Dear fellow Assistant Pharmacist of Malaysia,
I would like to highlight some of the important points for the developments of our profesion in Malaysia. To get some idea, I paste some infomations from a website which was in a powerpoint presentation taken from Canada Pharmacist Council regarding Regulations and Registrations of Pharmacy Technician.
Key Points (Powerpoint presentations):
SLIDE 1 :Considering Regulation
Benefits:
1. Enhanced safety overall
* More qualified personnel
* More focus on areas of expertise (Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians)
2. More time for pharmacists to provide comprehensive and cognitive patient care services.
SLIDE 2 : Benefits to Registered Pharmacy Technicians
* Role would be strengthened and raised to that of a regulated profession
* Clearly set professional standards of practice and scope of practice equals greater job satisfaction
* Increased professional status and recognition by the public
* Would participate in the self-governance of a profession already established
SLIDE 3 : Health System Improvement Act (Bill 171 introduced Dec. 2006)
Expanding Health Care Services
- Regulating pharmacy technicians would allow them to independently compound and dispense drugs, enabling pharmacists to turn their attention to providing more comprehensive patient-centred health care services with regards to drug therapy/care.
SLIDE 4 : Proposed Legislation
* New class of registration
* Title protection for pharmacy Technicians
* Council to include pharmacy technicians (phased-in process)
* Access to Controlled Act (dispensing/compounding) subject to terms, conditions and imitations
SLIDE 5 : Proposed R.Ph.T. Role Will Include:
* Confirm accuracy and completeness of prepared pharmaceutical products
* Check and sign off on technical accuracy of filled prescriptions
* Functions defined through College Standards and policies and procedures in the individual workplace
SLIDE 6 : REGISTERED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN will:
* Have standards of practice
* Have accountability and responsibility for their actions
* Be subject to complaints and discipline processes
* Be expected to keep current and participate in a Quality Assurance program
SLIDE 7 : Registration requirements
* Entry-to-practice requirements including:
education (expanded curriculum, accredited education programs)
* fluency
* practical training
* exams (knowledge, performance, jurisprudence)
SLIDE 8 : Accreditation for Pharmacy Technician Education Programs
* National educational outcomes approved (CPTEA)
* Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) to accredit
pharmacy technician education programs
* Preliminary Program accreditation possible for spring 2008
SLIDE 9 : Bridging Programs
* Some new learning for everyone (becoming a regulated professional)
* Needs will be varied (tech-check-tech)
* Demonstration of competency needed
* Flexibility of programs is important
SLIDE 10 : Moving Forward
* Maintain dialogue with primary stakeholders (pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, employers, educators, professional associations and organizations, government)
* Educate and update all stakeholders of ongoing progress (transition process, bridging programs, examination)
SLIDE 11 : Integration of Pharmacy Technicians in A COUNCIL
* Strategic plan includes “regulation and integration of pharmacy technicians”
* Two pharmacy technician observers at Council during transition phase
* Pharmacy Technician Working Group will plan transition planning process
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*
The duration of basic course for Pharmacy Technician in Canada is just two years, but for us in Malaysia, it is 3 years Diploma course with 98 credit hours. With a comprehensive studies and curricullum, we deserve a better recognitions and respect from all parties.
**
In the slide no 10, i had bold the sentences, as I find it is very important for us in Malaysia. This is another reason for the formation of "MAJLIS PERUNDINGAN PEN.PEGAWAI FARMASI" which was supported by all parties. (10 organisations)
A CHANGE IS KNOCKING THE DOOR ....
Monday, December 8, 2008
MASSAGE & RELAXATION THERAPHY
Posted by Canadian Pharmacy on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
Massage therapy. Relaxation therapy
Filed under Depression
MASSAGE THERAPY
There are several different forms and traditions of massage therapy. (72) In the context of this article, massage uses typically a gentle manual stroking technique over the body (usually the back). This has a number of complex physiological and psychological effects, not least of which is relaxation of both the musculature and the mind. (72) A treatment, usually carried out by an NMQT, would normally last for 20 to 30 minutes and a series of approximately 6 twice weekly sessions would constitute a typical prescription.
Most publications relating to massage and depression were found to consist of anecdotal accounts and case studies. (73, 74) A recent review (75) of massage therapy uncovered only a few controlled trials. An RCT (76) allocated 122 intensive care unit patients to receive either massage, massage with 1% lavender (Lavendula vera) oil, or rest periods. Those who received the massage with lavender oil reported a greater improvement in mood as measured by a self-rating 4-point scale. The study did not involve patients with depression, was short-term, and used a crude outcome measure. It is thus not possible to draw firm conclusions from its results.
In a well-conducted RCT, (77,78) 72 hospitalized children and adolescents, half with adjustment disorder and half with depression, either received 30-minute back massages (n=52) daily for 5 days or watched a relaxing video (n=20) for the same period. Profile of mood states depression scores were significantly lower immediately after massage compared with pretreatment values (P=.005). In addition, the premassage profile of mood states scores significantly declined during the 5-day treatment period (P=.01), and the massage group was less depressed than the control group at the end of the study. Because of the small sample size and the short treatment period, the data are insufficient to judge the value of massage for depression.
RELAXATION THERAPY
Relaxation therapy is an umbrella term for several techniques primarily aimed at decreasing physical and mental tension. Such treatments may include elements of meditation, yoga, and other mind-body therapies. They would normally be carried out by NMQTs.
Three RCTs (82-84) investigating the effects of relaxation therapy were found. In the first study, 30 psychiatric outpatients with depression, all taking medication, were randomized to 3 groups. (82) Two of the groups were given different forms of relaxation therapy during 3 days, while the third group acted as a control. Compared with controls, both relaxation-therapy groups showed a significant improvement in symptom scores (P<.05). However, a symptom score list was used that had not been validated, the sample size was small, and the treatment period short.
In an RCT (83) involving 37 moderately depressed patients assigned to cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation therapy, or tricyclic antidepressants, the first 2 interventions resulted in significantly better mean Beck Depression Inventory scores than the pharmacological treatment (P<.01). The results should be viewed with caution because of the small sample size, lack of control for the nonspecific effects of attention from professionals, and reported noncompliance with the medication regime.
An RCT (84) in 30 moderately depressed adolescents showed that relaxation training or cognitive behavior therapy resulted in a greater improvement than no intervention. Again, the sample size was small and there was no control for nonspecific effects.
On balance, therefore, relaxation treatments are promising, but further research and replications are required
Massage therapy. Relaxation therapy
Filed under Depression
MASSAGE THERAPY
There are several different forms and traditions of massage therapy. (72) In the context of this article, massage uses typically a gentle manual stroking technique over the body (usually the back). This has a number of complex physiological and psychological effects, not least of which is relaxation of both the musculature and the mind. (72) A treatment, usually carried out by an NMQT, would normally last for 20 to 30 minutes and a series of approximately 6 twice weekly sessions would constitute a typical prescription.
Most publications relating to massage and depression were found to consist of anecdotal accounts and case studies. (73, 74) A recent review (75) of massage therapy uncovered only a few controlled trials. An RCT (76) allocated 122 intensive care unit patients to receive either massage, massage with 1% lavender (Lavendula vera) oil, or rest periods. Those who received the massage with lavender oil reported a greater improvement in mood as measured by a self-rating 4-point scale. The study did not involve patients with depression, was short-term, and used a crude outcome measure. It is thus not possible to draw firm conclusions from its results.
In a well-conducted RCT, (77,78) 72 hospitalized children and adolescents, half with adjustment disorder and half with depression, either received 30-minute back massages (n=52) daily for 5 days or watched a relaxing video (n=20) for the same period. Profile of mood states depression scores were significantly lower immediately after massage compared with pretreatment values (P=.005). In addition, the premassage profile of mood states scores significantly declined during the 5-day treatment period (P=.01), and the massage group was less depressed than the control group at the end of the study. Because of the small sample size and the short treatment period, the data are insufficient to judge the value of massage for depression.
RELAXATION THERAPY
Relaxation therapy is an umbrella term for several techniques primarily aimed at decreasing physical and mental tension. Such treatments may include elements of meditation, yoga, and other mind-body therapies. They would normally be carried out by NMQTs.
Three RCTs (82-84) investigating the effects of relaxation therapy were found. In the first study, 30 psychiatric outpatients with depression, all taking medication, were randomized to 3 groups. (82) Two of the groups were given different forms of relaxation therapy during 3 days, while the third group acted as a control. Compared with controls, both relaxation-therapy groups showed a significant improvement in symptom scores (P<.05). However, a symptom score list was used that had not been validated, the sample size was small, and the treatment period short.
In an RCT (83) involving 37 moderately depressed patients assigned to cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation therapy, or tricyclic antidepressants, the first 2 interventions resulted in significantly better mean Beck Depression Inventory scores than the pharmacological treatment (P<.01). The results should be viewed with caution because of the small sample size, lack of control for the nonspecific effects of attention from professionals, and reported noncompliance with the medication regime.
An RCT (84) in 30 moderately depressed adolescents showed that relaxation training or cognitive behavior therapy resulted in a greater improvement than no intervention. Again, the sample size was small and there was no control for nonspecific effects.
On balance, therefore, relaxation treatments are promising, but further research and replications are required
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