Rx&D Industrial Student Award

CFP announces Winners of the Industrial Pharmacy Student Awards

From Left: Dr. Pierre Moreau (Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universite de Montreal), Dr. Lyne Lalonde (Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and CFP Board Member), Mr. Alexandre Melkoumov (1st place award winner), Olivier Bernard (Lundbeck Canada - Program Preceptor)

CFP Board Member, Marnie Mitchell, with local Bayer Government Affairs representative, Sheira Stuart, awarding Myra Chan.

Award ceremonies took place recently for the winners of the CFP/RxD Industrial Pharmacy Student Awards Program. Through this program, Brand Name pharmaceutical companies employ third year pharmacy students from across Canada. Students are evaluated based on their experience during their work at the Company as well as the feedback from their preceptors.

The first place winner of $1,000 is Alexandre Melkoumov. Alexandre, has just completed his pharmacy degree at the Universite de Montreal. His placement in the RxD program was at Lundbeck Canada in Montreal. Alexandre worked on a variety of projects during his various rotations, including a reference guide for a CHE on alzheimer's disease. His preceptor, Olivier Bernard, (B.Pharm, MSc) spoke highly of his work and his contributions to the various teams. The award ceremony recently took place at the U of M School of pharmacy with Dr. Lyne Lalonde making the presentation on behalf of CFP. Also in attendance were Dean Pierre Moreau (Universite de Montreal, Faculty of Pharmacy) and preceptor, Olivier Bernard of Lundbeck.

Second place prize of $500 was awarded to Myra Chan. Myra, who recently completed her studies at the University of British Columbia did her placement with Bayer Inc. in Toronto. Her preceptor, Carrie Ku at Bayer explained that she "demonstrated great initiative and strong leadership skills in all of her rotations". The recent presentation of the award took place at the BCPhA offices. The presentation was made by BCPhA CEO, and CFP Board Member, Marnie Mitchell with local Bayer Government Affairs representative Sheira Stuart in attendance.

The Rx&D Industrial Pharmacy Program, matches student with pharmaceutical companies who agree to hire a pharmacy student for summer employment. Rx&D works with the Faculties of Pharmacy and their own member companies to arrange placements. The companies provide a preceptor to oversee the work of the student as well as arrange for their 2 to 3 week rotations in areas of Medical Communication and Drug Safety, Regulatory Affairs, External Relations, Marketing and Medical and Technical Affairs.

"The Program provides an excellent opportunity for students who want exposure to the pharmaceutical industry, both as an introduction to a possible career opportunity or simply for a broader learning experience" states Ryan Itterman, Director of Pharmacy at Woodstock General Hospital. Mr. Itterman, a CFP Board Member, and Chair of the Awards Committee was also part of this year's review committee. "As a former participant of the program as a student, I highly valued the opportunity".

The Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy is pleased to be a part of this program by providing this award to two students who excel in this program and make a significant contribution to their employers.

"Candidates were independently ranked by evaluators from the Board based on the student's and preceptor's reports," comments Dr. Lyne Lalonde, University of Montreal Associate Professor, CFP Board Member and reviewer. "The evaluation took into account various criteria including the student's written and verbal communication skills, leadership, ability for self-directed learning, social involvement as well as the overall quality of their work. The final ranking was reached by consensus".

Since 2002 the CFP, combined with the Rx&D have recognized the need to encourage early education and training in the field of Industrial pharmacy. Again this year there are several students placed in Brand Name Pharmaceutical Companies in Toronto and Montreal.