Volume 6 Issue 2 | Fall-Spring 2018-2019

___SOP 13th Annual Graduates’ Dinnerp 46

___THENATURALREMEDYp 27

___Launching ACPE Certificationp 38

___

I STAREBECAUSEI CAREp 60

___An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.Benjamin Franklin

Dean of the School of PharmacyProf. Mohamad Rahal

Editor In ChiefDr. Mariam Dabbous

Contributing Writers

FacultyDr. Ahmad DimassiDr. Dalal HammoudiDr. Dareen BleibelDr. Diana MalaebDr. Elise MakhoulDr. Etwal Bou RaadDr. Fouad SakrDr. Hawraa KisserwanDr. Hind HajjDr. Iqbal FahsDr. Jihan SafwanDr. Nisreen MouradDr. Marwan AkelDr. Michelle CherfanDr. Razan MhannaDr. Rima BoukharyDr. Samar YounesDr. Seham KenaanDr. Susana Abdel Fattah

AlumniBader Reslan Chirine Al Hajj Ali Dona ElothmaniFaten Ezzeddine Houssein Sweid Soha Hammoud

StudentsFarah SoheilFawzia HamdarIsmail JomaaSalma Mama

Design & ExecutionLIU PRINTING PRESS

PhotographyMr. Jihad MouradMr. Mohamad Mortada

About the LIU School of Pharmacy

One of the highly ranked private schools of pharmacy nationwide, the Lebanese International University School of Pharmacy maintains an elegant reputation for innovative educational programs and skillful training through both degrees it offers, the BPharm and PharmD. Over the past few years the School has strived establish a structure which enables our graduates to become an added quality to the healthcare system. The School focuses on clinical pharmacy, community outreach, and training on the optimal use of medication therapy through didactic as well as clerkship/internship courses. Today, our School is acknowledged by private, public, and international institutions. Our graduates attain high success rate in the national pharmacy examination (colloquium), and are highly recognized by national and international pharmaceutical companies.

The SOP Magazine, published tri-annually, delivers drug and health information news from the School’s Faculty members, highlights some of the School’s events, as well as faculty, students, and alumni latest news.

Letters to the editor, questions, comments, and requests should be kindly addressed to:

Dr. Mariam Dabbous, RPh, PharmD School of Pharmacy; Lebanese International University Beirut Campus, Mouseitbeh, Lebanon

Tel: 961-1-706881 ext.12105 Email: mariam.dabbous@liu.edu.lb pharmacy@liu.edu.lb

© 2019 Lebanese International University | School of Pharmacy

Volume 6 Issue 2 | Fall-Spring 2018-2019

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Dear Students,

The Pharmacy profession has passed through many changes throughout history; from the traditional use of plants and other spiritual remedies to the highly advanced application of biotechnology and gene therapy. This great development in drug investigation and pharmaceutical exploration set new challenges for pharmacists to deal with and to make use of.

Over the past few years we worked very hard to establish a program which enables our graduates to become new asset in the healthcare system. The school is staffed with motivated and dedicated instructors who employ their knowledge and experience to facilitate the learning process and to stimulate students’ interest and attention toward the program. Classrooms and laboratories are equipped with new and advanced equipment which support and serve the learning procedure.

And with the fact that our students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and are highly motivated to pioneer and to serve their societies, this made our school acknowledged by public and private institutions and our graduates are highly recognized by national and international pharmaceutical companies. It is worth to mention as well that our graduates’ performance in the national colloquium exam was outstanding with 100% passing rate and with highest scores attained.

Mohamad Rahal, PhDDean of the School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International UniversityAccreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) ISP Advisory GroupInternational Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) AIM Advisory Committee

Letter from the dean

LETTER FROM THE DEAN____

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Table of Contents Table of Contents

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e of

Con

tent Faculty Pride

6 • Faculty Promotions Ceremony

Faculty Highlights

10 • Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention

12 • Cholesterol Clinical Practice Guidelines

14 • Fluoroquinolones and Risk of Mental Health Side Effects

15 • Talazoparib For Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

16 • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

17 • Cannabidiol (Epidiolex®): A New Category of Anti-Epileptic Drugs

18 • Omadacycline: A Newly Approved Antibiotic

20 • Proteomics

21 • The Medicinal Effects of Tamarind

22 • Baloxavir Marboxil: A Novel Mechanism to Fight Influenza

24 • Jujube Fruit: Composition and Mind-Blowing Health Benefits

26 • The Return of Primatene Mist®

27 • The Natural Remedy

International/National Conference Contributions

28 • International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress

30 • Congress of the Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in the Arab World.

31 • Lebanese Order of Pharmacists Conference

33 • ACCP International Symposium

34 • MEHE/AUF Quality Assurance Workshop

Workshops

35 • Preceptor Workshop

36 • Syllabus Workshop

38 • Launching ACPE Certification Workshop

40 Alumni News

46 Alumni Event

50 Students’ Corner

Interprofessional Community Services

52 • Dar Al Ajaza Al Islamia Visit

54 • Community Awareness Campaigns

Extracurricular Activities

57 • Blood Donation: Donate Blood To Save Lives

60 • Breast Cancer Awareness Month: I Stare Because I Care

62 • Flu Awareness Campaign: Fight the Flu

64 • Fundraising Campaign: Because Kids Can’t Fight Alone

66 • Medication Safety in pregnancy

68 Honor Ceremony for Students on Dean’s List

Seminars:

69 • Heart Disease: Life Span and Health Span

70 • Pharmacoeconomics from Theory to Practice

Faculty Promotions Ceremony

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention

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International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress

28

Launching ACPE Certification Workshop

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Faculty Pride Faculty Pride

Faculty PromotionThe School of Pharmacy hosted a reception to celebrate faculty promotions.

It was one of the wonderful event where all faculty come together to collectively recognize our colleagues and celebrate their incredible contributions and achievements.

The ceremony honored 8 faculty members: 1 promotion to full professor, five promotions to clinical associate professor; and one promotion to assistant professor.

Promotion to Full Professor• Prof. Mohamad Rahal (Dean of School of Pharmacy)

Promotions to Clinical Associate Professor• Dr. Marwan Akel • Dr. Etwal Bouraad• Dr. Michelle Cherfan• Dr. Diana Malaeb• Dr. Jihan Safwan

Promotion to Assistant Professor• Dr. Mohamad Assi

Faculty Members Academic Achievements: Know More…Marwan Akel, PharmD, MPH

I hold multiple degrees, including: a BS in biology (2004) from the American University of Beirut (AUB), a pharmacy BS (2007) and a Pharm.D (2008) from the Lebanese American University (LAU), a Masters in Public Health MPH (2015) from the Lebanese University. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III. I am a registered pharmacist (RPh) in the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists (OPL), and a member of the scientific OPL committee, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), and The Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP), where I am part of the Harm Reduction and Humanitarian Pharmacy Working Groups. I am a clinical assistant professor (2008 till present) pursuing teaching as my career along with working as a senior community pharmacist in one of the most known community pharmacies in town (2007-2010) and Volunteering in NGOs for the medication management of refugees all over the country. I am currently the chairperson of the Pharmacy Practice Department at the Lebanese International University; in addition to that, I have performed multiple School of Pharmacy-related tasks and participated in different committees, along with communicating with hospital directors and university research councils and organizing awareness campaigns. Throughout my pharmacy studies and work in academia and community pharmacies, I have had 10 years of experience in active research in clinical and community settings, public health and awareness. In 2008 I was awarded as the most active outreach community pharmacist of my class. Since then, I have presented my research in different national and international conferences, along with multiple publications in many renowned journals.

Etwal Bou Raad, PharmD, MPH

After she earned both BS Pharmacy in 2007 and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in 2008 from the Lebanese American University, she joined the Lebanese International University faculty of pharmacy and chaired the pharmacy practice department from Fall 2012 till September 2017. Dr. Bou Raad contributed for many projects in the field of health intervention in chronic diseases that mostly were presented at national and international conferences such as the American Society of Health System Pharmacist (ASHP). In addition, she was invited as a presenter to several conferences and published in many reputable journals such the SOARD (Surgery for obesity and related diseases), the official journal of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. In addition, Dr. Bou Raad attained a certificate in scholar in health research program (SHARP) in 2017 from the school of medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB) that is funded by the national institute of health and supervised by the Training advisory group (TAR) including professors from Harvard University of public health and University of Chicago. In 2018, Dr. Bou Raad also attained master in public health in health promotion and community health from AUB faculty of health and sciences. Her last project was on developing strategy to promote the uptake of the family medicine primary health care clinic by Ras Beirut Community.

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Faculty PrideFaculty Pride

Michelle Cherfan, PharmD, MSc

Dr. Michelle Cherfan is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Assistant Dean of Beirut Campus of the school of pharmacy (SOP) at the Lebanese International University (LIU). She is a Registered Pharmacist at the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists (OPL), and a member of the scientific committee at the OPL, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP). Dr. Cherfan holds both a pharmacy BS (2008) and PharmD. (2009) degrees from the Lebanese American University, as well as a University Diploma entitled “Fundamentals of Medical Research” and a Masters 2 in research in “clinical pharmacy and pharmacoepidemiology” both from the Lebanese University. She is currently a PhD candidate in Helth and Publich Health in Paris Nord (Paris 13) -Université Sorbonne Paris Cité. During her pharmacy practices she has earned experiences in clinical, hospital, and community settings, including the leading Lebanese hospitals. She has attended and participated actively through oral communications in many national and international conferences and pharmacy education related workshops in the GCC and the Middle East. She also participates in the continuing education program organized by the OPL and is a member of the academic board committee. In addition she has recently chaired the organization committee of the international conference of the SOP and the 19th Congress of the Scientific Association of the Colleges of Pharmacy in the Arab World. Dr. Cherfan’ has 10 years of academic teaching experience, whereby was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) for the academic year 2015-2016 and chaired many of school’s committees including the curriculum and accreditation committees. Her main research interests are in pharmacy education, community pharmacy, cardiovascular diseases, epidemiology and public health. She has presented her research in different international conferences and published her work in renowned peer-reviewed journals. Her role as both, a teacher and a health-care professional, has been to inspire future pharmacists to play an active, effective, ethical, and professional role in their communities.

Diana Malaeb, PharmD, BCPS, MSc

Dr. Malaeb joined the Lebanese International University School of Pharmacy in July 2006. She holds a BS degree in Pharmacy and a PharmD degree from Lebanese American University in the year 2005. In July 2006, she joined Lebanese International University as a Clinical Assistant Professor for Beirut and Bekaa campuses. During the past teaching years at LIU she had been appointed as Pharmacy Practice Chair for three years and PharmD Chair for seven years. Dr. Malaeb then did a master degree in Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology from the Lebanese University in the year 2015 and recently in April 2018 she is Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist after she had passed the exam. She had publications in international peer-reviewed journals and had different conference papers both as abstracts and oral presentations in local and international conferences. Starting fall 2018, she was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor.

Jihan Safwan, BPharm, PharmD

Dr. Safwan has been promoted to the position of clinical associate professor at the beginning of the academic year 2018-2019.

She holds both a pharmacy BS (2007) and PharmD (2008) degrees from the Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos, Lebanon. At LAU, she was a member of the distinction and honor societies. She is a full-time faculty member at LIU SOP since 2010 and holds the position of Chairperson for the Biomedical Sciences Department since 2017. She is a registered pharmacist in the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists and an American Society of Health System Pharmacists member. During her pharmacy practices, her pharmacy studies, and later her teaching job at LIU, she has earned experiences in clinical, hospital, and community settings. She has attended multiple national and international conferences, where she presented multiple accredited lectures and scientific posters. Her role as both, a professor and a health care professional, has given her a broad clinical experience to play an active and effective role in the community.

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FDA Greenlights Galcanezumab (Emgality®) for Migraine PreventionAhmad Dimassi, BSBC, PharmD, MSc.

Key point: On September 28, 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) antagonist galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality®, Eli Lilly and Co) 120 mg subcutaneous injection for the prevention of migraine in adult patients.

Finer points: Migraine is a common episodic disorder, the hallmark of which is a disabling headache generally associated with nausea, and/or light and sound sensitivity. Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and can be so severe that the pain is disabling. Many migraine sufferers can benefit from preventive migraine treatment.

Galcanezumab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds the alpha and beta calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), inhibiting binding to the CGRP receptor preventing migraine attacks. During a migraine attack, CGRP levels increase, causing vasodilation and nociceptive signaling. It is hypothesized that inhibiting the binding of CGRP to its receptor will prevent migraine.

The efficacy and safety of galcanezumab-gnlm was demonstrated in two Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with episodic

migraine (EVOLVE-1 and EVOLVE-2) and one Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with chronic migraine (REGAIN). EVOLVE-1 and EVOLVE-2 were six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that enrolled adult patients with episodic migraine (defined as 4-14 migraine headache days [MHDs] per month). REGAIN was a three-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled adult patients with chronic migraine (defined as at least 15 headache days per month with at least 8 MHDs per month). In all three studies, patients were randomized to receive once-monthly placebo, Emgality® 120 mg after an initial loading dose of 240 mg, or Emgality® 240 mg. The primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the number of

monthly MHDs over the double-blind treatment period in the intent-to-treat study population.

The study results showed that treatment with galcanezumab significantly reduced monthly migraine headache days (both P < .001) by 4.7 days (120 mg) and 4.6 days (240 mg) compared with placebo (2.8 days). Additionally, the mean monthly migraine headache days were reduced by 4.3 and 4.2 days by galcanezumab 120 and 240 mg, respectively, and 2.3 days by placebo. The group differences (95% CIs) versus placebo were 2.0 (-2.6, -1.5) and 1.9 (-2.4, -1.4), respectively.

The recommended dose for Emgality® is 240 mg (two consecutive subcutaneous injections of 120 mg each) once as a loading dose, followed by monthly doses of 120 mg injected subcutaneously.

The safety of galcanezumab-gnlm was evaluated in three clinical trials that included more than 2,500 patients. Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, urticaria and dyspnea) have been reported. The most common adverse reactions were injection site reactions.

What you need to know: Galcanezumab-gnlm is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and blocks its vasodilation and nociceptive signaling. Emgality® offers a once-monthly, self-administered, subcutaneous injection for the prevention of migraine in adult patients.

References:

1. Stauffer VL, Dodick DW, Zhang Q, et al. Evaluation of Galcanezumab for the Prevention of Episodic Migraine: The EVOLVE-1 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol 2018; 75:1080.

2. Skljarevski V, Matharu M, Millen BA, et al. Efficacy and safety of galcanezumab for the prevention of episodic migraine: Results of the EVOLVE-2 Phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial. Cephalalgia 2018; 38:1442.

3. Katsarava Z, Buse D, Manack A, et al. Defining the differences between episodic migraine and chronic migraine. Current Pain Headache Reports. 2012;16:86.

4. Detke HC, Goadsby PJ, Wang S, et al. Galcanezumab in chronic migraine: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled REGAIN study. Neurology 2018; 91:e2211.

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Neurological Disorders Faculty Highlights . Focus on Neurological Disorders

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Faculty Highlights . Focus on Cardiovascular Disorders Faculty Highlights . Focus on Cardiovascular Disorders

Key Point: In November 2018 American heart association and the American college of cardiology (AHA/ ACC) along with many other organizations created updated clinical practice guidelines for cholesterol. Most of the previous guidelines (ATP4) remained the same; however there are a few important updates.

Finer Points: Managing of Cholesterol include both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapy. Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction. Even if cholesterol lowering medications are needed, diet and exercise must be included in treatment plans. Diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and healthy protein sources such as low fat dairy products, chicken without the skin, seafood, and nuts. Patients should limit intake of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meat. Advise patients to engage in 40 minutes of aerobic activity 3-4 times per week that involves moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (Stone NJ, 2013). The four primary prevention groups and treatments have stayed the same.

The new guidelines have defined a new very high risk secondary prevention group. This includes patients with a history of multiple major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or patients with one major ASCVD event and multiple high risk conditions. (Grundy SM, 2018)

The new guidelines also focus on repeating lipid measurements after initiation of statin therapy and lifestyle changes. Measurements should be repeated 4 to 12 weeks after statin initiation or dose adjustment. Measurements should also be measured every 3 to 12 months as needed to assess efficacy and adherence. Thresholds for LDL-C levels for secondary prevention of ASCVD have been defined because studies have shown that larger LDL-C reduction has a larger reduction in major vascular events. After initiation of a statin the first threshold is to achieve a ≥50% reduction in LDL-C levels. In very high-risk ASCVD, if patients LDL-C level remains ≥70 mg/dL on maximally tolerated statin, adding ezetimibe is reasonable. If on both statin and ezetimibe therapy, and LDL-C remains ≥70mg/dL consider adding PCSK9 inhibitor. (Grundy SM, 2018) Refer to figure 1. (Grundy SM, 2018)

Brief Summary of 2018 Cholesterol Clinical Practice Guidelinesice GuidelinesnDareen Bleibel, PharmD, BCPS

Another important change is that the guidelines recommend drawing lipid levels whether or not the patient has been fasting. After normal food intake LDL-C levels differ minimally with time. The guidelines state there is no additional benefit from fasting lipid measurements. For patient convenience, non fasting samples can be used for risk assessment in primary prevention and for assessment of baseline LDL levels before the initiation of a statin. (Grundy SM, 2018). There are also recommendations discussing diabetes mellitus patients, for more information refer to the original article in Circulation.

Major ASCVD High risk ConditionsMyocardial infarction Age ≥65Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease

CHF

Multiple acute coronary syndrome events

History of bypass surgery or PCI outside of ASCVD

Stroke Diabetes mellitusHypertensionCKD

Current smokerLDL-C level persistently ≥100mg/dL despite statin and ezetimibe therapy

What you need to know: Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction. The four primary prevention groups and treatments have stayed the same. The new guidelines have defined a new very high risk secondary prevention group. This includes patients with a history of multiple major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or patients with one major ASCVD event and multiple high risk conditions.

References:

1. Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, Bairey Merz CN, Blum CB, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2014;129(suppl 2):S1–S45.

2. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, Beam C, Birtcher KK, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. November 2018. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625

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What you need to know: Fluoroquinolone use should be avoided for the treatment of uncomplicated infections because the risks generally outweigh the benefits for these illnesses.

References

1. FDA updates warnings for fluoroquinolone antibiotics on risks of mental health and low blood sugar adverse reactions.

www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm612995.htm July 10, 2018

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Fluoroquinolones and Risk of Mental Health Side EffectsDiana Malaeb, PharmD, BCPS, MSc

Faculty Highlights . Medication Safety

Key point: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had required on July 10, 2018 safety labeling changes for fluoroquinolones to strengthen the warnings about the risks of mental health side effects and serious blood sugar disturbances, and recommended adding these warnings for fluoroquinolones taken either by mouth or by injection.

Finer points: The use of fluoroquinolones has a place only in the treatment of serious bacterial infections where the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks, and they should remain available as a therapeutic option. The FDA remains committed to keeping the risk information about these products current and comprehensive to ensure that health care providers and patients consider the risks and benefits of fluoroquinolones and make an informed decision about their use.

FDA-approved fluoroquinolones include levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ciprofloxacin extended-release tablets, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, gemifloxacin and delafloxacin. The new class-wide labeling changes will require that the mental health side effects be listed separately from other central nervous system side effects and be consistent across the labeling of the fluoroquinolone class. The mental health side effects to be included in the labeling across all the fluoroquinolones are disturbances in attention, disorientation, agitation, nervousness, memory impairment and delirium.

Additionally, the recent FDA review found instances of hypoglycemic coma where users of fluoroquinolones experienced hypoglycemia. As a result, the Blood Glucose Disturbances subsection of the labeling for all systemic fluoroquinolones will now be required to explicitly reflect the potential risk of coma with hypoglycemia.

Today, the FDA also published a drug safety communication about safety information regarding hypoglycemic coma and mental health side effects with fluoroquinolones.

In 2016, the FDA enhanced warnings about the association of fluoroquinolones with disabling and potentially permanent side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system. Because the risk of these serious side effects generally outweighs the benefits for patients with acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the FDA determined that fluoroquinolones should be reserved for use in patients with these conditions who have no alternative treatment options.

The newly added warnings of fluoroquinolones currently include many psychiatric adverse reactions as hallucination, psychoses, confusion, depression, anxiety, and paranoia. The new label changes will make the psychiatric adverse reactions more prominent and more consistent.

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Oncologic Diseases

FDA Approves Talazoparib for Gbrcam HER2-Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast CancerElise Makhoul, PharmD

Key point: On October 16, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved talazoparib (TALZENNA, Pfizer Inc.), a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), HER2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

Finer points: The approval was based on EMBRACA study, an open label trial randomizing 431 patients (2:1) with gBRCAm HER2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer to receive talazoparib (1 mg) or physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine). All patients must have a known deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCA mutation and received no more than 3 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for locally advanced or metastatic disease. Patients should have received treatment with either an anthracycline and/or a taxane (unless contraindicated) in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and/or metastatic treatment setting.

The primary efficacy outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) that was measured based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), estimated median PFS was

8.6 and 5.6 months in the talazoparib and chemotherapy arms, respectively (HR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.71; p<0.0001).

Patient-reported outcomes favored talazoparib; significant overall improvements and significant delays in the time to clinically meaningful deterioration according to both the global health status–quality-of-life and breast symptoms scales were observed. Warnings and precautions included myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia, myelosuppression, and embryo-fetal toxicity. Most common (≥20%) adverse reactions of any grade were fatigue, anemia, nausea, neutropenia, headache, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, alopecia, diarrhea, decreased appetite.

FDA also approved the BRAC Analysis CDx test (Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.) to identify patients with breast cancer with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm who are eligible for talazoparib.

Based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines version 3, 2018, patients having HER-negative disease and candidate for chemotherapy, they were administered adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy. Note that these patients were not eligible to trastuzumab administration with chemotherapy.

What you need to know: Among patients with advanced breast cancer and a germline BRCA1/2 mutation, single-agent talazoparib provided a significant benefit over standard chemotherapy with respect to progression-free survival. Patient-reported outcomes were superior with talazoparib.

References:

1. FDA approves talazoparib for gBRCAm HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, (November 16, 2018) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ApprovedDrugs/ucm623540.htm

2. NCCN clinical practice guideline in oncology breast cancer, (October 25, 2018), National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines, (3). Retrieved from: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdfv

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Faculty Highlights . Focus on Cardiovascular Disorders

Takotsubo CardiomyopathyHawraa Kisserwan, BSc, PharmD, MSc

The annual recurrence rate is about 1.5% as shown by Singh et al and the estimates of mortality have ranged from 1% to 3.2%. 20% of the cases can experience complications like cardiogenic shock, mitral regurgitation, heart failure, ventricular thrombosis or even death.

What you need to know: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute cardiac syndrome, transiently affecting LV function and presenting like ACS where it is impossible to differentiate the two at presentation. In most cases, heart will return to normal within weeks.

Finer Points: TC is the enlargement and change in shape

of left ventricle where it can develop at any age, but it affects more women (89.9%)

than men where the majority are post- menopausal. Symptoms include sudden, intense

chest pain and shortness of breath which is often mistaken for a myocardial infarction.

The cause of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not well known yet but it can be brought by emotional stress (27%), physical distress (36%) or no clear trigger (28.5%). The pathophysiology is poorly understood where the most commonly discussed possible mechanism for takotsubo is stress- induced catecholamine release with toxicity and subsequent

stunning of the myocardium. Other proposed mechanisms are estrogen deficiency in

post-menopausal women, or myocardial dysfunction due to coronary artery

microspasm. It can be diagnosed by elevated cardiac enzyme levels and

echocardiogram that shows ST- segment elevation. When the patient undergoes

cardiac angiography, left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning is present, and there is no

significant coronary artery stenosis. Studies reported that 1.7- 2.2% of

patients who had suspected acute coronary syndrome

(ACS) were subsequently diagnosed with

takotsubo.

Key Point: Debbie Reynolds passed away last year just one day after the death of her daughter, actress, Carrie Fisher. The loss of Carrie led to temporary disruption of Debbie heart’s normal pumping function. A broken heart or stress- induced cardiomyopathy is an actual medical condition called takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) that was named after a Japanese octopus trap in 1991. 7000 cases are diagnosed per year in the United States with this kind of heart attack.

In reality, there is no current treatment for TC where in most cases (95%) broken heart syndrome reverses quickly within 4- 8 weeks without any lasting damage to the heart or inherited heart condition. Management at present follows that for ACS.

References:

1- Bybee KA, Prasad A, Barness GW, et al. (2004). Clinical characteristics and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame counts in women with transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome. Am J Cardiol. 94(3), 343-6.

2- Donohue D, Movahed MR. (2005). Clinical characteristics, demographics and prognosis of transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome. Heart Fail Rev. 10 (4), 311-6

3- Gianni M, Dentali F, Grand AM, Summer G, Hiralal, Lonn E. (2006). Apical ballooning syndrome or takotsubo cardiomyopathy: systemic review. Eur Heart J. 27, 1523- 29

4- Kuriso S, Kihara Y. (2014). Clinical management of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Circ J. 78(7), 1559- 66

5- Merchant EE, Johnson SW, Nguyen P, Kang C, Mallon WK. (2008). Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case series and review of the literature. WestJEM. 9,104-11

6- Pilgrim TM, Wyss TR. (2008). Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome: A systemic review. Int J Cardiol. Mar 14. 124(3), 283-92

Faculty Highlights . FDA News and Updates in Therapy

Cannabidiol (EPIDIOLEX®): A New Category Of Anti-Epileptic Drugs Jihan Safwan, PharmD

Key point: Cannabidiol (EPIDIOLEX®), which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 25, 2018, is the first prescription pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified, plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid lacking the high associated with marijuana, and the first in a new category of anti-epileptic drugs.

Finer points: The U.S. FDA has approved CBD oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older.

People with both syndromes suffer frequent, different types of seizures and typically experience developmental difficulties including poor development of motor skills and intellectual disability. The effectiveness of cannabidiol was studied in three separate randomized, placebo-controlled

clinical trials, together involving 516 patients with either Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. In combination with other medication, cannabidiol was shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of seizures compared to a placebo treatment

GW Pharmaceuticals (manufacturing company) is currently awaiting European Medicines Association approval of cannabidiol for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, with a decision expected in early 2019 and has ongoing trials of cannabinoid compounds in a number of other rare epilepsy syndromes, as well as rare brain cancer glioblastoma and psychological disorder schizophrenia. The efficacy of CBD in other epilepsy syndromes and diseases remains unproven, but this first FDA-approval will have established a useful regulatory pipeline for any future promising compounds.

What you need to know: Cannabidiol (EPIDIOLEX ®) is approved for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older, and its efficacy in other epilepsy syndromes and diseases remains unproven.

References:1. Forster, V. (2018, June 25). FDA Approves First-Ever Drug Directly Purified From Cannabis. Retrieved December 20, 2018, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2018/06/25/fda-approves-first-ever-medication-containing-ingredient-directly-purified-from-cannabis/#54fad9b61378

2. EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) oral solution. (2018). Retrieved December 20, 2018, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/210365lbl.pdf

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Faculty Highlights . Focus on Infectious Diseases

Clostridium difficile), omadacycline is considered a convenient monotherapy once daily oral-IV alternative in the management of CABP. Its use in ABSSSI treatment is also a convenient alternative monotherapy in case of elevated resistance risk, polymicrobial pathogen risk (diabetes, elderly, IV drug users), or contraindications to generic options (renal insufficiency, drug interactions with SSRI or MAOI, ß-lactam allergy).

The most common adverse reactions associated with omadacycline with an incidence ≥2% included nausea, vomiting, infusion site reactions, elevated liver function tests, hypertension, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, and constipation. Patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. In addition, absorption of tetracyclines, including omadacycline is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, bismuth subsalicylate and iron containing preparations.

Omadacycline is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to omadacycline or tetracycline-class antibacterial drugs or to any of the excipients. In addition, mortality imbalance was observed in the CABP clinical trial with 8 deaths (2%) occurring in patients treated with omadacycline compared with 4 deaths (1%) in patients treated with moxifloxacin. The cause of the mortality imbalance has not been established. All deaths, in both treatment arms, occurred in patients > 65 years of age, and most of these patients had multiple comorbidities. The use of omadacycline during tooth development (in the last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to age 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth and enamel hypoplasia. During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, infancy and childhood up to age 8 years, the use of omadacycline may also cause reversible inhibition of bone growth.

The FDA agreed to waive a pediatric study requirement, for patients under age 8 years, where additional research is needed for the pediatric population. Moreover, Omadacycline is being considered for urinary tract infection indications.

What you need to know: Omadacycline (Nuzyra) is approved for treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) in adults with tetracycline-resistant conditions. Clinicians can start treatment in a healthcare facility with the 100-mg injectable formulation and complete with oral treatment of 150-mg tablets at home, potentially reducing hospitalizations and costs.

References:

1. Cox EM. NDA 209816, NDA 209817, NDA approval. Department of Health and Human Services. accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter /2018/209816 Orig1s000,209817Orig1s000Ltr.pdf. Accessed December 3, 2018.

2. Stets R, Popescu M, Gonong J et al. A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-blind, Multi-center Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of IV to Oral Omadacycline to Moxifloxacin for the Treatment of Adult Subjects with CABP (The OPTIC Study). Open Forum Infect Dis. 2017;4(suppl_1):S543-S544.

3. O’Riordan WA, Green S, Overcash JS, Pulijiz I, Metallidis S, Gardovskis J, Garrity-Ryan L, Das A, Tzanis E, Eckburg P, Manley A, Villano S, Loh E. 2017. A phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multi-center study to compare the safety and efficacy of oral and i.v. omadacycline to linezolid for treating adult subjects with ABSSSI (the OASIS study), abstr 630. Abstr 27th Eur Congr Clin Microbiol Infect Dis (ECCMID), Vienna, Austria.

Omadacycline (Nuzyra), a newly Approved AntibioticIqbal Fahs, PharmD

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Infectious Diseases

Key point: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omadacycline (Nuzyra) for treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) in adults with tetracycline-resistant conditions.

Finer points: Due to growing bacterial resistance, treating pneumonia and skin infections has become increasingly complex. It is estimated than 2 million people in the United States develop an antibiotic-resistant infection annually, with 23,000 mortalities per year. The main bacteria causing CABP, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is responsible for 1.2 million infections and 7000 deaths, while ABSSSI is responsible for more than 750,000 hospitalizations. The increase of antibiotic resistance continues to drive the need for new effective therapies. Hence, there continues to be a need for novel antibiotics with both IV and oral formulations, such as omadacycline to overcome the evolving resistance.

FDA officials have approved omadacycline, a modernized tetracycline, to treat adults with ABSSSI and CABP. It is the first and only once-daily IV and oral antibiotic approved to treat both infections in about 2 decades. It is designed to overcome tetracycline resistance.

The drug exhibits activity across a broad spectrum of bacteria, including atypicals, drug-resistant, Gram-negative, and Gram-positive strains. Omadacycline is approved for CABP caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates), Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. It is also approved for

ABSSSI caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates), Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus anginosus grp. (Includes S anginosus, S intermedius, and S constellatus), Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In three global phase 3 studies (OASIS-1, OASIS-2, and OPTIC) involving about 2000 adults, omadacycline met all primary and secondary efficacy outcomes designated by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency and was generally safe and well tolerated.

In case of elevated resistance risk, polymicrobial pathogen risk (diabetes, elderly), or contraindications to generic options (ß-lactam allergy, quinolone adverse events such as tendon rupture or confusion, or recent history of

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Faculty Highlights . Focus on Pharmacogenomics

Proteomics Nisreen Mourad, PharmD, Msc

The word “proteome” is derived from proteins expressed by a genome, so as the genome represents the entire set of genes, proteome comes to refer to all of the proteins produced by an organism. However, although the genome of an organism is considered to be a constant entity, the proteome shows dynamic properties where it differs from cell to cell and is constantly changing through its biochemical interactions with the genome and the environment.

The term “proteomics” represents the large-scale study of the proteome of a biological system, particularly its structure and function.

Making proteomics, the comprehensive study of expression, function and interactions of proteins in a cell, tissue and biological fluid.

Over the past 20 years proteomics has grown into a mature set of technologies that has allowed for the publication of the first full draft versions of the human proteome in 2014.

During diseases, proteome alterations may occur in many different ways, thus a better understanding of these alterations will have a significant impact in medicine.

Currently, it is observed that proteomic approach provides strong analytical tool for understanding the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology behind various diseases.

Thus, proteomic techniques will have a great impact on the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of these diseases by

discovering new diagnostic and prognostic markers and providing innovative individualized treatment regimens consequently translating promising findings from genomic and proteomic studies into practice.

Making proteomics the long-awaited science that will revolutionize the current clinical practice.

Branches of Proteomics

Applications of Proteomics

References:

1- Abhilash M. Applications Of Proteomics. The Internet Journal of Genomics and Proteomics 2008; Volume 4:Number 1.2- Pandey A, Mann M. Proteomics to study genes and genomes. Nature 2000; 405:837–846.3- Lenz C, Dihazi H. Introduction to Proteomics Technologies. Stat Anal in Proteomics 2016; 1362:3–27.4- Tyers M, Mann M. From genomics to proteomics. Nature 2003; 422:193–197.5- Wilhelm M, Schlegl J, Hahne H et al. Mass-spectrometry-based draft of the human proteome. Nature 2014; 509:582–587. 6- Kim MS, Pinto SM, Getnet D et al. A draft map of the human proteome. Nature 2014; 509:575–581.7- Twyman RM. Principles of proteomics. BIOS Scientific Publishers 2004; New York.

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Pharmacognosy

The Medicinal Effects of TamarindRima Boukhary, RPh, MSC, PhD

Key point: Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree in the family Fabaceae indigenous to tropical Africa. It is a delicious, sweet, and sour fruit that has a wide variety of uses, both for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Finer points: Tamarind reduces inflammation, improves vision, heals skin conditions, and improves the digestive system. It also boosts the immune system, reduces fever, lowers cholesterol and prevents cancer. In addition, this plant is a very valuable commodity in the world because of its nutritional components consisting of a significant level of vitamin C, E, and B complex.

Studies on tamarind have shown it to be effective in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Furthermore, it has been known to suppress the appetite by increasing the neurotransmitter serotonin. Research is still ongoing in these respective areas, but it shows promising signs as a weight loss supplement. It also inhibits the enzyme alpha-amylase, which mainly stops carbohydrates from being absorbed and has specifically been linked to eliminating stomach worms in children in tropical areas. The ameliorative effect of T. indica seed extract was shown in chemically induced acute renal cell carcinoma and nephrotoxicity due to its antioxidant activity related to polyphenolic contents and flavonoids. Accordingly, these contents have antioxidant enzyme induction properties and cancer related signal pathway blockage effect. Furthermore, epidemiological studies showed that this fruit has hypocholesterolimic and antioxidant properties by increasing Apo-A1,

ABCG5 and LDL receptor gene expression in liver. Moreover, it prevents LDL cholesterol damage in liver, the main risk factor of atherosclerosis and regulates insulin effects.

What you need to know: Tamarind is effective in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. Moreover, it shows promising signs as a weight loss supplement. It also boosts the immune system, reduces fever, lowers cholesterol and prevents cancer.

References:

1. Sole SS, Srinivasan BP, and Akarte AS. Anti-inflammatory action of tamarind seeds reduces hyperglycemic excursion by repressing pancreatic beta-cell damage and normalizing SREBP-1c concentration. Pharm Biol. 2013; 51 (3): 350-360.

2. Izzo AA, Di Carlo G, Borelli F, and Ernst E. Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and herbal medicines: the risk of drug interaction. Int J Cardiol. 2005; 98 (1): 1-14.

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Faculty Highlights . FDA News and updates in therapy

The safety and efficacy of Xofluza, taken as a single oral dose, was demonstrated in two randomized controlled clinical trials of 1,832 patients where participants were assigned to receive either Xofluza, a placebo, or another antiviral flu treatment within 48 hours of experiencing flu symptoms. In both trials, patients treated with Xofluza had a shorter time to alleviation of symptoms compared with patients who took the placebo. In the second trial, there was no difference in the time to alleviation of symptoms between subjects who received Xofluza and those who received the other flu treatment.

The most common adverse reactions were diarrhea and bronchitis. As well as increased ALT and AST (liver transaminases). These adverse effects were found, in one study, to occur at a rate of 1-4%, with higher occurrence in the subgroup receiving 40mg of the drug

The safety and efficacy of Lucemyra have not been established in children or adolescents less than 17 years of age. After a period of not using opioid drugs, patients may be more sensitive to the effects of lower amounts of opioids if relapse does occur, and taking opioids in amounts that were used before withdrawing from opioids can lead to overdose and death.

What you need to know: Baloxavir marboxil is a new drug with a novel mechanism of action to fight influenze virus. While there are several FDA-approved antiviral drugs to treat flu, they’re not a substitute for yearly vaccination.

References:

1. FDA News Release. FDA approves new drug to treat influenza (October 2018). Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm624226.htm.

2. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Influenza (Flu) antiviral drugs and related information (November 2018). Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm100228.htm

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States — 2017–2018 influenza season (2018). Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/estimates.htm.

4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=124081896. Retrieved on November 13, 2018, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/124081896

Baloxavir Marboxil: A Novel Mechanism to Fight InfluenzaRazan Mhanna, PharmD

Faculty Highlights . FDA News and updates in therapy

Key points: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), on October 2018, for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza (flu) in patients 12 years of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours.

Finer points: CDC estimates that influenza for burden for 2017-2018 was higher than any season since the 2009 pandemic, and serves as a reminder of how severe seasonal influenza can be. Many people with uncomplicated influenza use over-the-counter medicines, get rest, and take plenty of fluids to lessen their symptoms. Antiviral drugs available by prescription can reduce the time it takes for symptoms to improve, and are used in selected situations to reduce the chance of illness in people exposed to influenza. Prompt medical evaluation is important for early treatment of influenza as the antiviral drugs may provide the most benefit for patients who initiate therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Complications of influenza can include bacterial infections, viral pneumonia, and cardiac and other organ system abnormalities. People with chronic medical conditions (including obesity), children younger than 5 years old (and especially children less than 2 years old), patients 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, Native Americans and Alaska Natives and pregnant women may be at increased risk for complications.

There are three FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses.

- Rapivab (peramivir)- Relenza (zanamivir)- Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate, also available as generic)

Baloxavir marboxil is a medication developed by Shionogi Co., a Japanese pharmaceutical company, for treatment of influenza A and influenza B. In February 2018, baloxavir received its first global approval in Japan for

the treatment of influenza A or B virus infections. Roche, which makes Tamiflu, has acquired the license to sell Xofluza internationally.

Baloxavir is the first new antiviral flu treatment with a novel mechanism of action approved by the FDA in nearly 20 years. This drug is a CAP endonuclease inhibitor. The influenza endonuclease is an essential sub-domain of the viral RNA polymerase enzyme.

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Faculty Highlights . Focus on Pharmacognosy Faculty Highlights . Focus on Pharmacognosy

Jujube Fruit: Composition and Mind-Blowing Health BenefitsSamar Younes, PharmD, MSc

Key point: Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill) is recognized as the most important Zizyphus species for fruit production in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. Jujube is indigenous to China with a history of over 4000 years and is widely distributed in Europe, southern and eastern Asia, and Australia. It is also known as red date, Korean date, Chinese date, and Indian date around the world.

Jujube is generally known as an outstanding source of biologically active compounds related to both nutritional and nutraceutical values. Dried jujube fruits have been commonly utilized as food, food additive, and flavoring for thousands of years due to their high nutritional value. It has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of anorexia, fatigue, and loose stools in deficiency syndromes of the spleen and of hysteria in women. Previous studies have revealed that jujube contains various constituents, including triterpenic acids, flavonoids, cerebrosides, amino acids, phenolic acids, mineral constituents, and polysaccharides. The nutrient composition of fresh jujube fruits is illustrated in Table 1.

Jujube fruit is a powerhouse of health benefits. It provides a line of defense from small aches and pains to something as major as cancer. The health benefits of this date-like fruit include:

1. Anticancer Activity: Several studies have demonstrated that lyophilized jujube fruit and the water extracted from jujubes have potential for inhibiting cancerous cells making it a potential cancer-fighting fruit.

2. Insomnia Treatment: Studies have shown that jujube’s high saponin content gives it the ability to act as a natural sedative and have a soothing effect on the entire nervous system.

3. General Gastrointestinal Benefits: A study showed that an adequate consumption (defined as 40 mg/day) of jujube each day can improve the overall gastrointestinal environment and reduce the exposure of intestinal mucosa to toxic ammonia and other harmful compounds.

4. Chronic Constipation Relief: A study published in Digestion investigated the safety and efficacy of an extract of jujube on people with prolonged transit time, where it concluded that jujube extract is an effective and safe treatment for chronic constipation.

5. Uplifting and Calming Fruit: Jujubes seeds have been traditionally used as a natural antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-stress medicinal food.

6. Boosts Immunity: This little fruit is packed with vitamins A and C that are powerful antioxidants.

7. Improves Heart Health and Decreases the Risk of Heart Disease: Jujube’s potassium is helpful for maintaining normal blood flow and pressure. It has also been found to work as an antiatherogenic agent and lower the amount of lipids in the blood of obese adolescents, thereby reducing their chance of developing any heart disease.

What you need to know:

Jujube exerts a number of important pharmacological activities and can be therefore considered a valuable source of nutraceuticals. However, the biological properties of jujube have been observed only in studies using in vitro and/or animal models. Human intervention studies are therefore indispensable to obtain reliable scientific evidence of the health benefits of jujube, in order to validate it as a healthy fruit.

References:

1. Gao, Q.H., C.S. Wu and M. Wang, 2013. The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit: A review of current knowledge of fruit composition and health benefits. J. Agric. Food Chem., 61: 3351-3363

2. Yao, S., 2013. Past, present and future of jujubes-chinese dates in the united states. HortScience, 48: 672-680

3. Pierluigi Plastina , 2016. Pharmacological Aspects of Jujubes. Pharmacologia, 7: 243-255

Type

Nutrient Content (per 100 g)

Prox

imat

es

Water (g) 77.86

Energy (Kcal) 79

Protein (g) 1.20

Total lipids (g) 0.20

Carbohydrates (g) 20.23

Min

eral

s

Calcium, Ca (mg) 21

Iron, Fe (mg) 0.48

Magnesium, Mg (mg) 10

Phosphorus, P (mg) 23

Potassium, K (mg) 250

Sodium, Na (mg) 3

Zinc, Zn (mg) 0.05

Vita

min

s

Vitamin C (mg) 69.0

Thiamine (mg) 0.02

Riboflavin (mg) 0.04

Niacin (mg) 0.9

Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.081

Vitamin A, RAE (g_RAE) 2

Vitamin A (IU) 40

Table 1: Nutrient Composition of Fresh Jujube Fruits

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The Return ofPrimatene Mist®Seham Kenaan, PharmD

Key Point: On November, 8, 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of a new version of OTC Primatene Mist® (Epinephrine Inhaler) to provide temporary relief for symptoms of mild, intermittent asthma.

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Respiratory Diseases

Finer points: In 2011, Primatene Mist® was taken off the US market because it contained CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) propellants. CFC propellants are banned internationally since they are known to deplete ozone layer. The new version of Primatene Mist® contains HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) propellants which are more environmentally friendly.

Primatene Mist® is the only OTC metered-dose inhaler approved by the FDA. It is specifically indicated for patients who are previously diagnosed with asthma by a physician and only used for the temporary relief of symptoms of mild, intermittent asthma.Primatene Mist® (manufactured by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals) contains epinephrine as its active ingredient and only used for patients 12 years and older.

Since Primatene Mist® contains epinephrine as its active ingredient (0.125 mg in each spray), precautions should be taken when given for patients with many diseases such as hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, seizures, and thyroid disease. Other concomitant medications should also be checked for possible drug interaction with Primatene Mist® including OTC drugs that might contain phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, and caffeine.

When using this inhaler, the manufacturer recommends avoiding foods or beverages that contain caffeine and dietary supplements that have stimulant effect. The maximum daily dose is 8 inhalations in 24 hours. A minimum of four hours interval is recommended between doses.

Patients should be counseled that this OTC inhaler doesn’t replace their asthma prescription medications and they should be always under the care of their physician. Patients should also be counseled on the proper and safe use of this medication since it has changed from the previous version. Before using the medication, patient should be instructed on how to activate their inhaler before the first use, how to prime the inhaler and use a proper inhaler technique, and how to wash their inhaler after each day of use.

What you need to know: OTC Primatene Mist® MDI is indicated for temporary relief of mild symptoms of intermittent asthma in patients 12 years and older. Counseling is crucial for the proper and safe use of OTC Primatene Mist®.

References:

1- Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, on approval of OTC Primatene Mist to treat mild asthma (2018, November 8). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm625338.htm

2- Primatene Mist® prescribing information (2018). Retrieved from http://www.primatene.com/index.html

The Natural RemedySusana Abdel Fattah, RPh, MBA, PharmD

Faculty Highlights . Focus on Herbal Medicine

Key Point: Throughout centuries, the field of medicine has been drastically evolving. However, despite these increasingly sophisticated techniques to design drugs, Mother Nature is still the best drug designer.

Today, we introduce to you propolis, a natural resinous mixture produced by honey bees from substances collected from parts of plants, buds, and exudates. Propolis is rarely available as its pure form. It is usually obtained from beehives and contains bee products.

More than 300 constituents were identified in different samples of propolis. Its geographical origin plays a major role in determining its constituents. Out of the major ones identified, we list the following: polyohenols, p-coumaric acids, diterpenic acids, furofuran lignans, flavonoids and terpenes.

Finer points: The benefits of propolis in treating various ailments have been a concern for many researchers. Studies found that propolis has been linked to relieving variable conditions, including:- Cold sores: Applying 3% Propolis ointment five times daily might help improve healing time and reduce pain from cold sores.- Giardiasis: Taking a 30% propolis extract for 5 days can cure giardiasis in more people than the drug tinidazole can do.- Oral mucositis: Rinsing the mouth with a 30% propolis mouth rinse three times daily for 7 days helps reduce inflammation and improve the healing of sores in some people with mouth sores caused by chemotherapy.- Upper respiratory tract infections: There is some early evidence that propolis might help prevent or reduce the duration of common colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.

- Minor burns: Applying propolis to the skin every 3 days might help treat minor burns and prevent infections.- Propolis possesses an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and antitumor activity. Data from studies concerning antibacterial properties of propolis support the fact that propolis is active mainly against Gram-positive bacteria in and shows lower activity against the Gram-negative ones.

What you need to know:

Propolis can be a promising therapy for many ailments, including common colds, minor bacterial infections, viral infections, and others. However, additional controlled multicenter trials are needed to support these results.

References:

1. https://www.jwatch.org/jw200403190000006/2004/03/19/herbal-preparation-reduces-colds-children.

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3872021/

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The SOP participated in the 78th International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, between 1-6 September, 2018, in Glasgow, UK, under the theme: “Pharmacy: Transforming Outcomes!”. The Dean, Prof. Mohamad Rahal, and faculty members contributed to several sessions within the rich and varied program of the congress.

Professor Rahal participated in the Academic Institution Membership (FIP-AIM) advisory committee that plans for the program of the Deans’ forum that is held during the annual congress of the FIP. The dean also, like every year, attended the 9th global Deans’ forum of the FIP-AIM, which focused this year on “Strategic Planning” and “Conflict Resolution” in higher education.

Research realized at SOP was presented by faculty, in numerous poster sessions on health behavior, influenza vaccine awareness, and sunscreen knowledge (all by Dr. Nisreen Mourad), epilepsy knowledge,

SOP participated in the 78th International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesDr. Dalal Hammoudi

International and National Conferences Contribution International and National Conferences Contribution

multivitamin use, and kidney disease awareness (all by Dr. Samar Younes), Lebanese attitudes towards health and willingness to pay for health services, and supplements in nephrolithiasis (by Dr. Marwan Akel and Dr. Michelle Cherfan), acne knowledge, complementary and alternative medicine use, and carbapenem resistance (all by Dr. Dalal Hammoudi). Dr. Mourad and Dr. Hammoudi were awarded as “highly commended” by FIP academic pharmacy section in recognition of their posters. Dr. Akel presented a plenary session about the humanitarian face of pharmacy in caring for refugees, while Dr. Cherfan and Dr. Hammoudi were speakers in the session “What’s new in practice?, where they presented about hypertension in the Lebanese population and SOP experience in interprofessional education. The dean and the faculty also attended meetings with ACPE and academic pharmacy section of FIP, as well as several other lectures, workshops, and business gatherings. The congress was a notable venue for exposing SOP to scholars and researchers from around the globe, as well as for networking and share of experience.

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Prof. Rahal Participated in the 21st Scientific Congress of the Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in the Arab World.Dr. Mariam Dabbous

Prof. Mohamad Rahal (Dean of School of Pharmacy) participated in the 21st Scientific Congress of the Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in the Arab World, which occurred between 13-15 November, 2018. It was organized by Ain Shames University under the title: “Future Trends in the Development of Pharmaceutical Education and Research”. Prof. Rahal attended and contributed to several sessions within the rich and varied program of the conference.

SOP Contribution to the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists 26th Conference.Dr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at Lebanese International University contributed effectively to the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists 26th conference under the theme “Teaming Up for Excellence in Patient Care”. 10 faculty members delivered presentations during the three days of the conference and 2 faculty members were moderators for the different sessions.

Dr. Sylvia Saade participated in “Updates in Community Pharmacy Practice” session. She delivered a presentation entitled: “Knowledge, Attitude and Perception in COPD among Community Pharmacists” where she discussed the Knowledge, Attitude and Perception in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among Lebanese Community Pharmacists. She provided key points for proper COPD counseling and highlighted the importance of continuing education.

Dr. Farah Chehimi participated in “Medication Quality and Management” session. Dr. Chehimi delivered a presentation entitled: “The Importance of Inventory Management in Pharmacy Settings”. She shed a light on the importance of inventory management as part of the essential eight roles of pharmacists that are described by the World Health Organization and the International Pharmaceutical Federation, for succeeding on individual as well as organizational level. She discussed the financial, operational and business perspectives of pharmacy inventory management along with the associated costs, strategies, methods and means of inventory calculation and evaluation to provide best patient care and satisfaction and lead to profitability and business success.

Dr. Nisreen Mourad participated in “Guidelines Updates” session. Dr. Mourad delivered a presentation entitled: Thyroid disorders: patient education on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism”. Dr. Mourad first started with a general overview about thyroid disorders, and then explained the vital role the pharmacist can play in educating patients on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism’s signs and symptoms, non-pharmacological and pharmacological management by that improving the patient’s quality of life and ensuring successful management of these disorders.

Dr. Faraj Saade participated in “Guidelines Updates” session. He delivered a presentation entitled ““Controlling the Silent Killer: New Hypertension Guidelines”. Dr. Saade presented the new 2017 guideline that has been issued by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure (BP) in adults. Due to the fact that the pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals to the patients in the Lebanese community, it is imperative to inform them about the new 2017 HTN guideline in order to guide them in their everyday practice with the patients.

Dr. Dalal Hammoudi participated in the “Guidelines Updates” session. Dalal Hammoudi, presented an oral session entitled “A Vitiligo Update for Pharmacists: Current Practices and Future Advances”. In her presentation, Dr. Hammoudi discussed the causes, types, clinical manifestations, prevalence and risk factors of this skin disorder. She focused on drug and non-drug measures used for treatment, as well as on new and emerging treatment options. In an interactive fashion, the session tried to prepare pharmacists to discuss with patients the advantages and limitations of vitiligo therapies, and to offer proper education and counseling.

International and National Conferences ContributionInternational and National Conferences Contribution

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Dr. Ahmad Dimassi participated in “Infectious Diseases: Hospital Perspective” session. He delivered a presentation entitled “The Importance of Infection Prevention and Control Measures at the Lebanese Hospitals”. He stated “Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures are related to medical practices that prevent or minimize spreading of infectious diseases. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of IPC measures on the length of hospital stay (LOS) of patients in infectious diseases service at Lebanese hospitals. In conclusion, applying high standards of IPC measures can improve the healthcare system at the Lebanese hospitals.”

Dr. Jihan Safwan participated in “Targeting Oncology Patients” session. She delivered a presentation entitled ““Case Control Study about the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer with Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Lebanon”. Dr. Safwan presented a retrospective case-control study that was conducted between January and April 2018 among Lebanese diabetic patients. Due to the fact that the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with incretin based therapies is controversial, this study was conducted to evaluate the risk of this type of cancer with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors that are relatively a new class of oral antidiabetic medications. This study suggested a protective association between DPP4-inhibitors and pancreatic cancer, particularly with vildagliptin. It further emphasized the increased prevalence of pancreatic cancer with insulin therapy. It has been concluded that larger prospective studies should be conducted to allow generalization of the results.

Dr. Marwan Akel participated in “Research and Public Health” session. Dr. Akel delivered a presentation entitled: Health Promoting Schools, a Review of the Approach and its Challenges: The Need of a National Lebanese Survey. He highlighted on the important role of schools in health promotion among children and adolescents, who carry their lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors into adulthood, and the importance of implementing health promotion program at schools is on-going and cyclical process that fits into five phases starting with commitment and support and ending with continuous monitoring and evaluation. He stated that school-based health-promoting programs may provide an efficient and effective way to approach health problems among children and adolescents.

Dr. Fouad Sakr participated in “Infectious Diseases: Community Perspective” session. Dr. Sakr presented about “Pediatric Infections: A Focus on the Upper Respiratory Tract System”. He provided basic information and updates to pharmacists about the most common pathogens that cause acute otitis media and pharyngitis; also he explained the pathophysiologic causes and risk factors, identified associated clinical signs and symptoms, listed goals of therapy, and differentiated between viral and bacterial infections. Similarly, he highlighted the appropriate antibiotics regimen for each infection based on patient-specific data and recommended appropriate adjunctive therapy to all patients. Dr. Sakr focused on the pharmacist role to create a follow-up plan for parents of pediatric patients being treated for each infection. He concluded the presentation with an interactive self-assessment session at which the audience have provided their responses and discussed different case scenarios related to the presented topic.

Dr. Maya Farran participated in “Hospital Pharmacists” Session. She delivered a presentation entitled “Role of Pharmacist in the Quality Assurance” highlighting on major role of Pharmacists in the quality assurance of the different pharmaceutical institutions like Industries, Hospitals, Regulatory departments of the MOPH, School of Pharmacies. She states that Quality is not optional anymore; it is a basic requirement to satisfy demanding patients and to sustain in the business. Quality Assurance creates a systematic approach independently of human intervention to secure Patient Safety. Quality is a culture that has to be measured through well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to be improved.

Dr. Michelle Cherfan moderated the keynote session Pharmacy Practice, and Dr. Bahia Chahine moderated the Guideline Updates session.

International and National Conferences Contribution

Faculty, graduates, and students from the School of Pharmacy at LIU participated in the 2018 ACCP International Symposium, entitled “Pharmacists and the Heart: Advancing Care for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease”, held on November 16, 2018, in conjunction with the 26th Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon Annual Congress, in Beirut, Lebanon. The symposium discussed recent updates to guidelines for the management of common chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases and analyzed findings from key practice-changing clinical trials that advance healthcare. Sessions employed case-based learning that engaged participants in activities whose contents were highly educational and help in improving outcomes associated with patient care services.

SOP Participates in ACCP International SymposiumDr. Samar Younes

International and National Conferences Contribution

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The School of Pharmacy organized a workshop for the Pharmacy Practice Department and PharmD Program preceptors on July 26th, 2018 entitled: Pharmacy Faculty Development Workshop on Best Practices for Planning and Evaluation of Experiential Education. The workshop was animated Dr. Marwan Akel, the Chairperson of the Pharmacy Practice Department; and Dr. Fouad Sakr, the Chairperson of the PharmD Program. This full day workshop was composed of two parts. The first part focused on the importance of experiential learning in contemporary education. The objectives of this part included defining experiential learning and differentiating between early and advanced experiential learning, classroom learning, and simulated learning. Also, it provided insight into why experiential learning is critical in contemporary pharmacy curriculum. Similarly, it demonstrated alignment of experiential education with other components of the curriculum; and identified challenges and barriers to implement experiential education. The second part, on the other hand, described backwards course design. In this part, learning outcomes were identified for both early and advanced components of the experiential education curriculum and how they are interrelated. Moreover, it identified activities to be completed by students to enable them to meet the learning outcomes for the experiential education curriculum.

International and National Conferences Contribution

SOP Participates in MEHE/AUF Quality Assurance WorkshopDr. Dalal Hammoudi

Instructors from SOP participated in a quality assurance workshop organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in November 2018, to discuss new regulations for accreditation of pharmacy and medical schools in Lebanon. The workshop was held in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). Besides colleagues from other pharmacy and medical schools, the instructors attended sessions about experience in accreditation and the progress achieved in this domain till now in Lebanon. Then, workshops about purpose of evaluation and accreditation, and what and how to evaluate at institutional and school levels were conducted. Instructors from SOP actively contributed to the discussions and exchanged ideas with representatives from other schools.

Workshops

Preceptor Workshop: Best Practices for Experiential EducationDr. Fouad Sakr

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Workshops Workshops

The School of Pharmacy conducted the Syllabus Workshop on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. This workshop was presented by Dr. Etwal Bou Raad and Dr. Jihan Safwan.

The aim of the “Syllabus Workshop” is to prepare new syllabi that are based on compe-tency learning outcomes and to be able to incorporate the Program Learning Outcomes (PLO’s) and Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s) by the SOP faculty members. In addition the workshop introduces them with various active learning methods that could be incorporated within pharmacy courses. This is necessary in order to fulfill multiple curriculum criteria that are required by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, which the SOP at LIU is in the process of acquiring by June 2020.

The workshop is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: Developing Intended Learning Out-comes from Program Learning Outcomes for Competency Based Education / presented by Dr. Etwal Bou Raad

• Part 2: Hands on Formulating the Competency Based Syllabi / presented by Dr. Jihan Safwan

By the end of the workshop, the attendees have been able to use the correct verbs from the Bloom’s Taxonomy to write the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s) that reflect the Program Learning Outcomes (PLO’s). Moreover, they could select the appropriate Learning Methods along with the assessment tools that best represent the selected verbs from the Bloom’s Taxonomy. Finally, they could write the Course Outline and include the ILO’s covered in the corresponding chapters.

Following the workshop, the attendees were instructed to send the new syllabi for the courses that had been assigned to them, so that the moderators can review them and ask for the necessary changes, in order to have them ready before the start of the fall semester 2018/2019.

SyllabusWorkshopDr. Etwal Bou Raad and Dr. Jihan Safwan

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Workshops Workshops

The school of pharmacy at the Lebanese International University (LIU) recently expressed its intention to apply for the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) certification. The purpose of the certification is to assure the quality of the pharmacy program the school offers, to assist in continuous quality improvement of the program and advancement of pharmacy education. To initiate the process, a pre-application consultation (PAC) was conducted by Mr. Michael Rouse, Assistant Executive Director of Professional Affairs and Director of International Services at ACPE, on Monday November 26, 2018 at LIU Beirut campus. The PAC was attended by the Dean and twenty five faculty members representing the different sub-committees of the school of pharmacy’s accreditation committee, as well as by LIU administrators including LIU’s vice president, Beirut campus provost, Bekaa campus provost, and the director of the quality assurance, institutional effectiveness and accreditation office. The aim of the PAC was to ensure that the school has full knowledge and understanding of:

• The policies and procedures for Certification

• The expectations of the Quality Criteria

• The requirements for and format of the self-study report that must be submitted with the application for Certification

• The short and long-term responsibilities of the school and program for achieving and maintaining Certification

• The purpose and benefits of ACPE’s certification program

• The implications for graduates of a Certified program

Following the PAC, the school initiated the self-study assessment while preparing the self-study report and supporting documents. We expect to submit the application for certification during the summer of 2019.

Launching of the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Certification.Dr. Michelle Cherfan

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Alumni News

LIU PHARMACISTS ALUMNI, FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Dr. Hind HajPresident of LIU Pharmacy Alumni Association

In view of the current social and economic situation in Lebanon, the particular opportunities we want, and the plan for getting them, highly depend on the vocation, education and hard experiences. Hence, the school of pharmacy at the Lebanese International University drives its students to be responsible pharmacists, able to build doors for these opportunities, and essentially, committed to the pharmacy profession.

The LIU pharmacists’ alumni association will strengthen the ties between the pharmacy school and its alumni, and strive to advance the school mission.

The association shall include a governing board (vice president, chapter presidents and secretary/treasurer) and an alumni chapter in each Lebanese governorate, which maintains and enhances a vibrant community of alumni and friends.

The goals are set to build awareness and unity among the alumni, and provide alumni input on university issues. The association shall facilitate the synergies between the alumni and pharma industry in Lebanon and foster links with the order of the Lebanese pharmacists, health organizations, and authorities.

Moreover, social and cultural activities will be conducted contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the society at large.

The coming years will prove more excitement; the association will create more alumni networking opportunities, including homecomings, work visits and reunions! Further in the plan, the collaboration of the students and alumni with health institutions in Lebanon and the region, and innovative ways for volunteering of the former students as speakers, job owners with internship opportunities…

Life at the school of pharmacy at the Lebanese International University does not end on the day the students graduate; their lifelong contribution in all the school events is a key pillar that ensures the growth and development of our great university and profession.

I am Chirine Al Hajj Ali, a technical pharmacist and share holder at Raya-pharm and a Marketing Manager at Herb-Med s.a.r.l Lebanon. I started my career right after my graduation from LIU’s school of pharmacy back in 2008, when I was accepted into Herb-Med’s team as a medical representative. My main job was to promote and maximize the prescribing of Herb-Med’s products in the south area, covering Saida, Nabatieh, Tyr and all the areas in between. There are no strict formulae for how to maximize product prescribing – hard work is only part of the story and often working “SMARTER” is the key to success.

As an experienced representative, you should know your territory, know your customers (health care professionals in our case, like doctors from different specialties and community pharmacists), and have a clear idea which part of your territory offers the highest potentials for sales.

You set yourself clear, “SMART” objectives for every day that you work and will know exactly what you want to achieve from each visit.

(SMART goals = S: Specific, M: Measurable, A: Achievable, R: reliable/Reachable, T: Time specific).

Training is an essential ingredient to becoming successful in any field, pharmaceutical representative is no exception.

Sharing Experiences:From Alumni Perspective

For that, I have received a comprehensive initial training program once I have started working, covering 3 areas: - Our products- and competitor products- compositions, Mechanisms of action, Features, advantages and benefits. Revision for all the health conditions and indications related to our products. Basic selling skills training for how to become a more professional medical representative.

Following on from this initial training, I have received several ongoing training which is the following:

- Fundamentals of management and leadership

- Excellence in pharmacy

- Promote with common purpose

- EQ in problem solving-decision making

- Digital Marketing

- Successful selling strategies

In 2011, I was promoted to product manager at Herb-Med and in 2015 I became the technical pharmacist and share holder at Raya-pharm (sister company for Herb-Med).

My top 3 main responsibilities from then till present are to:

- Keep up to date with the latest clinical data supplied by the company abroad, and interpret, present and discuss these data with our medical representatives first, then they , in their turn, will present these information to healthcare professionals during their field visits.

- Prepare presentations to doctors, pharmacists or practice staff during organized lectures or round tables held in different areas all over Lebanon.

- At last and not least, monitor competitors’ activities and competitors’ products.

On the other side, I am also the mother of three adorable little girls.

Since the birth of my eldest child, my priorities in life has shifted from “succeeding and Acing my career” to “being the most a mother can be” for my three little ones.

In my spare time- if any- I try to find my peace of mind between the pages of a nice novel, or letting all out on white spaces: either by writing or drawing.

For all of you my future colleagues, I am eager to read your achievement biography in the near future.

Alumni News

Chirine Al Hajj Ali, Class of 2008

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Alumni News

Studying Pharmacy 5 years have passed since you’ve earned your high school. 3 of those years spent memorizing everything that western medicine has to offer in all sorts of shape, size, and form. Off course, you need not forget putting those medicines in use by even further memorizing up-to-date therapeutic guidelines for major disease categories. Finally, you’re done! You are now a fully-fledged healthcare professional who specializes in medication, congratulations you have become a pharmacist. So now what?!

Career OptionsOf the career options that first come to mind: community or hospital pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, medical representative at a pharmaceutical company, or maybe going back to school and getting some sort of graduate degree (PharmD or a Master’s degree…). Now hold on a second there! First thing is first, try avoiding going back to school before getting at least 2 years of work experience under your belt. Having taken that option of the table, have you really got all of your career options in sight? Do you think you might be missing out on something here?!

A career in Public Health? The answer is probably yes! Most of the training we receive as pharmacists focus on individual health and less upon the concept of Public Health. But what is public health? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Public Health as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life

A Career Option:From Alumni Perspective

and promoting health through the organized efforts of society”. So where do pharmacists fit in? and what kind of career opportunities are available in Lebanon for pharmacists looking to get into Public Health? Enter primary health care, arguably the most efficient approach to maintaining and improving public health in societies.

Who am I?This is where my story comes into play. My name is Houssein Sweid, throughout my 9 years of higher education I have earned a Maitrise in Biochemistry from the Lebanese University in 2007, followed by a BS in Pharmacy (with distinction) from the Lebanese International University (LIU) in July 2013. My right of passage into a pharmacy career started with the typical spell at a community pharmacy (that lasted for 18 months) before I gave the humanitarian field a go.

Working at International Medical Corps (IMC)The year is 2014, the Syrian Refugee crisis is in its third year in Lebanon with no signs of abating. I decide to join an international Non-Governmental Organization (iNGO) called International Medical Corps (IMC) for a 1-month project as a field pharmacist. IMC’s mission in Lebanon aims to increase the capacity of the Lebanese PHC system enabling it to respond to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. IMC works with existing Dispensaries or Primary Health Care Centers all (مستوصفات أو مراكز رعاية صحية أولية)over Lebanon providing financial and technical support as well as donating

acute essential medication, supplies and equipment to serve both Syrian Refugees and vulnerable Lebanese.

IMC Structure To put things in perspective allow me to describe how IMC operates in Lebanon: IMC has as office in the 5 major governorates in Lebanon (Akkar, North, Beirut/Mount Lebanon, South, and Bekaa). Simply put the departments are divided into program teams (Health, Mental Health, Gender-Based Violence) and support teams (Finance, Human Resources, Monitoring/Evaluation and Learning, Logistics). The Lebanon country team receives support from HQ offices in Washington and London and a regional office in Split (Croatia). Back to the Health team, this consists of a team of healthcare professionals (includes nurses, medical doctors, pharmacists, and public health professionals) located in each office. The community health team extends to include volunteers from the Syrian refugees themselves and may add up to 10 to 15 volunteers in each area.

The field teams are managed centrally from Beirut via a central unit consisting of a Health Coordinator, Deputy Health Coordinator, Senior Pharmacist, Senior Medical Advisor, Program Officer, Community Health Manager).

Primary Health Care (PHC) PharmacistIn brief, I was assigned 19 Dispensaries or Primary Health Care Centers located in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the South. My primary objective was to work as part of a team to ensure the

Alumni News

availability of essential acute medication and medical supplies and equipment needed for the provision of primary health care to both refugees and the host vulnerable Lebanese population alike.

The project was extended several times due to the nature of the protracted refugee crisis and it didn’t take me much time to realize my calling to continue in this line of work. It is worth noting that merely having a strong medical background is not enough to be successful. As covering such a large number of clinics is only made possible through a productive team effort. Patience and strong communication skills are essential for dealing with both clinic staff and colleagues.

Senior Central Pharmacist at IMCHaving spent almost 17 months doing field work, I seized the opportunity at hand getting promoted to “Senior Central Pharmacist” in September of 2015. I served as a technical supervisor to the 3 PHC pharmacists. My other duties included reporting, coordination, and quality control as follows:

• Reports and analysis overseeing the pharmacy department outputs and achievements as well as detecting gaps to better improve upon

• I also coordinated both the Health and Logistics team in managing procurement of medication, equipment, and supplies to be donated to supported PHC centers and mobile medical units (MMUs)

• Establishing the pharmacy-related part of a quality improvement initiative that is based on PHC quality standards adopted from MOPH standards, policies, and procedures. This initiative aims to guide IMC supported clinics’ via on site capacity building and continuous monitoring to meet the aforementioned MOPH quality standards and thus receive accreditation in the ultimate goal of providing the best possible service to our beneficiaries in the Primary Healthcare setting

Deputy Health Coordinator at IMC Fast forward to early 2016, after gaining almost 2 years of experience coupled with receiving a few on-job workshops on primary healthcare in Lebanon at IMC, I started focusing on personal development via completing online certificates relating to Public Health for refugee crisis, Global Health, Primary Healthcare, and Project Management…

These efforts culminated in assuming a managerial position at IMC as Deputy Health Coordinator. My new function involves managing the implementation of multiple projects:

• Administrative and Operational needs (preparing, reviewing, and constantly updating contracts with service providers)

• Setting Procurement Plans and managing procurements

• Coordination of capacity building trainings with MOPH

Houssein Sweid, Class 2013

• Project proposal writing for future opportunities (Design, Costing and Budgeting…)

• Coordination with national and international partners (UN agencies, NGOs, Government)

You would imagine a usual work day consisting of multiple meetings, sizable spreadsheets, presentations, and going through a lot of email correspondences! Interacting on a daily basis with logistics, finance, Monitoring and Evaluation, and health area managers all over Lebanon.

I now consider myself as a well-established member of the senior management team at International Medical Corps - Lebanon. Throughout my 4+ year career at IMC – Lebanon, I have assumed several positions allowing me to have a noteworthy contribution to its mission in improving and supporting the existing Primary Health Care (PHC) System in Lebanon.

Ending Remarks:I hope you were able to get some insights on this career path, in case you are interested in knowing more, you may read about PHC in Lebanon by accessing the MOPH and WHO’s website.

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Alumni News Alumni News

Soha Hammoud, Class of 2008

I obtained my B.Sc in Pharmacy from the Lebanese International University in 2008. Subsequently, I started a my career life as medical representative at (Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing) over two years, then I moved to Sadco (Minarini) to be responsible for sales of Minarini products primarily to cardiologist, endocrinologist. After two years, I was promoted as a team leader and rewarded as over achieved target for key brands of cardio specialties and endo specialties. In 2016, I moved to AstraZeneca Kuwait to work as professional medical representative and awarded as best achiever and best growth in gulf within the first semester. Now, I work as product specialist at Allergan Pharmaceutical Kuwait responsible for the marketing and sales of Optive fusion and Restasis products. I received award of excellence as Best achiever and best growth in gulf within the first two quarters. I achieved more than 100% growth in optive in all the private hospital.

What our Graduates are doing now?

Bader Reslan, Class of 2011

I graduated from LIU on 2011, school of pharmacy. I am currently a medical representative at Merck Sharp and Dohme where our vision is to make difference in the lives of people through our innovative medicines and vaccines and our mission is to provide innovative products and to improve lives around the world: that’s why I love my job and I work with passion because each day I wake up with a clear objective to help patients and expand access to our medicines. At MSD we are all committed that medicine is for the patient, not for the profits. We work ethically according to our values and standards without any discrimination.

I started my career at gulf pharmaceutical industries after one month of my graduation, I was responsible of promoting hospital line IV antibiotics like ceftriaxone and vancomycin and some primary care products like azithromycin and salbutamol inhaler. I was nominated best “BEST ACHIEVER” in the business unit because I reached over my sales target and achieved 40% growth. I worked about 1.5 years and learned the experience of tender business from hospitals then I moved to MSD

At MSD I gained a variable experience through many lines, starting by the respiratory franchise (Singulair, Nasonex and aeruis), then I launched Zenhale (inhaler mometasone/formetreol for asthma and copd) then I moved to vaccines line and gained the experience of direct selling to my customers. I had the honor to launch an innovative vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer, Gardasil 9 that protects against 9 serotypes of Human papilloma virus (HPV). Each year about 500000 women die of cervical cancer and now it’s time to protect all the women against this virus! And men also, yes men! Because Gardasil got the approval for boys also. We hope to eradicate this virus that is causing many types of cancer and killing thousands of people.

Currently I am responsible for promoting “Janumet” a dpp4 inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Beside my achievements on the level of saving patients and helping them as a pharmacist I work on my self-development and I have a clear career path. I am moving forward step by step. I did my masters in pharmaceutical marketing 2 years after my graduation at Universite Saint Joseph. At MSD, I follow up on my online courses of marketing and I took many marketing assignments for Lebanon market.

Lately, I was assigned as social media ambassador and I am working to prepare a digital diabetes campaign. We are in the era of digitalization and social media where patients are willing to take greater control of their health and are seeking advices on social media. At MSD we are now building a digital infrastructure for our company, in the future we will be communicating digitally with our customers and addressing to patients. We launched Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for MSD Lebanon.

Dona Elothmani, Class of 2012

I am a graduate of the class of 2012 from LIU. Upon my graduation, I moved to the states at the end of the year. At first, this journey was a challenging one, since the transition for me to leave my comfort zone was arduous, yet very beneficial in other aspects. My first step into the pharmacy world was through CVS/pharmacy, where I had the position of a pharmacy technician, which served as the foundation for necessary and advantageous information, as a pharmacist. Ever since being a student at LIU and being given all the prototypes of the typical American chains, it has been a dream for me to work at such a company. During my time there, I was very committed to my work and always made sure to follow one motto that I regarded and still regard highly, to treat people the manner I like to be treated, myself. In fact, that showed throughout my shifts, as I was surprised with the honorable title of best employee in the district, for being an employee full of leadership and caring attributes.

Thereafter, I started as an intern in an independent pharmacy in a medical building, which exposed me to new kinds of patients, and gave me the opportunity to collaborate with the physicians, regarding the patients’ Medications Therapy Management, for optimal health outcomes. Ultimately, I am a registered pharmacist in a couple of states, currently working in a long term care facility where I work as a clinical pharmacist.

Briefly, I would summarize my experience in the United States as a build-up of fruitful experiences and an amazing journey that has aided me in learning new things everyday and expanding my horizons. However, I could not be more grateful for LIU School of Pharmacy, and all my instructors who helped me attain a solid ground, one that has helped me excel in all of my Board exams with ease.

To the fellow students currently attending LIU School of Pharmacy, one word of advice that I have always thought of to accomplish all the obstacles and adversities is:

No pain no gain!!

Faten Ezzeddine, Class 2014

“I am an LIU distinguished Pharmacy graduate of 2014, I had the chance to immediately start working the day after finishing university at Union Pharmaceutique d’Orient , whom I met and applied my CV during the job fair that was held back then at the university. With them, I received “the rep of the year” award and as a result got an incentive trip out of Lebanon. A year after, I got a position at a multinational company, Novartis, which helped me further develop my knowledge and capabilities, an occupation that I am enjoying till this present day. I would like to first thank LIU for a great education, then all my professors and instructors for inspiring us and granting us tools, confidence and determination to succeed in today’s competitive workplace

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SOP Annual DinnerDr. Fouad Sakr

The School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University held its 13th annual graduates’ dinner at Ramada Plaza Hotel Raouche on Monday, November 26th, 2018.

This event is considered one of the traditional annual events to celebrate the achievements of our students. The attendees included the representative of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Professor Naeem Al Owaini; President of the Lebanese International University H.E. Mr. Abdul Rahim Murad; President of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists Dr. Ghassan Al Amin and the OPL board members; Secretary of the Committee of Equivalencies and Colloquium in the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Abdul Mawla Shihabuddin; the director of the International Services at ACPE, Mr. Mike Rouse; pharmacists and guests; LIU Family: Vice-Presidents: Dr. Samir Abou-Nassif, Dr. Ali Tarbay, and Dr. Ahmad Faraj, deans, academic directors, faculty members, and pharmacy class of 2018.

The event presenter, Dr. Fouad Sakr, gave the opening speech to welcome the attendees. He highlighted on the annual outstanding results of our graduates in the maintenance of the path of success of our university. He added that this year will be another distinguished year with the start of the process of the ACPE accreditation.

Prof. Mohammad Rahal, the Dean of the SOP, then started his speech by congratulating the new president of the OPL, Dr. Ghassan Al Amine and the newly elected members of the OPL, and wished them all the best and success in their mission. The dean continued to congratulating the graduates on this success. He stated that our graduates are the greatest core value that distinguishes us from others. Prof. Rahal elaborated that our graduates are distinguished by their knowledge, ethics, attitudes, and skills that enable them to provide the best pharmaceutical care to their patients in collaboration with their colleagues in the healthcare team. He added that a major milestone is added to the journey of our school by hosting Mr. Mike Rouse, the Director of the International Services at ACPE, to initiate the process of achieving ACPE international accreditation. The dean concluded by acknowledging that all these achievements couldn’t have been possible without the continuous collaboration with our partners: the Ministries of Higher Education and Public Health; and the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists, as well as the superior and generous support of our colleagues in the training sites: the distinguished hospitals, the community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical companies.

The graduates’ speech was delivered by the student of the highest GPA within the graduates 2018 Miss. Lara Haidar. Miss Haidar talked emotionally about her 5-year journey in the school. She continued by expressing her gratitude to God, her professors, parents, and the university administration. Finally, she concluded with a quote for Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

A video was then played to demonstrate most of the activities done by the School of Pharmacy for the academic year 2017-2018.

The newly elected president of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists got up next on the stage for couple of minutes and thanked everyone

Alumni Event

and especially LIU alumni for the trust; he also wished the school and the university more success and further great recognition.

The last speech was for our president H.E. Mr. Abdul Rahim Mourad. The president congratulated the graduates on their achievements that are shown year after year in the national colloquium results. H.E. said “All LIU graduates are showing achievements at national and international levels”. He continued ‘I am proud of our School of Pharmacy, and it is a star on my shoulders”. The president concluded by thanking each and every faculty member in the school of pharmacy and in all other schools for the great contribution towards the continuous outstanding success and distinguishment of our university.

At the end of the dinner, the graduates cut the cake with the president and faculty members; and took pictures.

Alumni Event

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Alumni Event Alumni Event

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Fawzia HamdarLebanese International University is providing

accessible and affordable higher education in excellence and quality of first order. LIU will

drive its students to be responsible citizens and

life-long self-actuated learners. LIU will empower students to

develop awareness and engage in cultural and

environmental sustainability through maximized resources.

LIU disseminates diverse learning experiences and skills

in an environment that e-enable the dynamic interplay of teaching and research. LIU endeavours to align its values and commitments to student support and communication,

and continually review curricula for innovative outcomes.

I choose to study pharmacy because pharmacists are vital in the treatment of patients.

Pharmacists are the last line of defense that approve of prescribed medications,

confirm that they are safe considering the patient’s

disease state(s) and current drug regimen, make

recommendations on which medications are best, and a variety of other functions. I

continue to study in this field because pharmacists are the go-to doctors that people can

visit for advice and direction on their conditions and concerns; in many pharmacies, patients and pharmacists are friends

that share a trust rarely seen in the healthcare field. It’s a field

that needs to be revitalized with new pharmacists that look promote such interaction with patients, counseling them to ensure a smooth therapy and

experience, and who genuinely care for the wellbeing of those

they help treat. I pursue this career because I want to be a part of the movement that lets

the public knows we are a group of drug experts that they can rely on for information and

care. I want this degree because I can take so many

different paths that all facilitate one goal, getting people the

care they need.

Fawzia HamdarThe thing about cancer

patients is, once diagnosed, we head to one of the two thinking alternatives, which

are to either believe it is terminal and count the days, or believe that we are in the 21st century, and there is a

high chance of the technology and

advancement we have reached today rescuing us. I personally continued my life with some extra days at the hospital or at home trying to recover from chemotherapy.

It is never too easy to talk about it. However, there is a

bunch of other things, beautiful, that we can be talking about now. How

about Marcel Khalife’s new album?

Cancer is ups and downs, but so is life. Cancer is

chemo and radiations and transplants. It is, however, a

mountain in my path that I’m going to successfully climb, Insha’Allah. Life continues to

happen while we have cancer, the same way it

Farah SoheilWhy Pharmacy?

The power of a single science to merge the very

basics of life both health and beauty, drugs and cosmetics. Everyone seeks for the latter

so everybody needs a pharmacist in his life.

Why Lebanese International University?

Every day, you will discover something beautiful and

exciting about life and living, about education, even about

your own personality! I’ve never thought of being the

one I am today with the skills that would have been always

unrevealed without LIU!Viva LIU

Student’s Corner Student’s Corner

continues to happen when we catch a cold or when

someone dies.

ان مت قبل ان تموت فلن تموت بعد ان تموت

I want to focus on all I might miss. I am striving to

accomplish my goals now more than ever before.

Cancer, just like any illness, makes you aware of how

short life is. I feel the world is both a much larger place

and yet a much smaller place than I’d once imagined it to be. Experiences shape and

define us. I will be a pharmacist. I am a writer, and

I am an entirely different person than I once was. Faith lifts me higher, and so do my

goals. Tomorrow is never promised, so live for today,

because today you are here.

Emotional intelligence is a good concept today. People

need to get educated on how not to let the several

paths they cross block them from living life as it is. Today, I am not where I wanted to be, but if I look at where I wanted

to be a couple of months ago, I am better than where I was standing. Hope is not a

story to leave you laughing, it a lot of times, leaves you in

tears of joy.

This New Year, I started as someone new, just like every

year. I am still who I am, of course, but I have learned my lessons. And I’m also a

cancer patient. I added overcoming cancer to my bucket list. Overcoming cancer can be from the

inside. I might reach a day when I live my life as if

cancer is a pimple on my cheek, or, hopefully, as a

cancer survivor. In the end, life is a gift worth fighting for,

and we usually fight for things we love

and value.

Fight Like There’s No Tomorrow

Why LIU School of

Pharmacy?

Ismail JomhaThe reason why I chose LIU-School of Pharmacy

(LIU-SOP) was because of the Dean Professor Mohamad Rahal,

the School’s reputation of its constant 100% success rate in

the colloquium exam, and due to the close distance from my

home. Yes, this is what I thought at first. However, after four years at LIU-SOP, I found much deeper

reasons to why this is the number one SOP. I feel a sense

of belonging and always thinking of how I can make my school better. Of course, this resulted from the Dean and instructors

that we have. They show nothing less than excellence and

perfection in all aspects of their work. They are my source of motivation, inspiration, and

determination. I once thought that passion was a built-in-trait,

however, at our SOP, passion for growing, improving, and prospering is contagious.

Creativity, innovation, and team work would serve as a precise definition for us. I feel proud

when I am sitting with colleagues from other SOPs and

hear their feedback of how amazed they are with the

extracurricular activities that we carry out in our school and

wonder how we can manage with all that. My simple answer would be that at LIU-SOP we

have masterminds of Doctors, and an incredibly supportive Dean who is our treasure and

who collectively (Dean and Doctors) give us that extra push to move forward. Saying all that makes me more than honoured

and satisfied to have chosen LIU-SOP as my bridge to

become the professional and highly skilled pharmacist

I always wanted to be.

Salma MamaLIU School of Pharmacy is recommended because of

the high quality of education and research, it focus on

graduate employability, and provide an excellent support

for students’ services. I choose to study pharmacy

because pharmacists are vital in the treatment of

patients. Pharmacist are the last line of defense that approve of prescribed

medications, confirm that they are safe considering the patient’s disease state(s) and current drug regimen, make recommendation on which medication are best, and a variety of other functions.

PHARMACIST ARE THE GO TO DOCTORS, therefore I want to be an important

member of the healthcare team. Finally I’m so excited to

be a part of major innovations in medication, and so happy to be one of

family in Lebanese International University

School of Pharmacy.

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Interprofessional Community Services

We Care for those who Once Cared for Us…Dr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy visited Dar Al Ajaza Al Islamia on Monday, December 17, 2018 to spend a full day with geriatrics. Professional Communications students (Diana Hachem, Diana Assaf, Halima Daher, Hanadi Hussein, Jaafar Bilal, Zeinab Noormonavar, Ryme Mroue, and Fatima Sabeh); under supervision of their instructors Dr. Sahar Haydar and Dr. Mariam Dabbous, prepared for this day an entertainment play to emphasize of importance of medication and collected funds.

First, Dr. Haydar and Dr. Fouad Sakr (Chairman of PharmD program) with the students visited the president of the association and gave him the money and medications as donation for the hospital. Then the students made a play to entertain the geriatrics and gave flowers that bloomed even more when they were held in the hands of those men and women who still live with a big smile and pure eyes. Moreover, they spent time to listen to their stories and have fun with them. Finally, they helped in feeding the elderly who welcomed us with open arms and mouths.

Student Jaafar Bilal states: “While visiting a Nursing home I realized that it is a place where you can enjoy the stolen time. Elderly and nurses form a gigantic family where they share their secrets, stories, and their laughs. We went there to entertain them but they actually are the ones that entertained us with their extraordinary sense of humor and their amus-ing stories that we were able to listen to while visiting their rooms after the play. Nursing homes to many people are places where people go there to die, but after being there and seeing things with my own eyes I knew for sure that nursing homes are a place where you can form new families, friends, and even new kinds of experiences.

Interprofessional Community Services

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Interprofessional Community Services

Awareness Campaigns at the Community Pharmacies Conducted by the PharmD Students.Dr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University plays a crucial role in raising and promoting health awareness among different segments of the society.

We, at the School of Pharmacy, believe that by raising awareness to society, we make people take better care of themselves; they are less likely to fall ill and hence place a little burden on the health care system.

PharmD students in the community pharmacies were conducting different campaigns to promote knowledge and raise awareness related to disease prevention.

Our Health awareness campaigns consisted of skit, pamphlet distribution, poster presentation, giving door-to-door information, and general interaction with patients and visitors

Interprofessional Community Services

Weight loss products awareness campaign at Wellcare pharmacy by PharmD student Marwa Yassine under supervision of preceptor Dr. Maya Khoury

Rabies awareness campaign at Dbeibo pharmacy by PharmD student Hiba Al Harfani under supervi-sion of preceptor Dr. Seham Kenaan

Influenza Vaccines awareness Campaign at Zeinacare pharmacy by PharmD student Nour Farhat under supervision of preceptor Dr. Maya Khoury

HPV Vaccination awareness Campaign at Zeinacare pharmacy by PharmD student Aya Atwi under supervision of preceptor Dr. Maya Khoury

Obesity supplements and drug therapy awareness campaign at light house pharmacy by PharmD student Sara Abdel Samad under supervision of preceptor Dr. Razan Mhanna

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Interprofessional Community Services Extracurricular Activities

Athlete’s foot awareness Campaign at Zeinacare pharmacy by PharmD student Emilie Feghali under supervision of preceptor Dr. Maya Khoury

Hypertension awareness Campaign at Jran Saint Elie pharmacy by PharmD student Charbel fak-houry under supervision of preceptor Dr. Maya Khoury

Donate Blood To Save Lives.Dr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at Beirut campus organized a blood donation campaign with the collaboration of the Lebanese Red Cross and the Donner Sang Compter (DSC) on Thursday, October 25th, 2018.

Since Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person, and in Every 3 seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion and every 1 pint of blood can help save 3 lives, we conduct each and every year a blood donation campaign. This year, a total of 150 volunteers were screened for donation eligibility; and we were able to break the previous record of 95 donations by collecting 120 donated bloods at the end of the day.

Students: Nour Jaber, Inas Ghandour, Pamela Doumit, Jamila Melhem, Hanan Zohbi, Fawzi Al Natour, Sara Taleb, Maisam jamal, Amena Bahja, Adam Hijazi , Sara Haydar , Meriana Khalil, Mohamad Darwich, Tharallah Abdul-lah, Yasmina Ajjour, Milda Hussein, and Jennifer Keyrouz under supervision of their instructor Dr. Mariam Dabbous, and Dr. Sahar Haydar encouraged students to volunteer for blood donation by highlighting on the importance of blood donation, simple requirements needed for blood donation, benefits, and important tips for those who will donate blood.

This overwhelming response shown by all students and staff was appreciated by the blood donation organization. LIU donors were glad to be part of this community service, and enjoyed the feeling of accom-plishment by knowing that they help in saving lives.

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Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

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Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:I Stare BecauseI CareDr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University participated in the National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health from October 12th to October 14th, 2018 at Horsh Beirut.

A health awareness exhibition was organized by the Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with associations and students from various fields of medical and health sciences. They provided health information on ways to prevent breast cancer in general and the importance of early detection of breast cancer using mammography.

The Students: Aya Ibrahim, Maryam Saadé, Zeinab Youssef, Ghinwa Abdallah, Rawan Ghoson, Faten Dbouk, Batoul Tormos, Rasha Ismail, Arij Armanezy, and Zeinab Noureddine under supervision of Dean Prof. Mohamad Rahal and Extracurricular Committee Chair Dr. Mariam Dabbous represented the Lebanese International University at this exhibition and highlighted on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in an interactive, innovative and simplified manner. Students demonstrated the signs and symptoms of breast cancer on the lemons as a method for education.

“Know Your Lemons to Fight

the Demons”An opening ceremony was done for the exhibition on Friday, October 12th in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Ghassan Hasbani, representatives of the heads of the security and military agencies, representatives of government and international organizations, members of the National Breast Cancer Campaign, health, union, university, civil society and university students. The exhibi-tion continued for two consecutive days October 13th and October 14th, where more than 1000 attendees have passed by LIU booth and they were very impressed by the highly informative presentation and demonstration that our team has delivered.

The booth was also highly recognized by the ministry’s organizing committee and we were awarded a trophy with a thank you letter for the high level of our contribution.

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Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

Fight the FluDr. Dalal Hammoudi and Dr. Mariam Dabbous

Within framework of raising community awareness about influenza prior to the influenza season, the School of Pharmacy at Both Bekaa and Beirut campuses organized a flu awareness campaign in collaboration with Sanofi-Pasteur, designating a new partnership between them and our school.

On Wednesday, November 7th , 2018; Students at bekaa campus introduced the need for influenza knowledge and highlighted tips about its prevention, through posters about the topic. They also arranged some fun activities, played games, and shared cakes especially designed for the event. A survey about flu knowledge was also launched during the campaign.

On Thursday, November 8th, 2018; the professional communications students’ under supervision of their instructors Dr. Mariam Dabbous and Dr. Sahar Haydar designed two posters to highlight on importance of vaccination as well as unnecessary antibiotic use.

Students: Zainab Fneish, Malak Hamdan, Elissa Elhajj, Zeina Fahs, Fatima Rammal, Lama Mansour, Hassan Fneish, and Hussam Fouan, designed a poster entitled: “I against the Flu” and highlighted on importance of flu vaccine, when, how, and who should vaccinate, and other different medical issues about the vaccine (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, side effects, pregnancy category, and the doses). They also performed games (spinning the wheel) asking the students several questions, and giving gifts for the correct answers. Moreover, they showed the students several kinds of food alternative to the vaccine to prevent the virus from invading the body and to boost the immunity (lemon, ginger, pepper...).

Students: Yasser Al Hajj Ali, Aya Abdoun, Ahmad Aidibi, Ali Dakhlalah, Zeinab Awdi, Nabil Jaber, Amal Mazraani, Mohamad Sabsaby, Ali Saleh, and Ahmad Baalbaki., designed a poster entitled:

“Cold or Flu? Antibiotics Won’t

Help You”and focused on the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of flu, and the unnecessary use of antibiotics that is causing resistance. They offered the attendee’s vitamin c, chamomile and hand sanitizers and provided them some tips and clarifications about flu virus and how to deal with.

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Hope for Kids with Cancer & Heart DiseaseDr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at Beirut campus organized a fundraising campaign to help children beat cancer and heart diseases together. A bake sale was done on Tuesday, December 11th 2018 where 1,320,000 lbp was raised and donated to BraveHeart and St Jude.

“Because Kids Can’t Fight Alone”Students: Ghiwa Asaad , Rim Charafeldin , Aceel Zaatiti, Fatme Batikh, Joyce Saab, Hussein Thebian, Majed Thebiab,and Firas Ramadan , under supervision of their instructor Dr. Sahar Haydar, designed a poster entitled: “Childhood Cancer” and highlighted on most common cancers in children and the management.

Students: Elianor Hannah, Roudayna Ismail, Mahmoud Tabsh, Kevin Trad, Lana Bannout, Giorgio Maalouf, Silvana Shathbek, Rouba Al Halabi, and Rami Mahmoud under supervision of their instructor Dr. Mariam Dabbous, designed a poster entitled: “Congenital Heart Diseases; Learn the Facts” and highlighted about the heart diseases in children and cost of treatment

Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

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Medication Safety in Pregnancy and Risk of Birth DefectsDr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University conducted awareness campaign on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 to raise awareness about medication safety in pregnancy and how to prevent birth defect.

Students: Mostafa Ghaddar, Vanessa Saade, Rayan Badran, Dolla Naserddine, Katia Harb, Batoul Hazzouri, and Eliane Achkar designed a poster entitled: “You Want to Start a Family? Do it Right!” They focused mainly on the common birth defects that occur due to vitamin deficiency.

Students: Zeinab Shahrour, Zahraa Samhat, Yara Nahle, Tala Osman, Rana Kaddoura, Nadine Al Badawi, and Fatima Moughnieh designed a poster entitled: “Safe and UnSAFE Medications during Pregnancy”. They highlighted four different pregnancy categories and the safe and unsafe medication for the common diseases that develop in pregnancy as constipation, emesis, GERD, and others.

Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

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Students’ Honor Ceremony

Dr. Mariam Dabbous

The School of Pharmacy celebrates student’s academic achievements at the end of each semester, and the dean of School of Pharmacy Prof. Mohamad Rahal distributes certificate letter at the end for all students who achieved a GPA above 3.5. This year, the School celebrated the students on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018 at Bekaa Campus.

Benefits to get on the Dean’s List:

1. A great personal achievement: Being on the Dean’s List means that you are among the top in terms of academic results.

2. Increasing your employability factor: Many employers use GPA as initial criteria to shortlist candidates during recruitment.

3. Invitation to Honor Ceremony. Since you are among the top in your school, you’ll be invited to the honor ceremony to receive award of this hard work you achieved from the dean.

4. Being on the Dean Office’s radar. When you are on the Dean’s List, faculty at the school tends to know you. This is useful for random situations, say when you want to get the inside scope on what’s going on, information on upcoming events, or just to have someone to talk to about university matters.

5. Prestige and recognition. Dean’s List is pretty much synonymous with intellectually smarts and academic success. As the board would put up the names of people on the Dean’s List on the university website and on school notice board, students who read it generally know who you are, at least by name?

Honor Ceremony for Students on Dean’s List

Seminars

Dr. Samar Younes

The School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University, Bekaa Campus, organized a scientific seminar on Monday, Novem-ber, 19th, 2018 under the title of: “Heart Disease: Life Span and Health Span”. The seminar was delivered by Dr. Omar Hamoui, the Director of Interventional Cardiology at Clemenceau Medical Center affiliated with Johns Hopkins in Beirut, Lebanon.

Dr. Hamoui has a special interest in general and interventional cardiology, thrombosis and antithrombotic agents, stroke preven-tion, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. He has been involved in numerous trials and publications related to the above mentioned topics. He is active in numerous awareness and prevention initia-tives pertaining to public health, and lectures routinely about these topics and others locally, regionally, and in international meetings, as well as large-scale, direct-to-public awareness lectures.

Dr. Hamoui started his presentation by showing global and local epidemiological data about life expectancy and aging, and then he focused on the role of genetics, lifestyle and dietary changes for achieving longevity. He also discussed numerous studies and tests on life expectancy and health and illustrated the high rates of mortality as a consequence of cardiovascular diseases and shed the light on dyslipidemia treatment guidelines while discussing primary prevention and secondary prevention with target LDL levels.

The seminar was very informative and interesting and open discus-sion was held at the end of the seminar where faculty and students had the opportunity to acquire more information about the topic.

“Heart Disease: Life Span and Health Span”

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Seminars

Dr. Mariam Sraj

The School of Pharmacy organized a seminar entitled “Pharmacoeconomics from Theory to Practice” on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018. The speaker Dr. Gihan Elsisi (Treasurer of International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR) in Egypt) shared the Egyptian experience with Pharmacoeconomics. Dr. Elsisi is the director of health technology assessment office in Egypt. Dr. Elsisi is a consultant at World Health Organization (WHO), Eastern Mediterranean Region and market access consultant at many international companies. Dr. Elsisi, head of Pharmacoeconomics unit at Central Administration for Pharmaceutical Affairs (CAPA). She was the principal and author of both health care systems roadmap for pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement and the Pharmacoeconomic guidelines for Egypt at International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). She is an advisory board member for both “ISPOR Travel Grant Committee” and “Availability and Affordability of Cancer Medicines,” WHO Head Office, Geneva, Switzerland.

At the beginning, Dr. Mariam Sraj introduced the application of Pharmacoeconomics and presented an innovative strategy to apply Pharmacoeconomics in Lebanon. Dr. Sraj recommended creating a cadre of trained producers and consumers of pharmacoeconomics work, to support applied Pharmacoeconomics research and to have continuing education in Pharmacoeconomics for practitioners, government officials, and private sector executives.

Dr. Elsisi explained how she was able successfully to incorporate Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research into the coverage decisions of treatments at the Ministry of Health in Egypt. Dr. Elsisi shared some reports about health technology assessment done in Egypt. The lessons learned from Dr. Elsisi and the savings achieved after implementing Pharmacoeconomics in Egypt support the twin needs to continue to improve this exciting field in Lebanon. Hence, promoting Pharmacoeconomics education appears to give a good return on investment with a great potential to help revolutionize Lebanon’s health system by improving its economic efficiency, resource allocation, and healthcare expenditure

Pharmacoeconomics from Theory to Practice

WHO Health Days 2019

World Cancer DayInternational Childhood Cancer DayColorectal Cancer Awareness MonthWorld Kidney DayWorld Tuberculosis DayGCC Oral Health WeekWorld Physical Activity DayWorld Health DayWorld Immunization WeekWorld Malaria DayWorld Asthma DayWorld Thalassemia DayWorld Hypertension DayWorld No-Tobacco DayWorld Milk DayWorld Environment Day World Blood Donor DayWorld Sickle Cell DayInternational Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit TraffickingWorld Hepatitis DayWorld Breastfeeding Week (WBW)Prostate Cancer Awareness MonthWorld Alzheimer’s DayWorld Heart DayBreast Cancer Awareness MonthInternational Day of Older PersonsWorld Mental Health DayWorld Sight DayWorld Anti-Obesity DayWorld Arthritis DayWorld Food DayWorld Osteoporosis Day World Polio DayLung Cancer Awareness MonthWorld Diabetes DayWorld Antibiotic Awareness WeekWorld Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease DayWorld AIDS DayInternational Day of Persons with Disabilities

Feb 4Feb 15Mar 1

8-MarMar 24Mar 27

Apr 6Apr 7

Apr 23Apr 24May 2 May 8

May 17May 31

Jun 1Jun 5

Jun 14 Jun 19Jun 26Jul 28

Aug 1-7Sep 1

Sep 21Sep 29

Oct 1 Oct 1

Oct 10Oct 10Oct 11Oct 12Oct 16Oct 20Oct 24

Nov 1Nov 14Nov 14Nov 16

Dec 1Dec 3

Health Days

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Academic Year Calendar 2019-2020

Academic Dates

Fall 2019-2020

September 30: Fall BeginsNovember 10: Prophet’s HolidayNovember 22: Independence DayDecember 24-01 January: Christmas and New Year VacationJanurary 06: Armenian ChristmasJanuary 15: Fall EndsJanuary 20: Final Exams for Fall StartFebruary 01: Final Exams for Fall EndFebruary 09: St. Maron’s Holiday

Spring 2019-2020

February 17: Spring Starts March 25: Annuciation HolidayApril 10-April 13: Easter HolidayApril 17-April 20: Easter HolidayMay 01: Labor DayMay 24-26: Eid Al-Fitr HolidayMay 25: Liberation DayJune 03: Spring Semestr EndsJune 08: Final Exams for Spring StartJune 20: Final Exams for Spring End

Summer 2019-2020

June 29: Summer / Extended Summer StartsJuly 29: Summer EndsJuly 30 - July 31 Eid Al-AdhaAugust 03: Final Exams for Summer StartAugust 08: Final Exams for Summer EndAugust 15: Assumption DayAugust 20: Hijra New YearAugust 29: Ashoura HolidaySeptember 03: Extended Summer EndsSeptember 07: Final Exams for Extended Summer StartSeptember 12: Final Exams for Extended Summer End

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___Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.Albert Einstein

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