Want to Study Pharmacy with Achi Patti Diño

What is the course you are currently taking?

I’m currently a 5th-year college student, taking up BS Pharmacy at the University of the Philippines - Manila.

How was your major different from your expectations?

Before entering pharmacy, I was wrong to have thought of pharmacy to be limited to the drugstore. In fact, community pharmacy is just one of the many fields pharmacists can work in. Pharmacists are also able to work in hospitals as clinical pharmacists who assess patient charts, evaluate drug databases, reconcile medications, monitor for drug-related interactions, and even provide drug-related information to the healthcare team. They can also take up roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants as quality control personnel and quality assurance analysts, to name a few. Aside from these, other fields also include regulatory, academe, research, and legal pharmacy.

What is the best and worst thing about your course?

One of the best things about Pharmacy is that it provides and exposes you to the reality of the healthcare system. Aside from being trained to be drug experts, the course is holistic in nature, as you will learn concepts about the drug discovery stage, how active moieties are optimized into a drug product, what the body does to the drug, and how the body responds to the drug when taken in. It balances theories discussed in lectures with skill-based laboratory practicals and applications. As early as 2nd-3rd year, you will also experience producing small-scale dosage forms for yourself (ex. capsules, tablets, ointments, solutions, suppositories, gels, and many more!) Not only limited to chemistry, but you will also have courses in pharmaceutical laws and ethics, pharmaceutical accounting, and pharmaceutical management, too! If you choose a clinical pharmacy elective, you will also have the opportunity to learn how to properly counsel patients, respond to their medication queries via Telepharmacy service, and collaborate with different healthcare professionals.

One of the worst things about Pharmacy is the voluminous information you will have to know by heart, no kidding. Just imagine how many branded and generic products are there out in the market—and that’s just one component of Pharmacy. Diseases, diagnostic tests, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are ever-changing, so it is essential to use current references and to have the initiative to build on what you already know to be up to date with the current available treatment plans for specific diseases. As they say, “Once you stop learning, you stop becoming a pharmacist.”

What skills from high school did you need to apply the most for this course?

As this course is very voluminous, time management and prioritization of deliverables are key! Many times, you just cannot memorize all the information given to you, so it is important to study smart and strategically. Aside from the general deadline, set an internal deadline for yourself to avoid cramming and being stuck with all requirements at the end of the semester. Actively prepare and listen for class. If you have spare time, it will greatly help to read some recommended references in advance, so you can smoothly follow through the discussion afterwards. Do not be afraid to ask challenging questions and practice effective note-taking. Being smart will grant you a little edge, but being perseverant and diligent will take you far.

What advice would you give for students planning to take your course?

In a nutshell, be open to learn, have the initiative to ask, aim to understand, strategically memorize, and challenge yourself to apply. Do not settle for lectures and discussions, but go beyond by reading or browsing through recommended references before you enter class. Always be present and actively participate in class as this will greatly help you in the learning process. Grab the opportunity to learn and seek advice from your upperclassmen or college buddies! For sure, they will be happy to share their experiences and tips to survive and thrive in the course. Lastly, rest is also productive. Never forget to take breaks especially when your body tells you to do so. Eat a snack, take a nap, listen to music, or just watch a 5-minute YouTube video to refresh yourself before going back to the grind.