IPSF

The International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) was founded in London in 1949 by eight pharmaceutical student associations, including the K.N.P.S.V. IPSF now represents more than 500,000 pharmacy students and recent graduates from more than 100 countries worldwide.

IPSF is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting public health through information provision, education, networking and a range of publications and professional initiatives. It also promotes international cooperation among pharmacy students, with the motto: 'Students today, pharmacists tomorrow.'

IPSF maintains official partnerships with organisations such as the WHO and UNESCO, and works closely with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The IPSF secretariat is based in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Important programmes and events:

International conferences and symposia: IPSF organises the annual World Congress and European Regional Symposium. These events offer students the opportunity to network and share knowledge on a global scale. More information about the international events can be found here.
Student Exchange Programme (SEP): This programme offers (bio)pharmaceutical students the opportunity to undertake professional internships in more than 60 countries. More information about the SEP can be found here.

IPSF focuses its activities and projects on three key areas:

1. Public Health - IPSF runs global campaigns such as the Anti-Counterfeit Drugs Campaign and the Vampire Cup (blood collection campaign). They are also active at the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organisation (WHO), where they promote the role of pharmacists in public health.
2. Pharmacy Education - IPSF improves education through initiatives such as the Young Researchers' Forum, which provides a platform for students to exchange scientific ideas and research results, and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Initiatives, which aim to support research projects and promote collaboration within the pharmaceutical sciences.
3. Professional Development - IPSF offers programmes for professional growth, such as the Trainers Development Camp, Leaders in Training and events such as the Patient Counselling Event and Compounding Event, which prepare students for practical and leadership roles in the (bio)pharmaceutical world.

Would you like to become active within IPSF or do you have any questions? Please contact the international affairs officer at commissarisbuitenland@knpsv.nl.

More information can be found here on the official IPSF website or here on the Instagram page.