Filling the Gap - And Prescriptions

Vanuatu: With not enough pharmacists to meet needs, four local graduates of a new pharmacy certificate course are helping to fill the gap.

A new pharmacy certificate course funded by AusAID is an opportunity for ni-Vanuatu to study pharmacy in their own country. Until now students wanting to study pharmacy had to go overseas.

Man dispensing medicine at counter 'I'm delighted with our new graduates,' says Amanda Sanburg, course trainer and principal pharmacist with the Ministry of Health.

'Before they began the course the students worked in Central Medical Stores, storing and packing medicines, so they already knew the names of pharmaceuticals. They're very knowledgeable and they're also used to the culture of hospitals. This is a great bonus.'

Pharmacy graduate Graig Bani at Port Villa Central Hospital

It took a year for the students to complete their training, mainly through weekly tutorials and on-the-job experience at hospitals in Port Vila and Santo. They learnt about dispensing medicines, storage, the physical interactions of drugs and complying with pharmaceutical handling laws. Along the way they were mentored by Amanda and experienced local staff. They also received help from two Australian- trained pharmacists, both in Vanuatu as part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the training was learning how to talk to people about their prescriptions. 'Making sure patients understand everything they need to know about their medications is very important because not all people in Vanuatu can read. In any case, there are often no instructions on pill packets or medicine bottles as medicines are re-packed,' explains Amanda.

Filling prescriptions is one thing but demonstrating communication skills is quite another. The new pharmacy officers had to be polite, clear and exact about instructions. 'Patients must be confident they understand how to take their medication and what to watch out for, such as any side-effects. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, in particular, must know what they're taking,' says Amanda.

Deciding to run the pharmacy certificate course was a big step but it's paid off. As Amanda says, 'The course has proved very successful. The new graduates, although not fully-fledged pharmacists, nevertheless fill a big gap in medical services.'

So what's the next step? 'We must make sure students who take on pharmacy degree courses overseas return to Vanuatu to help build up the skills base here. We've made a very good start with our pharmacy officers. They're really helping to lift the level of service in our hospitals and I'd like to see them progress further,' says Amanda

2005