The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Pharmacy, in partnership with the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. (PPhA) and the Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists (PSHP), organized the Clinical Pharmacy Masterclass on October 9, 2025, at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino Auditorium, UST Junior High School Building.
With the overarching goal of advancing the competencies of Filipino pharmacists in specialized clinical areas, the Masterclass centered on Pediatrics, Oncology, and Organ Transplantation, offering participants a deeper understanding of the principles, challenges, and innovations in contemporary pharmaceutical care. This initiative underscored the UST Faculty of Pharmacy’s enduring commitment to fostering global partnerships and lifelong learning opportunities among healthcare professionals.
The one-day Masterclass brought together pharmacists, educators, clinicians, and students from across the country to engage in expert-led sessions facilitated by faculty members from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy, one of the foremost institutions in clinical pharmacy education worldwide.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Dean of the UST Faculty of Pharmacy and President of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc., emphasized the importance of collaborative engagement in elevating pharmacy practice in the Philippines. She highlighted that global exchange of expertise and knowledge-sharing remain essential in preparing practitioners to meet the complex and evolving demands of patient care.
The program overview and introduction of speakers were delivered by Ms. Mary Jeane S. Robles, RPh, Chair of the PSHP Clinical Pharmacy Section and Unit Manager for Clinical Pharmacy at Makati Medical Center. She underscored the significance of the event as a continuing professional development opportunity that bridges academic scholarship and clinical practice.
The Masterclass featured a series of specialized lectures focusing on three major domains of clinical pharmacy practice—each addressing distinct yet interrelated challenges in modern therapeutics.
Assoc. Prof. Jennifer T. Pham, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPPS, Clinical Associate Professor at the UIC College of Pharmacy, commenced the academic sessions with her lecture titled “Little Patients, Big Impact: Principles of Pediatric Pharmaceutical Care.” In her discussion, Dr. Pham underscored the critical role of pharmacists in ensuring safe and effective medication use among pediatric populations, emphasizing precision dosing, pharmacokinetic variability, and the importance of interprofessional collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes.
This was followed by Asst. Prof. Christina Mactal-Haaf, Pharm.D., BCOP, Clinical Assistant Professor at UIC, who presented “Pharmacists Fighting Cancer: Core Principles of Pharmaceutical Care.” Drawing from her clinical experience in oncology, she explored evidence-based strategies in managing chemotherapy regimens, preventing and treating drug-related toxicities, and supporting patients through palliative care. Her session emphasized the evolving role of oncology pharmacists as integral members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team.
Concluding the lecture series, Asst. Prof. Benito T. Valdepeñas III, Pharm.D., BCTXP, RN, Clinical Assistant Professor at UIC, delivered his session titled “Transplant Rx Basics: Caring for the Gift of Life.” Dr. Valdepeñas discussed the complexities of organ transplantation pharmacotherapy, focusing on the principles of immunosuppressive management, medication adherence, and the prevention of rejection and infection. His lecture highlighted the pivotal contribution of clinical pharmacists in ensuring long-term graft survival and improving the quality of life among transplant recipients.
Each of these sessions was followed by an open forum that fostered interactive dialogue and the exchange of clinical insights among participants. Through these discussions, attendees were able to contextualize global best practices within the framework of local clinical realities, creating a dynamic learning environment that bridged theory, research, and applied patient care.
The synthesis of the Masterclass was delivered by Ms. Rubina R. Abaya, RPh, Council Member of the PSHP Clinical Pharmacy Section and Senior Pharmacist at the University of the Philippines– Philippine General Hospital. In her summary, Ms. Abaya reflected on the overarching themes of the event, emphasizing the essential role of continuous professional education and the integration of evidence-based clinical decision-making in advancing the pharmacy profession in the Philippines.
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates of appreciation to the distinguished speakers, followed by closing remarks from Ms. Rosalynn L. Pangan, RPh, MBAH, President of the Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists. In her address, Ms. Pangan commended the UST Faculty of Pharmacy and its institutional partners for spearheading a meaningful academic exchange that enhances both professional competence and inter-organizational collaboration in the pharmacy sector.
The Clinical Pharmacy Masterclass stands as a testament to the UST Faculty of Pharmacy’s unwavering dedication to cultivating excellence in pharmacy education and practice. By integrating international expertise and local experience, the Faculty continues to strengthen its role as a leader in the academic and professional development of pharmacists in the Philippines.
Through initiatives such as this, the Faculty seeks not only to equip pharmacists with advanced clinical skills but also to inspire a spirit of inquiry, compassion, and ethical responsibility in healthcare delivery. As the field of pharmacy continues to evolve in response to emerging global health challenges, UST remains steadfast in its mission to produce competent, committed, and compassionate Thomasians who uphold the values of truth and faith in their pursuit of excellence in pharmaceutical care.