview questions related to socio-demographics that will hint on her civil status. If
she is not pregnant and is not anticipating to, be within the time of drug intake, you then dispense the
drug but still divulges the truth-the information that the drug is a teratogen and pregnant women must
not take it. If however, the woman is pregnant, you then withhold dispensing of the drug and calls her
attending physician to discuss the matter. It could be that for some reason, the pregnancy status of the
woman was not disclosed to the physician during the consult. You then refer the patient back to her
attending physician to keep the professionalism intact between you and the medical practitioner as well
as the patient. At the same time such act upholds integrity of professions.

REFLECTIVE JOURNALING:

Reflect on the topics, guided by the learning outcomes. Think as to how it can be applied to your personal
and future professional life. Submit according to schedule to Canvas inbox.

ASSIGNMENT:

You have been assigned to your respective groups 1-4. Below are the article assignments from RA 10918
readings.

◦ Articles: II, III Group 3

◦ Article IV Group 1

◦ Articles V,VI,VIII Group 4

◦ Article VII Group 2

Go through all the articles as individuals. Go through the assigned articles per group. Prepare a 20 minute
(max) video presentation/ infographics/poster (only video presentation will not need live explanations)
understandable by professionals and the public. Be creative without compromising content. Group
collaborations foster better learning, teamwork and responsibility not just to yourself but to others. It is
my hope that you imbibe star qualities from the ten stars in being a pharmacist with this activity.

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: (Scripts from notes or notes may be opened but recounting the topics from
memory is best)

Submit an essay that will address everything written below. The content of which must show learning
related to Overview of Practice Scope, Roles and Responsibilities of a Pharmacist, Practice Framework
for Pharmacy, RA 10918 Philippine Pharmacy Act, Code of Ethics of Filipino Pharmacists.

• Discuss the scope of pharmacy practice.

• Discuss the varied roles and responsibilities of pharmacists.
• Discuss the code of ethics of pharmacists.
• Discuss the various articles in RA 10918 as to its contents and significance to the profession.
REFERENCES

RA 10918. (2016, July 21).Official Gazette. Accessed from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/07/21/republic-act-no-10918/. Accessed on July 1, 2020

A Resource Paper of the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy Scope of Contemporary Pharmacy

Practice: Roles, Responsibilities, and Functions of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. (2009).
Council on Credentialing Pharmacy. Accessed from
https://www.accp.com/docs/positions/misc/CCPwpScope_Pharmacy_Practice_2-2009.pdf.
Accessed on August 21, 2020

Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique (2012). FIP Education Initiatives Pharmacy Education

Taskforce A Global Competency Framework Version 1 accessed from
https://www.fip.org/files/fip/PharmacyEducation/GbCF_v1.pdf

Code of Ethics of Pharmacy. (2017).Philippine Pharmaceutical Association. Accessed from

https://www.philippinepharmacists.org/about-us