Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) and The Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP) launched a mobile application called DSAP Mobile Drugstore aimed at using new technology to professionalize operations among DSAP member drugstores.
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, was witnessed by Johnson &Johnson (Philippines) retail channel country director Tina Sabarre, TESDA Certification Office executive director Susan Dela Rama, 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 eyes to be the prime mover in healthcare distribution by being responsive to the needs of its members and adapting to the changing business climate to pave the way for growth while maintaining excellence in customer servicing. Through the new DSAP Mobile Drugstore APP, all PAs can now access the training they need to perform their job 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.
