OSPAP Support

Overview

The Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) is a transition platform that is designed to equip those non-EU qualified Pharmacists with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable the safe and effective practice as a Pharmacist in the United Kingdom. The theoretical and practical training at university aims to familiarise those Pharmacists trained overseas (i.e. non-EU and not covered by Directive 2005/36/EC) with the practise of pharmacy in the United Kingdom.  In the case of each university (i.e. Aston University, Kingston University, the University of Brighton, and the University of Hertfordshire), the OSPSP course is fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) ensuring standards are maintained across the board.

Course Content

During the OSPAP year, consideration is given to various disciplines of Pharmacy, including for example Pharmaceutics, Clinical Pharmacy and real-world Pharmacy Practice throughout the United Kingdom.  Furthermore, each university will outline aspects of relevance around Pharmacy law and ethics, pressing issues affecting the delivery of Pharmacy services and the way in which Pharmacy aligns with the United Kingdom healthcare system (i.e. the NHS).  Moreover, those individuals enrolled on the programme may execute a project that is of interest to them and with their future career aspirations in mind.  Here, research projects often reflect the work ongoing in the chosen institution and this in turn could ultimately lead to paper publication to the benefit of all.  Examples of topics include patient related factors in the healthcare space (i.e. mood and belief structure), the delivery and enhancement of complex consultations (i.e. sale of the morning after pill) plus Pharmacist attitudes to newly released products for sale (i.e. the Gina 10mg vaginal tablet for vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women).

The Future

When the OSPAP course is finished, individuals can undertake GPhC Foundation Year training and concurrently apply for and complete the registration examination to become a United Kingdom qualified Pharmacist.  From that point, the healthcare professional can choose rewarding careers in Community Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy plus Academic Pharmacy for example.

How We Can Help

Here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk we can provide private individual / group training sessions to support with aspects such as:

·         Pharmaceutics (i.e. how dosage forms can be applied to support patient care)

·         Clinical Pharmacy (i.e. how drugs can be applied to manage disease)

·         Pharmacy Practice (i.e. workflow systems in the community pharmacy setting)

·         Research projects (i.e. planning, carrying out and writing up work)

·         Pharmacy law and ethics

·         Foundation Year training after the OSPAP year

·         Job applications

·         Job interview techniques and approaches

·         Pastoral support during the OSPAP year

Contact

To book your slot email Dr Davies today via mike@pharmascholar.co.uk

OSPAP Support here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk

Happy Christmas from all at www.pharmascholar.co.uk

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas!

We have had a great year packed with significant interest in our Pharmacy / Medical Education support platform - this has been very encouraging indeed!

Please get in touch today with our Lead Tutor to book your slot(s) for 2023 via mike@pharmascholar.co.uk

Have a great time over the holiday period with your family and friends!

All the best for 2023!!

Dr MJ Davies.

Happy Christmas!

Bespoke Foundation Year Training Support - 2

If you are a Foundation Year Pharmacist and need one-to-one support and training then we are here to help!

Drawing on the extensive experience held by our Lead Tutor, Dr Davies, we can support you with examination preparation and evidence submission.

We have a bank of GPhC questions at our disposal and the know-how as to where to find the answers in relevant reference texts (i.e. the BNF).

Here is a second example on our Blog page as to how we can help…

2. A 71 year old female patient comes into your pharmacy with a repeat prescription for her warfarin. She has been prescribed warfarin 1 mg tablets for a period of 3 weeks at a dose of one tablet per day. The patient’s GP has advised that her regular prescription for amiodarone be stopped and this change in therapy was undertaken 3 weeks ago. When collecting her warfarin prescription the patient complains of frequent nosebleeds. She is due to have her next blood test in 3 weeks time. Which one of the following is most appropriate in terms of patient advice?

a) Reduce the overall warfarin dose by taking 1 mg on alternate days

b) Nosebleeds are a common side effect from warfarin, provide management advice

c) The dose of warfarin may need to be increased and the patient should see her GP

d) The nosebleeds could be due to an interaction between warfarin and amiodarone. Book a GP appointment soon to discuss

e) Stop the warfarin immediately and book an appointment with the GP

The answer is d) The nosebleeds could be due to an interaction between warfarin and amiodarone. Book a GP appointment soon to discuss

The relevant section of the BNF is ‘Chapter 2: Cardiovascular System’ —> ‘Arrhythmias’ —> ’Anti-arrhythmic Drugs’ which states:

“Amiodarone hydrochloride has a very long half-life (extending to several weeks) and only needs to be given once daily.”

From that point, the Pharmacist would check the interaction between warfarin and amiodarone in the BNF and would find that:

“Amiodarine increases the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Manufacturer advises monitor INR. Severe, study.”

Thus, although the amiodarone has been stopped 3 weeks ago there may still be some in the system as a result of the long half-life and this can therefore interact with the warfarin to potentiate the effect of the drug (i.e. nosebleed presentation). A discussion with the GP would be sensible to make a plan for the near-term future. Direct intervention by the Pharmacist (other that GP referral) would not be suitable.

If the Foundation Year, and all of the material contained within, feels overwhelming then why not book with Dr Davies today? Here, at www.pharmascholar.co.uk we know all of the standard questions posed by the GPhC and importantly how to handle them!

The chemical structure of amiodarone.

Up-to-Date! Antimicrobial Education Support

It’s really good to keep on top of what is going on in the clinical / commercial healthcare space.

I have recently been focusing on antimicrobial prescribing / antimicrobial healthcare aspects.

I’m really pleased to confirm that I have obtained the CPPE Sepsis 2022 certificate, as shown below.

This confirms that my knowledge, and that of www.pharmascholar.co.uk, is up-to-date where antimicrobial prescribing is concerned.

To book in please contact Dr Davies via mike@pharmascholar.co.uk

Experience.

Youth is behind me (sadly)……

Experience is here!

I can help with:

• University admissions for college students

• Course material and assessments across your degree

• Foundation Year training

• Job applications

• Returning to the GPhC register

• And, more…….

Get in touch today to book your bespoke slot(s) via mike@pharmascholar.co.uk

Nothing wrong with leaving youth behind….!

Band on the Wall, Manchester, United Kingdom - Birthday Celebration!

It's my 44th Birthday this week and I went out to Band on the Wall in Manchester, United Kingdom last night to see the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show.

Excellent night and great venue with fantastic sound!!

Described as a 'Multi award-winning historic music venue, promoter and music learning centre. Where the World Comes to Play.'

I would completely recommend, especially to students who would benefit from amazing discounts....

Check the place out when you get chance and make sure you book in!

New Booking

I’m really pleased to report that I have just signed a new booking for Pharmacy Education here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk

My new client is a 3rd year Pharmacy undergraduate who is based at a university in the south of England.

Aspects for consideration include the integration of Pharmaceutics into real-world Clinical Practice.

I will be developing my new client’s understanding of dosage form manufacture and dosage form use, with related drug release and activity in the biological space. Really, really interesting!!

Importantly, my client will see an improvement in his grades to rival others in the same competitive field of healthcare.

I’m happy to see the uptick in our service offering!

To book your slot contact mike@pharmascholar.co.uk today.

I always agree a FREE upfront meeting (i.e. 30 mins) to better understand your educational requirements and explain how I can help you to achieve what you want to achieve along your chosen career pathway.

Dr Mike Davies at www.pharmascholar.co.uk

Bespoke Foundation Year Training Support

If you are a Foundation Year Pharmacist and need one-to-one support and training then we are here to help!

Drawing on the extensive experience held by our Lead Tutor, Dr Davies, we can support you with examination preparation and evidence submission.

We have a bank of GPhC questions at our disposal and the know-how as to where to find the answers in relevant reference texts (i.e. the BNF).

Here is an example of how we can help…

1. Which ONE of the following has the least impact on an individual’s insulin requirements?

   a) Asthma

   b) Food pattern changes

   c) Pregnancy

   d) Physical activity intensity

   e) Severe infection

The answer is a) Asthma.

The relevant section of the BNF is ‘Type 1 Diabetes’ —> ‘Insulin Requirements’ which states:

“Infection, stress, accidental or surgical trauma can all increase the required insulin dose. Insulin requirements may be decreased (and therefore susceptibility to hypoglycaemia increased) by physical activity, intercurrent illness, reduced food intake, impaired renal function, and in certain endocrine disorders”. Pregnancy, of course, will influence insulin requirements with time.

If the Foundation Year, and all of the material contained within, feels overwhelming then why not book with Dr Davies today? Here, at www.pharmascholar.co.uk we know all of the standard questions posed by the GPhC and importantly how to handle them!

HEE: Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy

I have just obtained the Health Education England (HEE) ‘Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy’ certificate. I’m happy to report!

This was an excellent online course provided by HEE and covered aspects such as appropriate antibiotic use in relation to current United Kingdom guidelines, how support materials in the pharmacy may aid in effective antibiotic use and how the patient may be supported to the full in terms of antibiotic supply.

I would highly recommend anyone working in the healthcare sector to undertake this training, it has been of great benefit to me in understanding the current landscape in this particular space. It is directly applicable to the fields of Locum Pharmacy and Medical Education.

Guest Blog 10: Pharmacist Support

Here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk we are acutely aware of the every day pressures that Pharmacy Students / Pharmacists face in the learning space / workplace (i.e. university, community, hospital, primary care sectors).

Therefore, we feel that it is really important to support Pharmacy Students / Pharmacists in their real-world practice.

As such, we are proud to release our 10th Guest Blog from the Pharmacist Support charity.

This piece is really important in terms of helping and supporting those students studying for their MPharm degree / Foundation Year plus qualified Pharmacists in every day practice helping patients across the country.

Please reach out to Pharmacist Support if you are in need of reassurance through these pressing times.

Here is their Guest Blog:

“Who is Pharmacist Support, and how can they support me in my pharmacy career

About the profession’s independent charity

We are Pharmacist Support. We are an independent, trusted charity providing a wide variety of free and confidential support services to pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists and pharmacy students. These include Information and Enquiries, Specialist Advice, Financial Assistance, Addiction Support, Counselling and Peer Support, and the Wardley Wellbeing Service.

Understanding and supporting you, our pharmacy family

We deeply understand the issues facing our pharmacy family, and every year run a Workforce Wellbeing Survey jointly with the RPS. Earlier this year, we released the results from our 2021 survey and immediately recognised that a culture change is needed within the sector. Nine out of ten respondents reported being at high risk of burnout, and seven out of ten said their mental health and wellbeing had been negatively affected by their work or study. You can read the full report and analysis here: https://pharmacistsupport.org/news/workforce-wellbeing-results-2021/

As a charity whose mission is to champion the wellbeing of our pharmacy family, we are constantly reviewing and developing the support we offer to those in the profession. In the past year alone, we have launched a new Counselling Service, a Wellbeing Learning Platform (which offers free, short learning modules on mental health and wellbeing which you can work through at any time which suits you), and a new online Grants Portal for those who wish to apply for Financial Assistance from the charity. We also run an annual ACTNow campaign which encourages and supports students, trainees and pharmacists to manage their mental health and wellbeing whilst working and studying within the profession.

Support beyond crises

We want to support our pharmacy family even before they reach crisis point. As well as our support services, we provide free information and guidance to those who may need it. With dedicated sections for students, trainees, pharmacy work life and wellbeing, plus lots more, you’ll find support on a range of topics, including anxiety and stress management, self-management skills and supporting colleagues to look after their own mental health and wellbeing.

A taste of what to expect

Time management

Good time management is vital for our wellbeing. It enables us to realise our goals (how good does it feel to tick something off the checklist?!), spend time on potentially more important tasks and feel less overwhelmed. You might think that some people are naturally more organised but managing our time is a skill that can be learnt with a few simple strategies. Our Time Management workshop on the Wellbeing Learning Platform pulls together science-based evidence to help you learn strategic ways to manage your time more effectively.

Building Assertiveness

Do you know how to say no? Being able to respectfully say no, and having the confidence to calmly express ideas, beliefs, concerns, and opinions, valuing yourself and your time as equal to other people, (in short, being assertive), is fundamental to our wellbeing. Not everyone is naturally or feels comfortable being assertive but there are ways to make it feel easier. When learning to become more assertive it’s good to remember that above all, if you’re assertive in a good way that it isn’t rude or offensive. If you want to learn more about assertiveness, please check out our two-part learning module.

You’re not alone

If you’re reading this and you feel as though you need to speak to someone about your struggles, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can email us at info@pharmacistsupport.org or give us a ring on 0808 168 2233.

Pharmacist Support is here for you.

www.pharmacistsupport.org”

Pharmacist Support