The 14th annual workshop on Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP), organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH) represented by the Directorate General of Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Control (DGPA&DC) was held at the Sheraton Oman Hotel on (Sunday).

The opening ceremony was inaugurated under the auspices of the Executive President of Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) H.E. Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, with the presence of the directors of the governorates’ Pharmaceutical Care and Drug Store.

Around 400 personnel from the Sultanate’s different private pharmacy sector (Community Pharmacies) attended the Symposium.

The event aimed at improving and upgrading the staff technical performance, which would affect significantly on the pharmaceutical care services.

Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Al Rubaie, Director General of Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Control emphasized in his speech the acceleration of pharmaceutical innovation and biotechnology in the field of pharmacy. Al Rubaie added that the development of this sector ensures the availability of safe cost-effective medication.  

Dr. Al Rubaei highlighted as well the establishment new department in the Ministry that concerns with the regulation and monitoring of the medical devices and supplies in the Sultanate.

Within his speech, Al Rubaie announced a new award for the best Pharmaceutical Care Initiative within Community Pharmacies for the year 2019. The award meant to honor the individuals with valuable initiatives that contribute in upgrading medicine-use concepts for community members through pharmacy health education and thorough consultation.      

The scientific program of the workshop included a lecture on the pharmaceutical learning and practices delivered by a West Virginia University Lecturer. The program also addressed a number of significant topics such as recognizing and reporting suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs), post-marketing pharmacovigilance, in addition to medicines and breastfeeding, and pharmaceutical care.

Furthermore, the symposium underlined modern systems followed related to medical supplies and private pharmacy establishments’ inspection. 

The event honored outstanding pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and private pharmacy institutions.

The event included an exhibition of companies that displayed the latest drugs and medical supplies.