Every year, HealthPRO Canada welcomes fourth-year pharmacy students for placements with our Pharmacy team, providing a unique opportunity to explore the world of procurement in pharmacy. From understanding key legislation and contracting processes to evaluating product samples and participating in supplier meetings, these placements offer students invaluable real-world experience. 

Over the past five weeks, Maya Al Mardini, a fourth-year PharmD student from the University of Toronto (U of T), has been completing her rotation under the mentorship of Tracy Gallina, Clinical Director, Pharmacy-Product Quality. During her time at HealthPRO Canada, Maya has gained a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensure Canada’s hospitals have access to the medications they need. 

We spoke with Maya about her experience—what motivated her to pursue pharmacy, what she enjoyed most about her time at HealthPRO Canada, and how this placement has shaped her career aspirations.  

What motivated you to pursue a career in pharmacy? 

While completing my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at McMaster University, I had initially envisioned myself working in research and planned to apply for a Master's program. By chance, a fellow student in my lab had a friend who was pursuing a career in pharmacy. I had the opportunity to speak with her, and I found her insights into the profession compelling. After looking into some pharmacy programs, I saw that the PharmD program at the University of Toronto was still accepting applications. I submitted my application that same week and never looked back since. 

How would you summarize your experience at HealthPRO Canada? 

My experience was enlightening and rewarding. This was my first rotation that provided me with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes processes of drug procurement. I gained a much greater understanding of the steps involved in securing Canada's healthcare supply chain and the critical role HealthPRO Canada plays in ensuring stability and efficiency.  

What part of your placement at HealthPRO Canada did you enjoy the most? 

The part I enjoyed most was the opportunity to meet with various HealthPRO Canada employees who generously took time out of their busy schedules to walk me through their roles within the company. It was eye-opening to see the extensive work happening behind the scenes. I also found it interesting to see how individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences have found their place within HealthPRO Canada. 

What type of pharmacy practice do you think you’ll pursue once you graduate? 

I will likely go into community pharmacy, as it is where I have the most experience, and I enjoy the face-to-face interactions I can have with patients. However, my time at HealthPRO Canada and other rotations has shown me that I don’t have to commit to a single type of pharmacy practice for the rest of my career. While I plan to spend the next few years in community pharmacy, I will remain open to exploring other areas of practice as opportunities arise. 

Tell us about a project you worked on. 

One of the projects I had the opportunity to work on involved creating several product quality documents that will be used by members in the event of supply disruptions. It was highly rewarding to know that my work would play a role in helping members navigate these disruptions. 

What is it about HealthPRO Canada that appealed to you? 

I chose HealthPRO Canada for my rotation because the organization was highlighted in my Institutional Management course, particularly during the drug shortages lecture. I was intrigued by the strategies HealthPRO Canada employs to mitigate supply disruptions and eager for the opportunity to learn more about the healthcare supply chain.