Working at Jolly's Pharmacy

After a beautiful and relaxing weekend in Dominica, we got down to business at Jolly's Pharmacy in Roseau. The senior pharmacist there, Carlton Lanquedoc RPh, took us on a tour of both Jolly's locations and the manufacturing center that are all within walking distance of each other. It was interesting to see how similar the pharmacies were to Walgreens and CVS. Both locations used an electronic system to enter prescriptions and together they filled about 500-700 prescriptions a day. Some differences that we noticed with Jolly's was that everyone waited in the pharmacy for their prescription to be filled, there was no wall of prescription bags waiting to be picked up. Also, we saw that most prescriptions were handwritten, sometimes written on notebook paper or in the patient's medical book (which is literally a composition notebook containing the patient's medical history). 

Carlton Lanquedoc giving us a tour of Jolly's Manufacturing Center

Products manufactured at Jolly's

A view of both locations of Jolly's Pharmacy

We all perused the over the counter (OTC) section of Jolly's to check out what locals typically use. A lot of the products were the same as what you would find in the US, just made by a different company. Some medications that are controlled in the US (pseudoephedrine) or only available as a prescription (Voltaren cream) was available as OTC products at Jolly's. The prices of medications were very different from what you would expect it; seemed like some overpriced medications were cheaper at Jolly's because they purchase from non-US manufacturers mostly. They also shop around to find the best prices on each medication. However, it seemed like generic medications that are on the $4 list in America were more expensive in Dominica due to importing the medication or for other reasons.

OTC aisle at Jolly's Pharmacy

As a part of the Jolly's Pharmacy team we held two health screening fairs where we checked BMI, body fat percent, blood glucose, and blood pressure for free. We could also check an A1c or cholesterol for a fee. The people we saw here were very open with us about their health problems and almost everyone seemed very interested in the information we provided them. Sometimes when we have done screenings though U of Iowa, people want to know what their results are, but then are not very receptive to the information we provide and do not always ask questions.

Jolly's health fair at Campbell's Business System and Services 

Another part of the experience with Jolly's was participating in the Health Vibes show on Wednesday morning, which is a weekly radio show that is popular in Dominica and other Caribbean islands. We went on the show with Carlton and Pearl to talk about oral contraceptives. Important things that Carlton wanted us to cover was other uses of oral contraceptives besides preventing pregnancy, the fact that they do not protect against STI's, and that emergency contraceptives are not for regular use. The following day we provided a continuing education lecture to Jolly's pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on the same topic, but we included information on other types of contraception methods. I think the Jolly's employees really benefited from the session because physicians in Dominica are not as familiar with contraceptives and ask the pharmacists lots of questions. Additionally, women in Dominica do not have to have a prescription in order to obtain oral contraceptives, so the pharmacists need to be able to get a relevant history on the patient and make a recommendation.

Health Vibes on oral contraceptives

Continuing education on contraceptive methods

Working at Jolly's taught us a lot about what pharmacy practice is like in a location where access to medications and medical supplies is somewhat limited. We also learned to be more creative with our suggestions to patients because they may not be able to obtain or afford the supplies and medicines they need. Even our suggestions on lifestyle changes were adjusted to fit the culture in Dominica.

-Macey and Shavea

Our Welcome to Dominica 2017

Top view of the island of Dominica

In the morning of Friday, Jan. 13, we arrived to Dominica in a very small plane. There are only two airports in the island. Interestingly, we were not allowed to take photos at the airport.

After a 45-minute drive on curvy, narrow roads and a few episodes of car sickness, we finally made it to Springfield Guesthouse (a.k.a. Archbold Center). Upon arrival we were greeted by the owner, Nancy, and one of the staff members, Mavlyn. At the Springfield Center we felt close to nature as everything was lush and green and the rooms were opened to the air because there were no window screens. Each bed had a mosquito net hanging above it, which was weird at first to get used to but the nets eventually became cozy, like sleeping in a tent.

Our rooms at Springfield Guesthouse

The first weekend was all about getting to know the island. On the first day, we got to visit the river behind Springfield, which was surprisingly cold. The islanders claim that there are 365 rivers in Dominica. 

River behind Springfield

On the second day, we went down to the market place in Roseau, where we tried fresh coconut, bought souvenirs from local shops and outside vendors, and visited the spice shop at Ruins Rock Cafe. We next headed to Bubble Beach in Soufriere, which was a rocky beach. Finally we ended the day with yoga, taught by "Jungle Bay" Nancy, back in Springfield.

Roseau market

Ruins Rock Cafe

Bubble Beach

On the next day, Sunday, we visited Mero Beach, which has black sand instead of rocks. We had local drinks and food at the Romance Cafe. Here we met with Mark, who is in charge of the Keep Walking Association (KWA), and Maureen, who kindly invited us to her home to learn about local herbs and their use as bush medicine. After stopping at Maureen's place, we headed over to Mark's workshop, where we learned about howhe re-purposes prosthetics for amputees in the island and how the KWA was born. Overall, our weekend experience was mesmerizing as we learned how kind and open the locals are to visitors and how quickly we made new friends.

Mero Beach

Bay leaf to repel insects

Aloe vera for sunburn

Mark's workshop

- Post by Macey Reynolds and Shavea Zapata Juan

Boiling Lake and Rural Health

This weekend we hiked the Boiling Lake trail to experience more of the natural beauty of Dominica, and learn about the medicinal benefits of sulfur. Dominica has 9 dormant volcanoes.  Hot gases are released from underground, making the lake boil and a nearby valley and stream which they named the valley of desolation since nothing can grow there due to the heat.  The sulfur mud found in that valley has healing properties for skin, and the sulfur rocks and crystals can actually be lit on fire. It was a strenuous hike that took all day, which tested both our mental and physical strength, as well as our team-building skills as we helped one another make it through safely.

Sunday we helped execute a 5k run in the native Carib Kalinago territory. We were promoting the health benefits of exercise, and hope they will continue running together after we are gone. After the race we shared educational information on topics such as how to prevent and treat running injuries or foot problems, as well as how to stay hydrated and make their own oral rehydration solution from salt and sugar at home.  We also showed them some simple stretching exercises.

Today was the first day visited the rural health clinic and got to see first-hand the vast discrepancies between privately run pharmacies like Jolly's versus the government run rural clinics.  The rural clinics have very limited formularies of what they can prescribe, and very low quantities of what they do receive so they often run out and access to medications becomes a big problem.  We discussed problems associated with lack of access and variety in formulary, such as resistant bacterial infections, and lack of emergency drugs since they are a long distance from the nearest hospital. They also have to keep all handwritten logs of inventory, usage, and care given since they have no computers. Every person keeps their own medical book which acts as their whole medical history and prescriptions.

--- Erin & Jaclyn ---

Herbal Medicine

Part of our rotation is not only to educate the people of Dominica, but also to learn about their native herbal bush medicines.  We got to visit our good friend Dafrica's father, Marcus Thomas, who lives out in Bagatelle.  He has an extensive yard full of medicinal herbs, plants, and fruit trees.  He gave us a tour of his gardens, and described the medicinal uses for various plants.  For example, he grew ginger for stomach problems, tumeric for inflammation, dandelion for blood toxicity, mint for headaches, hibscus flowers for healing internal problems, and mature papaya seeds for birth control. Then we got to make our own herbal teas straight from the garden. We also got to learn the full process for making coconut oil by hand, all the way from the tree to the finished product, which gave us a new appreciation for it when we realized how much work it was!  Dafrica also walked us through how to make natural soaps, using coconut oil and herbs from the garden.

Today we got to visit our good friend Ceurvon, who walked us through the process of harvesting cinnamon bark. First he helped us select and cut down a good tree. Next we have to scrape all the outer bark off, and score the trunk into 6 inch segments. Then we began the process of carefully separating the inner bark from the core.  The inner bark is the portion of the tree with medicinal properties, such as: for blood pressure, blood sugars, GI problems, and premature ejaculation.  The last step is to sett the bark out to dry in the sun for a few days before we can then use it to make teas, or grind it to use as a poultice.  We found out that we are much better at harvesting cinnamon than we were at preparing the coconut oil!

These experiences really help us to understand how much time and effort it takes to even prepare traditional bush medicine, and its importance within their culture here in Dominica.  The knowledge of the plants and how to properly prepare them seems to get passed down from parent to child as a part of growing up here.  Learning more about herbal treatments makes us more confident in discussing possible uses of herbal products with our patients back in Iowa.

--- Erin & Jaclyn ---

Dominica 2017: Motivation

Sometimes I get motivational emails sent to me.  Since landing in Dominica this time, this is one that held particular meaning to me.

The baby steps in the beginning of a journey, Jeanine Abrons, always seem inadequate compared to the brilliance of the dream that inspired them. This is natural. If the dream wasn't so far "out there" and dazzling, it wouldn't be worth dreaming! Just don't be led to think that the physical ground you cover with your baby steps is all that they accomplish. Because for every mortal step you take, another cog in a giant wheel behind the curtains of time and space advances, and with it 10,000 new possibilities.  I continue to be reminded when we are in Dominica how many things that have seemed impossible are possible because of the many friendships and relationships that have been forged. In particular, I think how fortunate we are for our relationships with Sam Raphael and the Jungle Bay Family as well as Orrin Jolly / Carlton Lanquedoc and the Jollys' Pharmacy family. I hope that the blogs we write over the remainder of the rotation serve as a reflective opportunity. I often realize after the fact how wonderful the experiences are and how blessed we are to be a part of them. I hope wherever you are in this world that you'll believe and see the amazing things that you can do as a person. I hope you will ask the questions: what can I do and is this possible. If you don't ask, if you don't dream, you'll never know.  Happy Saturday to all!