ACT To Serve the Community!
ACT, Adopt-a-CenTre, is a new service-learning initiative by the CHAMP (Community Health Angels Mentoring Programme) of NUS Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, that aims to provide appointment-based medication review services at Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei), which serves about 2000 for senior residents in the Radin Mas constituency.
Planned and coordinated by the CHAMP student EXCO (led by Ms Mavis Chong, Ms Lim Jia Qi and Mr Ryan Chew) with guidance from Dr Yap Kai Zhen (Faculty Advisor) and support from Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei), we held the first ACT cycle on two Saturday mornings (29th March and 5th April, 2025). During the sessions, pharmacy students and volunteer pharmacists reviewed 102 medications (excluding self-supplements and traditional medicines), issued 5 intervention/referral memos, and provided personalised pharmaceutical care plans and counselling to 17 participants (with an average age of 77 years). During the second ACT session, we also identified and referred one participant for urgent investigation and treatment of hypertensive urgency – the participant has been started on antihypertensive and will be followed-up at her usual polyclinic.
Group photo of NUS Pharmacy Student Volunteers, Volunteer Pharmacists, CHAMP Student EXCO, Dr Yap Kai Zhen, and Ms Liew Zi Qi from Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei) on ACT Session 2, 5th April 2025
The initiative allowed Pharmacy student volunteers to practice their patient communication skills, history-taking and medication reconciliation, while being exposed to pharmaceutical care planning for real patients outside of the usual classroom setting. ACT aims to help elderly residents gain a clearer understanding of their medications, including proper usage and management at home, while also addressing any medication-therapy problems.
Volunteer pharmacist Mr Xeus Wong taking the blood pressure of a participant, alongside Y2 student Mr Choo Zheng Jun and Y3 student Ms Clara Hau Xin Jie (not in photo).
At the end of each appointment-based consultation, participants received a BPML (Best Possible Medication List) with recommended actions as part of their Care Plan. When necessary, an intervention or referral memo was provided for the participants to share with their primary care doctor, with follow-up calls to monitor the participants’ progress. Participants who require long-term social support for medication adherence were referred to CHAMP befriending service-learning programme by NUS pharmacy students (in collaboration with Montfort Care) or other care services.
A keen participant discussing optimal medication-taking timing to prevent interactions between her medications with Dr Yap Kai Zhen, alongside Y2 student Mr Ryan Chew Yu Yang.
Mr Lee Wei Da (Y3 student) explaining medications to a participant, alongside Dr Lisa Brennan, senior lecturer at NUS Pharmacy, Y3 students Ms Mavis Chong Kai Yun, Mr Byun Jaemin, and Y1 student Ms Soh Qi Ru (not in photo).
An elderly participant shared how much she appreciated the initiative, who now has the opportunity to clarify any doubts and receive more information on their medications since they might not get the chance to ask during their clinic appointments. Additionally, participants had the chance to openly discuss their medication-taking and management habits with ACT volunteers, potentially leading to changes that could improve their medication adherence. Other participants also stated their desire for more of such programmes to help them better manage their medications and health.
A participant sharing her medication-taking and management habits with Y3 students Mr Ho Yi Rui (first from the left) and Mr Chong Khai Tjie, Y1 student Ms Yaw Jie Yi, (not in photo) and volunteer pharmacist Mr Yip Zi Feng, who then provided suggestions and helpful measures for her.
Ms Sarah Chan, a volunteer pharmacist conducting medication review for a participant, alongside Y4 student Mr Lim Yi Ter, Y1 student Ms Kylia Chong Kai Ling and Y2 student Ms Datar Shruti Prasad.
We wish to extend our gratitude to Ms Liew Zi Qi and her team of volunteers from Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei) for reaching out to the seniors and coordinating the appointments for participants. Their commitment and support contributed greatly to the success of this new programme.
Additionally, we also wish to thank all pharmacy student volunteers and volunteer pharmacists (Mr Nicholas Kuu, Mr Teh Feng Kun, Mr Xeus Wong, Ms Sarah Chan, Mr Yip Zi Feng, Mr Joey Tan Jia Yi, and Dr Lisa Brennan) as well as the other CHAMP student EXCO (Mr Lee Wei Da, Mr Chng Yi Yan, Ms Sheila Lee and Ms Alicia Ho) for rendering their time and expertise in our ACT sessions.
NUS Pharmacy Student Volunteers, Volunteer Pharmacists, CHAMP student EXCO, Dr Yap Kai Zhen, and Ms Liew Zi Qi from Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei) on the very first session of ACT, 29th March 2025
We hope to reach more elderly in need during our future ACT sessions, especially those who are staying alone, homebound or facing challenges with their medication therapy. We’re excited to continue creating such empowering opportunities, knowing that we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are in need!
Article by Sheila Lee Way (Year 2 Pharmacy student, CHAMP Publicity Head), Alicia Ho Rui Rong (Year 2 Pharmacy student, CHAMP Publicity Member), Mavis Chong Kai Yun (Year 3 Pharmacy student, CHAMP Chairperson) and Lim Jia Qi (Year 3 Pharmacy student, ACT Vice-Chairperson)
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