THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE BULGARIAN ASSISTANT PHARMACISTS WILL BE HELD ON A HYBRID MODEL
"We are planning several highlights of this event – a scientific part, for which we have invited prominent speakers, specializing in medicine and pharmacy. Also, an important element will be the participation of our partners as exhibitors of new pharmaceutical products, which colleagues will be familiarized with," said Lilyana Petrova - Chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Assistant Pharmacists.
The long-awaited First Conference of Assistant Pharmacists in Bulgaria will take place on June 5 and 6. What has been planned?
- Yes, we are really excited, because due to the pandemic situation in 2020, the celebration of the First Anniversary of BAPF was postponed. This year, we are organizing a hybrid version and hope that the conditions will allow us to hold our planned conference on June 5 and 6 2021, in Sofia. We expect our colleagues from all over the country to register through the BAAP website www.baap.bg and come celebrate our professional unity together. We want our guests to share with us the second anniversary of our professional organization.
What are the highlights of the program and what is the added value of the conference of assistant pharmacists?
- Preparations for the conference are in full swing. We are planning several highlights of this event – a scientific part, for which we have invited prominent speakers, specializing in medicine and pharmacy. Also, an important element will be the participation of our partners as exhibitors of new pharmaceutical products, which colleagues will be familiarized with. We also appreciate the participation of our media partners, who have contributed to the promotion of the class and organization activities. And of course, there will be awards and distinctions for colleagues, regional colleagues and partners.
The date coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of your professional organization. What have you managed to achieve since already officially united?
- The date of the conference is not accidental - on 06.06.2019, by order of the Minister of Health, the Bulgarian Association of Assistant Pharmacists was established.
Now, two years later, albeit in a complex epidemic situation, we are working for the association. At its first meeting, the Management Board of BAAP adopted a plan-program for its activities during its three-year term. This program undertakes specific actions, which will help achieve the objectives.
The national recognition, which we achieved by establishing our professional organization, gives us the opportunity to defend the professional rights of the guild through our representatives in the Supreme Council of Pharmacy, the Expert Council for Retail. Moreover, the Working Group is currently determining the methodology for compiling a National Pharmacy Card.
We actively participated in the amendment of Art. pharmacists in the relevant committees.
We developed the "Rules for Good Pharmaceutical Practices of the Assistant Pharmacist", which were approved by the Medical Supervision Executive Agency. And finally, it should be noted that we used every opportunity for training - mainly online, so that colleagues can meet the requirements for them - 90 credits from SDO for the period 2019/2022.
How are the regional colleges developing, what are their activities?
-BAAP operates through 28 regional colleges, as in all other professional organizations in health care. For many of the colleges, the professional activities were a novelty, but with joint efforts they all cope. The quarantine seriously hindered us from planned regional meetings. However, technology helps us to compensate the difficulties. Our colleagues are responsible, enthusiastic, following the rules for maintaining electronic regional registers, issuing certificates, maintaining the necessary documentation. Despite the pandemic limitations, we are on track to finalize the process of printing membership cards.
What are the main challenges for assistant pharmacists in Bulgaria? How has the pandemic affected your work?
-The pandemic affected us all by putting us in an unusual environment - personally and professionally. Our class was not spared. Difficulties befell us in the beginning of 2020. We have all witnessed the tensions we have been subjected to in our workplaces - supplies, hours of compulsory disinfection, atypical workloads. I give my deepest respect to all colleagues, who did not succumb to fatigue and fear, but continued to perform their professional duties with responsibility and care for patients.
Many of my colleagues fell ill. With great sadness, we learned that several colleagues were deceased. For them – we give a deep bow.
This is a novelty for the system, but I believe that upgrading knowledge and professional experience is the way to establish higher professionalism.
What would you like to wish your colleagues on the 7th of April - World Health Day?
- I wish my fellow assistant pharmacists and all those who have chosen to practice a profession in the healthcare sector - to be healthy above anything else!
Let our strength meet all challenges we face. I wish them to experience heartfelt recognition from patients and institutions for their dedication and professionalism - qualities on which our health system is based!