Hamburg

This morning we woke up early (5:55!)!  Had to catch a train to Hamburg. 

Our train ride was a little loud because of the drunk men....probably traveling somewhere in anticipation of the Germany-USA World Cup game tonight. 

Once we made it to Hamburg, we headed to Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Germany's largest statutory health insurance company.  Tim Steinle introduced us to the work of TK, insurance regulations in Germany (pharmacy is very highly regulated, with low room for individuality regarding health plans) and TK's structure which includes rebate contracts.  TK recently started a program in which medication coaches meet with patients to provide pharmaceutical care. 

At Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Germany's largest health insurance company 

Dusseldorf Part Drei

This morning we walked to Dusseldorf- just kidding, one could never get tired of buses and trains. 

We met up with a pharmacist, Holger Neye, working for the physician organization Kassenarztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KVN) which is the regional organization of KBV (we were there during our Berlin week). The KVN serves as the local representatives of the KBV. 

Mr. Neye gave us a presentation about funding doctors receive for their patients' medications and how this budget is determined.  We shared how in the USA, we utilize insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers to try to limit healthcare costs, and that our doctors do not have budgets for their patients' prescriptions. 

In the afternoon, we headed to the University of Dusseldorf to learn more about the PhD program within the Institution of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.  We listened to a presentation about different research topics at the Institute, and then took a tour of the Institute's facilities.  Many of the machines and technology are donated or contracted from pharmaceutical industry companies for a period of time.

University of Dusseldorf's Institute of Pharmaceutics

Machine for making dissolving films

Mini pill press

Sarah and Selam with mini-pill supplies

Pharmacy student project

After the tour, we had a discussion about the program and how our pharmacy education in the USA compares.  

Sebastian led us back to the Burgerstube in the afternoon, and we had a couple hours to relax before our final farewell dinner at the Burgerstube. 

Crepes with icecream

Sebastian & Joe

Thank you, Josh!

Thank you, Nic!

Frau Biester ist die beste!

Thank you, Ms. Biester!

Adler Apotheke

This morning, we headed to Adler Apotheke after breakfast for some time in the pharmacy!  We were split into two groups. 

My group started off with herbal teas.  Sebastian and one of the pharmacy technicians taught us about some different plants, which parts are used to make teas, and what the teas are used for.  We experienced many tea tastes and smells. 

Selam measuring out some tea ingredients

Herbal tea makers

Each of us got to prepare an herbal tea called Erkaltungstee (used for colds/cough).

With the finished product

A few of us headed back to the Burgerstube during lunch break, and then met back to Adler in the afternoon. 

Next up, we compounded a hand cream using the pharmacy's undulator machine.

Corey measuring up his cream ingredients

Product being mixed

Hand cream!

Traci and pharmacy tech testing out our product

Nic then led a discussion about herbal tea use in pharmacy. 

After our day in the pharmacy, it was time to listen to a presentation from Sebastian and then prepare for a surprise!  

Sebastian's presentation about technology at the University of Dusseldorf 

Distracting Sebastian with wine and cards

He has no idea he's about to be surprised!

Our last day is coming up, and Sebastian's birthday is in about 3 weeks, so we decided to throw him an early celebrate celebration.  After learning that early birthdays are bad luck in Germany, we decided this would be a really late birthday party instead. 

Something along the lines of "happy birthday greetings..."

Cutting the birthday cakes!

Happy Birthday, Sebastian!

Koln

Monday morning we had breakfast at Ms. Biester's with Sebastian, then headed for the bus and train with Preceptor Nic. 

Once we arrived in Cologne, we stopped at a McDonald's for lunch and then headed to the Deutscher Hausarzteverband for a meeting with Ulrich Weigeldt.  He is a general practitioner and elected representative and chairman of this organization. 

With Weigeldt at the DH

Weigeldt shared with us a presentation about strengthening primary care through contracts, using risk adjustment diagnoses for patients who need specialty care, and other topics regarding healthcare. 

After our visit, Nic took us into the city center of Cologne.  He led us on a "tour" of the Dom (Cologne's cathedral).  

The Dom in Koln

Nic teaching us a bit about the Dom

Modern art window, from early 2000s

Nic was handed a letter explaining how he can't talk to a group while inside the church, unless he becomes an official tour guide

The group scattered a bit; Nic led Sarah, Traci and I up the Dom to show us the city from up high!

Roman remains underneath the cathedral

Building progression of the Dom

533 steps of dizzying fun

Yes, the bell rang and scared the crap out of us

Props to Nic for this pic

We all met up at a brewery for some beer , then headed back on the train for dinner at The Buergerstube.