Author: themeetingpointNG

Building on the success of the 3rd edition of the youth and profession-grooming hub the MeetUp 3.0, the fourth edition promised to be bigger and better than its predecessor and boy it did live up to the hype!

From the porsche event venue located in the heart of Maryland, Ikeja Lagos to the eloquent and ebullient speakers of the day – Ms. Foluke Odediran and Mr. Festus Innocent, both heavy-hitters in their respective fields, the MeetUp 4.0 did not disappoint.

Unlike your typical seminar or lecture where the guest speaker or presenter delivered their talk in the usual academic monotone, the MeetUp 4.0 came with a very different approach. An ice-breaker activity kicked off the day’s proceedings with participants getting to introduce themselves to one another as well as share their personal objectives and what they hoped to gain from from the day’s event.

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With the titular theme, ‘Stretching beyond the curve’, participants were left to wonder what to expect from the workshop; cue in the amazing duo of Pharm. Odediran and Mr. Innocent. With their dynamic yet inclusive style of presenting, they captivated and commanded the attention of everyone in the room.

Ms. Odediran, using herself and career journey as indicators, made the point of why being true to oneself while striving for self-improvement and growth was the key to not only attaining, but surpassing as well one’s set goals. Mr. Innocent in his remarkable style of teaching, challenged all to imbibe and apply critical thinking skills in every area of life and not succumb to the status quo or ‘let’s go with the flow’ mentality. They emphasized why going that extra mile, pushing just a little bit further, in other words stretching beyond the curve was the key to breaking barriers and reaching the pinnacle of success.

MeetUp 5.0, themed “Acceler8“, is around the corner. Are you ready? Click here to register your interest.

As the event started on a high note, so it ended as well with amazing gifts and prizes given to early-bird participants of the workshop. The prizes included vouchers worth NGN 5,000, eligible for use in any Twice as Nice™ retail store and fantastic books from the Harvard Business Review Series, both gifts which the writer of this piece was privileged to win.

Mrs Yetunde Adigun, Head of Pharma Plant at May and Baker, paid us a surprise visit just to share briefly on life as a Production Pharmacist.

A presentation by Fidson Healthcare Ltd, one of the sponsors of the event, was also given and finally pictures were taken with the speakers and the brains behind The MeetUp, Pharm. Funto Olude and her team.

Looking back to that day, from the standpoint of where I am in my career journey thus far, I can confidently say that the skills and lessons learned from that single day’s events have played a prominent role in shaping the professional I am today. If just this one encounter could have this much impact, I enthusiastically wait to see what next lies in store!

Written by Uvie Blaise Omo-Sowho. Uvie is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria with a background in Pharmacy. He is the founding president of Pharmalead – a leadership club, established in 2016 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, aimed towards grooming budding pharmacists and equipping them with requisite skills needed to forge a successful career path. He currently works in the humanitarian space and is passionate about God, nature and Nigerian cuisine 😋

Special thanks to Biogenerics Nigeria LTD, Fidson Healthcare Ltd, Twice as Nice™ and New Heights Pharma for sponsorship.

Dont prioritise your schedule; schedule your priorities.

This clause from the Unstoppable Strategist knocked us forward towards uplifting our productivity at MeetUp 3.0.

Over the past few years, the Meetingpoint NG has been committed to raising and mentoring a breed of leaders who are intentional and set to disrupt status quo in the Pharmacy profession and their other life endeavors. Hence, The MeetUp.

MeetUp 3.0 was more than a meeting, but a life-changing mentoring session for the participants. One could easily feel the pulse of excitement in the room as young Pharmacists tapped from the wealth of knowledge of two accomplished mentors in a relaxed atmosphere.

Thought-provoking questions helped in gaining clarity and focus. You just had to be fired up!

Network sessions aimed at solving a target problem in the nation’s healthcare sector fostered teaming up.

…Here’s for a feel of the Meet Up 3.0 experience

Surprise freebies! Bestseller books worth every penny were won too.

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Interestingly, the MeetUp didn’t end at the event, the follow-up projects, book review, and online training sessions are priceless for professional growth and capacity development. Plus, you get to be accountable to the classic mentor and convener of the MeetUp.

Every young professional needs to seize any chance to be in the boardroom with super achievers at the MeetingPoint Ng.

Written by Esther Adeola Adewusi. She is a Pharmacist and Public health enthusiast. She is passionate about marginalized population and youth development.

Special thanks to Biogenerics Nigeria LTD and New Heights Pharma for sponsorship.

Does this blog title sound familiar? Maybe like the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Free Press, 2004) by Stephen R. Covey? Well, you caught me. This was inspired by that book. In what many consider to be the most influential self-development book of the 20th century, selling more than 25 million copies, this book teaches readers about their true “character ethic,” the only surefire way to achieve the level of success that they dream about.

Although this book is written for all people, I find it particularly useful for those who work in health care, especially pharmacists. Those who are looking to do more than just clock in and go through the motions and really make an impact for patients will find exceptional value in the following principles, as I have taken the concepts and applied them to the world of pharmacy. The No. 1 reason I hear why people have not read this book is that they do not have the time. Problem solved! I have read the book and have put together this cheat sheet for the main concepts that pharmacists can apply to their lives to become highly successful.

Paradigms and Principles
Let’s first look at the general concepts or groundwork that must be noted for the principles to be effective. These are what the author refers to as the guiding paradigms and principles, and they are as follows:

• To become effective, improve character rather than personality.
• The way a person perceives a problem is the problem.
• People must have a paradigm shift in terms of the way they see the world if they want to be successful. To do this, they must change their habits.

Habit 1: Be Proactive.
The one thing we can count on with absolute certainty is that we cannot control anything. Unforeseeable events, both good and bad, are an inevitable part of life. However, the thing that we can control in every situation is how we react to our environment and the circumstances. That is, we must choose how to react to those events, rather than just reacting without conscious choice or a plan of action. That will make a difference in terms of the outcome.

To that end, playing the victim only hurts us. We may get sympathy from others, but aside from that, all that will be gained is to keep us stuck in the past, wallowing in our grief. The first step to overcome this mindset trap is to accept responsibility and recognize that we are not victims of our circumstances. Sure, whatever happened to us may have been unfortunate or even unlucky, but we must eliminate excuses and take action to move past this. Let’s call that our Rx for success.

In the pharmacy world, we cannot predict when a tech will call off or if a medication delivery order is delayed, but we can prepare for that should it happen. Have a backup plan in place.

Habit 2: Backwards Begin.
That is, start with the end in mind. Rather than starting out with a focus on the starting point, shift energy ahead to the end goal. The most successful people look at their endeavors with an opportunity mindset, in that everything happens twice: once in our minds and twice in reality. Use this tactic by having a very specific and definite goal so it can be planned for. One person who exemplifies this mindset is entrepreneurial guru Gary Vaynerchuk, who says that his No. 1 goal is having as many people attend his funeral as possible. He then backtracks and asks, “Who would want to come? What value would I need to give to the world?” He then acts and plans accordingly.

So the question we should ask ourselves, is what kind of legacy do we want to leave for the pharmacy profession? Do we want to be remembered as someone who just clocks in? Or do we want to leave behind something more profound? Pharmacists should ask themselves what actions they are taking now to make that legacy a reality.

Habit 3: First is first.
With all the pressures we have as pharmacists, at home, and in our personal lives, it can be easy to feel lost and suffocated by all that needs to get done. But focus on the priorities. The key to making this work effectively is doing the most important and urgent tasks first. After that, tackle the tasks that are important but not urgent. Third, go after what is not important but urgent. Finally, avoid spending time on things that are neither important nor urgent. There is no time to waste. This habit is essential to working in a pharmacy.

Habit 4: Think win-win.
Rather than focusing on ourselves, look for solution where everybody wins. This helps others but feel like members of the winning team and helps us succeed the next time we try to create change.
If there is no solution or decision that is beneficial to all people involved, eliminate that choice as a viable option. A choice may seem like an easy win in the short term, but never sacrifice a long-term victory for a short-term gain.
Apply this to the pharmacy world, where a pharmacist could dictate to technicians that they just need to suck it up. But a better option would be to listen to their points of view and concerns, meet them where they are, and above all else, ensure that they understand the reason behind a new policy or procedure. When we explain the why behind a change and show everyone will benefit from buying in, we get them on board, and that breeds success for everyone.

Habit 5: Understand others.
Put other people’s needs first. The primary goal in resolving conflicts should be to first understand and then to be understood. We should validate the concerns of others before entertaining our own. This is one of the primary traits that defines a good leader: Listen in order to be listened to. Leaders who genuinely care about and empathize with the people with whom they interact find there to be easier resolutions and more enthusiasm around ideas. This is because when people deeply understand each other, it paves the way for creative solutions.

If we were to ask pharmacy technicians and even pharmacists to list their top complaints about their superiors, it would be that they do not listen.

Habit 6: Synergize.
The phrase “2 heads are better than 1” may be a cliché, but it is also true. A person with tremendous skills and drive and another with exceptional talent and connections can work together toward the same goal, combining their strengths.
Said another way, 1 + 1 does not simply equal 2 but rather, 1 + 1 = 3. The takeaway? Always seek to work in harmony with others, as collaboration is key to success. No one ever makes it without the help of mentors, partners, and even competitors.
Sometimes working with others can be intimidating, because of other people’s strong skill sets. This may be humbling, but do not be intimidated by someone else’s strengths. Instead, learn from their wisdom.

Habit 7: Sharpen your saw.
Saw is a metaphor for whatever tool or skillset we are seeking to master. If we do not fully commit to being lifelong learners, we will be left behind by those who do adopt this essential practice. We must constantly aim to improve our physical, spiritual, mental, and relational health. By fully committing to this endeavor, we will guarantee progress that leads to success.

There is a reason that continuing education is a legal requirement among pharmacists: We must stay up to date on the latest medications and health guidelines so that we can deliver the best possible care and consultations to patients. It is our duty and obligation to be as successful and well-versed as possible, so that we may deliver the benefits we reap from our hard work directly to our team members and patients.

Although the road map to becoming successful may be daunting, these tips can help pave the way. The concepts may seem simple, but that does not mean they are easy. Now is the time to put these ideas into practice.

Those who are looking to create a lasting legacy as pharmacists should join the Fit Pharmacist. The core belief is, if we are functioning at 100%, our relationships improve, we become energized in our career, and live a fulfilled life!

 

 

John Olurogba Badewo is the Team Lead of the Social Enterprise – Pharmacist on Duty (@pharmonduty); a social enterprise that strives to take the Pharmacist-Patient relationship beyond the box, by providing counselling on medications and all round pharmaceutical care to patients via accessible health education.
Olurogba fondly called Rogba is passionate about bridging the communication gap between patients and pharmacists by leveraging on tools that are accessible to both parties.
Olurogba has over three years experience in community pharmacy which has seen him garnered experience in patient care and communication. His love for patient education and communication as a community pharmacist made him realize that a lot of people (regardless of educational qualification) know little or nothing about medications being given to them or their self-administered over-the-counter medications. He found out on several occasions, that he had to counsel clients on the correct doses of paracetamol (arguably the most common drug) and this fuelled his desire to close the patient-drug education gap.
His desire to make an impact and his problem solving skills made him leverage on the increasing mobile phone & internet penetration in Africa the health and well being of the people -this birthed @PharmOnDuty.

Olurogba is pioneering a new approach to drug information and medication therapy management in Africa. He however claims that the Information provided by PharmacistOnDuty does not substitute for diagnosis , neither does it push for patient’s self-medication but rather promote a culture of quality interaction with the Pharmacist, so the patient can get the best of their medications.
He believes that patient compliance can be further improved by providing patients with quality and accessible drug information.
“With us, the patient knows the importance of adhering to dosage and administration instructions, revealing medications they are taking currently to the pharmacist (or doctor, as the case may be), among others to avoid contraindications, and ensure optimal satisfaction when prescriptions are issued. This will help them make informed decision about their wellbeing. The initiative is barely half a year but the response has been overwhelming and encouraging via our current platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). We hope to scale up in the coming months to ensure at least one person in every family is reached with our message.”- Badewo Olurogba
Aside His engagement as the Team Lead of Pharmacist On Duty, He is also the Director of Program and Policy at Light House Global Health Initiative (www.lghi.org), a youth-led NGO with the mission to empower vulnerable populations to lead healthy and productive lives.
He is a Volunteer Pharmacist with Howard University Global Initiative in Nigeria under the HUPACE/Community Pharmacist program providing daily TB screening, free HIV testing and counselling, and also a Contributing Columnist with Vetbest Health Network (vbhealth.com.ng), an online website for health and wellness, just to mention a few.
His training as a pharmacist was from the Prestigious faculty of pharmacy Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

INSPIRATION

Olurogba believes that God is His source of inspiration. He believes every opportunity is a God given privilege and should be used to better the society.
He also derives an inspiration to do more from massive response and appreciation he gets from people about the project and initiative he has been involved in.

PASSION

Rogba is passionate about helping people live their dreams.
He effortlessly participates in projects and initiative targeted at improving the health and wellness of people. He is an addicted advocate and supporter of a good cause. He is driven by a desire to contribute positively to the society in his own capacity and make a difference.

FOR THE YOUNG PHARMACIST

He desires that young pharmacists will rise above the many challenges facing our profession; give their gifts and ideas expression and impact their generation.
Links:
 PharmOnDuty

 @pharmonduty

 @pharmonduty

MEET ADEBISI

Adebisi Bidemi Adenipekun is a youth advocate committed to improving the health and well-being of young people, especially girls and rural/slum dwellers. He is the leader of Lighthouse Global Health Initiative, a burgeoning initiative with a mission to encourage and empower vulnerable populations to lead productive and healthy lives. Through this platform, Adebisi and his team have implemented successful public health campaigns which include the “Rural Empowerment and Health Promotion Project” (REHP-Project) for rural dwellers, and “Your Health First Campaign” targeted at empowering domestic workers. Adebisi trained as a pharmacist at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Adebisi was recognized by Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health/Bill and Melinda Gates Institute in 2013 through a scholarship to attend the Third International Conference on Family Planning. He was also invited to join the National Technical Working Group on Adolescent Health and Development in Nigeria. As a member of the working group, he was part of the team that developed the “National Training Manual on Peer-To-Peer Youth Health Education” and he was a technical advisor on the Federal Ministry of Health’s the Peer-to-Peer Project.

Adebisi is one of the selected 200 inspiring young people under the age of 30 who are working for health and well-being of girls and women across the world in the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program. As a Young Leader, he represented Women Deliver at the inaugural summit on accountability for Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) which brought over 200 public and private sector stakeholders in health and development together to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the Nigeria’s efforts to ensure the accountability of life-saving healthcare delivery for marginalized women, newborns, children, and youth. Also, Adebisi was recently announced as one of the 2016 World Contraception Day ambassadors.

Adebisi’s interview on family planning voices (#FPVoices) made it to the top 5 most engaging posts according to FP2020’s followers on social media. On this year’s World Contraception Day, his article on “Changing Rural Maternal and Child Health through Access to Contraception” was published on the blog of Maternal Health Task Force (MTHF) of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

INSPIRATION

Bisi believes that it was his exposure to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as an adolescent and the instruction of Jesus to let his light shine that all may see the good works and glorify God in heaven that has motivated him to leverage on his training and experience to advocate for health and well-being of vulnerable populations. He strongly believes that whatever can be done to prevent death and improve quality of life of people at both individual and population level is worth the investment.

FOR THE YOUNG PHARMACIST

Adebisi strongly desires that Nigerian young pharmacists will dare to make deliberate efforts to solve national problems and contribute to national development.

“High maternal mortality ratio, inequality in access to healthcare, fake and counterfeits products within our borders, drug hawking and open drug markets, wastage and stock-outs of essential drugs and vaccines, among other challenges present opportunities for us to proactively translate our rigorous pharmacy training to practice. As men of honor, we should join hands to build a nation where every citizen has access to quality and affordable healthcare.” – Adebisi Adenipekun