61st International Congress Of Fip (International Pharmaceutical Federation)

02 Sep 2001

SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR HEALTH

AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE, AT THE

61st INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF FIP

(INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL FEDERATION)

Mr Peter Kielgast

President

International Pharmaceutical Federation

Dr Chui Wai Keung

President

Pharmaceutical Society Of Singapore and Singapore Host Organising Chairman

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon

Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to officiate at this international gathering of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists for the 61st International Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The organisers have lined up a stimulating congress programme that covers a wide selection of topics ranging from the discovery of drugs to the latest in biotechnology and genomic science.

Singapore is honoured to be the host. Let me take this opportunity to give you a snapshot view of the development of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry in Singapore.

Pharmacy in Singapore

Pharmacy in Singapore has grown steadily from when it was first introduced after World War II. The first formal pharmacy course was a Diploma in Pharmacy. Today the Department of Pharmacy in the National University of Singapore awards not only Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees with Honours but also Master degrees in Pharmacy Practice and the Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Doctorates of Science. At present, we have more than 1100 pharmacists on our register.

The deployment of pharmacists has broadened greatly. For example, Singapore General Hospital with 1,500 beds is now staffed with 55 pharmacists and Tan Tock Seng Hospital with 1,300 beds deploys 27 pharmacists. Besides the basic functions of supplies and dispensing, many clinical pharmacy services have been introduced such as medication counselling, preparation of intravenous nutrition feeds and therapeutic drug monitoring. Satellite pharmacies are set up within the ward areas. Here the pharmacist takes patients' drug history, reviews medication prescribed by the doctor and when appropriate, advises the doctor on the choice of drug management. Patients also benefit from this service through pharmacists providing counselling on medication prior to discharge from the hospital.

Collaborating with Doctors

Today, the pharmacist practitioners work as a team with doctors, dietitians and therapists, in the total management of the patient.

In total team care approach, pharmacists participate in ward rounds with doctors and other allied healthcare workers. Here cost effective drug treatments are discussed and prescribed to enable the patients to get the best clinical outcome. This team approach also allows for discussion on early discharge planning for patients. Both save costs for the patient.

The provision of timely drug information, drug cost reviews and pharmacoeconomics data by pharmacists to doctors allows the latter to prescribe more cost effectively. Similarly, the presence of Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee in institutions is another example of an area where pharmacists work closely with doctors in drawing up the hospital formulary, and prescribing guidelines as an added check towards economical selection of drug.

Role of Pharmacists in Disease Management

Pharmacists play an important role in our national disease management programme. For example, in the area of the management of diabetes, prior to the patients' discharge from the wards, pharmacists would teach the basics of insulin injection, educate patients on how to recognise signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and how to minimise such episodes. For those on oral therapy, the pharmacists ensures optimal compliance and outcome by carefully informing the patient of the name of the medication they are taking, how these should be taken, what food or other drugs to avoid, and the side effects to look out for.

In the management of asthma, pharmacists in Singapore educate the patient on the correct way of using the various types of inhalers. This has resulted in improved patient knowledge of the management of their own disease state and resulted in better and more effective care.

In managing the multiple illnesses of the elderly, especially when they are looked after by different doctors and multiple specialists, pharmacists watch out for drug incompatibilities and drug duplication. In this way, we avoid disasters and help reduce cost as well.

Role of Pharmacists in Managing Healthcare Cost

One of the major contributing factors to rising healthcare costs is drug prescription. Pharmacists play a critical role in helping to manage healthcare cost. They do so in several ways.

First, by drawing up a cost effective Standard Drug List. The Ministry of Health Standard Drug List comprises the essential drugs to meet the health care needs of the majority of our population. The selection of each standard drug is made after careful evaluation of their need based on the disease patterns seen in Singapore. Considerable efforts are put in standard drug selection by the Ministry with special attention on drug pricing and pharmacoeconomics. Drugs in the list are subsidised by the Ministry and my Ministry ensures that no one is deprived of access to essential medication.

Second, by organising bulk tenders for the purchase of drugs. The discounts that we enjoy through bulk purchases are then passed on to our patients.

Third, by drawing up clinical and drug guidelines. The guidelines select the best and most cost-effective option in the management of a disease state. It also serves as a means to standardise medical care.

Drug utilisation reviews are carried out in all the large institutions from time to time to study usage of new expensive drugs; when a particular drug expenditure had increased tremendously, or when a prescribing guideline had been recently introduced. In this way, drug usage is audited and appropriate drug protocols put in place.

Biomedical Sciences

Let me now turn to the Pharmaceutical Industry and the development of Biomedical Sciences in Singapore. Singapore is developing the Biomedical Sciences as the 4th pillar of Singapore's manufacturing sector alongside Electronics, Chemical and Engineering sectors.

Our intent is to develop Singapore into a world-class Biomedical Sciences hub with capabilities across the whole value-chain, from basic and clinical research, to product and process development, full-scale manufacturing, regional headquarters activities, and healthcare delivery.

With quality manpower, R&D capabilities, excellent infrastructure, global market networks and strong intellectual property rights protection, Singapore has been able to attract major pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices and healthcare services companies to invest here. With our continuing investments in human capital development and R&D capabilities, Singapore is well positioned to grow this industry further.

Conclusion

In closing I wish the congress a fruitful and rewarding meeting in combining practice and science and in exploring the frontier of pharmaceutical sciences. I would also like to wish our overseas participants a pleasant and enjoyable time in Singapore. I am told that this is the first time that the annual FIP congress has been brought to South East Asia, and Singapore is proud to be the selected venue. An elaborate social programme has been planned by the Singapore host for our foreign delegates to ensure that everyone has a good time.

With this, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to declare the 61st International Congress of FIP open.