Milestones
The new National Medical Information (NMI) workgroup was formed under the umbrella of PSS in 2019, with the aim to create national harmonised medication information leaflet for the medications used in Singapore. Co-chaired by Ms Lim Woan Chyi and Ms Lim Kae Shin, the NMI workgroup consists of pharmacist representatives from public healthcare clusters (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and PSS Public Education Chapter, with the support from Ministry of Health (MOH) National Pharmacy Programme Management Office (NPPMO) and Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS).
The Young Pharmacist Chapter set up a workgroup to drive safe disposal of unused controlled drugs in Singapore due to potential risk for diversion and abuse. A patient information leaflet was developed to educate patients on the need to return unused controlled drugs to pharmacy and a practice guide was developed for pharmacists to handle patient-returned controlled drugs. A template for documentation of returned controlled drugs was also created and shared with pharmacy managers in Singapore recently.
The Singapore Standard 644 (SS 644), which replaces the PSS Guidelines for Supply and Delivery of Medications to Customers, was introduced at the 29th Singapore Pharmacy Congress. SS 644 was spearheaded by PSS and developed by the Singapore Standards Council’s Biomedical and Health Standards Committee, and is an industry-led and industry-wide effort with representatives from the public and private sector, regulatory, logistics, MOH, HSA, PSS, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation.
The PSS Aseptic Compounding Course Level 1 – Good Compounding Practices was launched in 2019. There were 2 runs conducted in April and September by Ms Ng Cheng Li.
2019
2018
The year 2018 also marked our society’s milestone where we rolled out the Leadership and Mentoring programme. We manage to reach out to 10 mentors with at least 10-15 years of practice experience to come forward and guide our future pharmacy leaders. The program was launched on 22 May 2018 with an introductory session, followed by a “speed dating” session on the 27 June 2018 for mentors and mentees to get to know each other better before the pairing exercise. A great appreciation to Dr Ang Hui Gek who has agreed to guide us in the entire implementation with her many years of mentoring experiences.
PSS Young Pharmacists Chapter (YPC), chaired by Ms Nguyen Thi Hai Van, has been very active over the past year. Under Hai Van’s strong leadership, the YPC launched a series of Leadership forums, focusing on interprofessional Collaboration, Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (upcoming) with the aim of grooming our next generation of future leaders. On top of that, YPC organised the PSS Annual Appreciation Dinner for our PSS volunteers on the 12 Jan 2018 and the annual Sports Day, bringing NUSPS and PSS members together where new friendships were forged.
PSS have the privilege of co-organising the 7th Asia Pacific Oncology Pharmacy Congress (APOPC 2018), with National Cancer Centre and Asia4SafeHandling Group in Singapore. This biennial regional meeting has attracted more than 200 pharmacy delegates from our local and neighbouring countries.
PSS set up 2 new committees in 2017: (1) The Deprescribing Workgroup was formed in April, with the aim of promoting, driving, and coordinating deprescribing efforts nationwide in order to optimise care and minimise harm from polypharmacy. (2) The Financial Advisory Committee was set up in July, with the aim of exploring and weighing various options for more optimal management of PSS’ finances and reserves.
The PSS Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Training Programme was launched during the Congress in Oct 2017. The MTM training workgroup was set up in late 2016. It consists of MTM experts from the various hospitals his training programme aims at standardising practices, and building capability and capacity to enhance care provision for patients with chronic diseases in the community. The programme consists of 8 online modules and 1 workshop. As of Dec 2017, 3 online modules have been launched.
The year 2017 also marked the milestone where the PSS Start to S.T.O.P. (Speak To Our Pharmacists) programme was launched in August. This is a collaboration between PSS Community Chapter and the National Healthcare Group Polyclinic where patients will be referred from the polyclinics to community pharmacies for smoking cessation, increasing accessibility of care and convenience to patients.
PSS was invited to participate in the ‘Live Healthy, Stay Happy’ public education event organised by the Youth Executive Committees of various Community Clubs in the Ang Mo Kio GRC in April 2017. This outreach initiative was led by the Public Education Chapter. The educational booths with information posters focusing on promoting the safe use, purchase and storage of medicines, as well as the health talk scoped to dispel common misconceptions about medication use and adherence, purchase and storage of medicines/health supplements were well received by the participants.
2017
2016
PSS signed the third memorandum of understanding with the Agency for Integrated Care on 9th September 2016, with the commitment to support the implementation of pharmaceutical care program in various intermediate and long term care organisations in Singapore.
The PSS Practice Guide for Minor Ailments, a series of comprehensive practice guides aimed at standardising care provision for minor ailments, an initiative by the Community Chapter; as well as the PSS Guideline for Supply and Delivery of Medications to Customers were also officially launched. These are made available on the PSS website.
PSS celebrates 110 years of founding with a congress that was co-organized with Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore. The Congress was themed “Pioneering Care for Tomorrow” and included a poster exhibition featuring innovative projects undertaken by pharmacies in Singapore. The inaugural Mrs Tan Shook Fong-PSS Innovation and Scientific research award was presented at the opening ceremony of the 25th Singapore Pharmacy Congress.
PSS launched the 110th anniversary commemorative e-book titled “Celebrating 110 Years of Dedication to Healthcare” at the 110th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 12th Sep 2015.
The Pharmacy Week 2015 Committee launched a deprescribing kit to cover polypharmacy and why deprescribing is required. A joint position statement by the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, Society of Geriatric Medicine, Singapore, Singapore Nurses Association, and Association of Diabetics Educators (Singapore) on polypharmacy in Singapore and the role of deprescribing was launched.
The PSS Community Chapter launched the first chapter of the Self-Care Guide in Nov 2015.
2015
2014
PSS awarded the WeCare@Northwest Award on 2 Mar 2014.
The 24th Singapore Pharmacy Congress was held in conjunction with the International Medication Safety Network Meeting on 18 and 19 October 2014.
PSS signs memorandum of understanding with the Manchester Business School for the Talent Management Programme, which brought more resources to PSS members.
PSS awarded Excellent Stakeholder & Partnership Awards (ESPA) by the Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG), Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
2013
PSS collaborates with the Agency for Integrated Care to launch a pilot programme for pharmaceutical care in the Voluntary Welfare Organization nursing homes. The memoradum of understanding was signed on 16 July 2011.
PSS collaborates with the Northwest Community Development Council and National University of Singapore Pharmaceutical Society for the brown-bagging event, which is held twice a year with pharmacists partnering pharmacy students in activities like medication reviews and talks to residents in the Northwest district.
2011
2010
PSS collaborates with the National University of Singapore Pharmaceutical Society for the brown-bagging event- a medication review activity for the public.
PSS Hospital Chapter rolls out its first online CPE programme in the form of SIG case study
PSS achieved the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status from the Singapore Workforce development Agency (WDA) and the 17th CPTC was the first WDA accredited CPTC. The new WDA accredited PSS-CPTC is now also known as the Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Support (Pharmacy Support).
2009
2006
PSS signs memorandum of understanding with the Health Promotion Board for the Pharmacist Health Ambassador Programme
In July 2005, PSS launched the monthly Pharmacy E-bulletin
PSS celebrates a century of Pharmacy in Singapore
2005
2003
In response to the SARS outbreak in March 2003, PSS actively participated in public education by producing 4 patient information leaflets pertaining to measurement of body temperature, selection of health supplements, selection of disinfectants and selection of facemask.
In July 2003, PSS organized a campaign to encourage the public to “Ask Your Pharmacist” about the medicines that they are taking. Medication review for patients who were on polypharmacy was also introduced.
The 95th PSS Council organised Strategic Planning to chart the future direction of the society.
PSS co-organized the 61st International Congress of FIP with FIP and the cogress was opened by Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health and Second Minister of Finance of Singapore
2001
1999
Announced that annual congress would go international in 2000 and 2001. 2000 congress to be co-hosted with Pan Pacific Foundation and 2001 congress with FIP.
PSS-NUH Seminar in Aseptic Dispensing Practice on 15-19 March 1999. The first Singapore National Guidelines on Aseptic Dispensing was launched. Also for the first time, a scientific session was held at the seminar with publication of the first proceedings.
Presented first UCB-PSS Community Pharmacist of the Year Award.
1999
PSS officially launched it’s home page (http://home.pacific.net.sg/~pss) on the Internet on 24 April 1997.
Guidelines For Good Pharmacy Practice published and circulated to pharmacists in June 1997.
1997
1996
Development by PSS of compulsory core syllabus for pre-registration pharmacist training in Singapore.
Revamped Continuing Education program with launch of PSS CE Accreditation Scheme simultaneously with the new CE newsletter “Professional Pillar”.
Protocols on reclassified Pharmacy Only medicines for pharmacists.
Introduction of Patient Medication Record.
Adverse Drug Reaction reporting on Pharmacy Only medicines by pharmacists.
10th Singapore Pharmacy Congress. First regional pharmacy congress. Change of name from Annual Pharmacy Congress to attract regional participation.
First Chinese Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) – PSS Exchange Programme.
First “Pharmacy Week” organised by PSS with public forum on “Children and Medicines” and public health screening island-wide from 5th – 12th October 1996.
NUS Department of Pharmacy and PSS collaboration on compulsory 200 contact hours of vacation attachment experience at pharmaceutical establishments for pharmacy undergraduates (November 1996).
Conception and launch of Professor Lucy Wan’s Outstanding Pharmacist Award.
Public Education Programme continues.
1995
1994
Public Education Programme (PEP) development.
PSS conducted session on “Running A Pharmaceutical Society – The Singapore Experience” for Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association members from Asian region.
Singapore formed part of the expert team with England and New Zealand on the invitation of the Pakistan government and spoke on the Professional Role of Pharmacists.
First PSS Hospital Pharmacy Technicians Course began.
First PSS – Schering Plough Community Practice Series Continuing Education for pharmacists.
1992
1991
Asthma medication counselling.
Cardiac medication counselling.
1981
Amendments made to the Pharmacists Registration Act.
National Health Fair – Public Health Screening.
1989
1988
Launch of first Pre-Registration training of graduates by PSS
Launch of First Aseptic Dispensing Course.
Second Annual Pharmacy Congress.
Oncology Pharmacy Services.
Intensive Public Education Campaign with the Training and Health Education Department of Ministry of Health and Diabetic Medication Counselling.
Organised First Annual Pharmacy Congress.
1987
Introduction of First Annual Pharmacy Overseas Study Awards.
1985
New code of ethics was formulated by PSS and accepted by the Pharmacy Board as a basis of Professional Practice in 1981. Guidelines on Pupilage, mooted by PSS, was accepted by the Pharmacy Board.
1980
1979
Pharmacists Registration Act was passed. A new Pharmacy Board was formed with all board members being pharmacists.
The School of Pharmacy was re-organised and absorbed by the Faculty of Science as Department of Pharmacy offering B. Sc. (Pharmacy).
1974
1967
The Southern Division of the Malayan Pharmaceutical Association was renamed Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS).
A three-year pass degree course leading to a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree was introduced under the School of Pharmacy
1965
1959
Honours degree course in pharmacy was introduced.
The Malayan Pharmaceutical Association was formed with its Southern Division covering Singapore which was then a Crown Colony. The Malayan Pharmaceutical Journal began publication and continued till 1958.
1952
Straits Pharmaceutical Association began to admit locally trained registered pharmacists.
1937
1905
Straits Pharmaceutical Society, the predecessor of the present PSS was formed. It became mandatory, in the same year, to have a pharmaceutical licence in order to practise the pharmacy profession in Singapore.