The 16th annual Symposium on Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP),  organized by Ministry of Health represented by the Directorate General of Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Control (DGPA&DC), was inaugurated today (Thursday) at the Grand Millennium Muscat under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al Ajmi, MOH’s Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial, and Planning Affairs.

Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Al Rubaie, Director General of Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Control pointed out in his welcome speech that the DGPA&DC has been conducting this event annually in a regular basis to develop knowledge of private sector pharmacists. He added that the symposium aims at keeping them abreast with the scientific updates and the latest pharmaceutical innovation and information; thus contributing in providing a distinct community pharmaceutical care.  

Furthermore, Dr. Al Rubaei highlighted the significant role of community pharmacies sector in the provision of all medications and medical supplies to the country’s health sector both public and private. He stated that the sector consists of (861) pharmacies distributed all over the Sultanate, in addition to (114) medical supplies warehouses that offer medication wholesale for health and pharmacy institutions. Moreover, the sector includes (13) medication manufacturing companies that supplement pharmaceutical market with drugs, medical devices and supplies, in addition to one scientific office, and two pharmacy consultation offices.  

The Director General emphasized also the need for developing the pharmacy educational curricula in the Sultanate to be geared to the genuine needs of work market particularly with regard to the pharmacy industry, research, and pharmaceutical marketing.

At the end of the opening, MOH’s  Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial, and Planning Affairs honored a number of outstanding pharmaceutical establishments, distinguished  pharmacists and assistant pharmacists, distinguished  government and private health institutions in adverse drug reactions (ADR) reporting, in addition to honoring the speakers.

Moreover, the patron of the event toured the accompanying exhibition that was organized by number of pharmaceutical institutions and of companies that displayed the latest drugs and new pharmaceutical products.

Around (250) pharmacists and assistant pharmacists working in private sector across the Sultanate’s Governorates took part in the Symposium that is moderated by local speakers in addition to speakers from the Saudi Arabia.  

The event aimed at improving and upgrading the technical performance of the profession, which would affect significantly on the pharmaceutical care services.

Being concerning the continuous pharmacy education, the program of the symposium focused on medication in addition to vital topics related to pharmaceutical care service and community pharmacy. It included a number of significant topics such as medication counseling in community pharmacy, communication skills for effective counseling, importance and impact of ADR reporting in private sector, pharmacy bylaws, updates and common deviations observed during inspections, along with compounding pharmacy.

It should be noted that the Oman Medical Specialties Board (OMSB) accredited the symposium.