Future Pharmacy Scholarship 2025: Young Leaders’ Creativity Bridging Science and Societal Needs
Pharmacy is a constantly evolving field, with its approach to improving human health through science, technology and creativity progressing continuously. Several years ago, the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) launched the Future Pharmacy Scholarship 2025 initiative, which has become a meaningful tradition that encourages more students each year to create a vision for the future of pharmacy. This year’s scholarship winners have been announced.
First place in “Future Pharmacy 2025” went to Gabija Guntoriūtė and Kotryna Gečiauskaitė (“NACREO – strength inspired by nature”), second place was secured by Ūla Levanaitytė and Augustė Adomaitė (improved insulin syringe with a dual indicator system), and third place went to Hamidreza Sahaleh (RevoPharm (Revolution in Pharmacy). A special scholarship was awarded to Digna Narkevičiūtė (a hormone cycle support solution for active women).
“I established the Future Pharmacy scholarships to encourage you to create, explore, not be afraid to make mistakes and try again. Because that is how science develops. I want these scholarships to be not just a symbol, but an impetus – additional inspiration to take another step forward. Each of you is being recognised today not only for your ideas, but also for your forward-looking vision. For the efforts that the audience does not see. For the imagination that sometimes quietly surpasses any laboratory,” said Prof. Dr Jurga Bernatonienė, Head of the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy of LSMU, addressing the scholarship recipients.
This year’s scholarship recipients were warmly welcomed by Prof. Ramunė Morkūnienė, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at LSMU: “Every innovation begins with the courage to think differently, ask questions, seek solutions, and be part of change. The future of Lithuanian pharmacy is digital, personalised, sustainable, and focused on people, whose health is the most important goal for all of us. I wish you success and inspiration in generating new ideas, and I hope that your ideas will translate into real pharmaceutical products and innovations. The POWER TO CHANGE and the POWER TO CREATE are in your hands, dear students.”
Bold ideas for pressing challenges
This year’s scholarship competition stood out for its diversity of participants, with students from Lithuania and other countries actively participating individually and in teams. Their work covered a wide range of topics, reflecting the most pressing challenges in pharmacy.
The ideas presented this year included a treatment for infected wounds, a rub-on stick for quality sleep, a natural antioxidant and energy booster, a smart micronutrient monitoring app, 3D-printed capsules for prostate cancer support, mucoadhesive nanofibre for nausea, a non-invasive glucose biosensor, an improved insulin injector, and many other unique and intriguing ideas and solutions inspired by modern technology and the need to improve health and quality of life.
According to the founder of the scholarship, Prof. Dr J. Bernatonienė, most of the projects were not only creative but also feasible, which shows that young pharmacy specialists are capable of not only dreaming but also creating practical solutions that may reach pharmacies and medical institutions in the future.
The expert commission that evaluated the students’ ideas emphasised that the quality of the work was exceptionally high this year and that the solutions were suitable for real-life application in healthcare.
Talented young people look to the future of pharmacy
Addressing global health challenges – from chronic diseases to mental health, from sustainability to personalised medicine – requires a bold and new approach.
It is evident that change and innovation develop where courage and knowledge meet, and the future of pharmacy will depend on bold ideas, creative solutions, and people who believe that innovation can make the world a better place. That is why the Future Pharmacy scholarship is intended for those who are not afraid to dream and turn their dreams into reality. This scholarship is an invitation to create tomorrow, to which the most talented pharmacy students have been actively responding for several years in a row,” noted Prof. Valdas Jakštas, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at LSMU.
According to Prof. J. Bernatonienė, the contenders reflected this very direction for the future in their work: responsible, conscious, and innovative pharmacy, centred around people and their quality of life.
The Future Pharmacy Scholarship 2025 proved once again that future Lithuanian pharmacy specialists are ready to make a difference. The new generation of future pharmacy specialists sees much more than just the pharmacy counter – they are determined to address global health, sustainability and innovation challenges, create new solutions for the world and look boldly to the future.
We look forward to next year and new ideas that will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of global pharmacy,” said Prof. J. Bernatonienė.
About the competition
The creator and founder of the Future Pharmacy scholarship competition is Prof. Dr J. Bernatonienė, who donated the funds from the prestigious 2021 Lithuanian Science Award to the scholarship fund.
Each year, the competition entries are assessed by experts from a range of pharmaceutical disciplines. First-place winners are awarded a €1,000 scholarship, second-place winners €700, and third-place winners €500. In addition, a special €800 scholarship is awarded by Prof. Jurga Bernatonienė.