The William Allen Hospital in Turrialba has won first place in a worldwide competition sponsored by the International Federation of Pharmacists. The Chief of Pharmacy, Giovanny Vargas Solano, won the prize with his work entitled "How Pharmacists Can Involve Themselves Completely in the Health of Their Patients".

The work was based on his experience in monthly visits to indigenous communities in the Chirripó mountain area over a 4 year period.  Vargas also invented a pictograph system that is used through out the CCSS (Social Security ), which allows doctors to explain to patients who can’t read or write what hours and days they must take medications they are prescribed.