Wednesday, April 18, 2012

S2 License for VETERINARIANS of the Philippines(BAGUIO)

Need HELP?

Questions may come to your mind.
What the heck is S2 license and is it even IMPORTANT in my profession?
Where can I secure one?
What are the requirements?
How long does it take to have one?

Oh so many worries to think about then later we find ourselves giving up...

          First lets know what is S2 license is all about. S2 license is needed by VETERINARIANS especially when purchasing or prescribing DRUGS that are restricted or prohibited by law due to its great impact on physiological, emotional and rationale health of the individual/ animals that will be subjected to it without the proper intervention and monitoring of VETERINARIANS. Dispensing of medication is often regulated by the GOVERNMENT (PDEA) into three categories: over the counter(OTC) medications, which are available in pharmacies behind the counter (BTC), which are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription, and prescription only medicines(POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed DOCTOR, be it a Veterinarian, Dentist or Physician and that is where S2 license come into the scene.
          S2 licensing is under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). They require that the PRACTITIONER APPLICANT is to apply PERSONALLY and AUTHORIZED representatives are NOT allowed. PDEA Baguio is located at Melvin Jones Grandstand, Harizon Street. You are going to be given a form to fill up and to submit the following requirements stated below.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF S-2 LICENSE?

A. Updated Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)Card;
B. Current Professional Tax Receipt (PTR). For government practitioner, latest certificate of employment, and Affidavit duly notarized that the S-2 license will be used exclusively for government patients and not for his/her private practice;
C. TIN or ITR;
D. Drug Test Result of DOH accredited testing center. 
Just like when applying/renewing your driving license, urine will be collected to check for presence of methamphethamines. Picture & legal signature will be taken when doing this test. Depends on the laboratory you go to, release of results may take only an hour or less.
E. Two (2) 1 X 1 ID pictures with name tag taken not later than a month from application, no eyeglasses;
F. Previous S-2 Card which will be surrendered .
(Renewal application). 
For renewal, the requirements are basically the same except that you must present your S2 ID card. For lost S2 ID card, submit Proof of Publication of Loss. They require a photocopy of each of these documents or requirements however you have to bring the originals for verification.

G. PhP1500 fee, valid for 3 years.
           Temporary ID will be given to you at the end of the day. Most of the time, permanent ID's are issued after a month or so. You will also be advised to get a YELLOW PRESCRIPTION PAD to go with your S2 NUMBER, but at the mean time you can use your ordinary prescription pad. Yellow Prescription Pads can be bought in any tertiary hospitals for about 300-400 pesos per pad with a corresponding number (like OR numbers) for monitoring.
           Applying for S2 license here in BAGUIO is easier and faster compared to other areas because of the less number of applicants and it may just take you 2 to 3 hours of processing and waiting. Now you know what to do, go and get one!!

Good luck an God bless to FUTURE APPLICANTS..

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pets give Health 101, by Nikki Badongen

Believe it or not, pet can improve our health! 
                                   
                                                   

An apple a day may or may not actually keep the doctor away, but what about an animal a day? Now, that's a different story. In fact, when it comes to pet ownership, there are a number of proven health benefits for people, including physical, mental and emotional improvements, from enhancing social skills to decreasing a person's risk of heart attack. Keep reading to find out five reasons to open your home to a furry friend, and why doing so might be just what the doctor ordered.


No. 5: Stronger Immune System   

If the idea of cuddling and playing with a pet to help ward off allergies seems a little backwards to you, the following may come as a surprise: University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatrician James E. Gern has conducted a number of studies that demonstrate having a pet in the home can actually lower a child's likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent. In fact, his research -- as published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology -- shows that children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall.


No. 4: Expand your Social Circle
 

Having a hard time finding friends? Then solution is on the way, why don't you let your pet do the finding!! One of the fringe benefits of taking on the responsibility of pet ownership is that animals can be an instant icebreaker, whether they're with you or you're just using them as a topic of conversation. Of course, few people would suggest getting a pet solely for this purpose, but it's hard to overlook the fact that pets provide a great means for improving your socialization skills across the board, especially in terms of meeting and interacting with other pet owners. Though people sometimes may have a hard time getting to know each other, pets can be the common denominator that helps them connect -- even among people who don't seem to be very much alike. Did you know that about 10 % of married couples met through their pet. That might also happen to you!!

Places to Mix and Mingle with your Pet

There are plenty of ways a pet could help expand your social circle. You just need to know where to go:
Training classes: Many instructors offer group classes such as puppy kindergarten, where you'll find others trying to master the same pet parenting skills.
Dog parks: A great opportunity for both you and your dog to play and interact with other dogs and owners alike. Just be sure your dog is properly socialized and up to date on all shots before introducing it into the mix.
Outdoor cafes: Many restaurants with outdoor seating options are also pet-friendly, and some even offer dog-specific items on the menu as well.
Online: Dogster.com, Catster.com and Petpop.com are just a few examples of popular pet-focused social networking sites that provide an instant, fun way to trade tips, trends and more.
Veterinary Clinic: Aside from a regular check-up for your dog, you can also find pet lovers alike.

No. 3: Pet your Heart

Many pet owners would agree that a pet can fill your heart with love and joy. So maybe it's only fitting that the presence of a pet can help improve the overall health of that organ, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have both conducted heart-related studies on people who have pets. The findings showed that pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels -- all of which can ultimately minimize their risk for having a heart attack down the road. For those who have already experienced a heart attack, research also indicates that patients with a dog or a cat tend to have better recovery rates. These benefits are thought to be connected with pets' tendency to help reduce or at least control their owners' overall stress levels. Pets are sometimes called stress sponge.

Fun Ways to Stay Fit with Fido:

Jogging or running with your pet does not only give them joy but benefit your health as well.
You can also try Doga, (i.e. Yoga for Dogs) to appease your emotional and spiritual well being.
Agility training (obstacle course-based dog sport) is also advised for it is one way of bonding with your pet..



No. 2: Natural Way to Loss Weight
 

Need a little motivation in the exercise department? Dogs can act as the perfect personal trainer, if only because most of them need to be walked several times a day. According to studies like those conducted by the Wellness Institute at Northwest Memorial Hospital, as long as you're the one holding the leash, you'll reap the rewards, which can include losing -- or at least maintaining -- weight. Research conducted by the National Institute of Health also supports this claim -- including one study of more than 2,000 adults, which found that dog owners responsible for walking their pups are less likely to be obese than dog owners who pass the duty off to someone else or those who don't own dogs at all. So don't be lazy, get up and work those feet and burn those fats..


No. 1: Emotional Uppers

Pets are a great way to beat the blues. Not only are they known to they offer unconditional love, but they may also give their owners a sense of purpose, which can be crucial for those feeling down in the dumps (break ups). Pets also combat feelings of loneliness by providing companionship, which can boost your overall mood and even bring you feelings of joy and happiness. This is particularly apparent among groups -- including the sick and elderly -- who may be on the receiving end of Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT) or Pet-facilitated Therapy (PFT). Many hospitals and nursing homes use these types of programs on a regular basis.