DUBAI Nov 5, 2026 — Dubai Medical University recently transformed into a dynamic incubator of clinical innovation during the highly anticipated Pharmacy Hackathon 2026, held on November 4 in Hall A. Organized under the banner “Innovate, Create, Compete,” the event showcased the brilliant problem-solving abilities and entrepreneurial drive of future pharmacists.

The event opened with an inspiring presentation by honorable guest speaker and judge Dr. Rafa Al Khalifa (R.Ph., B.Pharm., EMBA HCML | MSc Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics Candidate, FIP SAPS Executive Committee Member, and Market Access and Patient Services Lead at Veridian Life Science).

Setting the stage for the competition, her keynote explored “Why Pharmacy Needs Innovation,” addressing how future healthcare leaders must bridge the gap between disease challenges—such as comorbidities, access hurdles, education gaps, and social stigma—and advanced medication solutions. Drawing on historical milestones from Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin to modern startup execution criteria, she emphasized that true innovation requires observing what others discard, embracing evidence-based improvements, and mastering the art of a persuasive pitch.

Following the keynote, the fast-paced challenge featured six competing teams pitching inventive technological solutions. Each team took the stage for a 5-minute presentation followed by a rigorous 3-minute Q&A session evaluated by our expert judging panel composed of Prof Kishore, Dr Rizah, Dr Mariam, and our guest Dr Rafa.

The hackathon floor featured an impressive array of student-developed prototypes and concepts tackling critical pharmacy challenges, with top honors awarded to:

• AI-Drug Match (1st Place): AI is used to select and match the most beneficial drug to each patient. It’s personalised, easy to use, and very cheap time-wise.
• Vericare (2nd Place): Focused on verifying the authenticity of ingredients inside products through an advanced scanning prototype.
• PharmaPulse (3rd Place): An adherence app designed to track administration routines and bridge the communication gap between patients and pharmacists.
• Med snap: Created to assist elderly patients by identifying pills via photo capture, reading information aloud, and organizing customized medication schedules.
• SOUNDRX: Built to record and detect acoustic patterns while a patient uses an inhaler, providing real-time guidance on correct self-administration technique.
• Dose loop: A targeted tracking tool centered on monitoring administration patterns and sending intelligent reminders to maximize patient adherence.

The DMU Hackathon 2026 successfully demonstrated how student ingenuity, digital health tools, and clinical grit intersect to improve medication safety and patient-specific care. Dubai Medical University extends its warmest congratulations to all participating teams and podium finishers for raising the bar on healthcare innovation!