Biomedical Sciences

• Email the School
• General Inquiries

I graduated from India with a B.Pharm degree (Dr. MGR University) in 1995 and then in 2005 graduated with Cum Laude in a Masters degree in Pharmacy Practice (North West University, Potchefstroom) from South Africa.

I have about 14 years experience in the academia, hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical marketing and professional development sector on a multi-national level.

I strongly believe that a person can make a difference in the community by serving, empowering, initiating and innovating, collectively with the cooperation of others.

I am passionate about empowering communities in the area of health and wellbeing, with the collective cooperation of a multi disciplinary health team.

Teaching

Teaching philosophy

My philosophy in regards to teaching is summed up in the following Chinese proverb;
If you are planning for a year grow rice;
If you are planning for 20 years grow trees;
If you are planning for centuries, grow people.

The gift of a great teacher does not lie in his teaching but in the legacy that he/she leaves behind. The legacy to be a generation changer, nation builder and a life transformer. A teacher is there to make an eagle realise that it has wings, which can make it soar high into the skies and be free to see the bigger picture.

I believe that people should think globally and act locally. As a teacher, I am passionate to see lives changed, I am passionate to see dreams being dreamed and achieved, I am passionate to see the audacity of hope being kindled in a human mind.

Current subjects taught

• PHM 315-Professional Practice in Pharmacy-2
• PHM 401-Professional Practice-1
• PHM 405-Professional Practice-2

Current Research

Ongoing projects

• Implementation of a Global Trigger tool in adverse effect reporting in a Canadian Teaching hospital-Supervisor-CSU.
• 'A critical analysis of healthcare practices in rural communities - An Australian and Tanzanian perspective.' -CSU
• Time management among rural pharmacists in Australia-CSU
• The implementation of a portfolio based assessment tool in the Pharmacy Programme-CSU
• Pharmacist Daily Workload in the hospitals of South African public health sector. A costing study. NWU
• Therapeutic budget modelling in South African public health sector facilities-NWU

Postgraduate examiner/ supervision

• Supervisor- 'Medicine usage patterns of Ritalin in ADHD patients in the private health sector'. Stephan Rothmann-2009 (Study to be completed), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Co-Supervisor- 'Clinical trials on Absorbtax in a South African context'. Rial Kloppers-2009, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Co-Supervisor- 'Medicine usage patterns of ARV's in the private health sector in South Africa'. Tharien Patterson-2009 (Study to be completed), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Supervisor- 'Medicine usage patterns on a hospital level in the North-West province: A therapeutic budget approach'. Mariet Eksteen-2008, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Examiner- ???Prescribing patterns of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for the period 2001 until 2006???. Candidate (Lourens Rothmann) 2007, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Examiner-'A review of the prescribing patterns of combined analgesics in the private health care sector'. Candidate (Hanlie Kruger) 2007, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Co-supervisor- 'A review of the prescribing patterns of combined analgesics in the private health care sector'. Hanlie Kruger -2007 (Cum Laude), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• Co-supervisor- ???An analysis of the standard of pharmaceutical services and demographic profile of pharmacies in South Africa'. Jacqui Adsetts -2006 (Cum Laude), Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Research funds/grants

Personal Research- AU $ 30,000 equivalent (South African Rand 200,000)

• Funding from National Research Fund (NRF) Thutuka programme for personal research programme in 2008 (ZAR 60,000.00).
• Funding from National Research Fund (NRF) Thutuka programme for personal research programme in 2007 (ZAR 40,000.00).
• Staff Development Grant from National Research Fund (NRF), South Africa from 2005-2006 (ZAR 20,000.00).
• Funding of North-West University for research projects from 2003-2008 (ZAR75, 000.00 -cumulative).

Student support- AU $ 50,000 equivalent (South African Rand 350,000)

• Funding from National Research Fund (NRF) Thutuka programme for student Masters grant in 2009 (ZAR 150,000.00).
• Funding from National Research Fund (NRF) Thutuka programme for student Masters grant in 2008 (ZAR 120,000.00).
• Funding from National Research Fund (NRF) Thutuka programme for student Masters grant in 2007 (ZAR 80,000.00).

Publications

Journal articles/technical reports

• Article on the topic 'Therapeutic budget modelling: A possible road to budgetary allocations in the public health care setting', in the Health SA Journal 12(2), 2007. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe, & JHP Serfontein.
• Article on the topic 'Pharmacists in Health Insurance', in the Chronicle Pharmabiz of December 2006. Author-GK John.
• Article on 'The availability of private vs. public pharmaceutical services in different geographical areas of South Africa', in the Pharmaciae of September 2006. Authors-Adsetts, J, WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein & GK John.
• Scientific Letter on 'Patient pharmaceutical distribution systems: South African experience from 2003-2005.', in the South African Journal of Epidemiology & Infection 21(3) suppl of December 2006. Authors- WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, GK John & J Adsetts.
• Scientific Letter on ???The availability of private vs. public pharmaceutical services in different geographical areas of South Africa???, in the South African Journal of Epidemiology & Infection 21(3) suppl of December 2006. Authors- WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, GK John & J Adsetts.
• Article on the topic 'Pharmacy in South Africa: An overview', in the Chronicle Pharmabiz of December 2003. Author- GK John.
• Technical report submitted to the National Department of Health, South Africa on 'The impact of the Essential Drug List (EDL) in South Africa for the North-West province' in April 2003. Author- GK John.
• Technical report submitted to the National Department of Health, South Africa on 'The impact of the Essential Drug List (EDL) in South Africa for the Free State province' in April 2003. Author- GK John.

Invited Speaking engagements

• International Invited Speaker for the 58th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) held at Bombay exhibition center, Mumbai, India; from December 1-3, 2006 for the plenary session on the topic ???Pharmacists in Health Insurance.
• International invited speaker for the 55th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, held in Chennai, India from the 19th-21st of December 2003, for the plenary session, on the topic, 'Pharmacy in South Africa'.

Podiums

• International Podium presentation on ???The Availability of Pharmaceutical Services & Patient Pharmaceutical Distribution Systems: A SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE', at the 58th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) held at Bombay exhibition center, Mumbai, India; from December 1-3, 2006. Authors- GK John, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, & J Adestts.
• International Podium in the scientific session of the 55th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, held in Chennai, India from the 19th-21st of December 2003, on the topic 'Therapeutic budget modelling: An accurate road to budgetary allocations in the public health care setting'.Authors- GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.
• International Podium presentation on 'The medicine usage patterns in public primary health care clinics' at the 2nd International Conference on Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences at Johannesburg, South Africa from September 22nd to 25th 2002. Authors- GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.
• Podium presentation on 'Medicine cost and usage control in a district hospital in North-West Province: A therapeutic budget model approach' at the 29th Annual Conference of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of South Africa held at Hunters Lodge, Rustenburg, South Africa; from 14 - 17 September, 2008. Authors-MJ Eksteen, GK John, MS Lubbe, & HE Bekker.
• Podium presentation on 'Prescribing Patterns of Combination Analgesic Drugs in a Section of the Private Health Care Sector in South Africa', at the 28th Annual Conference of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of South Africa held at Club Mykonos, Langebaan, South Africa; from 4 - 7 September, 2007. Authors-H Kruger, MS Lubbe & GK John.
• Podium presentation on 'Patient pharmaceutical distribution systems: RSA experience 2003-2005', at the 3rd Public Health Conference held at Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa; from 15-17 May, 2006. Authors-WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, GK John, & J Adsetts.
• Podium presentation on 'The Medicine usage patterns among the chronic patients in Potchefstroom public health care facilities' at the 19th South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Wilderness, South Africa from March 10th 2005 to March 13th 2005. Authors-GK John, JJ Gerber, D Rakumakoe, HE Bekker & MS Lubbe.
• Podium presentation on 'Critical thinking. A must for pharmacy students' at the 19th South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Wilderness, South Africa from March 10th 2005 to March 13th 2005. Author-GK John.
• Podium presentation on 'The Pharmacoeconomic introspection of medicine costs in public primary health care clinics' at the 17th South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Drakensburg, South Africa from March 6th 2003 to March 9th 2003. Authors- GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.

Posters

• International Poster presentation on 'Medicine usage in a public health hospital In South Africa. A therapeutic budget approach.', at the 58th Federation of International Pharmacists (FIP) held at Basel, Switzerland; from August 29-September 4, 2008. Authors- MJ Eksteen, GK John, MS Lubbe & HE Bekker.
• International Poster presentation on 'Standard of Pharmaceutical Services provided by Community Pharmacists in South Africa', at the 58th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) held at Bombay exhibition center, Mumbai, India; from December 1-3, 2006. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, & J Adsetts.
• International Poster presentation on 'Standard of Pharmaceutical Services provided by Community Pharmacists in South Africa', at the 58th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) held at Bombay exhibition center, Mumbai, India; from December 1-3, 2006. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, & J Adsetts.
• International Poster presentation on 'Standard of Pharmaceutical Services provided by Community Pharmacists in South Africa', at the 4th International Conference on Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences held at Riverside Hotel, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa; from 20 - 23 Sep 2006. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, & J Adsetts.
• International Poster presentation on 'Standard of Pharmaceutical Services provided by Institutional Pharmacies: Public vs. Private Sector' , at the 4th International Conference on Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences held at Riverside Hotel, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa; from 20 - 23 Sep 2006. Authors-WD Basson, GK John, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, & J Adestts.
• International Poster presentation on 'Patient pharmaceutical distribution systems: RSA experience 2003-2005', at the 4th International Conference on Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences held at Riverside Hotel, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa; from 20 - 23 Sep 2006. Authors-WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, GK John, & J Adsetts.
• International Poster presentation on 'The availability of private Vs. Public pharmaceutical services in different geographical areas in South Africa', at the 4th International Conference on Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences held at Riverside Hotel, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa; from 20 - 23 Sep 2006. Authors-WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, GK John, & J Adsetts.
• International poster presentation on the topic 'Medicine usage patterns in public primary health care clinics' at the 55th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, held in Chennai, India from the 19th-21st of December 2003. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.
• Poster presentation on 'Standard of Pharmaceutical Services provided by Institutional Pharmacies: Public vs. Private Sector' at the 21st South African Association Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Drakensberg, South Africa from March 8th 2007 to March 10th 2007. Authors- MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein, WD Basson, GK John & J Adssets.
• Poster presentation on 'The availability of private Vs. Public pharmaceutical services in different geographical areas in South Africa', at the 3rd Public HealthConference held at Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa; from 15-17 May, 2006. Authors- GK John, WD Basson, MS Lubbe, JHP Serfontein J Adsetts.
• Poster presentation on The Pharmacy students in the public health care setting in Potchefstroom. A perception survey.' at the 19th South African Association Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Wilderness, South Africa from March 10th 2005 to March 13th 2005. Author- GK John.
• Poster presentation on 'The medicine usage patterns in the public primary heath care clinics' at the 17th South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacist (SAAHIP) at Drakensberg, South Africa from March 6th 2003 to March 9th 2003. Authors- GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.

Non-reviewed conference publications

• Podium presentation on ???Portfolio Perception Survey??? at the CSU ed conference held in CSU Thurgoona, Australia from Nov-26-27. Authors- GK John, M D Simpson, H Robinson, Syes Abbas & H Obied.
• Podium presentation on 'Pharmaceutical solutions through research and education', at the 2nd North West Department of Health research conference held at Orion Safari Hotel, Rustenburg, South Africa; from 26-27 May, 2005. Authors-GK John, MS Lubbe & JHP Serfontein.
• Podium presentation on 'Therapeutic budget modelling' in the pharmacy manager's conference of Northwest province, held in Rustenburg, South Africa from September 18th to 20th, 2003. Authors- GK John, MS Lube & JHP Serfontein.
• Podium presentation on 'The experiences of pharmacy students in a public health care setting', in the pharmacy managers conference of Northwest province, held in Rustenburg, South Africa from September 18th to 20th, 2003. Author- GK John.
• Podium presentation on 'Pharmacoeconomics. A realistic approach' in the working conference for new lecturers, held at Potchefstroom, South Africa from September 10th to 11th, 2003. Author- GK John.
• Podium presentation on 'The experiences of pharmacy students in a public health care setting', held in Potchefstroom, South Africa on August 30th 2003. Author- GK John.