Last October 18, 2013, Mr. Ferdinand Z. Ribo, a part-time faculty member of the Clinical Pharmacy Program gave a lecture on Medication Safety at the 200-bed Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital in Mati City, Davao Oriental. It was upon the invitation of the Chief of Clinics, Dr. Hermie B. Nartatez that Mr. Ribo went to Mati to discuss about medication errors and optimizing medication use in the hospital setting. The event was well attended by nurses from all the regional government hospitals in Davao Oriental. The talk was very successful as the nurses vigorously participated in the discussion and even some doctors inquired about certain medication use. Mr. Ribo emphasized the vital role of clinical pharmacists int he hospital setting. He stressed that the prevalent medication use process in the Philippines where only the doctor and nurses are involved is grossly antiquated and without clinical pharmacist in between the,, grave medication errors are bound to happen. The seminar ended positively with a lot of nurses and doctors appreciating the presence of a clinical pharmacist in the wards. Since a visit to Mati is not complete without taking a visit to Dahican Beach, Mr. Ribo was very thankful to see the beach in its pristine beauty courtesy of Dr. Nartatez and the hospital staff.
Written by: Dean Eva San Juan, Pharmacy/Chemistry Department