9 May 2021 – IMU Pharmacy Students grabbed two prizes at the 1st MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition (NPC) —– Clinical Pharmacy Challenge 2021. Two teams from IMU took part in this challenge.
| Two teams from IMU took part in this challenge | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IMU Team 1 | 2nd Runner-Up | Tan Yow Zi Xuan, Teng Carine, Madeline Teoh Pei Lin and Tan Wee Toong (reserved participant) |  |
| IMU Team 2 | 1st Runner-Up | Wong Jia Wei, Laurena Wong Gui Jin, Tan Qian Ying and Clarissa Choong Li Juan (reserved participant) |  |
The MyPSA National Pharmacy Competition —- Clinical Pharmacy Challenge (formerly known as National Clinical Pharmacy Challenge, NCPC) is one of the initiatives by the Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA) that aims to test the knowledge of clinical pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and clinical pharmacokinetics, as well as interpersonal skills among the pharmacy students.
This year, the MyPSA Clinical Pharmacy Challenge was hosted by International Medical University (IMU) on 8 and 9 May 2021, and it was held virtually through online Zoom and Google Forms.
The challenge successfully attracted the participation of 20 teams across the nation.
The preliminary rounds of the challenge consist of a written test with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Short Answer Questions (SAQ), as well as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that evaluates the participants’ communication skills with patients and other healthcare professionals. Both IMU teams reached the top 4 in the competition based on the cumulative score of qualifying rounds and proceeded to the finals.
In the final round, all 4 finalist teams presented a 30-minute case study presentation with only 1 hour of preparation time, which is followed by a Question & Answer session with a panel of 3 experienced clinical pharmacists judges. The IMU Team 2 and Team 1 were awarded the 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up respectively in the final round case presentation.
| Final Results of the 1st MyPSA NPC Clinical Pharmacy Challenge 2021: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Champion | IIUM Team 1 | Amni Izzati binti Zukkarnain, Nursyaffiqah Najwa binti Amran, Nurul Qistina binti Mohd Kamaruzihan |
| 1st Runner-Up | IMU Team 2 | Wong Jia Wei, Laurena Wong Gui Jin, Tan Qian Ying and Clarissa Choong Li Juan (reserved participant) |
| 2nd Runner-Up | IMU Team 1 | Tan Yow Zi Xuan, Teng Carine, Madeline Teoh Pei Lin and Tan Wee Toong (reserved participant) |
| 4th Place | Taylor’s Team 1 | Chan Zhuo En, Gan Jhing Ee, Ong Yi Xian |
Sharing of some participants about their experience and feelings when preparing the Clinical Pharmacy Challenge and winning the competition:
I think it is a great opportunity to test the knowledge that we have learnt from class. This competition has made us push ourselves to the limit and we never thought we would make it to the final rounds. It is a unique experience and I really appreciate the effort and commitment from my teammates. Besides, I would like to thank our team advisor Dr Chong Chin Pin for his time to prepare us for the competition.
Teng Carine (IMU Team 1)
It was really an honor to have an opportunity representing IMU to participate in such an exquisite academic event. I would like to express utmost gratitude towards our mentor, Dr Chong Chin Pin and all of my teammates for every guidance and encouragement throughout the competition. Preparations were intense and intricate, but meaningful as it fueled continuous momentum in pursuing knowledge.
Wong Jia Wei (IMU Team 2)
The event director of the 1st NPC Clinical Pharmacy Challenge 2021, Lee Richearn and his team did a very wonderful job with the execution of the event, and the whole competition ran smoothly due to the great efforts by all organizing committees. He hopes that the 2-day challenge would achieve its objective, which is letting pharmacy students step out of their boundaries and surpass themselves in terms of clinical knowledge, communication skills and critical thinking.
Last but not least, both IMU teams would like to thank their Team Advisor, Dr Chong Chin Pin, and the Lecturer Advisor of IMU Pharmacy Students’ Association (IPSA), Dr Rohit Kumar Verma for their advice, guidance and continuous support throughout the competition.
Kudos to Both Participating Teams of IMU!
