IBSP MBA Program Mongolia

02/08/2026

One of the most inspiring aspects of international collaboration is that real innovation is never created by one person—it is built together.
Over the past weeks, I have had the privilege of working closely with a remarkable group of leading Chinese pharmacy experts. Through open discussions, constructive feedback, and the willingness to challenge ideas, we are laying the foundation for something that has the potential to make a real difference for pharmacists across China.
Our first goal is ambitious: to co-create a practical book that helps grassroots healthcare institutions and community pharmacies transform their daily practice.
《如何打造世界一流药房》
A Practical Transformation Guide for China's Primary Healthcare Institutions and Community Pharmacies
Rather than producing another theoretical textbook, our shared ambition is to develop a practical roadmap filled with concrete tools, proven methodologies, implementation strategies, templates, case studies, and measurable quality improvements. A book written with Chinese experts, for Chinese pharmacists.
But this book is only the beginning.
Our long-term vision is to transform the knowledge from the book into a comprehensive education and training programme. By combining international best practices with Chinese expertise and local healthcare realities, we hope to support pharmacists in developing the competencies needed for the next generation of pharmaceutical care.
The enthusiasm, openness, and commitment of the expert group have been truly inspiring. I am grateful for their trust and look forward to continuing this exciting journey together.
The best results are achieved when knowledge is shared, cultures learn from one another, and experts work towards a common goal.

19/12/2025

Leadership for pharmacists – Theory translated into daily pharmacy practice

Are you a pharmacist who wants to lead with more confidence, clarity, and impact?
This book bridges the gap between leadership theories and the real-world challenges of the pharmacy. No abstract management jargon – only practical insights, tailored specifically to pharmacists and pharmacy teams.
🔹 Learn how modern leadership theories apply directly to the pharmacy setting
🔹 Improve team motivation, communication, and decision-making
🔹 Written by experts in the pharmacy
🔹 Available as a printed book and e-book
Whether you manage a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, or lead a team of professionals, this book gives you the tools to grow as a pharmacy leader.

Discover the book and take the next step in your leadership journey:

Become a Confident Leader in Pharmacy Practice — Lead with Purpose in an Evolving Healthcare World Are you a pharmacist or pharmacy manager ready to step into a stronger leadership role? "Leadership in the Pharmacy: Strategies for Success in a Dynamic World" by Peter Felen and prof. Sybren Tijmstr...

04/08/2025

AI in Healthcare: A threat or an pportunity for the community pharmacist of tomorrow?
I'm fortunate to regularly attend international conferences where I get to engage with leading pharmacists, professors, and healthcare experts from around the world.

In late June, I had the opportunity to visit a congress in Beijing, where thousands of pharmacists gathered from across the globe. One of the most fascinating topics discussed was the world’s first AI-driven hospital—an ambitious project where 14 AI doctors currently serve over 3,000 patients every day, with an accuracy rate of 94%—and rising. The hospital has now been operational for more than eight months.

So what does this mean for your profession?

In Beijing, we had intense discussions about how AI could reshape the role of pharmacists. What happens when AI systems—combined with logistical innovation—take over large parts of your current responsibilities? Imagine:

First-dispensing consultations perfectly explained by avatars
Chronic patients receiving personalized advice every quarter
Medication delivery integrated with smart monitoring and feedback systems
This is no longer science fiction. This is a real and emerging scenario.
This is where scenario thinking becomes essential—a strategic mindset we also develope during the MBA study.

AI and the Future: What Could It Mean for You as a Pharmacist and Entrepreneur?

Perhaps nothing will change. Or perhaps everything will.
The future is uncertain, but that doesn’t mean we should stand still.

If this scenario becomes reality, how can you prepare?

Here are a few practical directions to consider:

🔹 Nurture your top 250 chronic patients
They’re critical to the financial health of your pharmacy. Assign them a dedicated team member. Host quarterly themes relevant to their needs (e.g. medication adherence, home storage, lifestyle).

🔹 Apply patient segmentation
Group patients based on conditions or complexity. Let pharmacy assistants specialize and build long-term, meaningful relationships with these segments.

🔹 Host community theme evenings in your pharmacy
Offer valuable education on lifestyle, medications, side effects, or nutrition. Especially now, as digital options multiply, your local presence can be a unique strength.

Of course, there’s much more to share than space allows here. But I hope this gives you something to think about.

The future doesn’t arrive all at once. It comes step by step.
The question is: will you wait—or will you start taking small steps today?

If you'd like to explore these ideas further—whether one-on-one or with your team—feel free to reach out. Always happy to connect.

04/07/2025

Back from the Forbidden City Pharmacy Congress in Beijing – for the 8th time!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Forbidden City Pharmacy Congress in Beijing once again – a conference that has become a valuable and recurring part of my international professional journey. With over 3,000 participants from around 20 countries, it was an impressive and inspiring event.

I had the opportunity to speak about my latest book, Leadership in the Pharmacy – Strategies for Success in a Dynamic World, co-authored with Prof. Tijmstra. The book focuses on the growing importance of leadership in the pharmacy profession, and is now available via Amazon.

I also participated in several international sessions covering topics such as:

the role of the prescribing pharmacist
compensation systems related to medication errors
the rapid rise of AI in pharmacy and healthcare
One of the key takeaways from this visit is the astonishing speed of development in China. Compared to my first visit 10 years ago, the progress in universities, hospitals, and community pharmacies is remarkable. The focus is clear:
1️⃣ Improving patient care (top priority)
2️⃣ Reducing unnecessary healthcare costs (second priority)

Even traditional Chinese medicine, with its centuries-old foundation, is now exploring how to integrate AI into its rich body of knowledge and clinical experience. A wonderful example of bridging tradition with innovation.

As always, I was warmly welcomed and had the chance to engage in many meaningful exchanges of ideas and experiences.

In short: a truly insightful and inspiring experience that brought new perspectives and connections.

26/05/2025

MMRA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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Topic: Нидерланд улсын туршлага судлах сургалт
Time: May 26, 2025 10:00 AM Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 837 8441 6588
Passcode: 935224

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23/05/2025

A Promising First Step in Mongolia 🇲🇳💊

Today, I had the honor of a very positive first meeting with Dr. Erdenebayar (MD, PhD), Director of the Medicine and Medical Devices Regulatory Agency in Mongolia. During our conversation, we agreed to collaborate on an ambitious goal: transforming Mongolian pharmacy into a true win-win-win — lower costs, better care, and a stronger role for pharmacists.

Of course, this is just the beginning, but the mutual enthusiasm was unmistakable. In the coming period, I’ll regularly be calling on (mostly) Dutch experts to share their knowledge and help translate key insights into the Mongolian context.

I’m looking forward to shaping this collaboration further. Who knows — Mongolian pharmacy might just become a shining example for many other countries! 🌍💡

23/05/2025

Very proud of the first students who have successfully completed the MBA-Pharmacy diploma course.
After more than a year of study—combining in-person sessions with online learning—the participants demonstrated during their final project presentations that they were able to translate the key elements of the program into meaningful contributions to their professional work. Whether it was about marketing, successfully implementing new ideas, or making strategic policy decisions, they have shown that the combination of pharmacy and an MBA is not only effective but perhaps even essential in today’s healthcare landscape.

New cohorts will start in October (more on that soon), but for now, we take a moment to celebrate the achievements of these first graduates. Once again, congratulations!

20/05/2025

5️⃣ сарын 2️⃣6️⃣ нд ЭЭХХЗГ-ын хурлын зааланд
⏰10:00 цагаас эм зүйч таныг урьж байна!

🇳🇱Нидерланд улсын 6 Эм зүйчийн ажлын туршлага,
🇳🇱Нидерланд улсын эмийн сангийн тухай сонирхолтой лекц болох гэж байна.
🆓 Үнэ төлбөргүй тул та бүхэн цаг гаргаад ирвэл танд хэрэгтэй мэдээ мэдээлэл заавал байх болно 😊

06/03/2025

Learning from the Ancient Sages: Plato's Critique of Democracy

History offers valuable lessons, and it is always wise to learn from the great thinkers of the past. One of the most influential philosophers, Plato, had sharp criticisms of democracy. While democracy is widely regarded today as one of the best forms of government, Plato warned in the fourth century BCE about its pitfalls. His analysis remains surprisingly relevant in our time.

Rule of the Ignorant

Plato believed that most people were incapable of making rational and wise decisions about state affairs. In a democracy, everyone has a vote, regardless of knowledge or competence. This can lead to decisions driven by emotions and populism rather than wisdom and expertise. According to Plato, a state should be governed by those most capable, not by a random majority.

Democracy as a Precursor to Tyranny

According to Plato, democracy ultimately leads to chaos. When citizens gain too much freedom and no longer respect discipline or order, stability disappears. In this anarchy, the need for a strong leader to restore order arises, ultimately resulting in the rise of a tyrant. History provides numerous examples where democracies have transformed into autocracies, often with the enthusiastic support of the people themselves.

Populism and Demagoguery

Since politicians in a democracy depend on public support, they are inclined to tell people what they want to hear rather than what is good for the state. This makes democracy susceptible to manipulation by demagogues—charismatic leaders who win over the masses with eloquence and simplistic solutions, without true wisdom or long-term vision. Plato saw this as a major danger: a society that chooses its leaders based on popularity rather than competence.

The Ship Analogy

In The Republic, Plato uses the analogy of a ship: imagine a ship that needs to be steered, but instead of an experienced captain, the crew votes on the course and navigation. The ship would likely drift aimlessly or sink. Similarly, Plato argued that a state should be governed by philosophers—individuals trained in wisdom and justice—rather than by an uninformed majority without governing expertise.

Plato’s Alternative: The Philosopher-King

Instead of democracy, Plato advocated for an aristocratic rule by the philosopher-king, someone who possesses true knowledge and rises above personal interests. This leader would act based on rationality and the common good, rather than political pressure or popular opinion.

While modern democracy has developed mechanisms to mitigate the problems Plato identified, his warnings remain relevant. In an era of increasing populism, misinformation, and political instability, it is worth reflecting on this question: how can we ensure that democracy truly serves everyone’s best interests?

What do you think? Are Plato’s arguments still relevant in today’s world?

22/02/2025

Pre-announcement: Our new book is ready!
With great enthusiasm, we, Prof. Sybren Tijmstra and Peter Felen, are excited to share that our book Leadership in the Pharmacy is now complete! In just a few weeks, it will be available worldwide via Amazon in e-book, softcover, and hardcover editions.
Drawing from both well-established and emerging theories, the book offers numerous pragmatic tips for application in the pharmacy. Key themes include:
✅ Vision-driven leadership in turbulent times
✅ Strategy and change in pharmacy
✅ Knowledge as a core value in a pharmacy
✅ Effective implementation of change
✅ Leadership styles and team dynamics
✅ HR policies and coaching
Interested? Send an email to [email protected] with the subject Book, and you’ll be the first to receive the order link as soon as it becomes available!