An event where participants got to meet pharmacy students from all over the world

From 25 to 29 June, NUSPS had the honour of hosting the 10th APRO Good Pharmacy Practice Education (GPPEd). More than 50 Pharmacy students from across the Asia-Pacific region flew to Singapore to take part in this event, which aims to promote the exchange of pharmaceutical knowledge and showcase the vibrant Pharmacy curriculum in Singapore. Of course, GPPEd also hopes to develop a greater appreciation of the myriad of cultures found across the region within students.

**What is GPPEd?**

GPPEd is an annual event held by member organisations of the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) within the Asia-Pacific region. It seeks to promote a deeper understanding of pharmacy practice across different countries. This year’s theme – “*Celebrating Diversity and Excellence*” – reflects the high standard of care upheld by the Pharmacy profession in Singapore as well as the richness of our multicultural society.

Over a span of 5 days, participants engaged in a slew of exciting activities. These include site visits to various healthcare institutions like SingHealth’s Outram Campus, talks by Dr How Ti Hwei from AstraZeneca as well as representatives from other pharmaceutical companies, and workshops conducted by our very own NUS professors on the management of chronic conditions.

To end the event, there was even a social night to encourage bonding and cultural exchange among the participants!

Favourite Event

For some, their favourite activity was the site visits to different healthcare institutions such as the National Skin Centre and the Institute of Mental Health. Much to the participants’ delight, pharmacists from each institution personally guided them through their workplaces, giving them an eye-opening experience that offered firsthand insights into the healthcare landscape in Singapore and day-to-day workings of clinical pharmacies. It also gave participants a clearer picture of what it meant to be a clinical pharmacist in Singapore.

Cultural night was also a hit among the students who participated in GPPEd. During this activity, participants tried their hands at traditional Singaporean games. From learning the rules together to helping one another win (or lose graciously), the shared laughter and friendly competition undoubtedly created warm, lasting memories.

Most valuable takeaway from the event

One participant shared that their biggest takeaway from the event was the connections and networking opportunities gained. Not only did they have the chance to befriend fellow pharmacy peers from across the region, but they also had the fortune of interacting with distinguished leaders in the pharmaceutical field. For instance, during the Global Health Forum, participants got to listen and learn from Dr How about his career journey and passion for improving access to oncology drugs. It was deeply inspiring to learn about the level of drive and dedication these professionals have for their work and it had certainly broadened participants’ horizons of the diverse career paths available in pharmacy.

Another participant highlighted their newfound appreciation for NUS’ international standing – 8th in the world and first in Asia. While this prestige is often taken for granted locally, it was humbling to realise how much respect and recognition NUS commands globally. The participant also reflected that, apart from drug names and their mechanisms of action, every university chooses to focus on different aspects of the profession to educate their students on. As a result, pharmacy curricula vary across institutions, depending on the regional needs and priorities.

Concluding Thoughts

All in all, GPPEd 2025 was a resounding success. It brought together pharmacy students from across the Asia-Pacific region to celebrate the diversity and dynamism of the profession. Beyond gaining knowledge, participants left with new friendships, broadened perspectives, and a renewed sense of purpose. We hope that these experiences will serve as meaningful reminders of the positive change we can enact together as pharmacists-to-be, regardless of where we come from.