Yogyakarta, August 30, 2025 – The final round of the Pharmacy Student Counseling Competition, held as part of the Pharmadays X JMKI Entrepreneurship Event 2025, took place at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Saturday (30/8). This annual event was a collaboration between the Gadjah Mada Drug Information Center (PIOGAMA) and the Indonesian Health Student Network (JMKI) Pharmacy UGM, carrying the theme “SugarSmart Enterprise: Addressing Diabetes Challenges Through Pharmaceutical Business Innovation.”
The competition was designed not only as a contest but also as a shared learning platform for pharmacy students. Through a preliminary round of 50 multiple-choice questions and an interprofessional counseling simulation in the final stage, participants were encouraged to enhance their communication skills, clinical understanding, and sensitivity in offering relevant pharmaceutical solutions for patients with diabetes.
During the simulation, the roles of doctor and patient were played by supporting actors, while the participants acted as pharmacists. They were required not only to conduct counseling sessions with simulated patients but also to prepare a SOAP note, identify drug-related problems, and explain their therapeutic decisions before a panel of three judges.
This year’s competition attracted 38 students from 17 universities across Indonesia. Six finalists advanced to the final round, including UGM Faculty of Pharmacy representative Maliha Hanun (Class of 2022). Hanun successfully secured Second Place, a remarkable achievement that serves as both pride and motivation for pharmacy students to continue developing their professional competence.
Pharmadays X JMKI Entrepreneurship Event 2025 also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Quality Education (SDG 4). By providing equal learning opportunities for all participants regardless of gender, the event also aligns with Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17).
Through initiatives like this, UGM hopes students will gain more than just trophies, but also the experience of interprofessional collaboration, the confidence to engage with real patients, and the awareness that public health requires teamwork. These lessons are expected to prepare pharmacy students to become future healthcare professionals ready to face real-world challenges.
