The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences organised its annual World Pharmacist Day 2022 at UCSI University.

Kuala Lumpur, 18 October 2022 – The UCSI University’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences collaborated with five industry partners, namely Big Pharmacy, EP Plus Group Sdn Bhd, Xepa-Soul Pattison, Caring Pharmacy, and Medispec Sdn Bhd, to recognise twelve outstanding students for their top performance this year.

The Book Prize award is aimed at providing ongoing motivation for outstanding students to improve in their academic pursuits. A substantial amt of cash awards and certificates of excellence were given out to the faculty’s outstanding students sponsored by the five industry partners.

The award was presented at the annual celebration of World Pharmacists Day organised by the faculty on 23 September 2022 the theme “Pharmacy United in Action for a Healthier World”. This year's theme is to highlight pharmacy's beneficial influence on health throughout the world while also strengthening professional camaraderie.

The event was officiated by Dato`Dr Faridah Aryani Md Yusof, Academic Fellow, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Former Senior Director of the Pharmaceutical Services Programme, Former Director of National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Puan Salwati Abd Kadir, Deputy Director of the Centre of Regulatory Coordination and Strategic Planning, National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Professor Ir Dr Jimmy Mok Vee Hoong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Springhill campus, UCSI University, and Associate Professor Dr Mogana Sundari Rajagopal, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University and Mr Muhammad Ahsan Iftikhar Baig, Chairperson, World Pharmacist Day event, Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University. The event was graced by various industries, external stakeholders, and the staff and students of the faculty.

In addition to the awards, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences hosted student performances, the WPD 2022 cake cutting ceremony, a sharing session by industry partners, faculty staff awards and dean's list awards. Columbia Asia Hospital has also set up a health booth with recreational health games to promote proper medication use and safety.

Professor Ir Dr Jimmy Mok Vee Hoong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Springhill campus, UCSI University, emphasised the responsibility of pharmacists in ensuring the rational use of medicine by patients. “Pharmacy is well-known as a noble profession focused on improving people's lives. According to studies and polls, pharmacists are one of the most trusted professions. When you work as a pharmacist, the public trusts you with their health concerns. They will follow your advice because, as healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a unique set of skills and knowledge”

"The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 3 establishes a number of health targets, including noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and mental health, as well as communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. We have witnessed progress in many of these areas, and our profession should be proud of and publicise its achievements. However, the COVID-19 epidemic has slowed development, and it is critical that we band together to rebuild better." Said Dr Mogana, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

She also stated that the faculty encouraged all sectors of the pharmacy profession to participate in the campaign and demonstrate to the world how the industries can work together for health, regardless of conflict, different politics and cultures, or economic disparities.

Since the year 2000, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has graduated more than 1400 pharmacists. Now, the faculty is offering nearly 10 programmes ranging from diplomas to degrees, master's degrees, and PhDs. With a strong emphasis on serving the community, the faculty continuously collaborate with hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and other manufacturing industries, which has been beneficial for all.

For more information about the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sicences, please visit: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (ucsiuniversity.edu.my)