IBSP MBA Program Mongolia

04/08/2025

AI in Healthcare: A threat or an pportunity for the community pharmacist of tomorrow?
I'm fortunate to regularly attend international conferences where I get to engage with leading pharmacists, professors, and healthcare experts from around the world.

In late June, I had the opportunity to visit a congress in Beijing, where thousands of pharmacists gathered from across the globe. One of the most fascinating topics discussed was the world’s first AI-driven hospital—an ambitious project where 14 AI doctors currently serve over 3,000 patients every day, with an accuracy rate of 94%—and rising. The hospital has now been operational for more than eight months.

So what does this mean for your profession?

In Beijing, we had intense discussions about how AI could reshape the role of pharmacists. What happens when AI systems—combined with logistical innovation—take over large parts of your current responsibilities? Imagine:

First-dispensing consultations perfectly explained by avatars
Chronic patients receiving personalized advice every quarter
Medication delivery integrated with smart monitoring and feedback systems
This is no longer science fiction. This is a real and emerging scenario.
This is where scenario thinking becomes essential—a strategic mindset we also develope during the MBA study.

AI and the Future: What Could It Mean for You as a Pharmacist and Entrepreneur?

Perhaps nothing will change. Or perhaps everything will.
The future is uncertain, but that doesn’t mean we should stand still.

If this scenario becomes reality, how can you prepare?

Here are a few practical directions to consider:

🔹 Nurture your top 250 chronic patients
They’re critical to the financial health of your pharmacy. Assign them a dedicated team member. Host quarterly themes relevant to their needs (e.g. medication adherence, home storage, lifestyle).

🔹 Apply patient segmentation
Group patients based on conditions or complexity. Let pharmacy assistants specialize and build long-term, meaningful relationships with these segments.

🔹 Host community theme evenings in your pharmacy
Offer valuable education on lifestyle, medications, side effects, or nutrition. Especially now, as digital options multiply, your local presence can be a unique strength.

Of course, there’s much more to share than space allows here. But I hope this gives you something to think about.

The future doesn’t arrive all at once. It comes step by step.
The question is: will you wait—or will you start taking small steps today?

If you'd like to explore these ideas further—whether one-on-one or with your team—feel free to reach out. Always happy to connect.

04/07/2025

Back from the Forbidden City Pharmacy Congress in Beijing – for the 8th time!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Forbidden City Pharmacy Congress in Beijing once again – a conference that has become a valuable and recurring part of my international professional journey. With over 3,000 participants from around 20 countries, it was an impressive and inspiring event.

I had the opportunity to speak about my latest book, Leadership in the Pharmacy – Strategies for Success in a Dynamic World, co-authored with Prof. Tijmstra. The book focuses on the growing importance of leadership in the pharmacy profession, and is now available via Amazon.

I also participated in several international sessions covering topics such as:

the role of the prescribing pharmacist
compensation systems related to medication errors
the rapid rise of AI in pharmacy and healthcare
One of the key takeaways from this visit is the astonishing speed of development in China. Compared to my first visit 10 years ago, the progress in universities, hospitals, and community pharmacies is remarkable. The focus is clear:
1️⃣ Improving patient care (top priority)
2️⃣ Reducing unnecessary healthcare costs (second priority)

Even traditional Chinese medicine, with its centuries-old foundation, is now exploring how to integrate AI into its rich body of knowledge and clinical experience. A wonderful example of bridging tradition with innovation.

As always, I was warmly welcomed and had the chance to engage in many meaningful exchanges of ideas and experiences.

In short: a truly insightful and inspiring experience that brought new perspectives and connections.

26/05/2025

MMRA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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Topic: Нидерланд улсын туршлага судлах сургалт
Time: May 26, 2025 10:00 AM Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar
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23/05/2025

A Promising First Step in Mongolia 🇲🇳💊

Today, I had the honor of a very positive first meeting with Dr. Erdenebayar (MD, PhD), Director of the Medicine and Medical Devices Regulatory Agency in Mongolia. During our conversation, we agreed to collaborate on an ambitious goal: transforming Mongolian pharmacy into a true win-win-win — lower costs, better care, and a stronger role for pharmacists.

Of course, this is just the beginning, but the mutual enthusiasm was unmistakable. In the coming period, I’ll regularly be calling on (mostly) Dutch experts to share their knowledge and help translate key insights into the Mongolian context.

I’m looking forward to shaping this collaboration further. Who knows — Mongolian pharmacy might just become a shining example for many other countries! 🌍💡

23/05/2025

Very proud of the first students who have successfully completed the MBA-Pharmacy diploma course.
After more than a year of study—combining in-person sessions with online learning—the participants demonstrated during their final project presentations that they were able to translate the key elements of the program into meaningful contributions to their professional work. Whether it was about marketing, successfully implementing new ideas, or making strategic policy decisions, they have shown that the combination of pharmacy and an MBA is not only effective but perhaps even essential in today’s healthcare landscape.

New cohorts will start in October (more on that soon), but for now, we take a moment to celebrate the achievements of these first graduates. Once again, congratulations!

20/05/2025

5️⃣ сарын 2️⃣6️⃣ нд ЭЭХХЗГ-ын хурлын зааланд
⏰10:00 цагаас эм зүйч таныг урьж байна!

🇳🇱Нидерланд улсын 6 Эм зүйчийн ажлын туршлага,
🇳🇱Нидерланд улсын эмийн сангийн тухай сонирхолтой лекц болох гэж байна.
🆓 Үнэ төлбөргүй тул та бүхэн цаг гаргаад ирвэл танд хэрэгтэй мэдээ мэдээлэл заавал байх болно 😊

06/03/2025

Learning from the Ancient Sages: Plato's Critique of Democracy

History offers valuable lessons, and it is always wise to learn from the great thinkers of the past. One of the most influential philosophers, Plato, had sharp criticisms of democracy. While democracy is widely regarded today as one of the best forms of government, Plato warned in the fourth century BCE about its pitfalls. His analysis remains surprisingly relevant in our time.

Rule of the Ignorant

Plato believed that most people were incapable of making rational and wise decisions about state affairs. In a democracy, everyone has a vote, regardless of knowledge or competence. This can lead to decisions driven by emotions and populism rather than wisdom and expertise. According to Plato, a state should be governed by those most capable, not by a random majority.

Democracy as a Precursor to Tyranny

According to Plato, democracy ultimately leads to chaos. When citizens gain too much freedom and no longer respect discipline or order, stability disappears. In this anarchy, the need for a strong leader to restore order arises, ultimately resulting in the rise of a tyrant. History provides numerous examples where democracies have transformed into autocracies, often with the enthusiastic support of the people themselves.

Populism and Demagoguery

Since politicians in a democracy depend on public support, they are inclined to tell people what they want to hear rather than what is good for the state. This makes democracy susceptible to manipulation by demagogues—charismatic leaders who win over the masses with eloquence and simplistic solutions, without true wisdom or long-term vision. Plato saw this as a major danger: a society that chooses its leaders based on popularity rather than competence.

The Ship Analogy

In The Republic, Plato uses the analogy of a ship: imagine a ship that needs to be steered, but instead of an experienced captain, the crew votes on the course and navigation. The ship would likely drift aimlessly or sink. Similarly, Plato argued that a state should be governed by philosophers—individuals trained in wisdom and justice—rather than by an uninformed majority without governing expertise.

Plato’s Alternative: The Philosopher-King

Instead of democracy, Plato advocated for an aristocratic rule by the philosopher-king, someone who possesses true knowledge and rises above personal interests. This leader would act based on rationality and the common good, rather than political pressure or popular opinion.

While modern democracy has developed mechanisms to mitigate the problems Plato identified, his warnings remain relevant. In an era of increasing populism, misinformation, and political instability, it is worth reflecting on this question: how can we ensure that democracy truly serves everyone’s best interests?

What do you think? Are Plato’s arguments still relevant in today’s world?

22/02/2025

Pre-announcement: Our new book is ready!
With great enthusiasm, we, Prof. Sybren Tijmstra and Peter Felen, are excited to share that our book Leadership in the Pharmacy is now complete! In just a few weeks, it will be available worldwide via Amazon in e-book, softcover, and hardcover editions.
Drawing from both well-established and emerging theories, the book offers numerous pragmatic tips for application in the pharmacy. Key themes include:
✅ Vision-driven leadership in turbulent times
✅ Strategy and change in pharmacy
✅ Knowledge as a core value in a pharmacy
✅ Effective implementation of change
✅ Leadership styles and team dynamics
✅ HR policies and coaching
Interested? Send an email to info@apotheektotaalgroep.nl with the subject Book, and you’ll be the first to receive the order link as soon as it becomes available!

18/02/2025

Stress or Engagement in the Pharmacy (2): Energy Sources and Work Stressors

In every pharmacy, there are factors that energise employees (energy sources) and factors that drain their energy (work stressors). Some of these are inherent to the nature of the work itself. For example, processing approximately 110 prescriptions per employee per day is a demanding task, especially when combined with the constant vigilance required to prevent errors and provide expert advice.

In addition, workplace culture and atmosphere play a crucial role. Positive energy sources can include a strong sense of teamwork or the level of support and coaching colleagues provide during busy periods. Equally important is the ability to set boundaries to prevent workload pressures from turning into negative stress.

🔹 Energy Sources:
✅ Autonomy and control over tasks
✅ A broader pharmacy-focused approach rather than a narrow task-based focus
✅ Social support and team spirit
✅ Strong interpersonal relationships
✅ Ability to apply professional expertise
✅ Effective communication skills
✅ Work-life balance
✅ Opportunities for personal development
✅ Varied and engaging work

⚠️ Work Stressors:
❌ High workload (working error-free under time pressure)
❌ Task demands and emotional/cognitive strain
❌ Physically demanding work
❌ Lack of fulfilment (more distribution-focused than patient care)
❌ Lack of appreciation and workplace conflicts

The balance between these factors determines whether an employee experiences stress or remains engaged. What makes this complex is that the same work environment can lead to burnout symptoms in one person while being perceived as an exciting challenge by another. The impact of work stressors and energy sources varies from individual to individual and depends on personality traits and the ability to recover sufficiently between tasks.

The challenge for pharmacy managers: Evaluate which work stressors and energy sources play a significant role in your pharmacy. How is the balance between them, and what opportunities exist to improve it?

Peter Felen
📧 info@apotheektotaalgroep.nl

17/02/2025

Stress or Engagement in the Pharmacy?

Ask a pharmacy assistant/technician how their workday was, and chances are the answer will simply be: "Busy!" Work pressure has only increased due to staff shortages and impatient patients. How can we ensure that stress does not lead to burnout but instead fosters engagement?

The WEB model (Work Stressors & Energy Resources) provides insight into what energizes and what drains energy. Factors such as workload, autonomy, team spirit, resilience, and work-life balance play a crucial role. The right balance creates motivation and energy, while an imbalance leads to stress and burnout.

It might be valuable to discuss this with your team. While experiences may differ from person to person, open communication can help reduce work stressors and stress reactions. At the same time, it offers an opportunity to make better use of energy sources and strengthen engagement. In the coming days, we will share more on this topic!

For more information, feel free to contact us at info@apotheektotaalgroep.nl.

Peter Felen

17/09/2024

Invitation: The Prescribing Pharmacist – October 3rd, 2024, the Netherlands

Are you curious about how the role of the prescribing pharmacist is already being embraced in some countries? On October 3rd, 2024, we’ll be hosting a special event where international experiences will be shared, highlighting how pharmacists are stepping into this expanded role, under specific conditions, to help reduce healthcare costs while increasing pharmacist awareness and impact.

If you're interested, we warmly invite you to join us for this insightful session. However, if you'd like to explore how we can bring this initiative to your country, we would be more than happy to discuss how we can help showcase the benefits of implementing prescribing pharmacists in your region.

Let’s work together to elevate the role of pharmacists and create more sustainable healthcare systems globally!

Feel free to reach out for more details.
Or send mail to Peter Felen: info@apotheektotaalgroep.nl

Congres: De voorschrijvende apotheker In Nederland zijn we nog niet zover dat apothekers zelf medicijnen mogen voorschrijven. Nederland heeft farmaceutisch ...

11/07/2024

I had the honor of delivering two presentations for the 7th time at the PK@Forbidden City International Pharmacist Conference (2024.7.5-7) in Xiong'an, China. This year, I discussed "Value-based Pharmacy - Reshaping the Ecological Engineering of Pharmaceutical Services" and "The Role of AI in a Rapidly Changing Pharmaceutical World." It was truly inspiring to address an audience of approximately 1600 attendees.

During the conference, I had the pleasure of connecting with diverse and talented colleagues from China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, the US, Malaysia, and New Zealand. The shared motivation to advance the field of pharmacy and drive its development forward was visible among all participants.

Moreover, there was significant interest in the MBA pharmacy program, particularly in establishing a diploma course in various countries. I am always open to discussing these opportunities further to showcase the value that pharmacy truly deserves. Let's continue to collaborate and elevate the pharmacy profession together.