Laboratory
Pharmaceutical Dosage Form Technology Laboratory
The Pharmaceutical Dosage Form Technology Laboratory is a consolidation of four previously independent laboratories: Non-Sterile Dosage Form Technology I, Non-Sterile Dosage Form Technology II, Cosmeceutics, and Sterile Dosage Form Technology. Since their establishment until 2021, these laboratories have served primarily as educational laboratories.This integrated laboratory supports approximately 9–12 practical course topics for the Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy and 4–7 topics for the Diploma Program in Pharmacy and Food Analysis at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU). The practical materials are designed to prepare students for careers in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulation industries, particularly in Production, Quality Control, and Research & Development. The laboratory also aims to encourage entrepreneurship among students to develop their own cosmetic products or become consultants in beauty clinics.Beyond teaching, the laboratory facilitates student research for theses and dissertations from various academic programs both within and outside USU, as well as faculty research funded by internal and external institutions. Research topics frequently include the formulation and evaluation of pharmaceutical dosage forms such as gels, creams, and nano-sized products with functions such as anti-aging, anti-acne, antioxidant, anti-xerosis, sunscreen, hair dye, facial masks, facial cleansers, and tablets derived from both synthetic and natural ingredients.However, limitations in laboratory equipment often hinder research activities, forcing researchers to wait for access to facilities in other laboratories within USU, or even at institutions in other regions, including Sumatra and Java.In addition to its educational and research functions, the laboratory also engages in community service activities, including the production of hand sanitizers, basic cosmetic formulations, and public education on safe and appropriate cosmetic usage. As of 2021, research activities in the Sterile Dosage Form Technology Laboratory remain limited due to inadequate infrastructure and equipment.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory
The Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, was officially inaugurated on March 22, 2022, by the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. This laboratory plays a vital role in supporting academic activities, particularly practical classes for the Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Diploma Program in Pharmaceutical and Food Analysis at the Faculty of Vocational Studies.In addition to its educational function, the laboratory also serves as a facility for faculty and student research, including undergraduate theses, postgraduate research, and collaborative projects. Research activities conducted in this laboratory are primarily focused on the analysis of quality, safety, and efficacy of drug substances and pharmaceutical products.The laboratory is also engaged in community service initiatives involving faculty and students, such as training and education in pharmaceutical analysis as well as basic testing services for local communities. The establishment of this laboratory is expected to strengthen the integration of education, research, and community engagement in advancing pharmaceutical sciences and public health services.
Pharmacology Laboratory
The Pharmacology Laboratory is one of the key laboratories within the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, focusing on the investigation of the pharmacological mechanisms of drug formulations and test substances derived from medicinal plants. These studies often involve laboratory animals such as mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, in accordance with ethical standards for animal research.The laboratory is equipped with specialized instruments to support pharmacological testing, including an Organ Bath (for tracheal and intestinal studies), Non-Invasive Blood Pressure system, Plantar Test device (for pain mechanism studies), Plethysmometer (for anti-inflammatory activity testing), and other pharmacology-related tools.Serving as a research facility for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, as well as academic staff, the laboratory is also accessible to researchers from other institutions such as UMN, UTND, UNPRIM, FK USU, FKG USU, STIFAR Riau, and UNIMED. In addition to research, the laboratory supports practical courses in Pharmacology, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), and Clinical Pathology, enhancing students’ understanding of drug actions and their clinical applications.
Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory
The Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory is an academic unit under the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, focusing on the scientific field of pharmaceutical biology. This laboratory is dedicated to the study of natural pharmaceutical substances derived from plants and animals, traditional medicines, microbiology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and the formulation technologies of natural products.In support of the university’s three pillars (tridharma), the laboratory actively engages in teaching, research, and community service, all aligned with the vision and mission of the Faculty of Pharmacy at USU.The laboratory comprises five specialized rooms:Pharmaceutical Botany – for the identification and classification of medicinal plantsPharmaceutical Microbiology – for microbiological and antimicrobial testingPharmacognosy – for the analysis of crude drugs and bioactive compounds from natural sourcesTraditional Medicine/Natural Product Formulation (TPSOA) – for traditional medicine formulationPhytochemistry – for the isolation and identification of active compounds from medicinal plantsThis laboratory plays a key role in advancing education, research, and innovation based on Indonesia’s rich biodiversity, particularly in the area of natural product pharmacy.
Pharmaceutics Laboratory
The Pharmaceutics Laboratory is one of the core laboratories at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, dedicated to teaching and research in the field of drug formulation and pharmaceutical product development. It supports practical and research activities related to:Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, including solid, liquid, semisolid, and other preparations that form the foundation of modern drug development.Drug Compounding, a critical skill in pharmaceutical practice that trains students to prepare medications according to prescriptions and individual patient needs.Physical Pharmacy, which studies the physicochemical properties of drug substances and excipients and their impact on formulation stability and efficacy.Biopharmaceutics, focusing on the relationship between dosage form characteristics and drug bioavailability, absorption, and therapeutic response in the body.This laboratory supports the implementation of the university’s three pillars—education, research, and community service—and plays a vital role in equipping students with theoretical understanding and practical competencies in formulation science, preparing them for careers in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy practice.
Pharmaceutical Central Research Laboratory
The Pharmaceutical Central Research Laboratory plays a strategic role in supporting the implementation of the university’s three core missions (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi), particularly in research and community service. This laboratory serves as a primary research facility for undergraduate (S1), master’s (S2), and doctoral (S3) students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, as well as from other faculties and external institutions beyond Universitas Sumatera Utara.Although it is not primarily intended for routine teaching activities, the laboratory also accommodates selected practical courses that require the use of specialized instruments only available in this facility. This contributes to enhancing students’ competencies and understanding of advanced pharmaceutical instrumentation, thereby supporting the educational development within the Faculty of Pharmacy.In addition to academic research, the laboratory offers analytical services for external institutions and the general public. It also plays an active role in community service by supporting the development of innovative products such as liquid hand soap, hand sanitizers, and aromatherapy balms, which have been applied in various outreach programs conducted by faculty members and students.With its wide-ranging functions, the Pharmaceutical Central Research Laboratory stands as a key pillar in strengthening the reputation and academic excellence of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Digital Pharmacy Laboratory
The Digital Pharmacy Laboratory is a strategic facility designed to support the implementation of the university’s Tri Dharma (Three Pillars) of Higher Education, particularly in education and research in the digital era. Academically, this laboratory serves as a platform for computer-based practicum sessions for Diploma and Undergraduate students, such as Research Methodology, Statistics, and CBT-based Skill Lab for the Pharmacist Professional Program. It also functions as a central facility for faculty-level Computer-Based Tests (CBT), including Midterm and Final Examinations.In the near future, the laboratory is being prepared to support national-level assessments, such as the Competency Test for Pharmacy Technicians (TTK) and the Indonesian Pharmacist Competency Exam (UKAI) organized by LPUK-NAKES. The laboratory has also consistently facilitated CBT-based entrance examinations for new student admissions at USU.In the field of research, the Digital Pharmacy Laboratory is being developed as a center for digital pharmacy learning and research. This includes the development of in silico or molecular docking systems (in collaboration with pharmaceutical biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology fields), and formulation technology using digital tools such as EXC-Sol for preformulation studies (interaction and incompatibility of ingredients) and Design-Expert software for formulation optimization and pharmaceutical product development.To ensure effective support for these academic and research activities and to contribute to faculty accreditation, the laboratory is managed professionally by adopting modern laboratory quality management standards, particularly the SNI ISO/IEC 17025:2008 system. This involves the optimal management of all laboratory resources—including skilled personnel, equipment, materials, and methodologies—to produce valid, accurate, and reliable data.
Clinical and Community Pharmacy Laboratory
The Clinical and Community Pharmacy Laboratory is an educational facility designed to support skill-based practicum sessions in pharmaceutical care, both in clinical and community settings. Teaching activities in this laboratory are conducted using demonstration and simulation methods, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in medication management and pharmaceutical services in a structured environment.This laboratory emphasizes the development of student competencies in drug information provision, patient therapy management, counseling, dispensing, and professional communication skills within the context of clinical and community pharmacy services. Through this facility, graduates are expected to be well-prepared to contribute effectively in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, pharmacies, public health centers, and community-based health programs.
Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
The Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory is the result of a merger between the Organic Chemistry Laboratory, the Drug Synthesis Laboratory, and the Biochemistry Laboratory. From its establishment until 2021, these laboratories have functioned primarily as educational laboratories supporting practical sessions for students in the Diploma Program in Pharmaceutical and Food Analysis and the Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Each year, the laboratory facilitates approximately seven practicum courses related to pharmaceutical and biomedical chemistry.Beyond educational activities, the Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory also serves as a key facility for student research at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, involving topics such as drug development, synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, pharmaceutical excipients, and the analysis of functional foods and nutraceuticals. These research activities involve students from both within and outside the Faculty of Pharmacy, as well as from other institutions outside USU.The laboratory plays a strategic role in supporting the university’s Tri Dharma—education, research, and community service. In addition to its academic and research functions, the laboratory also provides sample testing and analytical services to external institutions and the general public. With its resources and advanced equipment, the Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory is a vital pillar in reinforcing the Faculty of Pharmacy USU’s position as a leading institution in pharmaceutical sciences.