Novelyn Agsamosam – Pharmacists

Hi, I am Novelyn Agsamosam, you can call me Nov. I am a registered pharmacist here in the Philippines working in the retail setting for more than 7 years. I graduated from Central Philippine University from the first batch of Pharmacy program. Coming from the first batch, it was tough since the program was still not solid and has no produced graduates at first. The 4 years of studying the course was crucial and extensive since all of us were really tested to the brim. You get to have sleepless nights and be drowned in coffee in studying. I was able to sleep with books beside me, hoping that all I studied would be absorbed by my struggling mind. Have I told you that pharmacy was not my dream course? It was actually my mother’s.

During my fourth year, we had an internship at one of the local pharmacies here in the Philippines. Little did I know, my mom was already experiencing pain and was eventually diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I really thought that my time with college was tough enough, but voila, I was given a much tougher journey. I couldn’t focus on my academics. All throughout, I had to allot time with my internship in the morning and take care of my ailing mother on the evening. I remember crying on the jeepney on my way home from the hospital after the doctor informed us that my mother only had a month to live. How would I continue and pursue then if my inspiration was given her near end?

After all these years, I could still remember the last day my mom left us. It was one rainy morning, when I received a call from my sister. She told me it was time. Everything was a blur, time stood still, and I can no longer think and move, really. Even though that day was our exam, I chose to go home and be with my mother. On my bus ride, I was shedding tears non-stop and praying fervently that my mom wait for me to be with her. That 1-hour bus ride felt ages. When I arrived at the hospital, I knew that that was really it. All our relatives are circling my mom, waiting what was already expected to happen. By 3:04 PM, my mother passed away.

I completed my course and graduated belonging to the first ever batch of pharmacy course from our college. That already was a big accomplishment. My mother was my dear inspiration. After passing the board exams, I was able to land a job form one of the top retail pharmacy chain here in the Philippines. I embodied the role of being a true pharmacist. I never thought that this role was very fulfilling.

My career as a stock manager challenged me, which I thought I never would since this was a different role. I was able to negotiate and arrange business meetings with local and international clients, establish and introduce new medical products for our company, manage warehouse and inventory, submit financial reports, manage email and book flights for our president, visit our branches nationwide, and visit Singapore for a medical fair. Even my mental health was challenged here, but I carried on and got through. During my stay, I was able to open 8 additional branches in a span of 3 years.

At the end of the day, I can say everything paid off and worked out. Who would have thought that this lady, not choosing pharmacy as her dream course, would be on this beautiful and exceptional journey?

For a copy of Novelyn’s resume please click here.