Yogyakarta, June 30, 2025 – Four students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Maliha Hanun, Farah Izza Chairunnisa, Rahmadina Nur Azizah, and Calista Nindya Aurelia, have brought pride to Indonesia by securing first place at PharmaOlympics 2025. The competition, organized by the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) Global, was held online on Monday, June 30.
Led by team captain Maliha Hanun, the group competed as Team A5 and emerged victorious in the Advanced Level Compounding Event category. They outperformed more than 80 pharmacy students from 11 IPSF member countries who participated in the competition. The event tested participants’ knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical compounding, with a particular focus on case-based topical formulations.
The competition consisted of two stages: a preliminary round and a final round. In the preliminary round, teams completed multiple-choice and short-answer questions covering laboratory techniques, pharmaceutical formulation, and topical drug delivery systems. The top six teams advanced to the finals, where they were given a case study to solve. Their solutions were then presented to a panel of judges.
The IPSF Compounding Event aims to raise awareness about the importance of compounding skills in pharmacy practice, particularly in the era of personalized medicine. This year’s challenge required participants to develop a topical preparation for a dermatological case, with careful consideration of safety, efficacy, and formulation rationale.
This achievement also supports the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The competition reinforces Quality Education (SDG 4) through its problem-based learning approach, enhances Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) by promoting safe, patient-specific medication preparation, and fosters Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) through international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The success of these students demonstrates the active role of UGM’s Faculty of Pharmacy in addressing contemporary challenges in the pharmaceutical field and proves that Indonesia’s younger generation is capable of competing and making a positive impact on the global stage.
