Shining Star is a PSS initiative that features individuals who embody the exceptional qualities of a community pharmacist. In this issue we shine the spotlight on Ms. Shashariza, Pharmacist from Singhealth Polyclinics (Outram)

Hello I’m Shasha, and I’ve been working at Singhealth Polyclinics (Outram) for almost 4 years now.

I’m also currently part of the Acute Care & Gastro Workgroup in SHP and we help to review emergency drugs & gastro drugs in the primary care setting. I will be helping out in this year’s Pharmacy Week carnival as well so see you there!

What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?

I’ve had one patient – whom I’ve never met in person previously. But we had liaised with the caregiver over the phone multiple times for the patient’s medications & delivery arrangements. One day, they came to pharmacy and requested to look for me. Turns out they didn’t have any appointments at the polyclinic that day but happened to be in the area and just wanted to drop by to thank me and the team for helping them out with their medications all this while. It was heartening to know that we’ve made a significant impact in their lives.

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

Effective communication is definitely a must – be it between colleagues, or between us and our patients. We want to avoid any misunderstandings andensure all information is relayed accurately between different parties. We also have to individualise our counselling techniques to our patients as different patients present with different difficulties and levels of understanding.

We should also have an open and non-judgmental mindset as this allows us to look at a situation from different angles and be able to help our patients resolve the situation as best as we can.

What helped/motivated you to stay in your practice? How do you harmonize work and family?

There are many ups and downs in the pharmacy sector, but having appreciative patients definitely helps to make the days easier to get through. At the polyclinic, we tend to see the regular patients every few months when they return for their chronic disease follow up. Building a rapport with some of them and being able to be a part of their healthcare journey also helps to keep me going in this field.

Of course, we cannot downplay the importance of supportive colleagues and family members. Without them, it would be difficult to navigate the challenges and stressors of being a working mother to young boys and I’m thankful to have a strong supportive environment to rely on. My fellow clinic pharmacists will also remind me to be present for my sons’ events in school whenever possible, because as much as we are needed at work, we have to remember that we are also important in our kids’ lives and their milestones.

Quote of advise: What is your advice for your fellow pharmacists and for people who are considering this career?

Always keep your mind open, as there are always new things to learn everyday. Change is inevitable and the pharmacy landscape will always have new initiatives, new roles for pharmacists to play. Don’t be afraid to take on these new roles if the opportunity arises as it brings fresh perspectives and experiences that can help you to grow and stretch further.

What is one misconception about community pharmacists that you hope to correct?

That community pharmacists only dispense medications prescribed by the Doctor the entire day. Besides the daily operations and dispensing, we also have many tasks to attend to.

We attend multidisciplinary meetings with our Doctors, Nurses and MSW to review complex cases, we partake in workgroup meetings and discussions – reviewing literature where required that may influence prescribing practices in the primary care setting. We also oversee stock levels in the pharmacy ensuring medication supplies are available for our patients. The pharmacists are also involved in education – educating the Pharmacy Technicians, fellow colleagues, poly & university students, to nurture them in their respective roles. Some of our polyclinic pharmacists are also involved in other pilot projects and committees, expanding the roles of a pharmacist beyond just dispensing.