Pharmacy Raises Awareness about Mishandling Medicine

College of Pharmacy at Ajman University undertook a special campaign to raise awareness about medication. As part of their community service tour, they visited Ajman Specialist Hospital and Iranian Hospital Dubai.

Dr. Alaa Farajallah, AU faculty member, presented an interactive lecture on the proper usage of medication and the ideal ways of storage for various medicines. Dr. Sundos Qassim, College representative also gave a presentation on pharmacovigilance and the importance of patients’ feedback in cases of adverse effects of medicines. She stressed on the importance of reporting the side effects and documenting this data can assist the pharmacists and other patients as well. The doctors, staff and students at Ajman Specialist Hospital exchanged views and experiences to further the campaigns’ cause and reduce the dangers from improper medication usage and storage.

Dr. Sawsan Shanableh, AU faculty member, talked about the handling, storing and disposing of the medicines at Iranian Hospital Dubai. She outlined the standard practices of storing medicines and the appropriate method of using and disposing them. The interaction with the audience proved that this topic should be widely addressed and it is important to spread awareness amongst common users of medicines.

AU Pharmacy students actively participated in the charity campaign by Emirates Red Crescent, wherein they collected and donated medicines to the needy around UAE. The students’ engagement in these projects enhances their social responsibility and cultural values, therefore AU encourages them to be an active part of the community welfare initiatives.