Deen muhammed

Certified Tutor

Deens Personal Statement - MPharm
I first took an interest in pharmacy after my father had a triple Bypass heart operation last year. The cocktail of medication he was prescribed fascinated me - this led me to speaking to several Community Pharmacists. It was quickly apparent to me that the selection of these drugs was set in a deep-rooted understanding of Biochemistry and a strategic application of this knowledge.
I was intrigued to learn how a "matrix of decisions" had to be considered before my father's drugs were prescribed, these consisted of the ramifications of drug-to-drug interaction; their effectiveness and their side effects all these risk factors had to be scrutinized and evaluated.
It seems to me that the pharmacist plays a particularly important role as the gatekeeper to drug distribution; providing the vital checks and balances to Doctors this detailed analytical role would really engage me.
I have overcome many hurdles in my life through my hard work, organisational skills and determination which I would bring to my studies in Pharmacy at the age of 14 I was the youngest ever student at my school to pass A-Level Maths receiving a "B" grade (only narrowly missing a "A" grade by 2 UMS marks). An achievement I was particularly proud of especially when you consider I was diagnoses with dyslexia at an early age.
Due to covid-19 I was unable to secure a pharmacy work placement however up until the lockdown I worked as a volunteer at Keech Hospice Charity Shop on Saturdays. At my time at the Charity Shop I learnt how to deal with customers in a professional manner, diffusing difficult situations and often empathising with bereaved customers who were dropping off possessions belonging to their recently deceased loved ones.
In the past I have dedicated a significant amount of time and effort helping young disabled children in their Christmas parties. Some of the children were deaf and others had profoundly serious physical disabilities; this meant I had to learn a basic form of sign language know as Makaton to communicate with them. Even though these disabilities were significant, and the work was demanding I found it incredibly rewarding.

In recent months I have found it particularly interesting learning about the integral role Pharmacists are playing in addressing the current Covid-19 pandemic. I have done this by both speaking to Community Pharmacists as well as reading articles and case studies on websites like pharmaceutical-journal.com - the articles on Hydroxychloroquine and Remdesivir were particularly interesting as at one stage they were being considered as possible Covid treatments by in the Media.
I feel the diversity of career paths (Community, Hospital & Industry) offered in Pharmacy coupled with my interest in science along with my belief in playing a role in supporting the NHS in a meaningful way would mean that I believe Pharmacy would be the perfect fit for me.
In my spare time I like to both take part in team and individual sports and activities. I play football and like to play golf and have taken part in tournaments organised by my High School. I have also recently taken up meditation & mindfulness which I am finding an excellent way to relax.