EDSA at the 33rd Congress of the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association

April 26-May 2, 2010, Krakow, Poland

As a part of recently intensified collaboration between the European Pharmaceutical

Students' Association and EDSA, one EDSA executive was invited by EPSA

President, Tomaso Piaggio to attend the 33rd Annual Congress of the European

Pharmaceutical Students' Association that took place in Krakow, Poland between April

26 and May 2, 2010. This was the first time EDSA had been presented at a

pharmaceutical students' congress.

The European Pharmaceutical Students' Association is a volunteer-based

organization representing 120 000 pharmacy students and recent graduates from its

28 European member countries with the aim to encourage collaboration between

students and improve the education, the profession and the scientific advances in

pharmacy. The association's Team consisting of more than 20 people makes sure that

new projects are launched, that existing ones are running and EPSA members are

informed about association's activities and the current topics within the profession.

The association organizes several different events throughout year but The EPSA

Members of European Pharmaceutical Students' Association, International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation and European Dental Students' Association

Annual Congress is the biggest and most important one. This year it gathered more

than 300 students from 29 countries and it was the opportunity for EPSA members to

discuss educational and professional issues, learn and improve their professional

skills, share experiences and connect with colleagues from other universities. Besides

this, pharmaceutical students could learn more about EDSA projects and events from

EDSA presentation which I held during the GA and EDSA promotional materials and

Magazines that were distributed. A large number of students showed interest in EDSA

and the way it functions. The conclusion was that the two associations have similar

aims and projects and should keep on strengthening relations and collaborating in the

days and years to come. The International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation was

represented at the congress by its president, Mohamed Sultan who was also

interested in partnership and collaboration on projects with our association.

The program of the event included Symposium Day, Science Day during which

students present their scientific works, workshops, trainings, General Assembly and

Alumni weekend.

Speakers during the congress

with the main theme “Patents,

generics and counterfeits –

facing the pharmaceutical

challenges of today” covered

several up to date

pharmaceutical topics as well as

doctor-pharmacist cooperation in

optimizing pharmacotherapy,

healthcare in developing

countries and anti-tobacco

campaign. Members of EPSA working committees prepared a number of interactive

workshops on mobility, humanitarian affairs, pharmacy awareness, public health,

pharmaceutical sciences, professional development and pharmacy education.

EPSA Science Day

Since EPSA is an association

based in Brussels and its

executives, who are also

accredited lobbyists to the

European Parliament, lobby

daily to promote its interest at

the EU institutions, a number of

students attended the training

on EU affairs, communication

and lobbying.

One of the best EPSA projects, the Individual Mobility Project was launched in 2008

and enables students and recent graduates to apply for paid vocational training

abroad. During the congress a training was offered to those who are interested in

developing the project and taking advantage of it.

Other trainings included counseling patients with different cultural background,

improving problem solving skills and an interactive session in which professionalism

and activism were discussed in relation to innovation in healthcare.

The congress was a great opportunity to get into the “EPSA spirit” and it didn't lack

social activities. The European evening gathered students from nearly all European

countries and several non-European participants who were wearing traditional

clothes, performing national dances and music and offering best national food and

drinks. The other exciting event was the auction where students were making high

bids for souvenirs from countries participants and promotional materials of member

associations in order to collect money for EPSA Support Fund which provides

financial support for students who are active in EPSA and can not afford to attend

meetings.

Training on EU affairs, communication and lobbying

In the following months EPSA and EDSA will contribute to each others publications

and plan to arrange details on the common project. The two associations may

collaborate in the field of voluntary work in Africa where EDSA would invite

pharmaceutical students to join EDSA team in Cameroon in summer of 2011 and

EPSA would invite dental students to provide dental treatments to people of Guinea

Bissau where EPSA already provides facilities.

Maja Sabalić

majasabalic@yahoo.com

EPSA European Evening