The Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) recognized USC Department of Pharmacy Chair Dr. Florencio V. Arce Jr. as the 2025 Outstanding Pharmacist in Research during PPHA’s Annual National Convention on April 24, 2025, in Baguio City. 

The award recognizes pharmacists’ contributions to pharmaceutical science and research. Dr. Arce is part of the drug delivery research unit in the University of San Carlos, which conducts research projects on nanolipid carrier-mediated drug delivery and its skin distribution, as well as the spray-drying of herbal plants from the Visayas. 

Their work is anchored in developing pharmaceuticals sourced from the Philippines’ rich natural resources, aiming to alleviate the health and economic conditions of Filipinos and improve access to promising bioactives and value-added health products.

Dr. Arce earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences from Josai University in Japan. His research focuses on drug development, particularly on enhancing skin permeation, and he has numerous publications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic sciences, as well as in drug delivery systems. Notably, during the PPhA National Convention in 2024, he was awarded first place for his Oral Research Presentation in the Professional Category.

True to USC’s strong culture of excellence, the Department of Pharmacy, headed by Dr. Arce, continues to promote innovation through research and remains committed to delivering quality education in healthcare, particularly in pharmaceutical science.

With reporting from the USC Department of Pharmacy