Ms Joy Chong Boon Ka was nominated as a Shining Star in PSS's initiative to portray role models in Community Pharmacy.

Shining Star is an initiative by the PSS Community Chapter to feature our exemplary pharmacists in the community setting. The last feature for this year is Ms Joy Chong. We interview her to find out more about her work and passion as a community pharmacist.

1. Why did you choose pharmacy as your profession?

Through a twist of fate, I stumbled into this profession over a decade ago and have never looked back since. Armed with a vision to serve and a desire to relieve the pain and suffering of the ill, I believe the pharmacy profession have equipped me with the essential skills to make a meaningful contribution both to the healthcare sector and to the community as a whole. There can be no higher calling.

2. Why did you choose to be a community pharmacist?

I enjoy the dynamics of community pharmacy in such that it enables us to be in a prime position to help patients with a diverse repertoire of 'tools' such as supplements, surgical and so on at our command on top of the usual pharmacological agents. It is never desk bound and every day present new challenges to be addressed. I also find it gratifying doing frontline work as I am able to work directly with patients and families and help them get well through my recommendations.

3. What helped/ motivated you to be where you are today?

I am sincerely grateful and touched by the many who have shaped my life.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them:

To my parents, for their unconditional love and support throughout these years.

To my husband,  being my pillar of strength and inspiration.

To my son, for making me smile every day.

To my friends and colleagues, for every piece of advice/joke  shared with me.

4. Who would you say is your role model, who inspired you to excel in the pharmacy field that you choose?

My pharmacy practice manager, Mariam. I like her positive mentality despite the heavy responsibilities as well her charismatic leadership skill, as it's never easy to lead an entire department. Her passion and enthusiasm have never failed to inspire me to give my best.

Her leadership and guidance have provided me with the opportunities to develop myself holistically into a more competent pharmacist and a better person.

She is definitely my shining star to emulate.

5. What is your advice for your fellow pharmacists and for people who are considering this career?

To my fellow pharmacists:

Know that being a pharmacist is a privilege and that we have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the society.  In addition, never forget to put yourselves in other people's shoes and demonstrate empathy.

For people considering this career:

The pharmacy course offers it graduates a most diversified choice of career. As a pharmacist, one can always find some vocation that will suit one’s personality and character.  

6. Given that Singapore will be experiencing one in three citizens aged 65 and above by 2030, how do you think pharmacists can contribute to the healthcare of this group of people?

In general, I think an ageing population brings about an increase in demand for healthcare professionals as a whole. Associated with the ageing population would probably be a rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases.  New models of care will then be required for effective management of these conditions, particularly so in the primary care and community setting.  In this aspect, community pharmacist will play a key role particularly in the management of drug use in these chronic disease patient group.

7. What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?

There are really just too many to count! I feel that every day is a unique experience and all these have collectively made my entire journey with Watsons pharmacy very memorable. 

8. Describe your career progression path.

My initial portfolios revolved around management related activities eg. planning pharmacists duty roster, new store set up, coordinating pharmacist training. Thereafter, I moved into the preceptorship role and subsequently took up the chief preceptor position.  Hence I have had the honour to mentor and guide numerous polytechnic and NUS students as well as pre-registration pharmacists during the last few years.

Currently, I am the principal clinical pharmacist which gives me the opportunity to spearhead clinical projects eg. designing and execution of patient care studies, developing patient care models and revamping the department’s therapeutic guidelines in disease management.

Overall, I would say that it has been a fulfilling journey thus far and that I have had the opportunity to develop myself pretty holistically with Watsons.

9. Can you describe a typical day at work?

Bulk of my time in the dispensary is spent on addressing patient-related problems e.g. recommending the appropriate medication (s) or product according to their needs as well as filling prescriptions. Inventory control and maintenance of the dispensary is also required on a daily basic. Interspersed between my time spent with patients and managing the dispensary are my duties as the Principal Clinical Pharmacist.  This can range from mentoring of pre-registration pharmacists and pharmacy executives to driving research projects and drafting of therapeutic guidelines as well as preparing presentations on specialised topics.   

10. What do you think are the important skills that a pharmacist needs to be equipped?

I believe a whole repertoire of skill sets are required to be successful as a pharmacist. Strong clinical knowledge is of essence so that you are able to manage diseases effectively. At the time, you must have excellent communication skills to be able to relate to patient from different walks of life. Teamwork is also of essence, as a pharmacist often has to juggle multiple portfolios and responsibilities at the same time.

11. What is your wish list to your patients/ the public who comes to you

Patients who come to my dispensary are often troubled either because of own their ailment or an illness afflicting their loved one. To quote an aphorism by Hippocrates: 'To cure sometimes, to relieve often, but to comfort always'. I believe this is something that all healthcare professionals would wish for the patients that come to them - to feel comforted at the very least.  Hence I sincerely hope that my recommendations and advice would improve their quality of life, be it mentally or physically.