The University of San Carlos (USC) Department of Pharmacy successfully hosted the Training of Teachers: Upskilling on Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Laboratory, a two-day training held on July 11–12, 2025, at the USC Talamban Campus. 

In partnership with the Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (PACOP) Visayas, USC faculty members trained pharmacy teachers of different pharmacy schools across the Visayas region (see photo above) including Cebu Doctors’ University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Negros Oriental State University, San Lorenzo Ruiz College of Ormoc, Inc., St. Scholastica’s College of Tacloban, Inc., Southwestern University Phinma, University of Bohol, and University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

The training covered characterization of pharmaceutical powders and nanoformulations, and animal-based pharmacokinetics and pharmacology experiments.

The first day started with a brief lecture on micromeritics, specifically on particle size determination via dry sieve analysis and the concept behind the Zetasizer, including its principle, use and basic operations. The morning session ended with a sample demonstration using the Tap Sieve Shaker and the Zetasizer.

The second day highlighted pharmacologic assays using animals on pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies as well as diuretic studies. 

The morning session started with a short discussion and open forum, followed by a demonstration (see photo above) on the conduct of the assays. In the afternoon sessions, participants took part in the workshop geared towards collaboration through learning material development and student assessment construction.