YPG-Philippines: A Closer Look at Its Humble Beginnings and Current Projects
By Teresa May B. Bandiola, RPh, MSc. and Vladimir M. Guillermo, RPh, PharmD
Conceptualized in 2009, YPG-Philippines is the integrated national organization of young Filipino pharmacists representing more than 2,000 members in 30 professional chapters. Since its inception, the group has been actively involved in shaping the landscape of Philippine pharmacy practice.
History of YPG-Philippines
YPG-Philippines is one of the youngest affiliate organizations of the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA). It started from the eureka moment of its founding officers: Mr. Sheldon Jagdan, Prof. Roderick Salenga, and Mr. Bryan Posadas, the last two of which became founding members of Asian Young Pharmacists Group (AYPG). YPG-Philippines was officially launched in 2010 during the PPhA National Convention and was then recognized by the Young Pharmacists Group of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). In that same year, the group gave birth to its first White Coat Ceremony which provided a venue for professional socialization and inculcation of humanism and professionalism to future pharmacists. This youthful organization also initiated the first Patient Counseling Event during the 2010 National Pharmacy Week.
Since then, YPG-Philippines paved its way to more triumphs which include:
a. Being one of the four organizers of the 11th Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy (2010)
b. Conducting its first ever Continuing Professional Education (CPE) seminar with the theme “Raising Pharmacy Practice to Global Standards” (2010)
c. Starting the Young Leaders Forum and YPG Night (2011)
d. Co-hosting the 1st Philippine Pharmacy Summit (2013)
e. Doing the flash mob and social media campaigns during the World Pharmacists Day (2014)
f. Co-hosting the PPhA National Convention in Bacolod City (2015)
g. Conducting YPG Leadership Camp in Rizal Province (2016)
h. Registration to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue as a non-stock and non-profit organization (2016)
i. Organizational restructuring (2016)
j. Starting the accreditation of YPG Chapters (2016)
k. Establishing several national programs and partnerships (2016–2017)
l. Conducting its first national election (2018)
Today, this alliance of registered Filipino pharmacists, between ages 21 and 35, continues to grow in terms of individual members and chapters, bringing together young and empowered Filipino pharmacists from the different islands of the archipelago.
Current Projects
Presently, the organization is working on innovative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and fellowship events such as YPG Night Camp. In addition, the group continues to focus on its flagship projects that are adapted by the various chapters, in which guidelines and kits were already implemented. The said flagship projects include Interprofessional Workshop, Junior Mentoring Program, Patient Counseling Event (in partnership with pharmacy schools), and YPG Botika (translated as YPG Pharmacy).
When asked about these flagship projects, the organization’s newly elected president, Ms. Krishelle Anne Obispo, said that these are all geared towards the organization’s vision of developing individuals who can act as agents of positive change, both in the profession and in society. Ms. Obispo added that the chapters are now more enthusiastic in activating their areas through general assemblies and membership drives, organizing medical missions, and engaging with their own communities.
THE YPG Botika (English: YPG Pharmacy)
YPG Botika is a mobile counseling station aimed at reimagining the Filipino drugstore as a health institution and as a platform for both the patients and pharmacists to experience pharmaceutical care through medication counseling.
It started in 2016 during the Philippine Antimicrobial Awareness Week conducted by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH). Now, it is being rolled out by the various chapters, and an abstract about it had already been presented during the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Congress in 2018.
2019 and the Years to Come
YPG-Philippines will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, still relatively a young organization, according its president, Ms. Krishelle Anne Obispo.
With its core values abbreviated as I.D.E.A.L. meaning Integrity, Dedication, Excellence, Altruism, and Leadership, the organization is looking forward to more improved operations and trainings, more proactive members who exemplify its campaign of producing #IDEALPharmacists, and to share to the public its consolidated outcome.
Co-writer, Vladimir M. Guillermo, RPh, PharmD, is currently the editor-in-chief of YPG-Philippines Newsletter.
