Faculty of Pharmacy

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.