DSAP teams up with J&J to empower pharma counsellors on OTC drugs

The Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP) in cooperation with Johnson & Johnson Philippines conducted mobile drugstore app orientation to enhance the knowledge of over-the-counter counsellors on competency-based learning modules for TESDA certificate NC3.

At least 75 drugstore owners and pharmacists from different parts of the country attended the momentous activity, titled: “Developing Pharmacy Assistants through Digital Technology Educating the OTC Counsellors Orientation” held recently at the Tandang Sora Hall of the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City.

DSAP, the largest group of local drugstores in the country teams up with JnJ to come up with the mobile drugstore app.

Vicente Briones,RPh, President of DSAP

Vicente Briones, RPh, president of DSAP said the two-day event was crucial in equipping OTC counsellors in using a mobile learning application where users learn basic but important knowledge for different types of drugs and their function to the different systems of the human anatomy based on TESDA NC3 standards.

“Our duty is to strengthen the capacity and technical knowledge of over the counter staff of all our member drugstores so they can render quality services to the public,” said Briones.

TESDA Deputy Director General Diosdado O. Padilla, who gave the opening remarks, commended DSAP for its continuous efforts to upgrade the skills of OTC counsellors of their member pharmacies.

On the first day of the workshop, participants learned valuable product knowledge on various drugs and their impact to the Central Nervous System, Immune System, Respiratory System as well as Reproductive System and anti-infectives.

Dr.. Erwin Benedicto

Dr. Amiel Bermudez 

Likewise, participants also learned about drug products and their impact on skin, eyes, mouth and throat, as well as digestive system and cardiovascular system.

On top of these, speakers gave information on impact of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Products to the body. Participants were also taught about dosage forms and drugs calculations.

On the second day, trainers learned about Dispensing Pharmaceutical Products, Supply and Inventory Management as well as Promotion, Education and Vigilance and Good Manufacturing Practice.

Developing Pharmacy Assistants through New Technology

Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. and The Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP) recently launched a mobile application called DSAP Mobile Drugstore aimed at using new technology to professionalize  operations  among DSAP member drugstores.

The mobile app contains TESDA-accredited modules to train Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) to become professional drug attendants, including TESDA’s Pharmacy Services NC III Program. With this, PAs will have the opportunity to demonstrate product knowledge on the medicines that they are selling, improve their handling of pharmaceutical products, perform proper product handling and control, carry out proper dispensing activities and promote health promotion, education and vigilance to their customers.

Drugstore Association of the Philippines and Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. officials along with TESDA Certification Office Executive Director Ma. Susan Dela Rama during the launch of the app at DSAP’s 20th National Convention

The launch, spearheaded by DSAP President Alberto Hechanova, during the association’s 20thNational Convention held recently at the Manila Hotel, was witnessed by Johnson &Johnson (Philippines) Retail Channel Country Director, Ms. Tina Sabarre and TESDA Certification Office Executive Director Ms Susan Dela Rama and DSAP’s National Board of Directors and more than 2000 delegates from all over the country.

The DSAP Mobile Drugstore app was funded through a grant from J&J and came as a response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Administrative Order No. 2014-0034 and FDA Circular No. 2014-0025, which mandates drug establishments to employ personnel who has proper training and knowledge about the pharmaceutical products that they are selling. FDA aims to strengthen the Pharmacy workforce that are currently employed in drugstores, in particular, the PAs. 

According to TESDA’s partial analysis, roughly 40 percent of the PAs they have evaluated received absolutely no training when they were employed while a minimal number get most of their trainings from presentations of pharmaceutical companies or possibly, from medical representatives who visit their establishments.  Thus, the likelihood of errors is high, putting in danger the lives of patients.

DSAP’s vision to be the prime mover in healthcare distribution; responsive to the needs of its members & adapting to the changing business climate to pave the way for continued growth and prosperity while maintaining excellence in customer servicing, the new DSAP Mobile Drugstore APP, all PAs can now access the training they need to perform their job well using their phones, thereby, professionalizing their members’ workforce.

“Technology has made skills training for both owners of the establishment and their employees very easy, thanks to the grant from Johnson & Johnson,” said DSAPs Alberto Hechanova.

The mobile app is available in both IOS and Android platform exclusively for DSAP’s members.