July 1, 2020
More than 50 schools of pharmacy across the country participated in the 2020 Annual National Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Competition for Student Pharmacists, organized by the AMCP Foundation.
A UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy student team comprised of Ashley Mauch (PY2), Ben Penley (PY3), Thomas Wert (PY3) and Jefferson Pike (PY3) took home second place. The students were advised by Ben Urick, Pharm.D., Ph.D., research assistant professor at the School.
“I’m proud of the students and their accomplishment. This competition requires 50+ hours of commitment by each student, and UNC has won or placed second in three out of the last four years,” Urick said. “This shows the strength of the chapter in preparing students for careers in managed care and the pharmaceutical industry.”
The team was one of eight national finalist groups invited to the narrate their slides for virtual review by a panel of judges. The competition is designed to provide an immersive experience in the skills necessary for effective formulary review and management, according to the AMCP Foundation.
“It is so exciting to re-enter the Top 3 of the AMCP National P&T competition. While the five-month process was difficult, it became clear to me how our UNC ESOP education prepares us for comprehensive and difficult scenarios we may be given,” Mauch said.
The team from the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy, took top honors, while Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy placed third respectively.
About the future, Mauch said, “I am very grateful for my wonderful team and for all the guidance and support we were given throughout this process. I look forward to competing again next year and, hopefully, bringing the national championship back to UNC!”
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