The Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Airlangga (FF UNAIR), through the International Conference of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ICPHS) 2026, organized a Drug Discovery Workshop titled "Green Chemistry in Drug Discovery: Applications, Strategies, and Future Direction" on Friday, June 19, 2026, in the Conference Room of the Nani Building, Campus C UNAIR. This workshop was part of the ICPHS 2026 activities aimed at strengthening participants' understanding of the application of green chemistry principles in the drug discovery and development process.
The activity proceeded smoothly and featured three speakers. Through this workshop, participants gained comprehensive insights into various strategies and technologies that can support the development of more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable drugs.
The first session was presented by Prof. Dr. apt. Juni Ekowati, M.Si., who delivered material titled "Drug Discovery: Green Chemistry in the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Active Agent Candidates Using Microwave Irradiation." In her presentation, she explained how microwave technology can be utilized in the synthesis of drug candidate compounds to increase reaction efficiency while reducing solvent and energy consumption. This approach aligns with green chemistry principles that emphasize the minimization of waste and environmental impact in chemical processes.
Next, Prof. Drs. apt. Marcellino Rudyanto, M.Si., Ph.D. presented material on "Workup and Analysis of Reaction Products." In this session, participants were guided to understand important stages following the synthesis process, ranging from purification to analysis of reaction products. The material provided an overview of the techniques required to ensure the quality and characteristics of synthesized compounds so they can be used in subsequent research stages.
As the third speaker, Hardian Ari Yoga Putra delivered material on "The Role of Microwave Synthesis Technology in Green Chemistry." He explained the development of microwave-based synthesis technology, which is increasingly being applied in pharmaceutical research. This technology is considered capable of accelerating chemical reactions, improving synthesis yields, and supporting the application of sustainability principles in drug research and development.
Beyond acquiring theoretical knowledge, participants also had the opportunity to participate in hands-on practice sessions conducted in FF UNAIR laboratories. During this session, participants directly practiced the synthesis process using microwave technology and learned the workup and reaction product analysis stages under the guidance of the speakers and instructors. This practical activity provided real-world experience for participants in applying the green chemistry concepts learned during the presentation sessions.
Participant enthusiasm was evident throughout the activity, both during discussion sessions and laboratory practice. Active interaction between participants and speakers created a dynamic learning atmosphere and enriched understanding of the application of modern technology in the drug discovery process.
