The Department of Pharmacology of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery mounted its 10th biennial postgraduate course on October 21, 2016 at the CME Auditorium. The course centered on Drug Delivery Systems, and it drew 250 attendees, composed of physicians, pharmacists, and medical educators.
Pharmacology Department Chair Leoncia Olonan, M.D., and Course Chair Dennis Flores, M.D., explained that these systems refer to bioengineered modalities designed for targeted delivery and/or well-regulated release of medications. Therapeutic agents are applied to patients through various forms and routes, and each of these may have advantages and disadvantages in particular cases. Drug delivery systems may either direct the rate or the location at which a drug is made available or do both.
The course was called FAST due to its format where speakers discussed Formulations, Approaches, Systems and Technologies.
Course co-chair Minerva P. Calimag, M.D., presented PK-PD modeling and drug delivery pumps while Flores helped attendees understand drug formulations. Medical doctors Jean Uy-Ho, described the drug delivery systems for diabetes treatment; Wilson Tan De Guzman, talked about the so-called drug eluting stents used in cardiovascular interventions; Ronald Panaligan, explained glycopyrronium and indacaterol for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease; and Estrelita Judan, spoke on fixed-dose combinations in acid related disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, Dr. Flordeluna Zapata-Mesina discussed immunotherapy for cancer.
During the luncheon symposia, Dr. Corazon Ngelangel expounded on biosimilars, while Flores spoke on multivitamins in intravenous therapy.
