DKICP students participate in international rotation in Thailand

Two DKICP students are currently taking advantage of the unique opportunity to complete their elective APPE course in Industrial Pharmacy at the Rangsit University College of Pharmacy in Bangkok, Thailand.

From January 2 to February 9, P4s Cheyenne Garretson and Katarina Happel will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in pharmaceutical manufacturing concepts, product formulation, equipment and lab methods, quality control, and the technical and regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical product development, all while learning about unique cultural perspective of Thailand.

The students will also have the opportunity to visit the Thai FDA, manufacturing facilities, and participate in professional conferences. They are working at the Sino-Thai Herbal Medicinal Products Research and Development Center; Medical Cannabis Research Institution; and SUN-HERB Thai Chinese Manufactory, a joint venture between Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in China and Rangsit University College of Pharmacy.

“This APPE gives our students a more global perspective, offering insights into Thailand public health, the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in various settings, and fostering interprofessional relationships,” says Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit, professor in the DKICP Department of Pharmacy Practice. “We are very grateful to longstanding DKICP donor Marian Okada, for her encouragement and generous financial support for this very valuable international APPE rotation.”

DKICP is a member of the U.S.-Thai Consortium, a multinational group dedicated to advancing pharmacy education, research and practice, and improving global health. Partner schools of pharmacy include those at Chulalongkorn University, Rangsit University, Khon Kaen University, and Silpakorn University. All have clinical sites and research agreements with DKICP that encompass various areas of study, including APPE, Pharmaceutical Care, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research, and joint research projects that involve conferences and meetings.

“These agreements broaden our reputation and provide DKICP students and faculty with opportunities for experiential training, collaborative teaching, research, service projects in Thailand, contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge and practice,” says Wongwiwatthananukit, who helped shape the agreements. “The program also brings Thai students to Hawaii to pursue advanced professional, graduate study, residency or postgraduate training in DKICP laboratories and various experiential sites across the Hawaiian Islands.”

Faculty from DKICP and UH Hilo can also engage in international collaboration on pharmaceutical research and work with professional pharmacists, addressing drug discovery, global healthcare, clinical innovative pharmaceutical care service, and medication therapy management.

“I believe we can make significant contributions to this facility through our DKICP work in natural products and Hawaiian traditional medicine,” Wongwiwatthananukit says.