From 1st to 14th July, 2024, Mr. Mohamad Hasan Al-Nashar, a 5th year PharmD student at Gulf Medical University completed 2 weeks of a clinical pharmacy-based internship in London, United Kingdom. This opportunity was part of the Student Exchange Program offered by the International Pharmaceutical Student Federation (IPSF) in which GMU Pharmacy Students’ Association (GPSA) is a member association.
During his time in London, Mhd Hasan Alnashar gained valuable experience at Northfield Pharmacy, St. David’s Nursing Home, NHS West Trust, and The Argyle Surgery Clinic. His work included patient counseling, medication management, Quality Improvement, pharmaceutical care for the elderly, and clinical consultations.
Below is how Mr. Mohamad described his student exchange experience:
“My experience in London through the IPSF (International Pharmacy Student Federation) student exchange program was truly incredible. Getting to immerse myself in a new culture and see how the work environment differs in another country was eye-opening. It was fascinating to observe how people behave differently in different parts of the world and compare the pharmacy practices to those I’m familiar with in the UAE.
Guided by Dr. Graham Stretch, I had the chance to explore various fields of pharmacy in London. At Northfield Pharmacy, I got hands-on experience by dispensing prescriptions and counseling patients. Visiting a care home allowed me to work directly with elderly patients, advising them on how to take their medications and ensuring their treatments were appropriate. I also had the opportunity to shadow clinical pharmacists, learning from their physical examinations, counseling, and history-taking skills, and even assisting in some of these sessions.
At the West NHS Trust, I conducted a dual antiplatelet therapy audit, reviewing patient prescriptions to ensure the medication, duration, doses, and regimens were appropriate. This task led to real outcomes, including contacting patients to advise them on discontinuing certain medications when necessary. These varied experiences significantly broadened my understanding of pharmacy practice.”