UP College of Pharmacy Extension Service Agenda
The College of Pharmacy has demonstrated significant involvement in completed and ongoing initiatives across three key domains: public service, community development, and academe–industry relations. Guided by its vision to serve and contribute to public health and national development, the College continues to deliver community-driven, collaborative, and impactful outreach and extension programs. These initiatives are carried out in partnership with other academic institutions, government agencies, non-government organizations, and private industry—reflecting the College’s strong commitment to service, innovation, and societal advancement.
Currently, the College carries out active extension programs, organized around three central domains that uphold its mission to contribute to national development: public service, community development, and academe–industry relations.
Public Service initiatives include programs that directly support healthcare delivery and promote public health awareness. These encompass the Telepharmacy, UP Drug Abuse Research Laboratory (DARL) Analytical and Training Services, Equipment/Facility Extension Services. Faculty working with the Department of Health Pharmaceutical Division, such as in the Health and Technology Assessment (HTA) Committee and Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Committee, are contributing to evidence-based selection of essential medicines for the country. These initiatives aim to enhance access to pharmaceutical care and strengthen public health awareness, particularly among underserved populations.
Community Development efforts focus on empowering local communities through participatory health programs, education, and capacity-building activities. Key initiatives under this domain include the Pharmacy Community Extension and Health Advocacy Program (pharmacy health promotion, community health and advocacy, community outreach/public services, and GAD programs). One example is the active participation of faculty and students in the UP Manila Community Health Development Program, which involves students in the creation of programs together with students of other health disciplines to address real health and pharmaceutical problems in the community in the towns of Magallanes, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate. They were able to improve inventory management, patient-centered services, and enhanced collaboration between pharmacy staff, unit management, and the local government. These initiatives aim to empower communities by promoting health education, civic engagement, and inclusive capacity-building.
Academe–Industry Relations center on research collaboration, technical consultancy, and institutional support. These cover the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Consultancy (natural product-, pharmaceutical chemistry, pre-formulation and formulation-, and industrial pharmacy-related research consultancy), Clinical, Social, and Administrative Consultancy (pharmacy practice- community, hospital, pharmacoeconomic, and pharmacogenomics-related research consultancy), Pharmacy Sector Advisory and Technical Consultancy Program (national government agency advisory services, and NGO technical advisory/consultancy and pharmaceutical industry advisory/technical consultancy programs), Pharmaceutical Sciences Immersion Program, and Scholarly Review, and Academic Services Program (scientific/technical/ethical review and professional lectures). These initiatives serve as platforms for disseminating research outputs, fostering collaboration, and advancing innovation across academic, government, and industry sectors.
Anchored on its three key domains, the College continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and social responsibility through its extension programs that foster collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange aligned with national health and development goals. These programs have deepened partnerships, expanded the College’s community reach, and cultivated a culture of leadership and achievement among faculty and alumni. Many have been recognized with local, national, and international awards for their exemplary contributions to pharmacy education, healthcare delivery, and public health advocacy. Such individual recognitions are clear reflections of the College’s success in molding competent, service-driven, and globally competitive professionals. Through these continuing efforts, the College reinforces its position as a proactive and responsible institution committed to meaningful community engagement and distinction in pharmacy education and practice.
The following are the Extension Programs/Services offered by the UP College of Pharmacy through its faculty and staff:
Telepharmacy service was offered by the UP College of Pharmacy (UPCP) to provide timely advice to patients with regards to their use of medicines and to provide accurate information to reduce misconceptions on the use of these life-saving commodities. It serves to provide advice especially to the vulnerable population or those with comorbidities such as those with respiratory diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases.
The University of the Philippines Drugs of Abuse Research Laboratory (UP DARL) is a DOH-accredited special clinical laboratory for toxicology. The UP DARL can analyze trace quantities of known and unknown substances in biological matrices such as urine, serum, and hair. It is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including two (2) Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) system, Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system, Biological Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography – Photo Diode Array (Bio UHPLC-PDA) system, automated Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sample preparation system, automated evaporation system, bead mill homogenizer, and high precision analytical balances.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Consultancy is designed to provide guidance and technical assistance to individuals, researchers, and industries involved in different disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences. This program has four specialized consultancy areas that support research, development, and innovation across the pharmaceutical value chain — from natural product discovery to drug formulation and industrial application.
Consultancy Areas:
1. Natural Product Research Consultancy – for researchers and industries working with compounds derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, fungi, or microorganisms.
2. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Consultancy – for studies involving synthetic or semi-synthetic drug candidates (excluding natural products).
3. Pre-formulation and Formulation Research Consultancy – for studies on pre-formulation to characterize the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of drug candidates, as well as on formulation studies.
4. Industrial Pharmacy Research Consultancy – technical assistance on large-scale production, quality control, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Clinical, Social, and Administrative Pharmacy Consultancy is designed to provide specialized expert guidance in designing, conducting, and analyzing research studies pertaining to various fields of pharmacy practice: clinical pharmacy, social and administrative pharmacy, and pharmacogenomics. This program allows healthcare professionals and organizations to improve pharmacy services and patient care through rigorous, evidence-based studies.
Consultancy Areas:
1. Pharmacy Practice Research Consultancy – guidance on research related to pharmacy services, healthcare delivery, and patient-centered care.
2. Pharmacogenomics Research Consultancy – guidance and expertise in the field of pharmacogenomics research to assist various stakeholders in designing, conducting, and interpreting pharmacogenomic studies.
The Pharmacy Community Extension and Health Advocacy Program is a unified community-based extension service of UPCP that incorporates the concepts of health promotion, community development, and public service. This program represents the College’s commitment to social responsibility and collaboration to address real-world community needs.
Areas: The Pharmacy Community Extension and Health Advocacy Program covers the following areas:
1. Pharmacy Health Promotion Program
2. Community Health and Development Advocacy Program – coordinates community-based health activities between the College of Pharmacy and the MAGNAMARTE (Magallanes, Naic, Marogondon, and Ternate) municipalities.
3. Community Outreach/Public Service Program
4. Gender and Development Program
The Pharmacy Sector Advisory and Technical Consultancy Program is designed to provide expert technical assistance and policy guidance across the pharmacy and health sectors. The program accommodates national government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry. This aligns with UPCP’s commitment to national development, public health advancement, and institutional collaboration.
Areas:
1. National Government Agency (NGA) Advisory Services – provision of expert technical advice and consultancy to national government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). outcomes.
2. NGO Technical Advisory/Consultancy Program – specialized technical consultation for non-governmental agencies and organizations in the pharmaceutical sector.
3. Pharmaceutical Industry Advisory/Technical Consultancy Program – guidance and support to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, addressing various aspects of drug development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences Immersion Program of the UP College of Pharmacy is a month-long exclusive opportunity tailored and offered for senior high school students from Philippine Science High School. This immersive experience delves into the dynamic world of pharmaceutical sciences, offering hands-on laboratories, workshops, and seminars led by the faculty and industry experts. Participants will gain invaluable insights into drug discovery, formulation, and cutting-edge research, preparing them for a future of innovation and impact in the pharmaceutical field.
The UP College of Pharmacy provides services on the use of the different available equipment and facilities in the laboratory and other pharmacy practice learning areas. The faculty and staff assist clients in the utilization of different laboratory equipment and facilities to conduct activities such as in the manufacture of dosage forms, extraction of natural products, and even for pharmacy practice skills demonstration.
For available facilities, please see the Facilities page.
Scholarly Review and Academic Services Program is a comprehensive academic exchange, consultancy, and professional service initiative of the University of the Philippines College of Pharmacy. It mobilizes the specialized expertise of its faculty members to (1) provide scientific, technical, and ethical review and consultancy services for pharmacy-related and other health research; (2) disseminate advanced knowledge and research findings through professorial lectures; and (3) facilitate the systematic transfer of technologies, processes, and other innovations to authorized receiving entities.