Hospital 57357 received formally the ASHP accreditation to offer the International Pharmacy Practice Resident, IPPR training program, asserting its leadership in clinical pharmacy field and its commitment to uphold pharmacy education.  57357 is the first Hospital outside the U.S.  to  receive ASHP accreditation for the IPPR program. In a letter dated September 17, 2019 addressed to Dr. Sherif Kamal, head of 57357’s clinical pharmacy department, the ASHP board of director congratulated him and members of his pharmacy staff, announcing that the accreditation was granted for 6 years.

The IPPR program is a one-year post-graduate professional training residency program designed to train and develop advanced skills in pharmacy practice, training and education while increasing the resident’s knowledge base through direct exposure. Together with the Pharm D program, they are offered by 57357 because they are considered important milestones on the pharmacist’s career path. Through the IPPR program, the pharmacist is prepared and equipped  with the necessary qualifications to take care of the patients, filling  the gap between theory and practice for new graduates.

Chatting with Dr. Sherif Kamal, head of 57357’s clinical pharmacy department, he shared: earning ASHP accreditation for the IPPR training program is considered a milestone in the history of pharmacy education in Egypt and a source of pride for 57357. When we decided to start the training, a committee from the ASHP visited the Hospital and issued a report about the Hospital’s eligibility to start the program which actually took place in January 2018. The committee visited the Hospital again and issued a report indicating that 57357’s pharmacy department is equipped with human and logistic capabilities to conduct successfully the IPPR program. The first cohort which consisted of 10 pharmacists graduated in December 2018. Currently the Hospital is running the training of the second cohort which started march 2019. We are planning for the third cohort to start training by the beginning of next year.

Dr. Sally Fikry, 57357’s IPPR program coordinator, revealed that the pharmacy earned the accreditation after being audited for the following:

  1. Pharmaceutical practices in 57357
  2. The organization and the application of the IPPR program
  3. Revising the standard goals of ASHP and their endorsement by the graduates

Dr. Kamal shared that Hospital 57357 is leading the change in the pharmacists’ education field in Egypt. The pharmacist is trained to work in a team that delivers patient-centered care and is responsible for testing the drug efficacy and effect on the patient, avoiding side effects to obtain best results of medication.

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