ANNOUNNNNNNNNCEMENT!!

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Tuesday was a cool, rainy day which presented a new challenge - mastering the bus system.  Our morning was to be spent learning about hospital pharmacy at the Danish Royal Hospital (Rigshospitalet).  After catching the correct bus a few blocks from our hotel, we were able to find the pharmacy after having to stop only one person on the street.  We were met by Eva, who took us to see the area of the pharmacy where they produce cytotoxic drugs and their new Italian manufacturing robot.  She then explained about the Danish hospital pharmacies.  Rigshospitalet is a 1,200-bed hospital with only about 15 pharmacists and ~100 total pharmacy staff.  It seems to us to be a small staff considering the pharmacy actually manufactures a large part of the drugs dosages they use.  The pharmacy also provides clinical services such as top-up (replenishing the stock on the wards), drug information, and participation in clinical trials.

We left Eva and walked down the street to the University of Copenhagen, where Per is a professor.  For lunch we were again treated to a traditional Danish Smørrebrød.  Then the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Per, and two other professors told us about Danish pharmacy school.  Students study for three years (after which they receive a bachelor's degree) and then two more years, when they receive a Master's degree and become pharmacists.  This school is the only school of pharmacy in Denmark, and there are 1,200 5-year students enrolled at this time.  Danish study is research-driven, and is reflected in the jobs held by graduates.  Following school, 65% of pharmacists enter the pharmaceutical industry, 20% are in the public sector (hospitals and academia), and 15% work in the 322 community pharmacies.  The number and locations of community pharmacies are regulated by the Danish government, and there is 1 pharmacy for every 17,000 people (in Sioux Falls we have approximately 1 pharmacy per 6,000 people).  Despite this large population served by each pharmacy, they feel that they are able to provide quality pharmaceutical care to their customers.

That evening, after a meal of traditional Danish food, we were privileged to join the festivities of Pinsestævne, an annual week-long meeting of Nordic pharmacy students from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.  Tuesday evening's tradition is Materia, a night of singing and enjoying each other's company.  The students sing songs from their songbook, Pharmacanto.  The song choices are announced by the 'mortar' and 'pestle', who start each session by saying, "ANNOUNNNNNNNNCEMENT!".  Songs ranged from traditional Nordic tunes to songs about making tablets which have been set to familiar melodies.  While we usually did not have a clue what we were singing about, we found ourselves singing, pounding on the tables, and linking arms just like the Nordic students.  We also had the opportunity to be inducted into their society if we performed a song, so we spent Sunday night writing new lyrics to the tune of American Pie.  Everyone had an enjoyable evening.

Maren

(Sung to the tune of American Pie with Jace on guitar)

Far, far, away from here, pharmacy students packed their gear, to get on a plane for awhile and we knew we had a chance to learn how foreign pharmacists dance, maybe they would all share a smile so we all took a rinse, hopped a train for the Pinse, and relaxed in style so tonight.. this song..we'll try

Fly, fly from American skies we'll say cheers and drink some beers cuz our throats they are dry good ole Per told stories, Eva served us some rye we're thinking..it will be hard to say goodbye, it will be hard to say goobye

Thank you for the invitation, no need for a standing ovation, we just want to party for awhile we hope you'll visit us someday, Per promised that he'd pay your way, but keep that to yourself for awhile you have been such great hosts, raise your glasses for a toast so tonight.. this song..we tried (shrug shoulders)

Fly, fly from American skies we'll say cheers and drink some beers cuz our throats they are dry good ole Per told stories, Eva served us some rye we're thinking..it will be hard to say goodbye, it will be hard to say goodbye