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Mr Anson Lim was nominated as a Shining Star in PSS initiative to portray role models in Community Pharmacy.

 

1. Why did you choose pharmacy as your profession?

I chose pharmacy as my profession as I have always wanted to be in the healthcare sector. Being interested and fascinated in medications and how they work further encouraged me to become a pharmacist.

 

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

I chose to be a community pharmacist because I value the relationships that I will be able to build with my customers due to the settings. I believe with a closer relationship, it would enable me to help my customers take better control of their health, especially through preventive healthcare.

 

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

Having experienced patient care in both hospital and community settings, it has helped me to decide that I would thrive better in a community setting. Many wonderful customers that I have met throughout my journey as a pharmacist have reminded me time and again that I have made the right choice and should soldier on despite challenges sometimes.

 

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

Ms Mariam Alkhatib has been my source of inspiration as I knew her since I was a pharmacy student. After joining Watsons, she has been tremendously supportive of my efforts in PSS. She always encourages me to contribute more back to the profession and her unwavering support of PSS activities has also allowed me to learn more about community pharmacy practice as a whole and what community pharmacists can do to improve the health of Singaporeans.

 

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

I believe pharmacists can contribute much more to the healthcare of Singaporeans, especially community pharmacists. Let us not limit ourselves by the existing circumstances. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With a strong faith, the future is just going to get more exciting.

 

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?

Having worked in various stores in the heartlands, I enjoy interacting with the elderly. I foresee greater involvement of community pharmacists in direct patient care for this group of people. Currently, under the Pharmacist Health Ambassador Programme, community pharmacists are already following up with their patients if they think there is a need. Patient care includes not only counselling for the chronic medications but also suggesting relevant dietary and lifestyle modifications. A unique role which community pharmacists play is the education of patients on the usage of self monitoring devices such as blood pressure monitors and blood glucometers.

 

7. What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?
I am truly honoured when my manager, Ms Mariam, invited me to join the PSS Council as the Watsons representative last year. This decision was also supported by the then PSS President, Ms Christine Teng. It has since opened up my vision to the world of pharmacy in Singapore and beyond.

In terms of patient care, there were memorable moments which I managed to win over the trust of some customers, who were cynical of healthcare providers, perhaps due to previous unpleasant experiences.

 

8. Describe your career progression path.

Upon completion of pre-registration training at Changi General Hospital in 2012, I decided that I was more suited for practice in the community settings, hence, I joined Watsons.

 

In the same year, I was the Watsons representative in PSS Pharmacy Week Committee, taking up the role of Patient Education Sub-committee leader. That was the year PSS went on national TV to create public awareness of the profession.

 

In the following year, after I joined PSS Council, I was chairing the Pharmacy Week Committee, which saw PSS went onto train panels on the East-West and North-South lines. I was also taking charge of Public Education Chapter and Young Pharmacists Chapter (YPC). I was also involved in Pharmacy Congress organising committee in the same year.

 

This year witnessed YPC going regional as YPC was invited to a meeting by Asian Young Pharmacists Group (AYPG), a youth wing under Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Association (FAPA). YPC will be joining AYPG officially in October this year. Furthermore, the engagement of pharmacy students by YPC was performed at an unprecedented level, resulting in more interaction between pharmacists and pharmacy students.

 

Also, at the start of this year, I was invited to represent PSS to attend a live interview on Channel News Asia on the topic of health supplements.

 

Back in Watsons, I am the second in-charge for our Pharmacy Awareness team. We work closely with our Marketing department to support various public education initiatives, ranging from article and patient information leaflets writing to answering media interviews, such as radio and bloggers. I was involved in Watsons’ first ever online public education video, featuring dengue fever prevention. Personally, I have given talks to the general public, at various events such as Ezyhealth forum at Marina Bay Sands, and healthcare workers, such as nursing home nurses as part of the training for nursing home staff.

 

Other than Pharmacy Awareness, I have been actively involved in the training of pre-registration pharmacists, university and polytechnic students since I joined Watsons. In time to come, I hope to be able to contribute further in this aspect.

 

9. Can you describe a typical day at work?
A typical day at work involves providing consultation and medication to customers for minor ailments. Since my store carries many health supplements, I get many drug information queries on the efficacy and safety of these supplements, especially in conjunction with medications. Often, there will be a demonstration of self monitoring devices for customers. As I enjoy training the younger generation of pharmacy staff, a good part of my day goes to going through clinical and operation knowledge with them.

 

 

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

The prerequisite to become a pharmacist as laid down by the universities is strong academic foundation, which I believe is essential as pharmacy is a profession that requires acquiring specialised knowledge. Other than the ability to learn, pharmacists need to have a decent level of soft skills as they are constantly dealing with other human beings, be it customers or other healthcare providers. Effective communication is absolutely needed, along with the ability to lead.

 

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

I hope the general public will be more aware of what the community pharmacists can do for them in terms of their health. While we may be in the retail environment, our ethics will remind us to be more professional, giving priority to health of the customers as opposed to merely closing a sale transaction with them. We hope to be their trusted partner in health.