5th MyPSA NPC 2025
MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition
The MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition (NPC) is an annual event under the Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA), involving 21 pharmacy student societies from across Malaysia. NPC consists of three challenges: the Piala Aishah Compounding Challenge (PA), the Pharmacy Quiz Challenge (QC), and the Clinical Pharmacy Challenge (CC). The Piala Aishah Compounding Challenge assessed students’ understanding through theoretical questions and hands-on laboratory preparation of pharmaceutical formulations. The Pharmacy Quiz Challenge tested participants' knowledge of various pharmacy- and pharmacology-related topics through questions of different formats. The Clinical Pharmacy Challenge evaluated students’ clinical skills and problem-solving abilities in simulated hospital settings. This year, the event was conducted physically at Universiti Malaya (UM).
This year, the Pharmacy Society of Universiti Malaya (UM PharmSoc) hosted the 5th MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition (NPC) 2025: Pharmaceutical Phenomenon, aiming to enhance the professional development of pharmacy students throughout Malaysia. In collaboration with MyPSA, this event equipped participants with practical skills while fostering leadership and teamwork among pharmacy students.
The primary motivation for organising the 5th MyPSA NPC 2025 was to create a dynamic platform for students and lecturers to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas within the pharmaceutical field. This objective was reflected in the structure of the event, particularly through the three main challenges: the Piala Aishah Compounding Challenge, the Pharmacy Quiz Challenge, and the Clinical Pharmacy Challenge. These challenges not only provided opportunities for participants to showcase their knowledge and skills but also fostered an environment of teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration. By participating in the 5th MyPSA NPC 2025, all attendees—whether competing, mentoring, or observing—played a role in advancing the collective understanding and practices in pharmaceutical sciences. The event served as a catalyst for future collaborations, inspiring new ideas and approaches to benefit both education and professional practice in the field.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Opening Ceremony was held after the Piala Aishah Compounding Challenge and before the Preliminary Round of the Pharmacy Quiz Challenge. It served as the formal commencement of the 5th MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition (NPC) 2025. The ceremony was officiated by Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Pharmacy esteemed Acting Dean, Dr Izyan Binti A Wahab, who delivered a short speech to inspire and encourage the participants as they continued their journey through the competition.
PIALA AISHAH COMPOUNDING CHALLENGE (PA):
The Piala Aishah Compounding Challenge was a pharmaceutical competition that tested participants’ skills in dosage form design across solids, liquids, and semisolids. Participants completed a formulation based on a prescription scenario in each round and submitted both the final product and a written report using the provided documentation. Internal team discussions were allowed, but communication with other teams or external parties was prohibited. The competition spanned three rounds of increasing difficulty, focusing on prescription-based compounding with an emphasis on formulation accuracy, technique, and regulatory compliance. Winners were determined by cumulative scores from all rounds, with judges evaluating both technical execution and pharmaceutical knowledge.
The challenge saw participation from 17 enthusiastic teams and was judged by a panel of six experienced professionals. All participants were required to wear proper lab attire to ensure safety and professionalism. The event included scheduled gaps between rounds to give teams time to rest and prepare.
Top 3 winners: USM Team B, UiTM Team B, and UKM Team A.
PHARMACY QUIZ CHALLENGE (QC):
The Pharmacy Quiz Challenge (QC) was a knowledge-based competition that assessed students’ understanding of various pharmacy and pharmacology-related topics. Each team comprised four students, who could be from different academic years, allowing for diverse strengths and collaborative learning. The competition featured several rounds of challenges, using different question formats such as multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and rapid-response rounds. These formats tested not only the participants’ theoretical knowledge but also their critical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability under time constraints. Teams had to successfully complete each round to advance, with only the top three teams reaching the final stage of the competition.
The Pharmacy Quiz Challenge began with the preliminary round on 11th May 2025, followed by the semi-final and final rounds on the second day of the event. A total of 12 registered teams participated, showcasing their pharmacy knowledge, reasoning skills, and collaborative abilities. The event was evaluated by eight judges, who ensured a fair and consistent assessment process across all rounds.
Top 3 winners: Taylor’s Team B, USM, and UM Team A.
CLINICAL PHARMACY CHALLENGE (CC):
The Clinical Pharmacy Challenge (CC) was a competition aimed at assessing students’ clinical skills and problem-solving abilities, particularly in simulated hospital settings. Each team comprised three participants, with the option of one reserve to maintain flexibility throughout the event. All teams participated in the preliminary round, which consisted of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Short Answer Questions (SAQs) designed to assess foundational clinical knowledge and reasoning skills. The six teams with the highest average scores advanced to the semi-final round, which featured three Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) simulation cases that tested practical clinical skills and decision-making abilities in realistic scenarios. The top three teams from the semi-final then qualified for the final round, which involved a comprehensive case presentation to assess clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and communication skills.
The Clinical Pharmacy Challenge was conducted over the second and third days of the event and featured 12 registered teams that demonstrated their clinical knowledge and practical application in various scenarios. Thirteen judges, comprising professionals from diverse clinical backgrounds, ensured a fair and thorough evaluation process.
Top 3 winners: AIMST Team B, UKM Team B, and Taylor’s Team B.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The Closing Ceremony took place on the final day of the event, marking the conclusion of the 5th MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition (NPC) 2025. It was a moment to celebrate the hard work and achievements of all participants, and to announce the winners of each challenge.
