Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector Ashanti van Heyningen (32) gives insight into her tasks in this week’s Health and Beauty.
Who is Ashanti van Heyningen? And how would you describe yourself?
I am a pharmacist currently employed at the Inspectorate of Public Health as the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector. I have always felt uncomfortable about describing myself and even find it a bit tacky, so I asked a close friend to give a description of me and this is what she said, “When you first meet Ashanti, she will seem very introverted, standoffish and reserved. On further inspection, however, you will find that she really is a true introvert and is very private; but she is definitely not reserved and is actually pretty friendly and approachable. And when you are lucky enough to make it into her inner circle, you will find her to be a truly caring, smart, funny and loyal friend.”
You were born in Curaçao but grew up in St. Maarten. Any fond memories?
My cousins and I taking piano lessons by my great aunt and playing outside in her huge backyard.
When and how did you discover your love for the healthcare field?
I was exposed to the field of healthcare from early on. My mother, being a microbiology analyst, would take me along with her to the lab when she worked on weekends. I remember being intrigued by everything around me and wanting to learn more about the daily activities of the lab as well as the hospital and the science behind it all.
Why pharmaceuticals?
Chemistry was my favourite subject in high school and I would often tutor classmates before chemistry exams. I realised that it was not a popular subject amongst students in high school and, because I was one of the few that liked it, I wanted to use this to my advantage in my career choice. My mother suggested I look into becoming a pharmacist so I proceeded to research what the study entailed. I found the study to be a nice mixture of the exact sciences and social aspects.
Education?
After completing the VWO stream at Milton Peters College, I attended Rijksuniversiteit in Groningen where I studied pharmacy. I loved this study from the beginning and was convinced I had made the right career choice. After three years of long days in the lab conducting experiments and learning more about the basic sciences, I got my Bachelor of Science degree and transitioned into the three-year Master’s programme, where I continued to learn how pharmaceuticals work in the body, the different dosage forms, about pharmacokinetics and how to produce them, etc. I graduated in February of 2009 with a Master of Science degree in pharmacy. I continue to take post graduate courses to stay abreast of the current developments in my field.
Why did you decide to return home after your studies?
I returned home at the end of 2009. At first, I planned to remain in the Netherlands and continue working in order to gain more experience. However, I was granted the opportunity to return home and help contribute to building St. Maarten’s first Inspectorate of Public Health and I could not pass up on that rare opportunity.
How does it feel to be St. Maarten's first Chief Inspector of Pharmaceuticals?
Being the first Chief Inspector of Pharmaceuticals in St. Maarten is historically significant to some people, but I am humbled by the fact that many women before me have paved the way in many fields and professions in order for me to achieve this milestone. I can only hope that my achievement will also pave the way for other women and young people.
What do you bring to the table?
As a young professional, it is my responsibility to act accordingly. I am fair and objective as well as firm and decisive. Maintaining a balance of these qualities is crucial for the execution of my tasks.
What do your tasks entail?
As the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector, I am responsible for promoting and guaranteeing compliance with national pharmaceutical legislation, policies and regulations which are geared at ensuring that the public of St. Maarten receives safe and quality pharmaceuticals in a responsible manner. My tasks, amongst many, entail scheduled and unscheduled visits to establishments to ensure compliance, supervising the import and distribution of pharmaceuticals on the island, ensuring that St. Maarten complies with its reporting obligations to the International Narcotics Control Board, assisting with the evaluation process of pharmaceuticals based on quality, efficacy and safety and advising the Minister of Public Health as well as the Policy Department of the Ministry of Public Health on pharmaceutical related matters.
How challenging is it to function in such an important position in St. Maarten?
Functioning in my position is pretty straightforward once I execute my function with integrity, transparency and accountability – all of the buzz words that are currently being tossed around, and of course with much support from the Inspector General Dr. Earl Best.
What differentiates you from other professionals in the field?
As a pharmacist working for the Inspectorate, I am responsible for enforcing the law and ensuring that practicing pharmacists in the field continue to provide the public with quality care. As opposed to my colleagues in the field, it is therefore not possible for me to dispense pharmaceuticals, advise patients or practice any other aspects of my profession as a pharmacist as this would be considered a direct conflict of interest.
How do you approach your tasks?
I approach my tasks with a fair degree of objectivity. This together with a thorough risk analysis and a sound year plan ensures that I am able to adequately execute my tasks.
What do you like about your job?
I like that my job is dynamic and somewhat unpredictable. Although enforcing and working with the law may seem black and white, in practice there are many grey areas which require the correct interpretation of the law as well as problem solving skills. There are also many different aspects to my work which do not allow me to become complacent.
Most rewarding moment?
Getting the opportunity to publish a scientific article (Estimated incidence of sickle-cell disease in Aruba and St. Maarten suggests cost-effectiveness of a universal screening programme for St. Maarten) in the West Indian Journal of Medicine.
What are your concerns when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry?
(1) The rise of counterfeit pharmaceuticals worldwide which poses a grave health risk.
(2) The reluctance of the pharmaceutical industry to promote research geared towards discovering natural medicines.
(3) The mistrust of the population when it comes to the use of generic medicines.
How do you think these concerns/challenges can be addressed?
(1) The risk of counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering our legal supply chain is already being mitigated by the Inspectorate of Public Health by ensuring that only licensed persons are permitted to import pharmaceuticals and to ensure that the pharmaceuticals imported into St. Maarten are sourced directly from the manufacturer or from a reputable source. It is important that the public does not purchase pharmaceuticals outside of the regulated supply chain or from unknown sources as they run the risk of purchasing counterfeit or sub-standard pharmaceuticals that may be harmful or can even be fatal.
(2) There is not much that can be done to convince the pharmaceutical industry to invest more in discovering natural medicines; because at the end of the day, it is a business and if they cannot patent their findings, they will not bother to invest. However, members of the public should take their health in their own hands and make sure they reduce their chances of getting ill by eating healthy, exercising and living a healthy lifestyle.
(3) The uncertainties surrounding generic drugs can be reduced by educating the public that generic drugs have to meet the same rigorous standards with respect to identity, strength, quality, purity and potency. It is also important to know that generic drugs are required to have the same active ingredient, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand name product and that all generic drug manufacturers must prove their drug is the same as (bioequivalent to) the brand name drug. There may certainly be exceptions to the rule, so people should always seek medical advice from their doctor or pharmacist if they have any concerns.
What are you involved in outside of your job?
I enjoy any type of volunteer work where I can influence children in a positive way. In the past, I have volunteered at a foster home helping kids with their homework as well as at the many events held by the Oualichi Women’s Soccer Association.
Future goals?
My future goals are written on a piece of paper next to my mirror. They are very personal and I will only share them after I have accomplished them all. In the meantime, I have a constant reminder to keep me focused.
Hobbies?
I enjoy Latin dances, especially salsa; being involved in home renovations and giving friends and family advice on interior designing; travelling to new places and experiencing different cultures and learning new languages.
Philosophy?
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~Hippocrates. I strongly believe that how and what we eat will influence our health and quality of life.
Pet peeve?
Receiving poor customer service.
Biggest fear?
Losing a loved one.
What is your advice to youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps?
It is fine to want to follow in my footsteps, but I believe it is more important to seek to create your own path. Everyone should find his/her strengths and capitalize on them. You will find that your journey will take you to many places you have never imagined.
