European Pharmaceutical Students' Association

European Pharmaceutical Students' Association
Formation1978
TypeStudent association
HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
Location
  • Rue du Luxembourg 19, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Official language
English
President
Josef Kunrt (Czech Republic)
Websitewww.epsa-online.org

The European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA) is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political and non-religious umbrella association of 45 Pharmaceutical Students' Associations from 36 countries, representing over 100.000 pharmaceutical students across Europe. Its main objective is 'to develop the interests and opinions of European pharmaceutical students and to encourage contact and collaboration between them'. EPSA's motto '"Bringing Pharmacy, Knowledge and Students Together" reflects its will to promote the ideas and opinions of all European pharmaceutical students in order to improve the Education, the Pharmaceutical Profession and the Scientific Advances regarding Pharmacy. EPSA has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in PGEU's offices. The Vice President of External Affairs works permanently there, collaborating with the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union in the promotion of the role of the pharmacist as the key actor in public health. Before being settled in Brussels, EPSA had its headquarters in Leiden, The Netherlands.

History

In the spring of 1978, the "Association Nationale des Etudiants en Pharmacie de France" (ANEPF) invited a group of students from various European countries to their congress held in Nancy. The reason for this meeting was to discuss the, at the time, forthcoming European Community (EC) directives on the mutual recognition of pharmacy diplomas within the European Community and compare pharmacy curricula in the different countries. During the meeting, it became obvious that the task at hand was more complicated than anticipated and that results would be difficult to obtain within a short time. However, all participants agreed on the necessity of having discussions and agreements on these topics. The students, therefore, proposed to the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) to establish a committee, the European Sub-Committee of IPSF, to deal with these topics. The European Sub-Committee (ESC) was thus established at the 1978 IPSF Congress in Edinburgh. In 1982 the ESC became an independent organisation, the European Pharmaceutical Students' Committee, which was officially registered at the Tribunal d'Illkirch, France. The main purpose of the ESC was to work towards diploma equivalence with a view to the free movement of pharmacists within the EC. The subject was approached from different angles and the curricula were compared, however, this proved to be difficult since the names of subjects differed between countries. Nevertheless, a lot of data was collected about the studies in the different countries and a paper titled: 'Pharmacy in Europe, Facts of Pharmacy Education and Practice in European Countries' was produced. The current name of the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA) was decided upon ten years after becoming independent, at the 15th ESC congress held in Helsinki in 1992, and took effect from the closure of the 16th ESC Congress, held in Tübingen, Germany, in April 1993. EPSA underwent dramatic changes during the 27th EPSA Annual Congress in Pamporovo, Bulgaria, in 2004. Timo Mohnani, EPSA President at the time, and his EPSA Executive initiated these changes. The main purpose of the changes was to bring EPSA as an association closer to its members. This was done by the introduction of Working Committees which consisted of a representative from each member association and worked on a different field of action within the vastness of the pharmaceutical profession. The makeup of the EPSA Executive was only slightly changed with the introduction of a Sponsorship Officer and an EU Officer. In 2005 EPSA launched a major project – the Individual Mobility Project (IMP). The main aim was to give students the possibility of having paid internships in pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories or any other fields within the pharmacy profession. This project leads to the creation of the positions of Students Mobility Officer, Central IMP Coordinator and the IMP Board. Later, in 2008, the names given to the EPSA Executive were changed from "Officers" to "Vice Presidents". The structure of the EPSA Executive became the following: President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Communication, Vice President of Partnership Development, Vice President of EU Affairs and Vice President of Mobility. 2009 presented the creation of two new positions: Training Officer and Alumni Officer. At the 39th EPSA General Assembly held in Kraków, Poland, in April 2010, an internal restructuring was made within EPSA: the abolition of Working Committees led to the creation of the Educational Board; the Vice President of Partnership Development and the Vice President of EU Affairs positions were merged into one: Vice President of External Affairs. Another change was made by 43rd EPSA General Assembly which renamed all Officers to Coordinators. In 2014, at the 47th EPSA General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary, a major change was the establishment of a new position in the EPSA Executive - Vice President of Internal Affairs, which became responsible for the internal communication and effectively became the Vice President of the Association. At the 51st General Assembly, which took place in Helsinki, in April 2016, some other significant changes were made. The position of Vice President of Mobility and the Mobility Department were abolished and a new position in the External Relations Department, the Mobility Coordinator, was created. The Vice President of External Affairs portfolio was also divided by two new positions: Vice President of European Affairs and Vice President of External Relations. The Vice President of External Relations became the leader of the External Relations Department, composed by the Mobility Coordinator, Central IMP Coordinator (that were members of the previous Mobility Department) and Professional Affairs Coordinator (that was previously in the Educational Department). With this new position of Vice President of External Relations, the Partnership Coordinator position was also abolished, becoming part of VP ER's portfolio. At the 55th General Assembly, which took place in Baarlo, the Netherlands, a European Affairs Department was established. The department is headed by the Vice President of European Affairs and consist of the Grant Coordinator and the newly established Policy Affairs Coordinator. In addition to this, the position of the Social Media Coordinator as part of the Public Relations Department was established. Today, EPSA represents 100.00 pharmaceutical students from 45 Member Associations and 37 countries. The Association continues to grow and evolve; traditions have developed over the years and are continually created. By agreeing to become an EPSA Liaison Secretary you are continuing one of the oldest and following a long line of dedicated and respected EPSA Members. The original objectives of EPSA were established in 1982 and were expanded and updated at the 21st EPSA Congress in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain, in 1998, when the whole structure and running of EPSA was revamped. The current vision and mission of the association, adopted during the 38th EPSA Annual Congress in Toulouse, France, in 2015, are simple: "The vision of the association is to represent, reach and engage every single pharmaceutical student in Europe to collaborate on the development of the future of pharmacy and healthcare together." "The mission of the association is to actively engage at student and professional level, bringing pharmacy, knowledge and students together while promoting personal development." The EPSA TORSO (Terms of Reference and Standing Orders) exists to ensure that these aims are fulfilled and that the association runs in an appropriate way.

Structure

General Assembly

The EPSA General Assembly (GA) is the highest authority and decision-making body of the Association. Each Ordinary and Associate Member sends up to two Official Delegates to the GA. The GA consists of delegates from all Ordinary and Associate Members of EPSA who speak on behalf of their associations. Observers, such as EPSA Alumni and representatives from other student associations EPSA is collaborating with may also be present at the GA. The voting results and decisions taken at the GA evaluate and define the work of the association and mandate the EPSA Executive to carry out various tasks. The General Assembly takes place two times a year - during the EPSA Annual Congress and the EPSA Autumn Assembly. During the Autumn Assembly, EPSA Team Members present their work for the first half of their mandate and get feedback and suggestions from the members, thus shaping the next half of the year. At the Annual Congress, a new Team is elected/appointed every year.

EPSA Team

The EPSA Team is elected by the General Assembly every year at the EPSA Annual Congress in April or May and takes office in July. Led by the Executive, the EPSA Team cooperates all year with EPSA Member Associations in order to achieve EPSA goals.

Executive

The EPSA Executive manages the affairs of the Association and leads the work done in the name of EPSA in multiple fields.

The European Sub-Committee (ESC) began with only one executive member, the chairperson. However, as the workload increased, the need for additional board members became apparent. The ESC board was originally elected at IPSF Congresses. However, from 1982 onward, due to the division of IPSF and ECS, the Executive has been elected at ESC Congresses. Until 1998, the Board (composed of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer) was elected at the Congress, and the rest of the Executive appointed. From 1998 onwards the entire Executive was elected at the Congress and was assisted by a number of sub-committees.

After that, several changes were made in the Executive with the introduction of Vice-Presidents and Immediate Past President positions. The actual structure of the EPSA Executive is composed of 8 elected members and one appointed Immediate Past President.

President (president@epsa-online.org) – his main duty is to coordinate all activities of the Association. The President is the leader and the stimulator of all EPSA Team Members. He is also responsible for contacts with external bodies — professional, governmental and other students’ organisations. The President leads EPSA forward to grow and flourish in benefit and influence and ensure continuity of the projects and endeavours.

Vice President of Internal Affairs (vp.ia@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for maintaining the internal communication in EPSA, being the main contact point for the Liaison Secretaries. The Vice President of Internal Affairs is also the Vice President of the Association so in case the President is unable to fulfil his tasks, the Vice President of Internal Affairs takes them over. The Vice President of Internal Affairs also leads the Internal Affairs Department and is responsible for supervising the organisation of EPSA Events and the activities of EPSA Alumni.

Secretary General (secgen@epsa-online.org) — he is responsible for maintaining all documents in EPSA. This task encompasses keeping minutes of the General Assembly and other meetings in EPSA, collecting reports and preparing GA documents, as well as managing the EPSA Library and EPSA Archives.

Treasurer (treasurer@epsa-online.org) — his main duty is to look after the finances of EPSA. He is also responsible for dealing with the membership fees of the Member Associations, and for correspondence regarding payments of Individual Members and Friends of the Association.

Vice President of Education (vp.education@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for educational topics-related discussions within the Association and is the primary liaison with the Reception Committees in relation to the topic and educational programme of EPSA Events. He is also responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the Educational Department. He is in charge of all Educational Department projects.

Vice President of Public Relations (vp.pr@epsa-online.org) – his primary task is to coordinate all the activities in EPSA related to the image and promotion of the Association. He is therefore responsible for ensuring that the tasks of the Design, Publications, IT and Social Media Coordinators are carried out.

Vice President of External Relations (vp.er@epsa-online.org) – his primary duty is to strengthen the relations between European pharmaceutical students and practicing professionals, as well as other student organisations with similar aims. He is also responsible for finding and approaching new EPSA Partners and IMP Partners, and managing the Partners' database. He is the leader of the External Relations Department, coordinating and overseeing all related Projects.

Vice President of European Affairs (vp.ea@epsa-online.org) – he is based in Brussels throughout the period of the mandate and is working as an intern in the PGEU Office (Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union) full-time for EPSA and for the PGEU. He is responsible for the preparation of policy documents, such as Statements of Opinion and Position Papers and management of the Policy Platform, together with the Advocacy Platform Coordinator, which is an advocacy platform for EPSA Member Associations. He regularly follows the activities of the European Commission and other relevant European institutions and associations regarding policy affecting health and education areas, and updates EPSA Team, LSs and EduProf Platform representatives. He is the leader of the European Affairs Department, coordinating and overseeing all related projects.

Immediate Past President (ipp@epsa-online.org) – The Immediate Past President is in the EPSA Executive in an advisory role. He has a vital role in ensuring the continuity of relationships of EPSA, particularly with external contacts and sponsors and providing background knowledge for the newly elected EPSA Executive.

The EPSA Team consists of 30 EPSA members, working throughout the year to bring EPSA projects and activities to all EPSA members. The Team is divided into departments. The duties and responsibilities of each department are explained on the EPSA website.

Internal Affairs Department

Events Coordinator (events@epsa-online.org) – he is in charge of overseeing the organisation and evaluation of all EPSA Events. He works closely with the Reception Committees of each event and reports to the EPSA Executive regularly, mainly through the Vice President of Internal Affairs. He is also in charge of the EPSA Events and Educational Calendar.

Alumni Coordinator (alumni@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for coordinating the EPSA Alumni Project. The Alumni Coordinator is also a member of the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) and acts as the liaison between the EPSA Team and the AAB.

Chairperson of the Reception Committee of the following EPSA Annual Congress/ EPSA Autumn Assembly – The EPSA Annual Congress and the EPSA Autumn Assembly are official EPSA events. The elected host organisation of the EPSA Annual Congress and the EPSA Autumn Assembly forms a Reception Committee, who appoints a chairperson from among its members. The Chairperson is the person responsible for the coordination of the event and the communication between the RC and the EPSA Team. This Chairperson assumes the status of an EPSA Team Member during the half-year that precedes their event.

Educational Department

Educational Affairs Coordinator (edu.affairs@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for promoting educational affairs in EPSA and especially coordinating the Lifelong Learning Platform (LLeaP), the Methodology Booklet and the EPSA online educational activities. Together with other Educational Department members, he is responsible for contributing to the composition of the educational programmes of EPSA events.

Public Health and Social Services Coordinator (pubsoc@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for informing the EPSA members of any public health and humanitarian campaigns, developing public health or humanitarian projects/campaigns by coordinating them at a local level (by liaising with the LSs and national Public Health Coordinators) and updating the EPSA website with news from public health or humanitarian affairs.

Science Coordinator (science@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for developing science-related projects in EPSA and coordinating the EPSA Students Science Publication (ESSP). He also organises EPSA Science Day at the Annual Congress and aims to organise Science Excursions at EPSA events, whenever possible. He is responsible for the EPSA Science! Monthly and the EPSA Science Blog as well.

Training Coordinator (training@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for the development and maintenance of the EPSA Training Project. He is also in charge of the Trainers Board. Together with the Trainers Board, the Training Coordinator coordinates all training-related activities in EPSA, ensures a sustainable training structure by organising Training New Trainers (TNT) events, organises the training programme of EPSA events, organises training events on either European or local level, assists with the organisation of the Next Generation Training before the Annual Congress and reports to and works in close collaboration with the Vice President of Education.

Public Relations Department

Design Coordinator (design@epsa-online.org) — his duty is to coordinate all publications and activities of the Association in terms of design to ensure that the uniform image of the association is maintained.

Information Technology (IT) Coordinator (ito@epsa-online.org) — he is responsible for maintaining the EPSA website, other EPSA platforms and the EPSA e-groups as the main tools of promotion and communication.

Publications Coordinator (publications@epsa-online.org) — he is in charge of editing and publishing the EPSA Monthly Dose and other EPSA publications. He also participates in updating the EPSA website and blog.

Social Media Coordinator (socialmedia@epsa-online.org) - he is responsible for the management of the EPSA Social Media channels (namely Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn), creating promotional posts for EPSA events, projects, and activities.

External Relations Department

Mobility Coordinator (mobility@epsa-online.org) – he works on mobility opportunities within EPSA and on the European level for students. His task is also working on mobility projects and assisting Twinnet Coordinators with the organisation of the exchange. He also manages the EPSA Students’ Guide, the Interprofessional Twin Project and the EPSA Humanitarian Mobility Project.

Professional Affairs Coordinator (prof.affairs@epsa-online.org) – his main task is to develop EPSA's involvement in professional matters and bring them closer to pharmaceutical students through projects such as Chats with Professionals, Mentoring Project, Career Week, Career Fairs and the Career Page on the EPSA website.

European Affairs Department

Grant Coordinator (grant@epsa-online.org) – he is responsible for searching for grants for EPSA, under the guidance of the Vice President of European Affairs. The Grant Coordinator leads the grant application processes and liaises with all the departments when it comes to funding their projects and activities.

Policy Affairs Coordinator (policy@epsa-online.org) - he is responsible for the writing and updating of EPSA official policy documents, such as Statements of Opinion, Position Papers and EPSA fact sheets, in collaboration with the Vice President of European Affairs.

Advocacy Platform Coordinator (apc@epsa-online.org) - this person is responsible for coordinating EPSA’s Advocacy Platform, consisting of Advocacy Platform Representatives from Member Associations. They ensure that members’ needs regarding advocacy and policy are advocated for.

Parliamentary Council

The EPSA Parliamentary Council is the supervising authority of the Association. The main task of the Parliamentary Council is to supervise and advise the EPSA Executive, Coordinators and Officials. The Parliamentary Council is composed of three members, from three different countries. They are elected by the General Assembly for one Association year one of the members shall be elected as Parliamentarian.

Audit Committee

The EPSA accounts shall be audited by the Audit Committee, which should present a statement to the General Assembly. Audit Committee consists of at least two persons who are appointed by the Parliamentary Council and should be preferably from different countries.

Liaison Secretaries

EPSA Liaison Secretaries are elected or appointed by Member Associations and their main task is to ensure the implementation of EPSA projects and activities at a local level and establish the connection between the executive of the National Association and EPSA Executive. Liaison Secretaries are Official Delegates with voting rights at General Assembly.

The Educational and Professional Affairs Advocacy (EduProf) Platform

Aims to increase the level of advocacy in EPSA, supporting its Members’ causes. The ultimate goal is to issue policy documents in order to voice the opinions of EPSA Members. It also promotes the exchange of information and experience and provides support in student advocacy. Each EPSA Member Association is represented in the EduProf Platform by up to two EduProf Platform Representatives who are chosen by the EPSA Member Association.

Annual Congress Reception Committee Chairperson

The EPSA Annual Congress is an event organized by both EPSA and the hosting association. In order to ensure its success, a Reception Committee (RC) is established, which is chaired by the RC Chairperson, who is appointed as an EPSA Official and invited to Executive meetings with the aim of ensuring good communication between the EPSA team and the RC and hence a successful event.

Liaison Secretaries

EPSA Liaison Secretaries are elected or appointed by the EPSA Member Organizations and their main task is to ensure the implementation of EPSA projects at a local level and establish the connection between the executive of the National Organization and the EPSA Executive. Liaison Secretaries are Official Delegates with voting rights at the General Assembly.

Individual Members, Friends of the Association and Observers

Pharmaceutical students and recent graduates from countries that are members of the Council of Europe up to two years after their graduation and who are not already represented by an EPSA Member Association may apply for Individual Membership.

Individuals, associations, companies and other parties wishing to support EPSA and be involved in EPSA may apply for the Friend of the Association status. They also hold an advisory role and are consulted by the EPSA Executive when needed.

The EPSA Executive may grant Observer status to individuals, associations, companies and other parties deemed beneficial for the work of EPSA.

Member Associations

The EPSA Ordinary and Associate Member Associations are National and Local Pharmaceutical Students' Associations of countries within the geographical entity of Europe, which are recognised by the Council of Europe as independent countries. EPSA represents 38 Member Associations:

  • AEFFUL Students' Association of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon (Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa) - Portugal - Associate Member
  • AFÖP Austrian Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Akademischer Fachverein Österreichischer Pharmazeut_innen) - Austria - Ordinary Member
  • AHUPS Association of Hacettepe University Pharmacy Students'(Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eczacılık Öğrencileri Birliği) - Turkey - Associate Member
  • ANEPF French National Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Association Nationale des Etudiants en Pharmacie de France) - France - Ordinary Member
  • APEF Portuguese Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Associação Portuguesa de Estudantes de Farmácia) - Portugal - Ordinary Member
  • asep Swiss Pharmaceutical Students' Association (FR: association suisse des étudiantexs en pharmacie / IT: Associazione Svizzera de student di farmacia / DE: Schweizerischer Pharmaziestudierenden Verein) - Switzerland - Ordinary Member
  • ASFRM Association of Students Pharmacists of the Republic of Moldova (Asociația Studenților Farmaciști din Republica Moldova) - Moldova - Associate Member
  • BPhD German Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Bundesverband der Pharmaziestudierenden in Deutschland e.V.) - Germany - Ordinary Member
  • BPhSA Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Българска фармацевтична студентска асоциация) - Bulgaria - Ordinary Member
  • BPSA British Pharmaceutical Students' Association - The United Kingdom - Ordinary Member
  • CPSA Croatian Pharmacy and Medical Biochemistry Students' Association (Udruga studenata farmacije i medicinske biokemije Hrvatske) - Croatia - Ordinary Member
  • CIUPSA Cyprus International University Pharmacy Students' Association (CIUPSA) - Cyprus - Ordinary Member
  • CzPSA Czech Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Spolek českých studentů farmacie) - Czech Republic - Ordinary Member
  • EMUPSS Eastern Mediterranean University Pharmacy Students Society - Cyprus - Associate Member
  • FASFR Federation of Pharmacy Students' Associations from Romania (Federaţia Asociațiilor Studenților Farmacişti din România) - Romania - Ordinary Member
  • FEEF Federación Española de Estudiantes de Farmacia - Spain - Ordinary Member
  • FiPSA Finnish Pharmaceutical Students' Association - Finland - Ordinary Member
  • GPSF Greek Pharmaceutical Students' Federation -(Greek: Ένωση Φοιτητών Φαρμακευτικής Ελλάδος) - Greece - Associate Member
  • HUPSA Hungarian Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Magyar Gyógyszerészhallgatók Egyesülete) - Hungary - Associate Member
  • IPSA Irish Pharmaceutical Students' Association (IPSA) - Ireland - Ordinary Member
  • IUPSA Int Istanbul University Pharmaceutical Students' Association International - Turkey - Ordinary Member
  • K.N.P.S.V. Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Pharmaceutische Studenten Vereniging) - The Netherlands - Ordinary Member
  • LPSA Latvian Pharmacy Students' Association (Latvijas Farmacijas Studentu Asociacija) - Ordinary Member
  • MAYA Medical Association Youth Albania - Associate Member
  • MPSA Macedonian Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Студентски Сојуз на Фармацевти на Македонија) - Ordinary Member
  • MPSA Malta Pharmaceutical Students' Association - Ordinary Member
  • MUPSA Marmara University Pharmaceutical Students' Association - Associate Member
  • NAPSer National Association of Pharmacy Students of Serbia (Nacionalna Asocijacija Studenata Farmacije-Srbija) - Ordinary Member
  • NoPSA Norwegian Pharmaceutical Students' Association - Ordinary Member
  • PPSA Polish Pharmaceutical Students' Association, Polskie Towarzystwo Studentów Farmacji, (PTSF) – Poland - Ordinary Member
  • SAFF Students' Association of Faculty for Pharmacy (Studentska asocijacija Farmaceutskog fakulteta u Sarajevu) - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Ordinary Member
  • SAFPUM Student Assembly Faculty of Pharmacy University of Mostar (Studentski zbor Farmaceutskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Mostaru) - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Associate Member
  • SPSA Slovak Pharmaceutical Students' Association (Slovenský spolok študentov farmácie - SSŠF) - Slovakia - Ordinary Member
  • SFD Lithuanian Pharmaceutical Students' Association - Lithuania - Ordinary Member
  • SNAPS Swedish National Association of Pharmaceutical Students - Ordinary Member
  • SoP Students of Pharmaceutical Science - Denmark - Ordinary Member
  • ŠSSFD Students' Section of Slovenian Pharmaceutical Society (Študentska sekcija Slovenskega farmacevtskega društva) - Slovenia - Ordinary Member
  • TÜRS MTÜ Tartu Ülikooli Rohuteaduse Selts - Estonia - Ordinary Member
  • USF Union of students pharmacy (Unie Studentů Farmacie) – Czech Republic - Ordinary Member
  • USFP Union of students of Faculty of Pharmacy - Montenegro - Associate Member
  • VFSO Vlaams Farmaceutisch Studenten Overleg (VFSO) - Belgium - Ordinary Member
  • YPAA Young Pharmacists Association Armenia - Associate Member
  • MSU Medical Students' Union (Спілка Студентів Медиків) - Ukraine - Associate Member

Board of trustees

The Board of Trustees is made up of respected professionals from different pharmaceutical fields who assist the EPSA Executive with their expertise and contacts.

Honorary Life Membership

The Honorary Life Membership is granted to persons who have done remarkable work for the Association. Thanks to their work EPSA has improved substantially to meet its aims with professionalism and excellence. The Honorary Life Members (HLMs) are elected by the General Assembly.

Subcommittees and Working Groups

The EPSA Executive may establish Subcommittees and Working Groups who assist the Team with specific tasks. All EPSA members may apply to become members of the Subcommittees and Working Groups. The active Subcommittees at the moment are the Alumni Advisory Board and the Public Relations Subcommittee. The first consists of past EPSA Team Members who provide advice to the EPSA Team and the latter consists of EPSA members who assist the Public Relations Department with proofreading, design and other tasks.

Events

Annual Congress

The EPSA Annual Congress is the biggest and most important event in the EPSA calendar and takes place usually in April. It is where all EPSA members have the opportunity to meet and discuss EPSA and the pharmaceutical profession in general during this event. The EPSA Annual Congress consists of an Educational Programme (workshops and trainings), Social Programme and a General Assembly. The EPSA Annual Congress is at least 7 days and 6 nights long. This event is a chance for delegates from all the EPSA Member Associations to come together to refuel their spirits and enthusiasm for the coming year. During the Annual Congress, the new EPSA Team is elected for a one-year mandate by the General Assembly. The next AnnualCongress will be held in Lyon, France, in 2021.

Autumn Assembly

The EPSA Autumn Assembly is EPSA's second most important event and takes place usually in October. The purpose of the EPSA Autumn Assembly is to provide an opportunity for EPSA members to review the work of the Association halfway through the year and at the same time to renew motivation and commitment to EPSA. A General Assembly of the year is held during Autumn Assembly. From 2004 to 2008, the EPSA Autumn Assembly was organised in collaboration with ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) in an association of three events: the EPSA Annual 2nd Congress, the EPSA/ESCP Student Symposium and the ESCP Symposium. In the year of 2009, EPSA organised this event for the first time in collaboration with DIA (Drug Information Association).

Summer University

The Summer University is the third main EPSA event of the year and takes place usually at the end of July. This event is characterised by an educational and social agenda. Unlike the other EPSA events already mentioned, a General Assembly is not held during the Summer University. The next edition of the Summer University will take place in Greece, in July 2022.

Annual Reception

The Annual Reception (AR) is organised every year, usually in February, in Brussels, Belgium, where the EPSA headquarters are. The main aim of this event is for the EPSA Team to present their work and projects to the EPSA Board of Trustees, Partners and any institution which may be interested in EPSA's work. This event is structured around a round table discussion, chaired by the EPSA Vice President of European Affairs, in order to improve EPSA work and projects with the experience and ideas of these professionals. The topic of Annual Reception is chosen by EPSA Executive.

WHSS – World Healthcare Students' Symposium

The WHSS is a multi-professional four-day conference bringing together healthcare students from all around the world. The first joint symposium of world healthcare students took place in Malta from 7 to 12 November 2005. The symposium brought together 230 medical, pharmaceutical and nursing students from 42 countries in an international forum. The conference was intended to generate understanding and discussion between the professions, develop skills and awareness of concepts in multidisciplinary settings, and to create student advocates for a cooperative multidisciplinary approach to patient centred care to optimise health outcomes. There are a number of groups who work together to make this event happen and this includes EPSA. Other students' associations involved are: International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF), European Medical Students' Association (EMSA), International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), International Association of Dental Students (IADS) and Global Association of Student and Novice Nurses (GASNN).

Publications

EPSA Newsletter.

Newsletter

The EPSA Newsletter is the official EPSA publication. It is published two times a year and is distributed to all EPSA members, contact organisations and sponsors. The Newsletter contains articles from the EPSA Officials, members and professionals and aims to spread EPSA's latest developments regarding its projects and to exchange knowledge and experiences between them. Including a broad variety of topics, it also contributes to the communication between students of member countries, who want to share ideas, comments and experiences. Additionally, it serves to highlight the important issues for pharmaceutical students across Europe and to pass information about future events. Each EPSA Member Association receives copies of the Newsletter that are further distributed to students across Europe, as well as to EPSA Observers and professional associations.

Monthly Dose

The EPSA Monthly Dose aims to bring relevant and useful updates about EPSA to students that are not very familiar with the Association. It is published every month by the EPSA Publications Coordinator and contains information about relevant projects in EPSA and its Member Associations, upcoming events and recently published blog articles and publications. The Monthly Dose is sent by e-mail to all students, teachers and professionals that subscribe to it on the EPSA website and is also available as a printed version at the European faculties of pharmacy.

ESSP (EPSA Students’ Science Publication)

The ESSP collects and publishes EPSA members’ abstracts of their scientific work. All abstracts are reviewed by EUFEPS (European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences) so students receive professional feedback, It is published three times per year.

Activity Booklet

The Activity Booklet is published once per year and contains information on the achievements of the past calendar year. It is sent to all EPSA members and partners.

Educational Outcomes

EPSA collects and publishes the educational outcomes of EPSA events and online activities, such as webinars. They are available to all EPSA members and partners.

EPSA Blog

Connected to the EPSA Website, is also the EPSA Blog. Here, articles on EPSA activities, members’ activities and articles from external parties are published regularly. EPSA members are encouraged to share their activities through it so contact the Publications Coordinator if you wish to do so.

Social media

EPSA also uses several social networks daily, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the EPSA Blog to reach its students and provide them with updated information about its activities.

EPSA website

The official source of information on EPSA is the EPSA website where information on all events, projects and activities is available as well as all publications. Information on EPSA Member Associations is shared as well.

Projects

EPSA Projects and Activities Webinar

To bring EPSA closer to its members, and EPSA Projects and Activities Webinar is organised twice per mandate. A transcript is available on the EPSA website.

EPSA Events and Educational Calendar

The EPSA Events and Activities Calendar is a calendar of educational opportunities accessible to European pharmaceutical students and recent graduates, organised by professionals or EPSA Member Associations. It is available on the EPSA website and in LLeaP. EPSA Member Associations and external partners can promote and showcase their events and activities through this calendar by submitting the official form which is available on the EPSA website.

EPSA Alumni Project

Since the foundation of EPSA, many students have spent much of their time working for the association. Due to all of them, EPSA is today one of the most respectful associations in Europe. The EPSA Alumni project aims to link the current EPSA Team and members to the old ones, in order to make EPSA grow with the advice, expertise and great example of these people. This project offers the opportunity to maintain contact with all EPSA enthusiasts and also to keep the Alumni benefiting from the association to which they had given a lot of time and energy. Besides previous EPSA Team Members, people eligible to become EPSA Alumni are past LSs, NIMPs and EPSA Trainers. Each of them should fill a specific form if they wish to be granted this status. The EPSA Executive or the General Assembly can grant the EPSA Alumnus status to any other individual they deem has contributed to EPSA sufficiently to be granted with this status. Part of the Alumni Project is also the Alumni Weekend (AW), organised during EPSA Congresses and an Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), established to provide advice and support to the current EPSA Team.

Next Generation Chats and Next Generation Training

The aim of these projects is to present the work of the EPSA Team to interested EPSA members. The chats take place online around a month before the Annual Congress while the Training takes place in the weekend prior to the Annual Congress. All EPSA members can apply to both, even if they do not wish to run for a position in the EPSA Team, as they are a great way to get to know EPSA better and develop themselves. Education Sharing a multiplicity of different Educational systems all over Europe and feeling gaps to bridge within our education, EPSA believes that this issue is important and an active attitude towards it is needed. The pharmacist, the health professional expert on drugs, has to be conveniently prepared to meet the needs of patients and act as an added value to the healthcare system. Firstly, as future health professionals, we believe that we have to be proactive in health awareness among people and society. Promoting health habits, implementing contagious disease prevention campaigns as well as educational programmes about different social problems are the face forms of our work in this specific matter.

Lifelong Learning Platform (LLeaP)

The EPSA Lifelong Learning Platform (LLeaP) provides pharmaceutical students who actively engage in professional and educational activities an opportunity to gain tangible credit for these activities. It also introduces, at an early stage in the development of these future healthcare professionals, the important principles of Lifelong Learning, as well as establishes the importance of documenting professional activities and promoting them among fellow students through a Platform. EPSA hopes that LLeaP will help in generating European pharmaceutical graduates prepared for a career-long commitment to Continuing Professional Development. This will hopefully lead to higher quality healthcare for the citizens of Europe.

Methodology Booklet

The Methodology Booklet is a collection of the European pharmaceutical students’ opinion on the European pharmaceutical education. The opinion is collected through an extensive survey that is heavily promoted. The Methodology Booklet is updated every five years and additional activities, both on the European and on the national/local level are organised throughout the mandates.

Webinars and Online Discussion Forums

Both of these types of online activities are accessible to all EPSA members. Webinars are presentations on specific topics by professionals, followed by a Q&A session. Online Discussion Forums are interactive activities with the aim of collecting the opinion of EPSA members on different relevant topics and to encourage dialogue among them.

Public Health and Social Services

Public health and social services initiatives are very important to EPSA. At the beginning of each mandate, a calendar of public health campaigns and Social Services is created for that mandate. These campaigns are carried out over social media and on the local/national level by the EPSA Member Associations. Members are also encouraged to report on their campaigns and thus share good practices with each other and EPSA. Public Health campaigns are meant to raise awareness of Public Health topics. The main outcome is to let people think about behavior or point of view towards certain health issues. Examples of Public Health campaigns that were covered by EPSA in the past are Purple Week, World Pharmacist Day, Antibiotic Awareness Week, World No Tobacco Day. Social Services is also a large part of this portfolio. Different social services activities, such as humanitarian runs and clothes drives, blood donations, etc. are organised throughout the mandates at EPSA Events and via social media. Member Associations are again encouraged to share their good practices and experiences. The public health and/or social services coordinators of EPSA Member Associations communicate with each other through different channels coordinated by the EPSA Public Health and Social Services Coordinator.

EPSA Science Day

The Science Day takes place during the EPSA Annual Congress. The main aim is to present to all EPSA AC participants the work that has been developed by their researcher student colleagues that have carried out research work in their faculties or are doing an MSc/PhD. There is no theme for Science Day: all scientific posters are welcomed, no matter the area of interest. Poster and oral presentation sessions are organised. Those who participate in Science Day have the opportunity to give a 10-minute oral presentation of their work to other participants and the jury with 5 minutes for questions. In the end, the winners of each Science Day session are chosen and awarded.

EPSA Science! Monthly

This is an EPSA Science project that aims to bring science closer to students. Six different pharmaceutical science articles are presented once a month on the EPSA Website and EPSA Social Media. There is also an option for students to submit science news they have come upon themselves. Participating students will receive credit for their involvement on the EPSA Website. EPSA Science! Monthly is organised around a specific topic each month.

Science Excursions

Science Excursions allow students interested in science contact with the professional world. They are organised during EPSA Events and locally by the EPSA Member Association.


EPSA Training Project

Training is a non-formal education that is delivered in an experimental framework. Participants actually have fun while experimenting through a learning activity, which fosters good attitudes towards lifelong learning and self-development. Through Trainings, students’ knowledge of topics that are not usually included in the classical pharmacy curricula (e.g. project management, communication and presentation skills) can be improved. Trainings can be found in EPSA Events but it is also possible to invite EPSA Trainers to your city! The concept of the EPSA Training Project was introduced in 2009, and it is lead within EPSA by the EPSA Training Coordinator. At a further stage, the students that find an inner call and experience the motivation for it can participate to the "Training New Trainers" event (TNT), on which they receive appropriate training (on topics like learning styles, communication, training design, training delivery, etc.) and become part of the EPSA Trainers pool. They will consequently be able to train other students and hence spread the knowledge to others at the local, national and international levels. Trainings can be included as a part of any EPSA Event, TWINNET, or local event. Erasmus+ grant from the European Commission could also be obtained for these events. EPSA members can engage with the project also through the Training Week, a week of online activities and challenges aimed at promoting the EPSA Training Project; and the Trainers on Tour, a project through which EPSA brings Trainers to interested Member Associations.

Social Media Competitions

The Public Relations Department organises different social media competitions throughout the mandate and all EPSA members can take part in them.

TWINNET

Twinnet is a group mobility programme that aims to enhance the connection among EPSA members allowing the transfer of culture, knowledge, and experiences. Twinnet is the ultimate experience that will teach you how to plan and manage a project, embrace intercultural awareness, and accept responsibility.

In this mobility project, two, three, or four groups of students coming from different countries make an exchange (Twinnet, Threenet, or a Quartino respectively) and visit each other's country. When you are in the hosting group, you are required to organise an event that welcomes a group of pharmacy students from another European country.


EPSA Mentoring Project

This project aims to establish a bond between current professionals and students, in order to provide them with career guidance from an international perspective of development. Through this project, EPSA wants to set up a platform that introduces a greater understanding of professional development in pharmacy for students. Once a year, a call for students is opened (in October/November). Interested candidates choose their favorite mentors by filling in the form. Once accepted, they receive specific online workshops and schedule regular meetings with the mentor for a period of 6 months (from January to the end of June). After this period, mentors and mentees are free to stay in touch with each other!

Career Page

Career Page provides insight information about possible fields of employment for Pharmacists. The page is created based on testimonials and tips from EPSA Alumni as well as results from the Pharmine Project and guidance from professional associations. Links to further sources are provided as the necessary skills for each field, enabling students to evaluate which field they might fit in best. The Career Page is available on the EPSA Website and in LLeaP.

Chat with Professionals

Chat with Professional is an activity that enables contact between students/recent graduates and professionals. When organised online, a professional briefly presents his field of work and students are then able to ask questions. When organised live at EPSA events, students circulate and talk with different professionals.

Career Week

Career Week is a week full of online activities connected to professional development. Challenges take place as well. EPSA Members Associations are encouraged to organise similar activities locally.

Career Fair

Career Fairs are organised at EPSA Events. EPSA and RC partners present themselves through booths and short presentations. Other interactive activities are organised as well.

Partners

EPSA is working with various institutional, corporate, associative and student partners which are helping us to bring the professional world closer to students but also share good practices amongst student associations.

Corporate Partners

The updated list is available on the EPSA website.

Associative Partners

There are various professional associations, who support EPSA with speakers, input to our projects and possibility to attend events on the European level, where EPSA can represent its members: EIPG – European Industrial Pharmacists Group TOPRA - The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs GIRP - European Healthcare Distribution Association ESCP - European Society of Clinical Pharmacy EAFP – European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy EUFEPS - The European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences Think Young Brussels-based EPSA Internship Partners EPSA is present in Brussels, the capital of EU advocacy which is possible thanks to: PGEU – Pharmaceutical Group of European Union EAHP – European Association of Hospital Pharmacists AESGP – Association of the European Self-Medication Industry Medicines for Europe EFPIA – European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations SIOPE - The European Society for Pediatric Oncology

Students Associations

Strong connections with student stakeholders are crucial to interprofessional education and to represent the opinion of future pharmacists: EYE European Youth Event ESN Erasmus Student Network EMSA European Medical Students Association EDSA European Dental Students Association EFPSA European Federation of Psychology Students Association ELSA European Law Students Association ENSA European Nurse Students Association IPSF International Pharmaceutical Students Federation JADE European Confederation of Junior Enterprises ESU European Students Union ESTIEM European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management IFISO Informal Forum of International Students Organizations

EPSA is co-funded by Erasmus + Programme of European Union

EPSA is also working closely with the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) - the largest body representing pharmacy and pharmaceutical students and recent graduates in the world. EPSA collaborates with IPSF under a formal Memorandum of Understanding. The organisations work together yearly and have a similar membership base within Europe. EPSA and IPSF frequently share publications, initiatives, promote both associations, and work on behalf of European members to organize joint sessions at events.

References

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