"The R-POPS Student symposium gets even better every year"

The Uppsala Biomedical Center Auditorium B42 is filled to the brim as Sebastian Månsson, chair of the Pharmaceutical Student Union, welcomes to the final round of the Bachelor of Science Programme's new tradition R-POPS: The popular science symposium where students present the results of their degree projects to fellow students, teachers, family and friends. Earlier in the day, the audience have taken part in a total of 37 projects, and the jury’s task to select the six finalists has been anything but easy.

“This is undoubtedly a highly talented group of students, and I can only state how incredibly impressed I am by the generally very high quality of the presentations. The participants clearly show that they can explain complex topics in accessible ways, which is one of the most important competencies our future Prescriptionists take with them into their professional lives,” says Emma Lundkvist, Coordinator at Uppsala University's Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy.

On the podium, the six finalists have already started presenting their projects. Anas Slaii illustrates with enlightening images and practical props his degree project in Pharmacognosy with a focus on identifying substances with the potential to utilize in future anti-inflammatory drugs.

“I have worked with a number of medicinal plants that Professor Gunnar Samuelsson brought home from his excursions in Somalia. After pulverizing these and creating tea-like liquids, I had the samples analyzed at Karolinska Institutet. The results show that four of the plants have an anti-inflammatory effect. In these, we have identified five substances not previously tried in this context, so now further research awaits.

The presentations continue at a rapid pace with many interesting results: Sofie Sellén has successfully tested a model with potential to provide important knowledge for the treatment of children with type 2 diabetes. Grees Safoo shows how many pharmacy employees do not ask adequate questions when recommending antipyretics to young people. Lydia Sanharib has isolated an anti-inflammatory molecule in a plant and Sofia Hedberg has in literature studies found indications that Phages can be an alternative route in the search for tools against resistant bacteria.

“Skilled Prescriptions are a prerequisite for our Swedish Pharmacies to operate, and after experiencing all R-POPS that have taken place so far, it is apparent to me that the quality is, if possible, getting higher every year. All participants deserve very high marks for their presentations, but we have managed to select a winner,” states Fredrik Boström, Chief Pharmacist at the Swedish Pharmacy Association, before handing out the Award for Best presentation of a degree project to Anna Boström.

This year's winner of R-POPS highlights in her project the fact that employees at Swedish pharmacies do not have the authority to prescribe prescription drugs of any sort. A fact that can cause problems with access to necessary medications as well as unnecessary frustration for both customer and Prescriptionist.

“Several countries have already updated their regulations, among them Denmark. I have conducted a survey study that confirms that Swedish pharmacists are more than ready for a corresponding step in our nation as well. Also, by adding a course in pharmaceutical prescribing, our university programmes can ensure necessary conditions and security, says Anna Boström.

“As Deputy Dean, it is easy to be proud when I listen to the students' presentations. They demonstrate in impressive ways how much knowledge they have acquired during their time with us. Now, the work-based part of their education awaits before it is time for them to apply for their professional licenses. And I am already looking forward to September when we will meet these future pharmaceutical experts at the Faculty graduation ceremony in the Uppsala University Main auditorium before they enter their future careers, says Anja Sandström, Deputy Dean for first and second cycle education.

LEARN MORE

• Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy
• Course in Health-System Pharmacy opening new career paths for Prescriptionists
• Spotlight on: Give it up for the Prescriptionist: Your guide in the pharmaceutical jungle

CONTACT

Text & Photo: Magnus Alsne