The Pharmacy Game Newsletter

Short introduction to who you are.

My name is Jemima Dzator. I am a registered pharmacist and a Lecturer in Therapeutics at Griffith University. I joined Griffith University in mid-2022 after completing my PhD, which focused on whether a nutritional supplement called resveratrol could prevent hormonal migraine. I have always been passionate about teaching. I thoroughly enjoy facilitating innovative ways to equip the future generation of pharmacists with skills that will enable them to be exceptional pharmacists. 

How did you get involved with the Pharmacy Game?

I must admit that I did not know much about the Pharmacy Game before joining Griffith University. Upon my commencement at Griffith University, I learned more about the game and was immediately eager to be involved.

How many times have you participated in the game? 

At Griffith University, the Pharmacy Game is played in the undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy programs. I have been involved in delivering the game in both these programs and have therefore participated in the game twice. 

What do you like the most about the Pharmacy Game?

The Pharmacy Game is very unique compared to other assessments in the pharmacy degree. Whilst pharmacy students are required to complete a certain amount of placements in various pharmacies during their degree, the Pharmacy Game provides the students with an extra level of learning. During placement, the student is not the pharmacist; they are not the one in charge. The great thing about the Pharmacy Game is that the students are in charge! For the first time in their degree, students may truly understand what it is like to be a pharmacist and understand how it feels to have the responsibility of patient safety and pharmacy operations in their hands. The students are privileged to be able to play the Pharmacy Game and I wish that I was also able to participate in this game when I was a student.

Would you like to share some interesting moments you remember while playing the game?

One interesting moment during the game was when I was able to observe how the students responded to a difficult situation with an irate patient. The students acknowledged the concerns of the patient, maintained their composure, and supported each other during this situation. 
It was also interesting to observe the creativity of the students with some pharmacies implementing various health promotions throughout the game.