On September 6^th during the FIP Congress (Istanbul, Turkey), the Pharmaceutical Society of Taiwan jointly hosted the first-ever FAPA/Taiwan Reception in the Hilton Istanbul with the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations, and the Taiwan Society of Health-System Pharmacists.  This is the first try in the FIP Congress that we together invite our international colleagues and friends; jointly celebrate the friendships and annual meeting in the FIP World Congress.

(Opening of the Reception, September 6th)

(Playing of 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition video)

Before we arrived at Istanbul, the PST Office systematically emailed and mailed the invitations to our FAPA member countries and to FIP, and we gained lots of responses.  At the date of the FAPA/Taiwan Reception, more than 300 colleagues and friends attended our Reception.  And, many leaders or board members from different countries’ society/organizations showed up and joined us at night.  The Reception started at 5pm, and we are honored to have President Nam (FAPA), President Chien (TSHP), Mr. Thony Björk (FIP), Prof. Nagai (FAPA), Dr. Peter Kailgast (Former President of FIP, and Former Director of FIP Education & Research Foundation), and Mr. Leslie Z. Benet (FIP) to address to the audience.  During the Reception, we are appreciated that Dr. Kamal K. Midha (FIP), Mr. Ton Hoek (FIP), Mr. John Bell (FIP), and Mr. John Ware (WPPF) joined us and celebrate the meaningful night with us.

(President Nam, FAPA)

(President Chien, TSHP)

(President Huang, PST)

(Mr. Thony Björk, FIP Vice President)

(Mr. Leslie Z. Benet, FIP Education & Research Foundation)

(President Huang and Dr. Kamal K. Midha, FIP President)

(Mr. John Ware and his colleagues, WPPF)

(Mr. John Bell and our MC)

FAPA, as co-host of this Reception, more than a hundred participants were from FAPA member countries and this hadn’t have included the participants of 80~90 from Taiwan.  Our distinguished guest and a old friend, Dr. Peter Kailgast made the comments out of his personal feeling, “these group of Taiwanese people, in my term as being the President of FIP, the first question they asked me was not I expected, but asking me that what they can do for FIP, for the international pharmacy profession. And this reminded me of what the US President John F. Kennedy’s famous inaugural addressing, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”  People in the Ballroom were not un-touched by this sincere and passionate addressing, not to mention the Taiwanese people who’s been respecting and cherishing old friends and friendships.

(Dr Peter Kailgast, Former FIP President; A respectful elderly and old friend)

At the end of Dr. Kailgast’s addressing, he also suggested three reasons for people to consider visiting Taiwan.  First of all, try and visit Taiwan and prove yourself why the Portuguese sailed to the seashore of this small green island, shouted out “El La Formosa!” astonished by its beauty.  Second, Please take a look the people around you, you would find who adorable are these people and what/how you can expect the 2010 FAPA Congress in Taiwan.  Last but not least, for the professional suggestion, the National Health Insurance Program of Taiwan shall provide as good example for the world and share its fruitful experience with its international colleagues.

The Reception ended around 7pm and all the participants happily left after taking photos in front of the Reception banner.  It was a successful Reception ever-co-hosted by FAPA/PST/TSHP.  Hope the Reception would continue and see you all next year in FIP Congress (Lisbon, Portugal) and for sure, we can’s miss you in Taiwan for 2010 FAPA Congress.

(Group photo taken with friends and Taiwanese people)

My Past Article for FAPA Website: News (http://www.fapa-asia.org/)

2009/7/21  FAPA Taiwan Reception – JointInvitation Letter (2009/07/17)

2009/7/8  FAPA-AASP Workshop on Pharmacy Practice and Education 2009(12th June 2009)

2009/6/20  Highlights from the 2010 FAPA Congress MOA

2009/6/20  2010 FAPA Congress Presentation and MOA Signing Ceremony

2009/1/20  Forum on Community Pharmacy Accreditation

FIP Annual Congress, the 69^th World Congress Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science Congress, was taken place in Istanbul, Turkey from September 3^rd ~ 8^th 2009 (Main theme: Responsibility for Patient Outcomes – Are you ready?).  As the host of the 2010 Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Congress, Pharmaceutical Society of Taiwan (PST) took this great opportunity to promote next year FAPA to our international colleagues.  Together with the 2010 FAPA Congress promotion, PST also helped the Taipei City Government to promote the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition.

The promotion booth in the Congress Exhibition Hall was designed under two themes, the 2010 FAPA Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, and the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition.  Therefore, we could find the four giant posters below which attracted most of the people to take picture as background.

(Giant Poster, No.1 of 4: 2010 Taipei International Flora Expositions)

(Giant Poster, No.2 of 4: 2010 Taipei International Flora Expositions)

(Giant Poster, No.3 of 4: 2010 FAPA Congress in Taipei, Taiwan)

(Giant Poster, No.4 of 4: 2010 FAPA Congress in Taipei, Taiwan)

The FIP Congress began at 2pm in the afternoon of September 3^rd.  Opening Ceremony started with Turkish Minster of Health and FIP President Dr. Kamal K. Midha’s addressing.  In between the ceremony, the Turkish brought the participants the most famous performance, the Shaman Dance Theater.  Right after the Opening Ceremony, the Welcome Reception was followed and held in the Exhibition Hall.  More than two thousand of Congress participants crowed into the Exhibition Hall and make the Hall the well-know, Grand Bazaar.

(President Nam signed for FAPA)

(President Nam, and President Huang took picture with the Booth Staff from PST/TYPG)

(Vice Presidents, Mr. Ahaditomo and Mr. Joseph Wang)

(Vice President of FAPA, Ms. Lyesa and her colleague with President Huang )

(Booth: sign board for people to leave message or blessing for FAPA)

(Turkish congress participant wore our Butterfly Costume)

(At the end of the days, we got tones of signing on the guest book)

(People crowded into our FAPA Booth, No. 55)

(Gentlman got the price after winning the game from us)

(Lady got the price after winning the game from us)

(People who were interested at the game, and ready to gain a price from us)

The 23^rd Federation of Asian of Pharmaceutical Associations Congress will be held from November 5^th to 8^th at the Taipei International Conference Center.  The Organizing Committee and the people in Taiwan are welcoming all the international colleague to take a visit to our island, and experience the passion and hospitality of our Taiwanese People.  Please visit our website: http://www.fapa2010-taiwan.com/.

My Past Article for FAPA Website: News (http://www.fapa-asia.org/)

2009/7/21  FAPA Taiwan Reception – JointInvitation Letter (2009/07/17)

2009/7/8  FAPA-AASP Workshop on Pharmacy Practice and Education 2009(12th June 2009)

2009/6/20  Highlights from the 2010 FAPA Congress MOA

2009/6/20  2010 FAPA Congress Presentation and MOA Signing Ceremony

2009/1/20  Forum on Community Pharmacy Accreditation