MANILA, 28 October 2018 – A lecturer from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Goh Choon Fu won the Best Oral Presentation award at the recent 27th Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) 2018 Congress.

With his research on 'Asian Rice-Starch Based Film as a Potential Buccal Delivery System: Effect of Plasticiser on Drug Release Pattern’, he proudly stood on the podium when receiving the award for his achievement.

The 27th Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Congress was held on October 24-27, 2018 at the Philippines International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila and this year’s Congress focused on the theme “Pharmacists for the Global Goals: Creating Value Beyond Health”.

This year’s FAPA Congress features a cutting-edge educational programme with renowned pharmacy practitioners and researchers from all over Asia and the world. Asian pharmacists continue to chart the future of the profession to ensure solid contributions to the global goals of sustainable development.

In 2016, seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force. Over the next 15 years, these new Global Goals will drive all countries to address the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Harmonizing economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection is the key to achieve this and the health of individuals and populations is at its core.

In this era of Global Goals, pharmacists are given the unique opportunity to make use of their unique technical expertise, skills and competencies to influence areas beyond health towards reducing inequities, raising basic standards of living, and fostering equitable social development.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah