The event, titled “Business Planning for a Pharmacy Organization: Prospects and Challenges,” was held as an open demo day, transforming traditional academic presentations into a dynamic professional dialogue between aspiring and established leaders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Fifth-year students of Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) showcased their meticulously crafted business plans for launching and managing pharmacy organizations. Their projects went beyond mere financial projections, incorporating comprehensive analyses of potential locations, competitor landscapes, marketing strategies, risk assessments, and distinctive competitive advantages tailored to the Belgorod Region market.
The event was enriched by the participation of esteemed experts, including heads of leading pharmacy organizations in Belgorod and nearby areas, as well as faculty members from the Department of Management and Marketing at the Institute of Economics and Management. Notable participants included Elena Pavlenko, Eduard Markov, Ekaterina Zhuravleva, and Vladimir Nikonov, who represented regional pharmacy chains. The jury also featured Natalia Bezuglaya, head of the BelSU Pharmacies Educational and Scientific Complex, and Olga Gerasimenko, head of the BelSU Department of Management and Marketing.
These industry professionals not only evaluated the projects based on rigorous criteria but also posed challenging questions, shared real-world insights on navigating obstacles in the pharmaceutical sector, and provided invaluable advice for project enhancement.
The discussions attracted students from both the Institute of Economics and Management and the BelSU College of Medicine, fostering an interdisciplinary environment that allowed for diverse perspectives on economic, managerial, and industry-specific issues.
“We were truly impressed by the students’ preparation and the audacity of their ideas. Many projects exhibit significant potential for real-world application. It's crucial for students to consider not only profitability but also the social mission of pharmacies and their role within the local community. Events like this are vital for identifying promising talent,” remarked Elena Pavlenko, an expert and jury member.
The business plan for “Rezept Zdorovya” (Russian for: Recipe for Health), authored by Zhanna Gostishcheva, Maria Kruts, and Ekaterina Panchenkova, secured first place in the competition. The second prize went to “PharmaVet,” a veterinary pharmacy concept developed by Polina Trubnikova, Anastasia Osipova, and Arina Chegavtsova. Third place was awarded to “BlagoPharm,” ” (Russian for: GoodPharm) presented by Veronika Balitskaya and Anna Solyanikova.
This final educational event exemplified the successful collaboration between the department and the local business community, allowing students to test their ideas in a realistic setting while enabling employers to discover emerging talent. It also reinforced the department’s connections to the labour market and informed enhancements to its educational offerings.
.jpg&w=850&q=95&&hash=aa8fae8a1d367cb0ac1978a5ce7cd259 "BelSU Students Innovate Pharmacy Business Planning with Real-World Projects")
