Assalamualaikum & hi everyone

Welcome to the elective posting journaling!

This journal platform will help you actively work on your development throughout your time in elective posting.

You can write, upload pictures/videos (lots of them please!)

Share your journey with your friends. Like & comment on others sharing too!

1. Your name, matric number, date

2. What have you done?

3. Points to remember from week 1!

4. Your feelings & thoughts

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Don't forget to write the title of the project on top of your padlet.

Matric Number: A188151

Date: 2/8/2024

2. What have you done?

In the first week of pharmacy attachment, I observed pharmacy operations, including the opening and closing of the pharmacy. So normally, we will do daily cash floating and report sales after doing day-end closing. In this process, we will need to tally the sales in the form of cash, cards, and QR Pay.

Besides that, I assisted the pharmacists by recording the “Prescription Book”, “Pseudoephedrine Book”, “Poison C Book”, “Temperature Book” as well as “Locum Pharmacist Book” every morning. We need to record customer details before dispensing certain drugs to avoid any misuse of drugs. All these will be checked by the enforcement every year, so all information recorded must be accurate.

I also helped in maintaining cleanliness and organization within the pharmacy. As this is my first week in the pharmacy, I was allocated to assist with non-technical tasks like restocking shelves, organizing medication displays, and processing deliveries.

3.  Points to remember from week 1!

Drugs should be dispensed with control. Poison B drugs can only be dispensed according to a doctor’s prescription. Poison C drugs must be dispensed with customer details. The quantity of Pseudoephedrine drugs should be monitored day to day. Lastly, all poisons should be displayed in the poison cabinet and locked at all time.

Drugs with the same ingredient and dosage may come in different brands and styles. For example, paracetamol itself can be in any form in the market. Like Panadol, Paracil, Uphamol, Poro….  Besides that, it can be in tablet form, liquid form and etc. There are also differences in the price. So we can always recommend the customer with other brands if the brand that he or she is looking for was out of stock.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I found that it is quite interesting for me as I can get in touch with how a pharmacy operates. Besides dispensing drugs, working in a private pharmacy may require some entrepreneurship skills as we should do some marketing strategies to attract customers to improve our sales.

I also feel nervous about meeting new people and performing specific tasks for the first time, I am still in the progress of adapting to the workflow of a pharmacy.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I was given a task to restock some products on the shelves. However, I found it difficult as most of the products are very unfamiliar to me. So, I took a long time to find out where to put them up. To save time, I learned to Google them first, knowing the function and how it looks like to infer the category of the product. From there, I managed to complete the task in a shorter time.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excitement and Curiosity.

7.  Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I am looking forward to having more hands-on assistance like interacting with customer at the counter, answering phone calls, and addressing common medication-related questions to the customer. I also hope that I can be more familiar with the POS system and able to perform cashier duties independently.

Matric number: A188557

Date: 2/8/2024

2.This week as doing elective posting at the pharmacy, I engaged in a variety of tasks and learning opportunities. On my first day (28/7), I was introduced to the workflow and the distinct job responsibilities for AM and PM shifts. My supervisor, Miss Afiqah walked me through the racks, showing how medications are arranged according to symptoms, such as cough syrup for coughs and anti-diarrheal medications. Since I worked the AM shift for this week, I began the day by sweeping and mopping the floors. Additionally, I learnt to identify different types of poisons in the pharmacy and how to record Poison C medications in the logbook. I completed the first module of my training program, which covered common symptoms such as cough, runny nose, diarrhea, and fever. Given my lack of experience with part time job, my supervisor was present beside me for all transactions throughout the week. I also learnt about marketing skills by writing a Facebook post to promote pharmacy products.

3.

• When administering cough syrup, I have to always ask if the cough is dry or productive and whether they prefer drowsy or non-drowsy syrup

• Adjust the dosage based on the patient’s age.

• Determine paracetamol syrup dosages based on its strength and the patient’s weight.

• Follow the procedure for applying customer discount vouchers.

• Gather a simple history of presenting illness to determine the appropriate medication. By understanding the patient’s history, this helps in selecting medications with suitable indications and avoiding those with contraindications, such as avoiding naproxen sodium for patients with hypertension.

4.At first, I was quite nervous because I only knew generic names and a few popular brand names. When customers mentioned specific brands, it took me a while to identify the medication, and I often had to ask about its purpose.

Since I look quite young, some customers may seem hesitant to trust me, possibly because I haven’t mentioned my education background. I get that this is part of being new on the job and accept it as a learning experience.

However, I’m really grateful for the support and kindness from my supervisor and colleagues. They have been great at guiding me.

After just one week, I am already loving this job. I work 7 hours a day and don’t feel tired at all because I genuinely enjoy both working and learning in this environment.

5.On my first day, I faced an overwhelming surge of customers while my supervisor was occupied with blood pressure and glucose check ups. I had to manage three customers simultaneously, all while needing my supervisor’s approval to dispense the medications. Additionally, I was slow at the cash register since this was my first job.

I coped by repeatedly apologizing to the customers and explaining that it was my first day on the job. This transparency helped to earn their patience and understanding. I also remain calm, knowing that my supervisor was nearby for support.

6.Insightful & I am adjusting to the new environment.

7.Plan for Week 2

• Handling the cashier by myself.

• Learn how to build rapport with customers, including using WhatsApp for status updates and birthday greetings.

• Finish the second module of my training.

• Learn about the closing process for the PM shift.

• Involve in stocktaking

  
  

1. Your name, matric number, date

Name :Thasleema Binti Shazahan

Matric number: A188599

Date:4/8/2024

2. What have you done?

In the first week, my supervisor introduced me to all the staff working in the pharmacy. She also showed me the storage of medication. Group B medication which needs a doctor’s prescription must be kept in the cupboard and Group C medication which are over the counter medication can be kept outside for the customers to take it easily. Controlled medication also needs to do regular audits. Medications that must be kept below 8 degrees Celsius must be kept in the fridge such as insulin and medication that can be stored below 30 degrees Celsius can be kept outside. My supervisor also guided on the arrangement of medication in the cupboard such as blood pressure medication, diabetic medication, cholesterol medication and so on. I also have a chance to learn on how to give over the counter medication to the customers. Besides that, I also have learnt to label all the products in the pharmacy, count the stocks and to arrange the products. 

3. Points to remember from week 1!

I have to remember that different types of medication need to be stored according to their storage temperature and the arrangement of medications in the pharmacy. For example, Group B requires a prescription and must be stored in cupboards and Group C are over-the-counter medications which are easily accessible to customers. I also must know how to dispense over the counter medication. I have to ask the symptoms of the patient in detail before giving them over the counter medication. Furthermore, I also have understood how to label the products as well as to count stocks.

4. Your feelings & thoughts 

I was both anxious and excited during my first week of work at the pharmacy as I got to know the employees and found out about their responsibilities. My supervisor's advice on pharmacy’s policies, and procedures was comforting, and knowing how the pharmacy is set up and how its medications are stored made it clear how important organization is. It was eye-opening to learn the fundamentals of pharmacy practice, and forming connections with the pharmacy experts made me feel supported and welcomed. Overall, it was a fruitful and encouraging beginning that laid a strong basis for my professional growth.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

During my first week in the pharmacy, one of the main difficulties I faced was adjusting to the fast-paced environment and the volume of information I needed to absorb quickly. It was challenging to keep up with the medication storage procedures and understanding the arrangement of medications as well as other products so that I can show the products to the customers as fast as I can.

To cope with these challenges, I made sure to take detailed notes and ask questions whenever I was unsure about something. I also took time after hours to review my notes and familiarize myself with the pharmacy layout and procedures. Building a rapport with the staff helped me a lot, as they were supportive and willing to guide me throughout. By the end of the week, I felt more confident and better adapted to the pharmacy's workflow.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Enlightening and challenging

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

In Week 2, I plan to study the categorization of poisons into Over-The- Counter, Group A, Group B, and Group C using pharmacy resources. I will focus on learning about the adverse side effects and contraindications of various medications. Additionally, I will gain hands-on experience in medication management, drug interactions, and identifying and managing adverse drug reactions. By the end of the week, I aim to have a thorough understanding of these key areas.

1. One of the main important points that I remember from this week is to always remember to write the dosage of the medications according to patients age. Some common medications like chlorpheniramine dosages are printed and was located on the cash register for easy reference. I also have to remember that after scanning the item purchased, I have to explain if there is any discounts for the items such as members discount or purchase-with-purchase. Furthermore I also need to remember which controlled medications require a doctors prescription and which one just needs me to take their personal details. Some topical medicines does not require a prescriptions meanwhile medicine for diabetes, hypertension all require a valid prescription.

3. During my first week at the pharmacy, I experienced a mix of excitement and nervousness. The excitement came from stepping into a professional environment where I could apply my knowledge and learn hands-on. However, I also felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information I needed to absorb, from understanding various medications to learning the pharmacy's procedures and software. This week highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in patient care, which deepened my respect for the profession. I’m eager to build my confidence and proficiency as the internship progresses, and I'm motivated to tackle the challenges ahead.

5. n my first week, one of the main difficulties I faced was managing the steep learning curve associated with understanding the extensive range of medications and their specific uses. I realized that making mistakes in this area could have serious consequences, so I felt a lot of pressure to get things right.

   To cope, I started taking detailed notes on the medications I encountered. Another challenge was becoming familiar with the pharmacy's software system, which was more complex than I expected. When I was handling the cash register, there were more than a few times I had forgotten to scan the member discount which resulted in overpriced items. Thankfully, Miss Khuha was there to correct me. Although I have worked as a cashier before this at a supermarket, this system was lot different and my skills were not much of use here. I had asked Miss Khuha pharmacists for guidance and practicing with the system during slower periods.

   Despite these challenges, I remained focused on learning and improving, knowing that each difficulty was an opportunity to grow.

6. Informative and engaging as it require me to apply my knowledge actively.

7. For Week 2, my plan is to become more involved in the prescription filling process under the supervision of a pharmacist. I also aim to improve my knowledge of different medications and their uses. Additionally, I want to work on enhancing my communication skills, particularly when interacting with patients without any supervision. I plan to engage with customers and addressing their needs without much guidance next week.

Sharifah Mirzawidad binti Syed Mokhsain

A188643

4/8/2024

2. What have you done?

During the first week, I was introduced to my supervisor (Mrs Khairuzzaila) and the pharmacy assistant who work on that day. I was there starting from 10am until 5pm and I spent most of the day familiarising myself inside the pharmacy with the help of my supervisor. There were two shifts in a day from morning until evening and evening until night and I can choose to come either one as long as I stay there for about 6 to 7 hours. Four staffs are working there including my supervisor and they work with different schedule within a week. The pharmacy itself has complete facilities such as the toilets, break room where you can utilise it to have your lunch, and the prayer room which I am incredibly grateful for. She showed me everything in detail with clear and thorough explanations such as where she specifically places the medications, skin care, supplement, necessities and all the sweets and candies you can usually find in any convenience store which catches my eyes everyday. I also take a proper look at the medication section and was very overwhelmed with how variety it is.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

•  I must adapt with the environment of the pharmacy such as getting to know all the staff that works there so that it will be easy to communicate with them and help me in my work later

•  I must also memorise all the location of the medications as quickly as I can to help customers navigate on their way to the things that they want to purchase.

•  I have to also know how to properly engage with the customers to know what they are actually asking for by attentively observing how the pharmacist interact with them.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Overwhelming at first was an understatement because I did not really know what to expect from them and what did their expectations of me during the first week. Moreover, this is an old but famous pharmacy in the area that has been opened for more than 20 years, hence all of them must be an expert who has been working for such a long time. Fortunately, all the staff were so nice and helpful towards me in such a way that they never keep the knowledge about all the medications to themselves and were more than willing to always share it with me.I was not allowed to handle the cashier section on my own without guidance as I was only attaching there and I totally understand the hesitation from them at first because I would have to take such a big responsibility all to myself if I ever did small mistake in managing the money that comes in and goes out. Nevertheless, I am still grateful for all the things that I am able to help during my attachment there.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The main difficulties are knowing all the names and unique terms of the medication there because all the customers in that area were more of a regular customer and they were quite old, so they always mention the brand or the generic name of the medication hence it was quite confusing for me at first. For example, they would have just asked for Allersin-F and you would never know that it was actually a chlorpheniramine for cough, or they would have just asked you to get a ‘round and yellow medication’ and you have to guess and prompt them more for what they actually want and what purpose the medication is for because there were a lot of round and yellow medication and all of them look exactly the same but works totally differently. I admit that I was quite worried if the medication that I get for them is not the right one, but I am grateful that my supervisor was there to guide me. I guess practice really makes perfect.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Confusing but interesting

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I am looking forward to being more effective in knowing exactly what medication is located in each section. I am also planning to study and revise about the medications since I notices that a lot of the medications were very unfamiliar to me since I forgot most of the medications that I learned back in preclinical years. I wanted to be more involve in hands-on experience such as medication preparation, medication labelling, and documentation, under the guidance of my supervisor.