On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the Department of Health Sciences of the University of Nicosia and the Federation of Cooperatives of Pharmacists of Greece (O.S.F.E.) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. On the occasion of the signing, the two parties inaugurated the Model Pharmacy Practice Laboratory, the only one of its kind in the Greek and Cypriot region.
The Memorandum aims to develop and expand cooperation between the two organisations in the fields of research, education, training, and the dissemination of their scientific knowledge. Specifically, it was agreed to jointly promote the research and educational collaboration between the University of Nicosia and O.S.F.E. in areas related to pharmaceutical practice in the community pharmacy.
During the meeting, a number of common research and innovation actions were discussed and agreed upon. The Memorandum was signed on behalf of the University of Nicosia by the Chairman of the Department of Health Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Christos Petrou, and on behalf of O.S.F.E. by Mr. Vasilis Birlirakis, President of the Federation, in the presence of the Vice Rector, Professor Konstantinos Fella, the Dean of the School of Life and Health Sciences, Professor Kyriakos Feleki, and the Coordinator of the Pharmacy Program, Assistant Professor Dr. Aliki Peletidi.
Commenting on the signing of the Memorandum on behalf of O.S.F.E., Mr. Birlirakis said: “The signing of the cooperation memorandum with the University of Nicosia is a great joy for the cooperative pharmacists, the pharmaceutical cooperatives, and their Federation. The joy arises both from the fact that this cooperation already has substance – we remind the architectural competition for the pharmacy of 2030 and the creation of the pharmaceutical practice laboratory – and from the fact that we share the same vision for pharmacy and especially for the community pharmacy. A vision that places the relationship between the pharmacist and the patient at the center. This is the vision that we want to make a reality through joint efforts.”
The implementation of the Memorandum will strengthen the efforts made by O.S.F.E. (through ARETAIOS – Center for Education & Health Services of Cooperative Pharmacists of Greece) to deepen the education of pharmacists and development, focusing on clinical pharmaceutical practice, public health, and services. At the same time, researchers from the University will gain access to applied research fields of common interest.
On his part, the Chairman of the Department of Health Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Christos Petrou, thanked O.S.F.E. for the long-term cooperation, which was sealed by the signing of the Memorandum, and expressed confidence that the collaboration will prove mutually beneficial and productive, benefiting not only pharmacists and pharmacy students but also society/patients. Dr. Petrou thanked O.S.F.E. for the donation of technical infrastructure (equipment and consumables) for the upgrading of the Virtual Pharmacy and its transformation into a Model Pharmacy Practice Laboratory.
Dr. Petrou also thanked Dr. Aliki Peletidi for the initiative to negotiate such an important agreement for the University, which will bring significant benefits, both to the academic community and to the wider society. Finally, he noted that this collaboration aims at the design, organisation, and implementation of educational programmes and short-term Continuing Education programmes for pharmacists and patient education.
Immediately after the signing of the memorandum, the inauguration of the Model Pharmacy Practice Laboratory took place, a unique facility in the Greek and Cypriot region. The laboratory is designed based on the modern specifications of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) for the pharmacy of the future, as a primary care centre.
Source: University of Nicosia | News (https://rb.gy/ht8e3)