The inaugural Professionals Skills Competition to rate pharmacy students’ aptitudinal skills was held at the Harare Institute of Technology, under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students Association (ZPSA) on 13 November 2017.
The competition had three categories: clinical skills, patient counselling and compounding. The clinical skills competition was aimed at generating interest amongst pharmacy students in the field of clinical pharmacy, testing their knowledge on pharmacology, therapeutics, physiology and pathology. The test is also aimed at encouraging students to expolore clinical pharmacy as a career path. The patient counselling category was aimed at equipping students with patient counselling skills, and improving their confidence and eloquency in speech. The compounding category challenged students to determine the best method to compound the formulation and preparation of finished products.
The competition provided students with opportunities available in various fields of pharmaceutical technology. An introductory workshop was held with experts from the pharmaceutical industry. Managing Director of Pharmanova. Mr D. Moyo, addressed students on compounding skills; while Ms M.Rozna of Kenlink Pharmacies conducted a presentation on patient counselling skills. Mrs M. Penduka, a Lecturer from the UZ School of Pharmacy presented on clinical skills, while Mr L. Bhunu, Pharmacist in Charge at Public Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) talked about entrepreneurship and pharmacy. Professor Maponga, former Director of the UZ School of Pharmacy and Clinical trials explored the opportunities available in Clinical Pharmacy while a representative from Varichem also discussed opportunities available in the manufacturing sector.
The event was organised by the Zimbabwe Pharmacy Students Association and was attended by students from Harare Institute of Technology, University of Zimbabwe and the Harare Polytechnic.