The IMU School of Pharmacy provides the Global Exposure Fund to financially support the Pharmacy Student Mobility Programme, enabling students to gain valuable learning experiences at international institutions. Through this programme, Law Puii Yin, a student from the BP121 cohort, had the privilege of spending two weeks during Semester 6 of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) Programme at TerryWhite Chemmart Melbourne Central in Australia for her elective placement.
TerryWhite Chemmart is Australia’s well-known retail pharmacy brand with more than 550 pharmacies across the country. The pharmacy is dedicated to offering high-quality service and a deeper level of care to the public, delivered by high-quality health professionals in the industry. It is integral to the healthcare system, offering a wide range of services beyond dispensing, including medication review, vaccinations, and health screening.
During her elective placement, Puii Yin was immersed in a dynamic healthcare environment emphasising patient-centred care and operational efficiency. One of the most rewarding aspects was handling the point-of-sale system. Using this system, the student managed to process transactions accurately, manage payment methods, and adhere to regulatory requirements.
Other than that, she was allowed to manage inventories at the pharmacy. She learnt to monitor stock levels and assist in the replenishment process to ensure the availability of the medications and products. Each morning, a large number of new stocks arrived at the pharmacy. She worked with her colleagues to review the order list carefully and check if all the codes, names, and quantities were matched. During stocktaking, the student had the chance to familiarise herself with various types of medications and brands.
Another aspect of the elective placement involved interacting directly with customers. Puii Yin was given the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, by assisting individuals from diverse backgrounds and recommending appropriate products based on their conditions after consulting with pharmacists and her supervisor. She also learnt that maintaining a good posture, a friendly tone, eye contact, showing empathy and practising active listening is crucial for effective communication, as observed from how the pharmacists interacted with customers.
Puii Yin observed that electronic prescriptions were widely used in the pharmacy, which greatly facilitated the process for customers – they could order online and collect their medications with minimal waiting time. The experience gained dealing with electronic prescriptions included verifying prescriptions, ensuring correct medication dispensing, and understanding the integration of digital records into patient care.
In addition, she learnt that the pharmacy uses a software system called Fred Office to print the labels and price tags, check the availability of the items, and place orders with the suppliers effectively. This exposure has provided her valuable insights into business operations and management.
Moreover, the placement improved Puii Yin’s knowledge and familiarity with the ingredients and brands of various prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, as well as supplements, and developed a deeper understanding of their properties and therapeutic uses.
Beyond technical skills, the placement offered the student valuable insights into Australian healthcare practices and cultural norms. Working alongside experienced pharmacists and dedicated pharmacy assistants provided a supportive learning environment. They patiently guided the student through procedural nuances and shared their expertise in medication management and regulatory compliance.
In summary, the elective placement in a community pharmacy abroad was an enriching experience and expanded Puii Yin’s professional horizons. It provided a comprehensive view to the student of pharmacy practice in community settings, offering a valuable lesson in patient care and operational efficiency. She was grateful for the opportunity for exchange, as well as the guidance and mentorship received during her time in Australia, which has served as her driving force for making meaningful contributions to healthcare delivery in the future.
Written by Law Puii Yin, Pharmacy student from BP121 cohort
