Caitlyn Lucore is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy, APhA International Standing Committee chair, and National IPSF Student Exchange Officer; Joelle Frady is a final-year PharmD candidate at The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and the National IPSF Contact Person; and Ahmed Nour is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and the National IPSF Project Coordinator.
As a student pharmacist member of APhA, you are automatically a member of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), the leading international advocacy organization for student pharmacists across more than 100 countries. Through our membership, we had the opportunity to travel this summer to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in IPSF World Congress, engage with student pharmacists worldwide, and immerse ourselves in a new culture.
World Congress serves as the IPSF equivalent to the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, bringing together student pharmacists worldwide for professional development, policy discussions, and cultural exchange.
Advancing global health
A key part of the congress is the IPSF General Assembly (GA), which functions similarly to the APhA–ASP House of Delegates. Delegations discuss, debate, and vote on motions that help guide the direction of IPSF and its position on global pharmacy issues. This year, our delegation proposed four resolutions, two of which successfully passed, allowing us to influence decisions that will affect student pharmacists worldwide.
Here are the two resolutions:
Resolution #1: This the 71st IPSF General Assembly mandates section 3.7.4.i of the IPSF Domestic Rules be amended as follows: 3.7.4 Duties of the Treasurer – 3.7.4.i To send the invoices for membership and Student Exchange Programme fees to member organisations by the beginning of January each year, not to exceed the 20th day of January. This motion shall be achieved immediately.
Resolution #2: This the 71st IPSF General Assembly mandates that the IPSF Executive Committee must reply to any requests or inquiries from a Member Organization via email within seven (7) business days. If an Executive Committee member is unable to respond or access email, they are responsible for setting an automated out-of-office reply indicating their expected return date. For absences expected to exceed 14 calendar days, the Executive Committee member must designate another IPSF leader to monitor and respond to emails on their behalf. A “response” under this motion shall be defined as either (a) providing a substantive reply addressing the request or inquiry, or (b) acknowledging receipt of the inquiry with a clear indication of when a complete response can be expected.
Outside of GA, we participated in sessions led by pharmacists and public health professionals from across Africa, learning about the vital roles pharmacists play in advancing global health.
Competition time
We also participated in international competitions, collaborated with team members from different countries, and placed in several events. Ahmed and Joelle’s team placed first in the Clinical Skills Event, Caitlyn and Joelle placed second in the Patient Counseling Event, and Ahmed placed second in the Industrial Skills Event.
We also immersed ourselves in multiple activities in Nairobi, ranging from an on-the-ground public health campaign, where we engaged with and educated community members on important topics that increase diabetes awareness and health literacy, to exploring the urban/rural culture blend of the country.
Enjoying the cultural
Outside of sessions, World Congress offered countless opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate together, creating long-lasting, unforgettable memories with student pharmacists across the globe. Nearly every evening featured a planned social or cultural event that brought delegates from around the world together, whether it was the excitement of Auction Night, the exchange of traditions during Cultural Night, or the Gala Night and Awards Ceremony. These activities allowed us to form genuine friendships and appreciate the diversity of the global pharmacy community. We also had the chance to explore Kenya, including visiting the Giraffe Center, where we fed giraffes face-to-face, and going on a safari to experience the breathtaking wildlife and landscapes.
There was also time to experience traditional performances and music, art that reflects the country’s strong cultural identity, and matatus, extravagantly decorated buses that serve as the main method of public transportation as well as a party bus. The local cuisine was another highlight that we all enjoyed, particularly the grilled meats and mandazi, a lightly sweetened fried dough that is nicely complemented by Kenyan tea, a common breakfast pairing and all-time International Standing Committee favorite.
See you in Bangkok!
These experiences were not only fun and memorable, but also fostered deeper connection, global awareness, and unity among future pharmacy leaders, truly embodying the spirit of “Karibu Kenya!” World Congress was an unforgettable experience, and we encourage you to consider attending next year in Bangkok, Thailand!