DECEMBER 2025
RX FACTOR | INDEPENDENT NIGHT | SAVING SECOND BASE
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE FROM PBL ROOMS
PQ+2 PQ+2
B E H I N D
2025 - 2026
T H E
P A G E S
Hello! My name is Wonu, and this is my first year of pharmacy with the Class of 2029 and working with PQ+2. Before pharmacy, I did 2 years of the Biochemistry program at UofA I discovered writing and design through my junior and senior high school assignments, but now I get to help out with an actual magazine :D In my free time, I like to volunteer on campus or do some hobbies like reading, art, cooking/baking, and running I'm a pretty quiet person, but I look forward to getting to know each other more over this year!
Wonu | Editor
Hello everyone! My name ’ s Abdulrahman Aljoudi (Class of 2027), and I’m excited to be your PQ+2 editor for this year. I love combining my interests in science and writing through this role Outside of studying, you’ll usually find me reading, I’m looking forward to connecting with more of you this year!
Abdulrahman Aljoudi | Editor
Hello Hello! My name is Omnia, and I am one of your PQ+2 Editors this year. I am part of Class of 2027, and this is my second year working on the magazine. I am so excited to be a part of the magazine this year, and look forward to finding creative new articles to write. I love watching sitcoms and listening to music, and I’m currently obsessed with filling out the NYT Crossword. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you all, and making some more friends along the way!
Omnia | Editor
I N D E P E N D E N T N I G H T
I N D E P E N D E N T N I G H T
Special Thanks to Aileen Jang
Nathaniel Fernetti APSA President
“Independent Pharmacy Night was started in order to bring together independent pharmacy owners from across the province to share their experiences and opportunities with students The event continues to be a success thanks to the efforts of the original event organizer, Aileen Jang, pharmacy alumna and current RxA Board President. Nearly 20 years later, the event has continued to grow and garner interest across all years of the PharmD program.
Whether in rural or urban centres, independent pharmacies serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of patient-centered care and provide insight into what pharmacists can do when they exercise their full scope of practice. Each year, this event highlights the achievements of independent pharmacies and provides students with invaluable advice and a deeper understanding of the opportunities that exist after graduation, while connecting them with potential employers.
To everyone who attended and helped make Independent Night 2025 a success, thank you!”
S A V I N G B A S E 2 0 2 5 S E C O N D
Saving Second Base was one of the first big events of the semester where students from all four years could come together The day was filled with fun, teamwork, and friendly competition, all in support of breast cancer awareness and fundraising What made it so special was seeing students from different years connect, cheer each other on, and share in something meaningful beyond the classroom Later that evening, the fun continued with the White T-Shirt Night after-party, where everyone could sign each other’s shirts and meet new people. By the end of the night, those shirts were covered in names, doodles, and memories from an unforgettable day. More than just a sporting event, Saving Second Base brought our pharmacy community together and reminded us of the strength, support, and spirit that come from standing united for a good cause. Make sure to keep an eye out for these events next year!
Max Albrecht
Community Education
HelloEveryone!
My name is Muhammad Elezzabi, and I am thrilled to serve as your Community Education Director this year! I am so excited to be involved in such an amazing program.
What is the Community Education Program?
APSA’s Community Education program connects pharmacy students with the community to promote awareness and share what pharmacy is all about Our main initiative, Classroom Presentations, gives students a chance to visit local schools (K12) and deliver fun, engaging talks on topics like “Do Bugs Need Drugs?” “Pharmacy as a Profession”, and “Allergies”.
We also collaborate with WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science & Technology) to empower youth in STEM fields. This past November, we hosted our annual Lip Balm and Lotion Lab, where high school students made their own lip balm and hand cream in our pharmaceutics lab!
Why Get Involved?
If you love teaching and giving back, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Volunteering lets you promote health in your community, build confidence, and earn mint cup points--- plus a chance to win gift cards each term
I cannot wait to see the impact we will make together! If you have any questions, reach out anytime at
apsaspeakers@gmail com
INTRODUCTION
WRITTEN BY DR MICHAEL DOSCHAK, DIRECTOR, FOPPS INTERNATIONAL
In early May 2025, a delegation of four undergraduate pharmacy students from our faculty visited one of our partner schools of pharmacy in Japan. This inaugural 2 week visitation program was hosted by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Toho University in Chiba prefecture, and was offered as a token of appreciation and mutual respect of our ongoing international relationship for pharmacy education in each country.
This landmark opportunity was the result of nearly one year of planning by the director of our faculty International Initiatives team Dr Michael Doschak and Dr Mizuho Takahashi at Toho University, and constituted the first such program in our faculty’s history, where undergraduate pharmacy students from Canada studied in residence in Japan. Due to the limited number of seats, participation for this initial year was offered to those Canadian students who had volunteered in the past few years with hosting undergraduate students from Japan during their stay in Edmonton, and students were responsible for their own travel expenses.
In the following article, each of our students have written about their learning experience with pharmacy education, pharmaceutical sciences research and clinical pharmacy practice in Japan. They further reconnected with Japanese pharmacy students from both Toho University and Meiji Pharmaceutical University that they had previously met with and guided in Edmonton We trust these interpersonal relationships will continue for many years ahead, to encourage future generations of pharmacy graduates to participate in the promotion of pharmacy education between Canada and Japan.
Whatmade youwanttogoonthisexchangetriptoJapan? WhatmadeyouwanttogoonthisexchangetriptoJapan?
It was a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the University of Alberta, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, and Toho University. Volunteering with the Japanese exchange students during their visit to Canada sparked my interest in visiting them in Japan and learning more about their culture and pharmacy practice there
AVERY, CLASS OF 2026
Whatwassomethingwhichsurprised youaboutpharmacy inJapan? WhatwassomethingwhichsurprisedyouaboutpharmacyinJapan?
I was most surprised by the role of a school pharmacist A school pharmacist not only educates students on medications, but also inspects school facilities such as water quality, lighting, air circulation, and sanitation to ensure an optimal learning environment. Any concerns are reported and immediately fixed, oftentimes sooner than if the school self-reported
FLETCHER, CLASS OF 2026
Howhasthistripchanged your perceptionofpharmacy in Canada? Howhasthistripchangedyour perceptionofpharmacyin Canada?
Japan helped to show me how blessed we are in Canada to have the degree of scope that we have The opportunities as a pharmacist in Japan unfortunately are not as diverse and the ability to independently enact changes to medications/regimens is not at the same level
MATTHEW, CLASS OF 2026
Arethereany aspectsofJapanese pharmacy practicethat youwould liketoseeimplementedin Canada? ArethereanyaspectsofJapanese pharmacypracticethatyouwould Canada?
I’m interested in seeing more specialized roles such as school or sports pharmacists to expand the ways that pharmacists can provide care and contribute to the health and safety of Canadians
SELINA, CLASS OF 2026
(NO PRESCRIPTION NEEDED.)
nn Nguyen and her band start the night off strong with Your Song” by Elton John, “Fly me to the Moon” by Frank inatra, “At Last” by Etta James, and “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse.
Check out these fan signs from the crowd!
Audrey Murphy and Cole Tymchuk keep the energy up with an incredible ballroom dance performance!
These two wowed the room with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
Another amazing performance brought to you by Savannah Cooper, with her rendition of “Like Nobody Else” by My Darkest Days. What an absolute rockstar!
Fun Fact: My Darkest Days disbanded in 2013, and lead vocalist Matt Walst would go on to be lead vocalist for Three Days Grace.
A returning Rx Factor favourite, Ryan Mills delivers musical chaos with “Comedy” and “White Woman’s Instagram” by Bo Burnham... complete with visuals!
Stop Believin’” by Journey, and Grace Ren builds on the hype with “Liebestraum No. 3”
by Lizst
The talented duo close things off with a duet performance of “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.
Another familiar face at Rx Factor, Miguel Mariano does not disappoint!
The crowd enjoys “Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson, “Rocket Man” by Elton John, “Rich Girl” by Daryl Hall and John Oates (on the accordion!) and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
Our last act of the night and one last returning star! Andrew Kim brings us “I Beg You” by Aimer, “너를 위해 (for you)” by Yim Jae Bum, and “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.
What a great way to end the show!
And out of all our wonderful contestants, who takes home the Rx Factor crown?
Research Highlight
As part of our ongoing effort to showcase impactful research within the Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, I’m excited to highlight the recent work of Dr. Mark Makowsky, whose research continues to shape the evolving role of pharmacists in primary care, and Dr. Amir Tabatabaei, whose research focuses on developing new type 2 diabetes agents.
Dr.AmirTabatabaei: Rethinking HowWe Treat Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. Amir Tabatabaei’s research program is changing how we think about obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In his lab, chemistry meets computation; his team blends advanced computer modeling, medicinal chemistry, and animal studies to design the next generation of metabolic therapies.
Current drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) have been major breakthroughs, helping patients lower blood sugar and lose weight. But they’re not perfect. Many people lose muscle mass along with fat, their metabolism slows, and weight often returns after treatment stops. For Dr. Tabatabaei, these challenges point to one thing: we can do better. His team is developing new small molecules and peptides that strike a better balance; reducing blood sugar and body weight while protecting muscle and supporting healthy metabolism. They’re also studying how the body uses energy, particularly through ketone oxidation, which tends to go off track in metabolic disease. By restoring the body’s ability to switch between fuels, their goal is to improve insulin sensitivity and long-term metabolic flexibility.
Dr. Tabatabaei’s work brings together chemistry, computation, and physiology to build smarter, more durable treatments; ones that help people not only lose weight, but keep it off while staying strong and metabolically healthy.
Dakhili, S A T,Yang, K,Al Nebaihi, H, Greenwell,A A,Wuest, M,Woodfield, J, & Ussher,
Leading
Change in Pharmacy Practice: Highlighting Dr. Mark
Makowsky’sWork
on Community Pharmacist Point-of-Care Testing
As part of his thesis work, Omar Abdellatife a Masters level graduate student working under Dr. Makowsky’s supervision, recently published a scoping review in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy (2024) titled “Factors Influencing Implementation of Point-of-Care Testing for Acute Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Community Pharmacies.” This work takes an in-depth look at how community pharmacies can deliver rapid point-of care (POC) testing services for conditions like strep throat, influenza, and COVID-19, which represent the significant causes of outpatient visits and antibiotic use in Canada.
WhyThis Research Matters
With ongoing challenges in access to primary care, especially given Canada’s shortage of family physicians, community pharmacies have emerged as highly accessible healthcare touchpoints Point-of-care testing conducted by pharmacists has the potential to improve early diagnosis, reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, and enhance the overall patient experience
This work helps us better understand why these services, despite their promise, are not yet fully integrated into pharmacy practice. His research underscores that implementing POC testing successfully requires not just the right tools and training, but also supportive policies, funding models, and public awareness.
AComprehensive Look at Implementation
The review analyzed 43 studies published between 2014 to 2022, from countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Australia, and Canada. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), Dr. Makowsky’s team identified 124 different factors that influence the implementation of POC testing in pharmacies.
The most prominent factors were:
Favorable patient attitudes towards POC testing and pharmacist services
The need for clear regulatory guidance and reimbursement mechanisms.
Available resources to support service implementation (e.g., time, staff, training, workflow integration)
Positive pharmacist views about POC testing (e.g., it aids clinical decision-making)
Collaboration and support from physicians.
LookingAhead
This work provides a roadmap for how pharmacy-based POC testing can move from pilot projects to widespread, system-level practice. As a next step in this research, Dr. Makowsky and his team have conducted a survey to explore practices around POC testing by Albertan community pharmacists. The results of this survey have been submitted for publication and will be highlighted in a future PQ article.
Abdellatife, O. E., & Makowsky, M. J. (2024).
CSHP X PUJC: EXPLORING HOSPITAL PHARMACY BEYOND THE CITY
On October 24, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) student chapter and Pharmacy Undergraduate Journal Club (PUJC) hosted their first-ever joint event, creating a new milestone collaboration that gave students a closer look at hospital pharmacy and research in regional practice.
Two guest speakers, Annissa Fung and Lisa Denie, from Medicine Hat, were invited to talk about their experiences working at a rural site. Annissa described her transition from Edmonton to Medicine Hat and her work across emergency, surgery, and intensive care. Lisa, who has been practicing for 17 years, spoke about managing a wide variety of patients each day, such as post-operative care, palliative care, and more.
Students learned that communication, adaptability, and creativity are essential skills for working in smaller hospital settings. Pharmacists often have to collaborate closely with physicians and nurses, take on site leadership and quality improvement initiatives, and use their full scope of practice by ordering labs and adjusting medications. Both speakers highlighted the importance of understanding personal limits, managing workload effectively, and building trust with other healthcare professionals.
While rural practice presents challenges such as fewer specialists, resource constraints, and occasional lab or transport delays, both pharmacists agreed that the work is deeply rewarding. They shared how meaningful it is to build personal relationships with patients, take on a variety of responsibilities, and see the direct impact of their care.
The session also touched on research opportunities in rural settings. Although formal pharmacy research can be limited, there are many opportunities for clinical improvement projects and collaborations with provincial AHS research teams. Annissa and Lisa encouraged students to bring forward research ideas, connect with site leaders, and take advantage of the mentorship and support available.
CAM CORNER CAM CORNER
The Common
Cold
Oh,the common cold: we love it, we hate it, we get it every year at the worst times (looking at you, finals). It’s the cause of many frantic patients scouring the pharmacy aisles for something that will get rid of the itchy throats and stuffy noses Every family has at least one cold prevention-slash-remedy that they swear by, but which ones actually hold up?
Vitamin C
A popular over the counter supplement, many folks say that vitamin C can help prevent or shorten a cold While its use is generally safe, studies have found conflicting or limited evidence on cold incidence, severity, and duration [1][2].
Bundling Up
“Bring a coat, you’ll catch a cold!” Sound familiar? Turns out, mom was right…somewhat. While getting the shivers may not directly give you the cold, changes in the temperature and humidity can affect the airway’s epithelium, mucus secretion, and mucociliary clearance [1] You may recognize these as components of the innate immune system, which, when compromised, can increase the risk of infection.
Honey
Getting my morning latte swapped out for lemon green tea with honey when I had a cough was awful. Even worse were the cough syrups right afterwards. Surprisingly, honey has been found to be about as effective as dextromethorphan, an antitussive in most cough syrups, when it comes to treating cough [1][2]. This is less impressive when you consider the insufficient evidence to support dextromethorphan’s efficacy [1][2].
So...what?
It’s important to remember that the common cold is viral, self limiting, and typically resolves within two weeks of onset. Treatment focuses on comfort rather than resolution. Consider which symptoms a patient is concerned about (Mild fever? Runny nose? Congestion?) and see if there is a way to manage those symptoms until the cold runs its course.
MovieReview
By: Omnia rajab
No one mourns the wicked. And apparently the wicked is me, because I have spent far too long avoiding watching this masterpiece of a movie. With the second movie out in theatres, and my PQ+2 draft deadline started looming over my shoulder like a disappointed parent, I finally sat down and watched Wicked. Here are my thoughts. Spoilers ahead, because I truly cannot talk about this movie without blurting things out.
I have always been a musical theatre fan. From institutional pillars like Hamilton to campy, theatrical classics like Death Becomes Her, my Spotify is basically a memorial to dramatic ballads. Yet somehow, I had never seen Wicked on stage. So, like the person who watches the movie first and refuses to feel bad about it, I decided to enter Oz through Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
The movie opens with “No One Mourns the Wicked”. Glinda the Good, played by Ariana Grande, oversees a public mourning for the Wicked Witch of the West. Grande’s airy falsetto immediately announces that the vocals in this movie are not here to play. Then the story pulls us back into Glinda’s time at Shiz University where she meets Elphaba, who of course becomes the infamous Wicked Witch. Shiz is an elite school where students study everything imaginable in Oz. Elphaba, brilliant and determined but constantly isolated because of her green skin, clashes with Galinda, the golden girl of Shiz. Slowly though, their rivalry grows into one of the most genuine friendships I have seen on screen in a long time.
A major conflict rises as the talking Animals of Oz begin to lose their ability to speak and their rights along with it. When Glinda and Elphaba go to meet the Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum with a smooth, charismatic presence, everything shifts. And this is where I would tell you all the juicy details, but we gotta leave something for you to find out.
Even though TikTok tried its absolute hardest to ruin this movie for me with random clips, nothing could have prepared me for how beautiful director Jon M. Chu makes Oz look. I kept noticing tiny details, especially in the colors. Elphaba’s green skin standing out against her dark greys and blacks, Glinda practically floating in sparkles and pastels. The visual contrast becomes a perfect metaphor. Elphaba is the star who hides herself, and Glinda is the adored darling whose shine sometimes covers up who she actually is.
Before watching, I was worried I would only see Ariana Grande as Ariana Grande. A pop star acting. But I was so wrong. Five minutes in I realized I had completely forgotten I was watching someone that famous. She pours everything into Glinda. Cynthia Erivo, who feels born to play Elphaba, matches her with this quiet intensity that grows louder in the best possible way. Their chemistry works even when they are annoyed with each other. Watching Glinda soften and Elphaba step into her power is honestly heartwarming.
The rest of the cast is just as strong. Michelle Yeoh commands every scene as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum fits the Wizard in a way that feels both charming and a little unsettling, which is exactly what the story needs. And not to mention the very (very) good looking Jonathon Bailey, who plays Flyers, and whom I’ve been obsessed with since his Bridgerton days. I honestly cannot imagine this movie working with any other group of actors.
From behind the scenes clips to noticing new details every time I rewatch it, it is clear that Wicked was made with a true theatre kid soul. The only thing I disliked is the cliffhanger ending, although that might just be my growing obsession talking. I am so excited to watch Part 2, and I can’t wait for whats to come.
If you like movies filled with music, color, heart, and just the right amount of drama, Wicked is definitely for you.
THE...END?
RX JUMBLE!
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR DRUGS? FIRST SOLVE THE ANAGRAMS AND THEN DECODE THE HIDDEN MESSAGE. MATCH THE NUMBER UNDER THE LETTERS WITH THE NUMBER IN THE MESSAGE.
ANSWER KEYONTHE NEXTPAGE
wind chill
JOANA CRUZ
Struggle Meals
An interesting (questionable) exam season cookbook for pharmd
Cooking is an art that few can do, some better than others. Combine that with the stress of exam season, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for creative (and unique!) survival meals.
Everything soup
The Chef: Elise Forsyth, Class of 2028
The Inspiration:
“Honestly, this came about as I was looking for a way to pack in the vegetables in a cheap, filling and tasty way, and because this soup is so flexible, it comes out different every time! It’s also easy to freeze and keep for later when time is short or exams are stressful. I typically serve it with homemade biscuits or bread and butter, but it’s good plain too :)”
The Recipe:
Brown some onions and garlic in oil or butter
Cook ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken or sausage) or leave it out for a veggie option
Add in any soft veg: celery, peppers or frozen veggies. Cook for a minute.
Add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, rosemary, thyme - whatever you have really.
Measure with your heart until it smells delicious! I also like to put in my secret ingredientWorcestershire sauce.
Add any hard veg you want: carrots, potatoes or zucchini.
Then, add a bunch of broth (or hot water) until it covers the veggies. I like to add a can of rinsed beans as well!
Boil for 20 - 30 mins until veg is soft.
Want to add carbs? Throw in some pasta or rice. Want to season it a little differently? Add fish sauce or oyster sauce.
The Chef: Angela, Class of 2028
The Inspiration:
“I’m vegetarian :)”
The Recipe:
Plain boil firm tofu and dress with a bit of teriyaki sauce & furikake
Serve with broccoli
The Chef: Anonymous, Class of 2027
The Inspiration:
“A delectable pairing of golden, runny, cheesy goodness. (Yes, you should dip the grilled cheese in the yolk, and yes, I botched one of the eggs).”
The Recipe:
Poach the eggs for 4 minutes in gently boiling water, and top with salt and pepper to taste
Kraft singles
Milk to cleanse the palate
Tofu & Broccoli
Poached Eggs & Grilled Cheese
*the* Struggle Meal
The Chef: Chase Fedak, Class of 2028
The Inspiration:
“Inspired by my lack of food one exam season, and I have now grown attached to doing this.”
The Recipe:
A spoonful of peanut butter, then a spoonful of honey, and then a glass of milk <3
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
i’m glad you made it. me too.
ART BY JOANA CRUZ