Two fourth-year pharmacy students from Khon Kaen University—Mr. Chatch Cherdchai and Mr. Surakiat Kaewkanha—clinched the national championship title at the Rational Pharma Challenge 2025, representing their team “Buchshank to the Final.” Competing against students from 21 pharmacy faculties across the country, the team impressed judges with practical solutions under the theme: “Solving Case-Based Problems to Promote Sustainable Rational Drug Use in Communities.” The event was organized by Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Ministry of Public Health on June 19, 2025.
Their winning performance was grounded in real-world experience gained through community-based fieldwork, which allowed them to present solutions that were both innovative and highly applicable. The competition consisted of two rounds. The first was a speed test in which participants had to answer pharmaceutical questions accurately and under time pressure. The KKU team earned the highest score in this round, securing a spot in the final round, where they were tasked with solving a case involving inappropriate drug use. Each team was presented with a realistic community-based scenario and asked to provide sustainable, rational drug use strategies in response.
To tackle the challenge, the KKU team introduced three integrated innovations.
The first, RDU Point, is a digital tool that supports community pharmacists in evaluating drug use. It is linked with the A-Med Care program, which provides services for 32 minor ailments at community pharmacies. This system enhances decision-making for pharmacists while remaining user-friendly and scalable across the country.
The second innovation, HOSLAB, is a platform designed to collect and integrate laboratory data and medication histories from various healthcare facilities. This allows pharmacists to make informed dispensing decisions and improve patient safety.
The third, RDU Exam, is an educational platform that encourages active learning among the public. It raises awareness about the risks of irrational drug use and promotes responsible practices through interactive community engagement.
Mr. Chatch Cherdchai explained that their success was closely tied to the Faculty of Pharmacy’s community-focused curriculum. The program’s “Pharmacy in Community” initiative enabled the team to gain direct insight into local healthcare challenges, which they then used to design practical tools. According to the judges, the proposed innovations clearly supported pharmacists’ work, increased precision in drug dispensing, and did not add to pharmacists’ workload—making the systems both attractive and viable for nationwide use.
Mr. Surakiat Kaewkanha added that participating in the competition was a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth. He encouraged future pharmacy students to step outside their comfort zones by joining similar events, where they could develop problem-solving skills and gain confidence through real-world challenges. He expressed pride in winning first place out of 21 top universities, many of which are internationally ranked, and committed to passing on this knowledge to junior students while continuing to serve local communities. He also extended gratitude to Khon Kaen University for nurturing their academic and practical skills over six years, stating that this victory proves the world-class standard of pharmacy education at KKU.
As champions of the Rational Pharma Challenge 2025, the KKU team will receive a 10,000-baht cash prize and a commemorative plaque from the Thai FDA, which will be officially awarded during a ceremony on July 7–8, 2025.
