A few weeks ago, Ms. Lariza Garcia invited me to attend a seminar involving the healthcare profession in Annabel's Tomas Morato. The agenda for the function was the launch of a groundbreaking factbook in the pharmaceutical and medical profession. Entitled "Pharmacological Insights of the Well-Informed Clinician", the book aims to remind medical professionals of their duty to make informed decisions in the utilization and selection of medicines. It also reminds the same group of people of the importance of ethics and other principles in the course of implementing therapeutic intervention.
Johnson and Johnson, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers based in the country, has spearheaded the creation of this book to promote the efficiency and efficacy of pharmacological intervention in the treatment of patients. The company partnered with the Department of Health; and this initiative made the launch a joint initiative of the private and the public sector. Also, the Philippine Medical Association, the umbrella organization of medical practice in the Philippines, was tapped to promote the book.
One of the more striking topics in the book is pharmacovigilance. According to the material, it is described as a process wherein a medicine is subjected to very high standards of testing in order to diligently forsee its adverse effects. As shown below, here is a simple classification for drugs which are to undergo testing.
The book also notes that there are substantial adverse results from the lack of pharmacovigilance practiced by the industry. Adverse Drug Reaction or ADR is the most substantial, with the next picture explaining the quantity of the mishap.
The sad thing about this statistic is that 49% of all ADR's are avoidable. Now I understand why the book emphasizes the need for pharmacovigilance.
The entire process is detailed here.
Apart from highlighting treatment processes, the book also points out the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in producing drugs for saving lives. Also, the history and regulatory functions of the Food and Drug Administration are discussed in depth. In conjunction, several laws and administrative orders affecting the functions of the agency were also discussed in passing.
One of the more striking topics in the book is pharmacovigilance. According to the material, it is described as a process wherein a medicine is subjected to very high standards of testing in order to diligently forsee its adverse effects. As shown below, here is a simple classification for drugs which are to undergo testing.
The entire process is detailed here.
Apart from highlighting treatment processes, the book also points out the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in producing drugs for saving lives. Also, the history and regulatory functions of the Food and Drug Administration are discussed in depth. In conjunction, several laws and administrative orders affecting the functions of the agency were also discussed in passing.
A sample of the history of the FDA
Lastly, the Code of Ethics for Doctors and topics on Medical Negligence were the subjects of the last chapter. The background and history for the development of ethical principles in medicine as well as the current rules and regulations were presented in depth.
During the launch, several officials from the government and private health sector were present. These were President Dr. Minerva Calimag of the Philippine Medical Association, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial, and Dr. Susette Lazo of the FDA. According to them, the book will be launched in conjunction with the online platform of the Philippine Medical Association for its continuing education program (OWL@PMA). Apart from this, the keynote speakers shed some light on the newest developments in drug regulation and development.
For those interested, you can visit www.owlpma.com to know more.
The story in pictures:
The speakers for the day
Photos courtesy of:
Angela Abad of https://loveteacherange.wordpress.com
Johnson and Johnson for the book pictures
Ms. Lariza Garcia for the invite
Ms. Lariza Garcia for the invite
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