Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. and The Drugstore
Association of the Philippines (DSAP) recently launched a mobile application
called DSAP Mobile Drugstore aimed at using new technology to professionalize
operations among DSAP member drugstores.
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| Drugstore Association of the Philippines and Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) officials along with TESDA Certification Office ED Ma. Susan Dela Rama during the launch of the app at DSAP’s 20th National Convention |
The mobile app contains TESDA-accredited modules to train
Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) to become professional drug attendants, including
TESDA’s Pharmacy Services NC III Program. With this, PAs will have the
opportunity to demonstrate product knowledge on the medicines that they are
selling, improve their handling of pharmaceutical products, perform proper
product handling and control, carry out proper dispensing activities and
promote health promotion, education and vigilance to their customers.
The launch, spearheaded by DSAP President Alberto Hechanova,
during the association’s 20th National Convention held recently at the Manila
Hotel, was witnessed by Johnson &Johnson (Philippines) Retail Channel
Country Director, Ms. Tina Sabarre and TESDA Certification Office Executive
Director Ms Susan Dela Rama and DSAP’s National Board of Directors and more
than 2000 delegates from all over the country.
The DSAP Mobile Drugstore app was funded through a grant from
J&J and came as a response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA)
Administrative Order No. 2014-0034 and FDA Circular No. 2014-0025, which
mandates drug establishments to employ personnel who has proper training and
knowledge about the pharmaceutical products that they are selling. FDA aims to
strengthen the Pharmacy workforce that are currently employed in drugstores, in
particular, the PAs.
According to TESDA’s partial analysis, roughly 40 percent of the
PAs they have evaluated received absolutely no training when they were employed
while a minimal number get most of their trainings from presentations of
pharmaceutical companies or possibly, from medical representatives who visit
their establishments. Thus, the likelihood of errors is high, putting in danger
the lives of patients.
DSAP’s vision to be the prime mover in healthcare distribution;
responsive to the needs of its members & adapting to the changing business
climate to pave the way for continued growth and prosperity while maintaining
excellence in customer servicing, the new DSAP Mobile Drugstore APP, all PAs can
now access the training they need to perform their job well using their phones,
thereby, professionalizing their members’ workforce.
“Technology has made skills training for both owners of the
establishment and their employees very easy, thanks to the grant from Johnson
& Johnson,” said DSAPs Alberto Hechanova. The mobile app is available in
both IOS and Android platform exclusively for DSAP’s members.
