The Hanoi University of Pharmacy recently hosted the fifth biennial Miss Pharmacy Hanoi pageant on November 3rd, 2018, sponsored by Singapore-based health startup mClinica. For the first time ever, a Miss SwipeRx was crowned this year.
The Hanoi University of Pharmacy has organized the Miss Pharmacy Hanoi pageant every other year for the past decade. This past year, mClinica joined in to sponsor the most successful event yet. Taking home the title this year as well as cash prizes, vouchers, and a scholarship, Miss Do Phuong Loan, #4, wowed the judges with her intelligence and flair. She also charmed audiences worldwide as she was voted Miss SwipeRx on an alternative vote open to SwipeRx users, who could select their favorite Miss Pharmacy contestant.
Blind auditions began at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy in September, and were open to all students of the university. Afterwards, the Semi Finals were held at the Teenage Cultural Palace on October 20th. The final 15 contestants competed during a final round at The Youth Playhouse venue on November 3rd, in front of an audience of over 500, including a panel of judges comprised of professors and administrators of the university as well as prominent celebrities from across Vietnam.
This year’s judges panel welcomed talented actors Bao Anh and Ha Huong, singers Vu and Trung Quan, and even Miss Vietnam 2016, Do My Linh.
Representing the university were leaders such as Mr. Le Phan Tuan, General Administrative Manager; Mrs. Le Thi Lan Anh, Co-Dean of Marx-Lenin Faculty; and Mrs. Van Thi My Hue, Vice President of Public Relations. Additionally, faculty members Mr. Le Xuan Ky, professor of Physics, and Mr. Nguyen Minh Hoang, professor of Pharmaceutical Economic Management, represented the university’s capable teaching staff. Finally, Mr. Bui Duc Thang, head of the Student Union, rounded out this year’s distinguished table of judges.
Judging criteria included excellent performance in the pageant’s talent segment, beauty and poise, and insightful answers to judge’s questions during a Q&A session.
Events such as Miss Pharmacy Hanoi, as well as the efforts of its organizers and other health companies and institutions, are helping to raise awareness for the crucial role pharmacy professionals play in today’s healthcare landscape, and provide support for their professional development. In Vietnam as well as throughout much of Southeast Asia, pharmacy professionals are most patients’ main contact with the healthcare system. The profession is also largely composed of women.
Nonetheless, these professionals, especially in rural areas, often suffer from a lack of access to information and continuing education. mClinica hopes to revolutionize the tools available to pharmacy professionals across Asia Pacific by creating platforms with unprecedented access to drug information; cost-free continuing education modules, available through a mobile app, that can contribute towards license renewal; and a network to connect pharmacy professionals as well as other healthcare professionals to which to refer patients.
And through sponsoring this latest event, mClinica hopes to highlight the value of pharmacy professionals, especially women within the industry, and support their development both professionally and beyond.
