discover - issue one, spring 2013

1 DISCOVER • SPRING 2013

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES ISSUE ONE • SPRING 2013

Pharmaceutical Sciences Buildingwins Wallpaper*

Design Award

Awareness Month 2013Pharmacist

Celebrate Research 2013Sex & Drugs & Reproductive Health

Creating a New Professional Pharmacy Degree at UBC

2 UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2 DISCOVER • SPRING 2013

FEATURES 04 Pharmaceutical Sciences Building wins Wallpaper* Design Award

05 Providing More Healthcare Than You Know: Celebrating Pharmacist Awareness Month 2013

Inside Story on the Story of Medicines: Role of Pharmacy

08 The Paths Less Travelled: Introducing the UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Journal (PSSJ)

EDUCATION 10 Creating a New Professional Pharmacy Degree at UBC

Faculty’s Medication Reconciliation Interprofessional Event Connects Health Students Across the Province

12 Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CP3) Program Receives Exceptional Feedback

Mogul’s Den

RESEARCH 13 Faculty’s Celebrate Research 2013 Event Highlights Reproductive Health

14 Faculty Hosts Grant Planning Workshop on Personalized Medicine

Recent Awards, Publications, Presentations and Grants

PRACTICE 15 Introducing AGILE

UPDATES 15 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada - British Columbia

2013 Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair

New Student Awards

16 Uniquely UBC: The Story of Medicines

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd’s Support of the Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare

UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Event in Victoria - Changing Landscape of Pharmacists Training in Canada: the UBC Perspective

17 First Annual Storm the Wall Alumni Event

In Memoriam

Faculty and Graduate Award Ceremony

Upcoming Events Calendar

EDITOR

Jimi Galvão

EDITORIAL TEAM

Jimi Galvão

Julia Kreger

Christopher Cook

Alexandra Warren

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Julia Kreger

CONTRIBUTORS

June Chow

Peter Loewen

Glenda MacDonald

Arti Maharaj

Caely-Ann McNabb

Katherine Milbers

Alysa Pompeo

Wayne Riggs

PHOTOGRAPHY & ILLUSTRATION

Esther Chan

Christopher Cook

Jimi Galvão

Caely-Ann McNabb

Ema Peter

Alexandra Warren

To share ideas and content for future

issues, please email:

[email protected]

Discover IS THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES.

RELEASED qUARTERLY, IT HAS THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT FACULTY PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EVENTS AND ALUMNI.

IN THIS ISSUE


It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our new

e-magazine. Discover has been the official e-newsletter of our Faculty for more than three years and we’re excited to re-launch it in this dynamic new format.

Last year was a time of history-making changes for the Faculty, with the opening of our new building being

chief among them. As we begin a new year, we are faced with even more exciting opportunities for growth. One such opportunity is the appointment of a new Dean.

On February 28, 2013, Dean Robert D. Sindelar officially concluded his term. Dr. Sindelar began his Deanship in 2002, but his connection with the University of British Columbia extends back even farther.

He completed postdoctoral studies at UBC, and the State University of New York at Buffalo, before beginning a 19-year academic career at the University of Mississippi in 1983. Dr. Sindelar’s expertise in medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug discovery and design, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and creating health innovation opportunities served him well in his 10-plus year leadership role and his accomplishments are many.

Since joining us, he has been inducted as a Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and has been an active voice for the profession of pharmacy and the B.C. biotechnology community. He has worked tirelessly to enhance the health care system of our province and has played an instrumental part in supporting the expanding scope of pharmacy practice.

In 2009, Dr. Sindelar’s efforts led to a landmark investment from the Province of British Columbia of $86.4 million in the expansion of the Faculty, which lead to the construction of the new Pharmaceutical Sciences Building – a marvel of

architecture and technology that has and continues to win prestigious awards. Our building has brought international acclaim to the Faculty and UBC.

It is a lasting legacy that Dr. Sindelar can be truly proud of. Included in this investment was the expansion of our entry-to-practice program from 152 to 224 students.

Dr. Sindelar’s legacy consists of more than bricks and mortar. His legacy is of a unified vision with the pharmacy profession, B.C. government, B.C. life sciences community and UNC for the future of pharmacy education, research and practice – in this province and beyond.

Robert (Bob) is highly regarded for his professionalism, integrity and pioneering vision. Our Faculty has benefited greatly from his leadership and as we finalize our search for his successor (to be announced soon), we sincerely thank him for everything that he has done for us. We also wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.

In closing, it is an honor for me to serve as interim dean until a new dean is in place. It is my goal to work closely with the Faculty, UBC, our practice community partners and the B.C. Government to continue to advance the mission of our Faculty to achieve global leadership in pharmacy education, research and practice.

Warm regards,

K. Wayne Riggs PROFESSOR AND DEAN PRO TEM

Message from the

Dean

image: Dr. robert D. sindelar inspecting the Pharmaceutical sciences Building during it’s construction

4 UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

by Julia Kreger

This page: exterior of the Pharmaceutical sciences Building (ema Peter Photography) opposite (L-r): interior of Atrium, campaign Donor sculpture (ema Peter Photography)

Labs (saucier + Perrotte Architectes / Hughes condon Marler Architects)

Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

Design AwardWallpaper*wins

FEATURES


We are thrilled to announce that our new Pharmaceutical Sciences building, designed by Montreal’s Saucier +

Perrotte Architectes and Vancouver’s Hughes Condon Marler Architects, has won the title of ‘Best Lab’ in the ninth annual Wallpaper* magazine Design Awards.

The UK-based lifestyle magazine’s Design Awards are an “annual pat on the back to the people, places and products that have brightened up our world over the last year.” The 2013 judging panel included international experts across the fields of design, art, architecture and fashion; including designer Rick Owens, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Wang Shu and visual artist Julian Opie, alongside Wallpaper* magazine staff and contributors.

A double-page feature article by Hadani Ditmars in the February issue of Wallpaper* describes the Pharmaceutical Sciences building as “striking” and “instantly engaging” with a “dynamic sense of movement, texture and a sometimes dizzying three-dimensionality.” Ditmas goes on to recognize lead architect Gilles Saucier’s primary inspiration of two trees entwining and his vision to “pay homage to the debt science owes to nature.”

Officially opened on September 18, 2012, the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building is a quarter-million square foot, state-of-the-art learning and research facility. Made possible by an $86.4-million investment from the Province of BC and the generous support of donors, the new building houses for the

first time under one roof all the teaching, learning, research and community outreach activities of the Faculty.

“(Our new building) offers much to be excited about. Students are able to utilize small group rooms, in addition to dedicated informal learning spaces. New technologies that enhance learning and collaboration, whether it be lecture capture or the ability to use a digital screen as a whiteboard, are being embraced by the student body,” says third-year Pharmaceutical Sciences student, BCPhA Ambassador and President, Pharmacy Undergraduate Society, Aaron Sihota.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to Saucier + Perrotte Architectes and Hughes Condon Marler Architects on this remarkable achievement,” says Dr. Wayne Riggs, professor and dean pro tem.

To download a PDF of the Wallpaper* magazine article, please click here.

5

WWW.WALLPAPER.COM WWW.SAUCIERPERROTTE.COM WWW.HCMA.CA

“STRIKING...INSTANTLY ENGAGING...(WITH A) DYNAMIC SENSE OF MOVEMENT, TEXTURE AND A SOMETIMES DIZZYING THREE-DIMENSIONALITY.” - WALLPAPER*, FEBRUARY 2013

DESIGN AWARDS

2013WINNER

FEATURES


Providing More Health Care Than You Know:

Celebrating Pharmacist Awareness Monthby Julia Kreger

March is Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM), an expansion of the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s

annual week-long campaign.

Since 1998, the campaign has raised awareness of the vital contributions pharmacists make to health care, while also providing an opportunity to celebrate the profession in schools, workplaces and communities across Canada.

Before the Pharmacy Act was passed in 1891, pharmacy practice in British Columbia was unregulated. As the scope of practice evolves, it becomes increasingly important to educate the public on the services their pharmacists can provide. The theme for PAM 2013 is “Providing more health care than you know: Ask a pharmacist.”

So what does the profession of pharmacy and Pharmacist Awareness Month mean to the next generation of practitioners?

Second-year UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences student and BCPhA Ambassador Andrea Silver was attracted to the profession of pharmacy because of her desire to make a difference in her patient’s lives.

“(Working as a pharmacist) will allow me to be a part of changes that a patient wants to make in terms of improving their health or knowledge of health and well-being. I believe it is very important for patients to know that someone will be able to help them navigate the health care system.”

For Andrea, Pharmacist Awareness Month is crucial to raising awareness of her chosen profession. “It is an opportunity for past, present and future pharmacists to educate the public about what pharmacists collectively care about, and what knowledge and services they can bring to the general population.”

“Pharmacist Awareness Month represents a great opportunity to let the public know what today’s pharmacists can do,” agrees fourth-year UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences student and BCPhA Ambassador JD Puri.

JD was inspired to study Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC after conversations with his grandparents about their medications. “(They) would tell me that the medications were ‘improving their health’ and ‘keeping them alive.’ I was curious and wanted to find out more.”

“My favourite thing about studying pharmacy at UBC is understanding and applying evidence-based medicine. We learn not to simply tell a patient ‘this is your pill’ but rather to have a conversation with them and provide information about the pros and cons of a particular course of action.”

“(WORKING AS A PHARMACIST) WILL ALLOW ME TO BE A PART OF CHANGES THAT A PATIENT WANTS TO MAKE IN TERMS OF IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH OR KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.” - ANDREA SILVER, PHARMACY STUDENT

image: story of Medicines ‘role of a Pharmacist’ exhibit

FEATURES


Inside Story on the Story of Medicines is an ongoing feature dedicated to uncovering the individual narratives that make

up our interactive Story of Medicines exhibition. In each issue of Discover, we’ll bring you an article honing in on one particular story within the Story of Medicines. In this edition, and in time for Pharmacist Awareness Month, we focus on the Role of Pharmacy exhibit.

The Role of Pharmacy is a hands-on storytelling experience that highlights the many faces of pharmacy. By interacting with a 5.7 x 6.7 ft multi-touch screen, visitors learn about the numerous roles and career paths within the pharmaceutical sciences. The story is told through personas representing these roles and career paths.

There are a total of 13 compelling personas featured within the storytelling experience. Using the life-size touch wall, visitors select a persona of interest to begin the story. Once selected, the highlighted persona moves to the foreground of the screen. Visitors then learn about that persona and their role in the pharmaceutical sciences by exploring featured fact bubbles. Fact bubbles also feature QR codes to allow learning to continue from the touch wall to related websites.

Among the roles profiled are a community pharmacist from the year 1911, researcher, and government worker. We also explore what the role of the community pharmacist of 2020 would look like. The Story of Medicines is free to the public and open for viewing from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please email us at [email protected]. - BY JIMI GALVãO

Inside Story on the Story of Medicines: The Role of Pharmacy

“The Faculty is continually impressed by our students’ dedication and commitment to patient-centred care” says Dr. Wayne Riggs, professor and dean pro tem, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

For more information about Pharmacist Awareness Month initiatives around Canada and to download the campaign materials, please click here.


PHARMACIST AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS AT UBC

Pharmacy Information Evening (PIE)

Room 1101, UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, March 7, 5 - 7 p.m.

An information session for prospective students that are interested in applying for pharmacy. This event features student leaders, community, and academia pharmacists within the faculty.

Pharmacist Awareness Month Fair

UBC Student Union Building, March 4 to 8, daily from 12 - 1 p.m.

The fair hosts a variety of booths to educate UBC students on different conditions and the role of pharmacists.

Community Outreach Presentation

Kerrisdale Community Centre, March 5, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Kits Community Centre, March 7, 9:30 - 10.30 a.m.

South Granville Seniors Centre, March 7, 1 - 2 p.m.

Target audience is adults and seniors (especially those who are on long-term medications). No reservation is necessary.The format of the session is a 30 to 45 min presentation by UBC PAM volunteers, followed by a q&A period facilitated by a licensed pharmacist.

image: story of Medicines ‘role of a Pharmacist’ exhibit

image: student interacting with role of Pharmacy exhibit (ema Peter Photography)

FEATURES


On January 28, 2013, Canada’s first student-run pharmacy publication, the UBC Pharmaceutical

Sciences Student Journal (PSSJ), officially launched its inaugural issue and with it, the dream of further change and discussion in pharmaceutical sciences. During a brief speech and presentation, students, faculty and authors proudly assembled to celebrate what will become a staple of pharmacy student life in years to come. Founded by the Pharmaceutical Sciences Class of 2012 and continued by students from all years at UBC, PSSJ seeks to “bring research back” to student-pharmacist culture in a time when interprofessional communication is more important than ever.

Pharmacy Practice is changing

Pharmacy, as a profession, is changing. As students, we are taught new clinical skills, the importance of interpreting research to answer our drug questions, and the value of clinical research to advance both practice and general knowledge. Many of us have noted the transformation of the pharmacist’s role within the healthcare community and the gradual shift in time use from dispensary to patient interaction. But in many ways, the evolution

by Katherine Milbers and Alysa Pompeo

Introducing the UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Journal (PSSJ)

of pharmacy is a re-application of long-existent skills and potential to new areas of patient care. For decades, pharmacists have incorporated patient interaction into practice but in seeking to improve care through a more effective application of knowledge, we have begun to ask ourselves what is most effective in current practice. Such introspective questions are the foundation upon which PSSJ has been built.

OPening the channels Of cOmmunicatiOn

There are a number of journals that currently serve as forums for student and professional dialogue. The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and Canadian Journal of Pharmacy unite professionals across the country in discussing clinical practice, original research, and issues for pharmacists. But as students, it is often difficult to bridge that gap; ourselves the authors of this article, who have completed undergraduate degrees before coming to UBC, know the fierce competition for undergraduate research positions and getting published, especially if you’re interested in pursuing health sciences. Once you get in, there are several avenues for pharmacy students to gain insight into the thoughts, findings and concerns

image: UBc PssJ issue one cover illustration by esther chan, B.sc. (Pharm) candidate, 2015

The Paths Less Travelled:

FEATURES


of practicing pharmacists through rotations, shadowing, and professional organizations that encourage students to network via speakers and events. However, there are few avenues through which professionals can learn how future pharmacists are being educated, or what we are doing. Good practice starts with good education. By gaining insight into how students are writing in a public forum like PSSJ, everyone’s education improves, and by extension, everyone’s practice.

Bridging the gaP Between theOretical and Practical

If we can envision helping practitioners stay informed on what students are doing and what opportunities we have as one direction of information flow, we also want to help students learn applicable skills and translate what we see in practice into communicable terms. In other words, we want to maintain a reciprocal information flow between future professionals and practicing ones. For example, every second-year student at UBC has the option to write a paper on a novel system of drug delivery as part of a course in fall term where we study drug formulations and stability; this is research and information that could theoretically be published and disseminated. As simple as this knowledge may seem sometimes, students are required to continually inform themselves on healthcare topics from patient case study courses to drug delivery classes, and sharing provides great value to those of us who could use this (potentially updated) information in practice. Our education succeeds in giving us a broad background on the medications and clinical skills we will need to be practitioners in some settings; however it is up to us to know how to show employers that there is value in letting a pharmacist review medications, for example, or come up with novel ways to prevent patients from suffering drug-related problems. We need to know how to apply theories and concepts we’ve learned in class in a practical setting, and we want PSSJ to help make this connection to students as well as connecting student education to practitioners.

mOving fOrward

In the inaugural issue, founders of the PSSJ and chief editors Kelvin Lou and Sandy Mok characterize the creation of the journal as a “deceptively simple” endeavor. While the philosophy behind this initiative is indeed a simple one, the publication process was not straightforward. Finding articles for the first issue was a long endeavour

because of the difficulties soliciting someone to write for a publication that didn’t yet exist. Our overarching goal of starting a student scholarly dialogue with the journal seemed so fragile at points when we were attempting to manage software, find authors, arrange meetings to keep the student team informed, and figure out how to maintain interest and organize ourselves after we eventually did launch an issue. The business of finding a student team was easy, to our relief; students interested in writing, publishing, and supporting a journal emerged rapidly from the woodwork and helped combine their vision of a journal with the chief editors’ desire to get people talking. And, after the launch, we certainly did. Abstracts from our first eight articles remained published in poster form in the atrium of our new building and remained up for everyone to see during the week after our launch. This project would not have been possible without the hard work and foresight of many talented individuals. Similarly, its continued success will rely on the input of inspired individuals - namely, you!

We are so often warned to “watch our thoughts, for they become our words”; to “watch our words, for they become our actions.” We whole-heartedly urge you to throw that saying to the winds. Let your thoughts run wild! Explore every possibility within the framework of your mind. And then make your thoughts your words. Put down on the page what you have always wondered about, envisioned, or hoped for in pharmacy. Your words may one day become the actions that alter our practice for the better. This is our practice, and it can and will only ever be what we chose to make of it. UBC PPSJ is a fully online, open-access, student-run journal. For more information on UBC PSSJ, including access to our first issue, visit www.ubcpssj.org

KATHERINE MILBERS IS ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND ALYSA POMPEO IS COPYEDITOR OF THE UBC PSSJ.

“GOOD PRACTICE STARTS WITH GOOD EDUCATION. BY GAINING INSIGHT INTO HOW WE, STUDENTS, ARE APPLYING OUR LEARNING THROUGH STUDENT WRITING IN A PUBLICLY-LOCATED FORUM LIKE PSSJ, EVERYONE’S EDUCATION IMPROVES, AND BY EXTENSION, EVERYONE’S PRACTICE.”

FEATURES


The practice of Pharmacy has grown much more complex in recent years, with a larger percentage of people living

longer with multiple conditions and drug therapies. At the same time, the scope of what pharmacists can and should do to care for their patients has grown. Examples of this include giving vaccinations, doing clinic consultations with patients to optimize their medications, prescribing certain types of drugs, monitoring drug therapy, and interpreting lab tests. Pharmacist training programs have tried to adapt to the changes, but Bachelor’s degree programs can no longer fulfill the amount of learning required by pharmacists to be competent practitioners.

A different kind of degree program, one that has more time for learning these intricate skills, and more time to do practical learning with real patients, is needed. This type of degree, already offered in all U.S. universities since the mid-1990’s, is called an entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). In 2010, pharmacy schools across Canada agreed to offer the PharmD degree by the year 2020.

The University of Montreal, Laval University, University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo have already started their entry-to-practice PharmD programs. To ensure that patients in B.C. are cared for by the best pharmacists in Canada, providing high quality care to the full scope of practice, UBC has begun the process of creating an entry-to-practice PharmD program.

UBC was the first university in Canada to offer a post-graduate PharmD degree, and has produced 138 graduates since it started in 1991. Post-graduate PharmD programs are different from entry-to-practice programs in that they are usually two years in length and only enrol students who are already pharmacists and who usually have an additional year of post-graduate training called a residency.

Graduates of the new program will be true medication experts that care about improving the health of their patients, are competent to practice pharmacy to its full scope and adaptable as it expands, and are equipped to lead the profession in the directions it needs to go for the good of all British Columbians.

what will the new PrOgram lOOk like? here are sOme essential POints yOu shOuld knOw:

• Itwillbefouryearsinlength,thesamenumberofyearsit takes to get a BSc (Pharm).

• Itwillcontainabout20%morecredithoursthantheBSc (Pharm) program.

• Thefinalyearoftheprogramwillhaveabouttwiceasmuch experiential learning as the current program. There will be more experiential learning in each year of the program as well.

• Itwilltaketwoyearstomeettheprerequisitesforthe program versus a minimum of one year now. However,

by Drs. Peter Loewen and Glenda MacDonald

Pharmacy Degree at UBCCreating a New Professional

EDUCATION


about two-thirds of our current students have two or more years of pre-pharmacy coursework, and about a third already have another degree

• Itwillfeatureastate-of-the-artcurriculum,integrating the spectrum of foundational pharmaceutical sciences with advanced pharmacotherapeutic problem-solving and experiential learning in community, primary care, hospitals, and other settings.

• Thelatteryearsoftheprogramwillprovidetheopportunity for students to choose a Pathway, or focus. These may include pharmaceutical care, health services and policy research, research in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy business, and international health. Essentially, each Pathway will be a collection of elective courses and clerkships in the third and fourth years of the program.

• Theprogramwillpreparethosegraduateswhochoosetodo so to continue their training in Pharmacy Practice Residency programs, and graduate degree programs such as MSc or PhD programs.

• Intime,combineddegreeprogramswillbeoffered.These may include PharmD/MBA, PharmD/PhD, PharmD/JD, and/or PharmD/MPH.

• Theprogramwillalignwithanexpandedscopeofpractice for pharmacy practice in B.C. The use of medications is becoming increasingly complex, making it critical that pharmacists work in collaboration with other health care providers to ensure that drug therapy is safe and effective for their patients.

The Faculty is working diligently and consulting with a number of stakeholder groups as it moves through this process. It is important that we hear feedback from government, industry, practitioners, educators, researchers, our alumni, and our students. If you have any questions, want more information, or wish to share your feedback, please contact us:

DRS. PETER LOEWEN AND GLENDA MACDONALD ARE MEMBERS OF THE UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES. DR. LOEWEN IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE DOCTOR OF PHARMACY PROGRAM. DR. MACDONALD IS A CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE CONTINUING PHARMACY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

On January 16, 2013, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Disciplines and Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, brought together over 360 pharmacy and medical students from across British Columbia to participate in an interprofessional medication reconciliation event (IPE) focused on improving patient care.

Medication reconciliation is a process of identifying the most accurate list of medications a patient is taking — including name, dosage, frequency and route — and using this list to provide correct medications for patient transitions within the health care system. Reconciliation involves comparing the patient’s current list of medications against the physician’s admission, transfer and/or discharge orders.

“Studies indicate that 40-50% of patients experience medication discrepancies when transitioning between health care settings,” says Dr. Judith Soon, assistant professor, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and one of the event’s organizers. “This is a considerable patient safety challenge and an important topic for discussion between health care professionals.”

While over 300 students from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine worked on patient cases in small groups in lecture theatres and seminar rooms throughout the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, 54 medical students and nine pharmacy hospital residents from the University of Victoria and the University of Northern BC in Prince George participated in the case work via the Faculty’s new video-conferencing system.

“We’ve received incredibly positive student feedback from this event, one of the largest of its kind in Canada,” says Dr. Wayne Riggs, professor and dean pro tem, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Collaboration and the ability to work effectively as a member of a patient’s health care team are essential skills for all our pharmacy graduates — and students across all health disciplines.”

While the students worked on patient cases, their progress was monitored by six medication reconciliation experts from four different Health Authorities, including Allison Kirkwood, Providence Health; (continued page 12)


DR. PETER LOEWEN

[email protected] 604-827-1814

DR. GLENDA MACDONALD

[email protected] 604-822-3085

Faculty’s Medication Reconciliation Interprofessional Event Connects Health Students Across the Province

EDUCATION


(continued from previous)

Dr. Anita Lo, Fraser Health; Melissa Lo, Lower Mainland Regional Medication Safety Systems; Shelley Novak, Vancouver Coastal Health; Aleisha Thornhill, Northern Health Authority and Dr. Dan Martinusen, Vancouver Island Health Authority.

“Our hope is that these students walked away from this event with a new sense of appreciation for working collaboratively,” says Dr. Arun Verma, instructor, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and another organizer of the event. “Recognizing the various roles and the diversity of knowledge of their other team members will only lead to a better understanding of how they can work together as health care professionals to provide the best possible patient-centered care.”

- BY CHRISTOPHER COOK

Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CP3) Program Receives Exceptional Feedback

Dr. Mohamed D. Hessein Hassona, Postdoctoral Fellow, Vancouver Prostrate Centre; part-time pharmacist, Shoppers Drug Mart; and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy at Helwan University, Cairo, recently wrote a letter of appreciation to the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences outlining how his experiences as a Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CP3) program student have enriched his practice.

“I went to Egypt for a short period in November, 2011 (where I) started to

change the lab work for one of the courses called Applied Therapeutics…to meet the same objectives and goals of (the) CP3 program. In addition, I gave two lectures (about) pharmacy practice in Canada, including how I handled some cases in my 500-hours of practicum,” says Dr. Hassona.

Dr. Hassona is a registered pharmacist in Maryland, USA and completed his PhD degree at Ohio State University. “The six months I spent in the CP3 program affected my thought process more than the four and a half years I spent in the USA. I would like to thank the CP3 program members for their efforts and I strongly recommend this program to any international pharmacist.”

The CP3 program includes 12 weeks of classroom instruction followed by 12 weeks of an internship practicum, providing students with valuable Canadian pharmacy practice experience.

For more information about the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences CP3 program, please visit cpd.pharmacy.ubc.ca.

- BY JULIA KREGER

Mogul’s Den

In November, fourth year Entry to Practice students participated in the annual event, “Pharmacy Mogul’s Den-

PHAR 400 edition.” UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor, Alan Low, has been coordinating this event for two years and it is a great opportunity for his students to showcase what they have learned in their PHAR 400-Pharmacy Management course.

The event can be described as Dragon’s Den with a twist, and it gives students the opportunity to present Group Practice Projects. These projects are business plans for developing a sustainable and profitable pharmacist-delivered clinical service. Participants were given five minutes to convince an audience of investors, pharmacy managers, and business executives to fund and implement their innovative plans into a community hospital or pharmacy.

The grand prize winning team, Canadian Services for Innovation in Pharmacy Practice (CSIPP), received a gift certificate to Joey’s Restaurant to celebrate and reflect on their idea of Pharmacogenomic patient assessment. Healthy competition combined with innovative ideas has made this event a success and may result in exciting new programs that will benefit the community in the future. - BY ALEXANDRA WARREN

images: UBc Pharmacy and Medicine students particpating in Med rec iPe event

“WE’VE RECEIVED INCREDIBLY POSITIVE STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM THE (MED REC) EVENT. THE ABILITY TO WORK EFFECTIVELY AS A MEMBER OF A PATIENT’S HEALTH CARE TEAM ARE ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR ALL OUR PHARMACY GRADUATES AND STUDENTS ACROSS ALL HEALTH DISCIPLINES.” - DR. WAYNE RIGGS, UBC PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

EDUCATION


On March 4, 2013, a special seminar entitled “Sex & Drugs & Reproductive Health,” hosted by the Faculty of

Pharmaceutical Sciences as part of Celebrate Research Week, was attended by over 100 people.

The seminar featured three internationally recognized panelists speaking on women’s reproductive health. Dr. Cynthia Harper, an associate professor in Obstetrics at the University of California, presented a talk entitled “Pharmacy Access to Emergency Contraception and Beyond.” Dr. Joy Johnson, the scientific director of the Institute of Gender and Health (IGH), and a professor at UBC’s School of Nursing, spoke about the interplay between sex, gender, and health. The third speaker, Dr. Mary Stephenson, professor and department head, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, presented on recurrent pregnancy loss, and the diverse contributions made by UBC researchers to our understanding of this topic.

The half-day seminar drew UBC faculty, staff, and students, as well as members of the community. “We’re proud to host seminars that deliver world-class research to the public,” says Dr. Kishor Wasan, professor and associate dean, Research & Graduate Studies, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Members of our Faculty and other UBC researchers have made huge impacts on our understanding of reproductive health – and this event allows us to celebrate these achievements.”

“Celebrate Research Week seminars give us the chance to open our doors to the broader community,” says Dr. Wayne Riggs,

professor and dean pro tem. “These events showcase research that’s making a difference in people’s lives.”

Past Celebrate Research seminars hosted by the Faculty have covered topics as diverse as personalized medicine tailored through patient genetic information and recent advances in diabetes treatment.

For more information on the Faculty’s Celebrate Research Week events, please visit www.pharmacy.ubc.ca/research/crw.

“MEMBERS OF OUR FACULTY AND OTHER UBC RESEARCHERS HAVE MADE HUGE IMPACTS ON OUR UNDERSTANDING OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH - AND THIS EVENT ALLOWS US TO CELEBRATE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS.” - DR. KISHOR WASAN, UBC PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

image: (L-r) Drs. cynthia Harper, Joy Johnson, Judith soon, Mary ensom and Mary stephenson

Faculty’s Celebrate Research 2013 Event

Highlights Reproductive Healthby Christopher Cook

RESEARCH


Recent Awards, Publications, Presentations and Grants

Faculty Hosts Grant Planning Workshop on Personalized Medicine

In November 2012, 40 health researchers and clinical experts from across North America attended a two-day Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Team Grant Planning Workshop on personalized medicine, hosted by UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Organized by Faculty members Drs. Ron Reid, Corey Nislow and Wayne Riggs; as well as Dr. Thomas Grigliatti from UBC’s Department of Zoology and pharmacist Mark Kunzli, owner of Kunzli Enterprises, the workshop drew research leaders in fields as diverse as translational medicine and metabolomics. Researchers came together to create a proposal for a project investigating the identification of genetic

markers predictive of a range of complex diseases, from asthma to cancer.

“Previous studies examining the entire genome have used lower resolution microarrays and have failed to identify high-risk individuals who developed complex diseases,” says Dr. Reid. “But if we break these diseases down into the processes that contribute to their development and use genome sequencing to pin-point the genetic variations responsible for these processes, we’ll have a much clearer picture of disease development and therapy.”

The workshop included presentations on a range of topics, including biomarkers, epigenetics, and bioinformatics. Through break-out discussion sessions, workshop participants selected mental health as the main focus for the proposed

research project. The potential genetic influences leading to mental illnesses are complex, and research in this area will have a vast social impact.

“Patient education will be a huge component of this project,” says Dr. Reid. “We want to engage and consult with patients throughout our research, to develop successful educational programs surrounding this approach to personalized medicine, as well as effective practices for clinically applying the research.”

As a result of the workshop, several grant applications and projects involving genome sequencing are underway, and Dr. Nislow has set up the Pharmaceutical Sciences Sequencing Centre (PSSC) in the Faculty’s new building to facilitate this work. - BY CHRISTOPHER COOK

AWARDSMah G, Mabasa VH, Chow I, Ensom MHH - recipients of the CSHP B.C. Branch Publication AwardLaura Carney, Jennifer Kendrick, Roxane Carr - received a 2013 CSHP Pharmacotherapy Best Practices Award (sponsored by Pfizer Canada Ltd) for their project “The safety and effectiveness of Dexmedetomidine in the Pediatric intensive care Unit (sAD-PicU)”.

PUBLICATIONSGershkovich P, Ibrahim F, Sivak O, Darlington JW, Wasan KM. A simple and sensitive method for determination of vitamins D(3) and K(1) in rat plasma: application for an in vivo pharmacokinetic study. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2013 Feb 4. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23373428Beatty L, Green R, Magee K, Zed PJ. A systematic review of ethanol and fomepizole use in toxic alcohol ingestions. Emergency Medicine International, Volume 2013, Article ID 638057, 14 pages, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/638057.Pawluk SA, Wilby KJ, Ensom MHH. Pharmacokinetic-Profile of Artemisinin Derivatives and companion Drugs Used in Artemisinin-based combination Therapies for the Treatment of Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in children. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2013 Jan 4 [Epub ahead of print] DOI 10.1007/s40262-012-0026-5.

Faculty member or adjunct faculty member’s name appears in bold.

CIHR OPERATING GRANTSBRUBACHER, Jeffrey R; BRASHER, Penelope (Penny) M; CHAN, Wing-Ping H; ETMINAN, Mahyar; MACLURE, Malcolm; ZED, Peter (Co-Investigators)Prescription medications and the risk of motor vehicle crashes: $526,268 (4 years)OPERATING GRANT - PA: CIHR NEW INVESTIGATORS - BRIDGE FUNDINGBANSBACK, Nicholas; ALMEIDA, Fernanda R; AYAS, Najib; BRASHER, Penelope (Penny) M; LYND, Larry D; MARRA, Carlo A; STACEY, Dawn (Co-Investigators)improving adherence to treatments through behavioral economics: Testing an enhanced decision aid in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: $100,000 (1 year)CIHR DISSEMINATION EVENTS - PRIORITY ANNOUNCEMENT: INFECTION AND IMMUNITYMARRA, Fawziah; MCKAY, Rachel; PATRICK, David M (Co-Investigators)community-Associated Methicillin resistant staphylococcus Aureus (cA-MrsA) infections: From Knowledge to Action: $13,725 (1 year)

RESEARCH


Introducing AGILE

In November 2012, the Faculty embarked on an exciting new project. AGILE (Advancing Experiential LearninG In InstitutionaL Pharmacy PracticE) aims to develop recommendations that will inform a redesign of institutional experiential pharmacy education in British Columbia.

“A redesign is definitely needed,” says Dr. Michael Legal, project lead. “Soon, there will be capacity challenges related to the increased number of learners in the Faculty’s Entry-to-Practice Program and B.C. Pharmacy Practice Residency Program. Moreover, the implementation of an Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy Program means that the demand for institutional rotations will continue well into the future.”

According to Legal, the traditional preceptor-to-learner model provides little wiggle room for additional learners at a site.

“The pharmacist of the future needs to be a competent, capable and adept,” explains Dr. Peter Zed, associate professor and associate dean, Practice Innovation. “The pharmacist of the future also needs to excel at teaching and lifelong learning.”

AGILE needs the ideas and feedback of the health care community to help shape the future of pharmacy. Since the beginning of January 2013, Legal has visited major sites in each health authority to engage in face-to-face dialogue and will continue to do so until the project concludes this November. The dialogue is also being facilitated online via a blog called The Conversation.

To learn more, and to join the conversation, visit agile.pharmacy.ubc.ca. - BY JIMI GALVãO

Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada – British Columbia

The Faculty is proud to be a Regional Supporter of this year’s Sanofi BioGENEius Challege Canada (SBCC) for British Columbia. SBCC is a national science competition for students focusing on biotechnology. Competitors use their skills and passion for science to develop research projects that address challenges affecting today’s society, from health care to the environment.

“We’re looking forward to working with LifeSciences British Columbia in hosting this important event in our new building,” says Wayne Riggs, professor and dean pro tem. “It’s an opportunity for us to support the future of scientific research and engage with the community.”

SBCC for British Columbia takes place on March 28, 2013. For more information on the 2013 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada, visit www.sanofibiogeneiuschallenge.ca. - BY JIMI GALVãO

2013 Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair

We’re excited to announce our participation in the 2013 Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair! Our faculty members and students will be hosting a lab tour called “Pharmacy Compounding: The Art and Science of Making Medications.“ The one-hour hands-on activity will introduce participants to the compounding fundamentals of levigation, aromatics, additives, solutions and suspensions.

“Everyone will have a chance to experience compounding for themselves by making a cream with non-medical ingredients,” says Colleen Brady, senior instructor with the Faculty. “Compounding is an important service

offered by pharmacists and we’re looking forward to teaching students about it.”

For more information on the 2013 Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair, visit www.gvrsf.ca.

- BY JIMI GALVãO

New Student Awards

Awards allow students to focus on achieving excellence in rigorous academic studies, clinical practice, and research. They recognize achievement and offer financial aid where needed so students can continue and excel in their education. Supporting an award is a very personal experience. The Faculty is grateful for the following new, donor-funded awards benefiting its students.

MARION L. PEARSON AND JAMES M. ORR BURSARY IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Created by Marion Pearson (BSc(Pharm)’82, MA’08) and Professor Emeritus James Orr, the bursary supports students of any year of the BSc(Pharm) with preference for 1st year and with preference for students from under-represented regions of B.C. Read about Marion and Jim’s lifelong passion of supporting students at www.startanevolution.ubc.ca/successstories/supporting-students-a-lifelong-passion/

R & Z BAILEY BURSARY IN PHARMACYEstablished by Rodney Bailey (BSc(Pharm)’74), the bursary supports B.C. students in any year of the BSc(Pharm) with preference for students from outside metro Vancouver.

DR. DARIO ALBERTON PHARMD SCHOLARSHIP Established by family, friends and colleagues in memory of Dr. Dario Alberton (BSc(Pharm)’00, PharmD’06), the award is given to an outstanding(continued page 16)

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(continued from previous)

student entering the Doctor of Pharmacy program.

H & H BLOMqUIST SCHOLARSHIP Created by brothers, Holger L. Blomquist (BSc(Pharm)’50) and Halvard Blomquist (BSc(Pharm)’52) through the Blomquist Charitable Fund, the award supports a student in any year of the BSc(Pharm).

PEOPLES DRUG MART AWARD IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Offered by Peoples Drug Mart for 3rd-year students of the BSc(Pharm), the award recognizes leadership skills and an interest in community practice, with preference for B.C. students from outside metro Vancouver.

MARCEL ST. JEAN MEMORIAL AWARD IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCESEstablished by UniPHARM in memory of long-time friend and respected industry colleague, Marcel St. Jean, the award recognizes fourth-year, graduating students who display exceptional professionalism and high academic standing.

CALvIN SAWYER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCESOffered by Lap Wu (BSc(Pharm)’80) and his wife, Sharon McKenzie (BSN), and their family in memory of their son, Calvin Sawyer, the awards recognize students entering the second year of the BSc(Pharm).

PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES RURAL COMMUNITIES PLACEMENT AWARD Offered by the Pharmacy Alumni Group, the award supports fourth-year students needing financial assistance in their experiential education rotation in rural B.C.

Did you receive a student award and are

able to now pay it forward? Would you have benefited from financial assistance as a student? Do you want to support the next generation of pharmacists? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please contact June Chow at 604-822-1772 or [email protected] or learn more about establishing student awards at startanevolution.ubc.ca/category/projects-by-area/student-awards - BY JUNE CHOW. JUNE IS ASSOCIATE

DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT.

Uniquely UBC: Story of MedicinesOn January 30, 2013 our Faculty hosted “Uniquely UBC: Story of Medicines.“ Organized by the university’s Development and Alumni Engagement Events Team, donors to UBC were invited to partake in an evening of thought-provoking presentation.

Two of the “Six Drugs that Changed the World“ were discussed in the London Drugs Lecture Theatre: Dr. Brian Rodrigues MSc(Pharm)’85 PhD(Pharm)’89 spoke about

insulin, followed by Dr. Brian Cairns BSc(Pharm)’86 PhD(Pharm)’97 ACPR who addressed the impact of the discovery of anesthetics.

Guests were then invited to mix and mingle and tour the Faculty’s Story of Medicines interactive exhibit with the guidance of our BCPhA Student Ambassadors: Renée Dagenais, Dawei Ji, Melissa Patton, Aaron Sihota and Andrea Silver. Event-goers were impressed by the information presented and our new building; it was one of the most intriguing Uniquely UBC presentations to-date!

- BY ARTI MAHARAJ. ARTI IS COORDINATOR,

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT.

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd’s Support of the Initiative for Sustainable HealthcareWe are extremely delighted to announce that Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd has recently committed a gift towards the Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare.

Our industry partners have been very generous in their support of the Initiative. At this time, the search is underway for the leader in the Professorship position, and we have had the opportunity to continually showcase our Story of Medicines on numerous occasions.

As a readily available connection to the community, the Story of Medicines has been well received by guests, which include the public, alumni and donors. Currently, ideas are in the works to promote and expand programming.

We welcome Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd to our group of industry partners for this initiative and thank them for sharing in our vision of a bright future for healthcare in B.C.! - BY ARTI MAHARAJ

UBC Pharm Sci Alumni Event in Victoria - Changing Landscape of Pharmacists Training in Canada: the UBC PerspectiveOn February 28, 42 UBC Pharmacy alumni and friends gathered at Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, B.C. for a special evening with Dr. Robert D. Sindelar on his last day as of Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dr. Peter Loewen, BSc(Pharm)’93, PharmD’96, Assistant Professor and Director, Doctor of Pharmacy Programs.

Dr. Loewen gave an informative presentation on the direction that pharmacy training is heading at UBC

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followed by a q&A session with a very engaged audience. Guests had plenty of time to mix and mingle at the reception that followed the presentation.

We are committed to ensuring that our alumni are kept up-to-date on developments happening at the Faculty and to creating opportunities for them to share their feedback with us. Keep your eye out for more sessions on this topic. - BY CAELY-ANN MCNABB. CAELY-ANN IS

THE ALUMNI RELATIONS MANAGER.

First Annual Storm the Wall Alumni EventFor more than 30 years, Storm the Wall has been an iconic event on the Point Grey campus. Now UBC REC and Alumni Affairs invite you to re-live the experience of scaling a 12 foot wall with four of your friends. Legs of the relay race include a swim, sprint, bike and run all followed by the challenge of getting your team up and over the wall.

We know it may have been a few years since you last stormed the wall or perhaps you missed out on the Storm the Wall experience as an undergrad. Not to worry, you’ll have help along the way and at the wall to make sure you get over. To take part in these alumni races, your team of five must have at least three UBC alumni.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2013

Registration: 9 – 9:30 a.m. in the Student Union Building Party Room

Wall Training Clinic: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Storm the Wall Alumni Races: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Casual Lunch: 12 – 1:15 p.m. in the Student Union Building Party Room

Sign up online at www.alumni.ubc.ca/2013/events/ubc-alumni-races-at-storm-the-wall - BY CAELY-ANN MCNABB

In Memoriam

Arthur Ho, BSc(Pharm)’52 July 22, 1923 - November 16, 2012

Anna Paskovic, BSc(Pharm)’73 1946 – December 9, 2012

Joyce Wesson (nee Clarke), BSc(Pharm)’49 November 28, 1926 - January 2, 2012

Neeta Desai (nee Amin) BSc(Pharm)’00 March 21, 1976 – January 14, 2013

image: Drs. robert D. sindelar and Peter Loewen presenting at the Alumni regional event in victoria, B.c.

MARCH 2013

Wed, March 6 12 - 1 p.m. Room 1201

Pharmaceutical Sciences Spring Seminar Series: Targeting the incretin Hormones and Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Professor, cellular and Physiological sciences, Dr. Christopher McIntosh

Sat, March 9 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The 24th Annual Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development Program (CPPD) Update for Pharmacy Alumni

Wed, March 13 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Room 1201

Pharmaceutical Sciences Spring Seminar Series: oH2 Dear! How Do PrMTs catalyze Methylation of Arginine residues? Dr. Adam Frankel


Pharmaceutical Sciences Spring Seminar Series: epigenetic variation in Human Health and Disease, Dr. Michael Kobor


Pharmaceutical Sciences Spring Seminar Series: Design and selection of Glycosidase inhibitors: Towards New Therapies for Diabetes and influenza, Dr. Stephen Withers

APRIL 2013Wed, April 3 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Room 1201

Pharmaceutical Sciences Spring Seminar Series: Disease Mechanisms of X-linked Dyskeratosis congenita, Dr. Naresh Thumati

MAY 2013

Wed, May 8 3 - 5 p.m.

Faculty & Graduate Awards Ceremony. Keynote speaker: Dr. Marcel Bally, department head, BC Cancer Agency. Reception in Story of Medicines.

Sat, May 25 UBC Alumni Weekend (stay tuned for more details)

Tues, May 28 Spring Convocation and Dean‘s Reception

JUNE 2013

Tues, June 11 - Fri, June 14

Personalized Medicine and individualized Drug Delivery A joint conference of: Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences (CSPS) & Canadian Chapter - Controlled Release Society (CC-CRS)

Mon, June 17 Bernie Riedel Golf Tournament

Upcoming Events Calendar

A free, interactive exhibition that explores the essential contribution of pharmacy to human health.

image: Journey of a Drug exhibit

DISCOVER THE STORY OF MEDICINES

FROMBREAD MOULDS

ANTIBIOTICS...TO

First floor and mezzanine level, UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, vancouver. Open to the public 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Guided tours available on request, contact [email protected]

2405 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6T 1Z3 Communications Enquiries: [email protected]

www.pharmacy.ubc.ca

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discover - issue one, spring 2013

Documents

new year

new dean

new building

new emagazine

memoriam faculty

faculty programs

ubc perspective17

discover spring