Activities

During the Dutch Patient Counselling Event, master's students in Pharmacy have the opportunity to further develop their communication skills. Due to the increasing demand and expectations of community pharmacists as healthcare providers, it is important that students are well trained in this area. Good medication guidance is essential for effective treatment by the pharmacist. The skill of conducting a good consultation is sometimes not sufficiently emphasised in the programme. That is why the K.N.P.S.V. organises the Dutch Patient Counselling Event, a competition in conducting patient consultations. Master's students from Groningen, Utrecht and Leiden can participate in this competition and come face to face with actors who have a medical complaint. The student must identify the problem, help the patient and give good advice. Participants have the opportunity to represent the Netherlands at the IPSF Patient Counselling Event during the World Congress.

The Educational Activity is an activity that combines a lecture with an excursion, organised by the Activities Committee. It is organised every other year, in the year that there is no NIA day. In the past, there have been excursions to Naturalis and CORPUS, among other places.

During the International Lecture, students can learn about the international opportunities offered by the K.N.P.S.V. in an accessible way. Students will be introduced to EPSA and IPSF and their events and projects. Topics covered will include conferences, international internships and the Twinnet Project.

The K.N.P.S.V. Congress is the association's largest event. This event is organised on the occasion of the K.N.P.S.V.'s Dies Natalis. The congress has an extensive educational programme, but also focuses on social activities. The K.N.P.S.V.'s Annual General Assembly takes place on the first day of the congress. During this meeting, all current affairs of the association are discussed and the change of the K.N.P.S.V. board takes place. The next day is the symposium with various speakers. There is also a cultural and sports activity during the Congress and a reception in honour of the Dies Natalis of the K.N.P.S.V.

The K.N.P.S.V. Weekend begins with the Autumn General Assembly (GA), where all matters concerning the association are discussed. This is followed by a party. The next day, the weekend ends with the Functionaries Activity (FuAc). The Functionaries Activity is a fun day out, organised by the board, to thank the functionaries. The weekend generally takes place in the city where the current board is based.

Together with the Dutch Association for Industrial Pharmacists (NIA), the K.N.P.S.V. organises the Pharmaceutical Industry Day every other year. On this day, students can learn about the opportunities offered by the pharmaceutical industry, something that is not covered in the Pharmacy and (Bio)Pharmaceutical Sciences programmes. The day includes a plenary lecture and workshops. 

Once a year around June, the sports committee organises the one and only Pharmacy Hockey Tournament. In this tournament, different teams compete for the win. After the hockey, dinner and drinks or a barbecue are organised.

During the Policy Activity, pharmacy and (bio)pharmaceutical students come together to delve into a relevant policy-related topic. This gives students an accessible introduction to pharmaceutical policy. 

Every two years, the K.N.P.S.V. organises a Professions Day. On this day, workshops are given to highlight the future possibilities for pharmacy and (bio)pharmaceutical students from different angles, so that students can explore other options in addition to the “traditional” professions of pharmacist or researcher.

The day starts with a plenary morning programme and is followed by workshops and a job fair that highlight a wide range of fields, from research and industry to policy and practice. 

Every other year, the K.N.P.S.V. organises a skiing trip. Together with a group of (bio)pharmaceutical students, the K.N.P.S.V. travels to the Alps to ski, snowboard and ring in the New Year in the mountains. 

In addition to the Pharmacy Hockey Tournament, the sports committee organises a sporting activity. The nature of the Sport Activity varies each year, and the day concludes with a social drinks with all participants.

The Twinnet is an annual exchange between the K.N.P.S.V. and another European pharmaceutical study association. The Twinnet consists of two weekends, during which both countries are visited, and focuses on cultural and educational exchange.