The local Washington State University Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition was held on Saturday, January 20.
Drug companies produce medicine in standard doses. Compounding is when pharmacists customize prescriptions to better fit the individual. Not all pharmacies provide compounding services, which makes it an ideal niche for pharmacy entrepreneurs interested in owning their own stores.
Basic compounding is taught in the first year of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. For students who are interested in developing further skill in customized medicine, they can also participate in the college’s compounding club where students can further develop their skills. The annual Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition is one way students can practice their skills and even receive some national recognition.
The following student teams participated in the local competition:
Team #1: Linda Lang, Heather Craig, and Ling Yin
Team #2: Tiba Almaaroof, Tracy Vuong, Ly Dang
Team #3: Shauna Leggett, Megan Baker, Katie Cashman
Team #4: James Nguyen, Jordan Erickson, Justin Chen
The winning team, Team #3, will represent the college at the national competition March 17-18 in Hollywood, Florida. The national competition is hosted and co-sponsored by MEDISCA, a FDA-registered supplier of pharmacy compounding ingredients and products. The purpose of the competition is to promote a higher standard of continuous quality improvement and integrity of compounding, bring excellence and expertise to the compounding pharmacy community, and provide student pharmacists with a rewarding and positive experience in pharmacy compounding.
Judges for the local event included Spokane Pharmacists Wayne Clemens, Jennifer Daily, and Sue Kellogg; WSU Clinical Assistant Professor Connie Remsberg; and Yakima Pharmacist and WSU Clinical Assistant Professor Damianne Brand.
Providing these types of opportunities for students to engage and gain recognition nationally is an example of how the WSU College of Pharmacy is dedicated to advancing human health through clinical education in its Doctor of Pharmacy program, and its commitment to developing outstanding health care professionals and scientists.
[Lori J. Maricle] 2/27/18