Dissertation abstracts and project descriptions

Abstract

The students at the Department of Pharmacy celebrate their research achievements in this Annual Symposium. Students share and disseminate their research findings in the form of abstracts, posters and presentations. This year we have presenting their project the final year students following the new degree in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Technology. This is the first group of students following a course designed to reach the highest academic standards for a three year Honours degree and meeting the needs of society in the health sector and pharmaceutical industry. The views and perspectives of the stakeholders on the course have been extremely positive from all aspects but especially from the opportunity to host the Pharmaceutical Technology students during their academic placements. It is envisaged that it will be sometime before all the needs of society in this area of pharmaceutical technology are satisfied and therefore there is need for encouragement and guidance to prospective students who possess the necessary qualifications to join this course. The Department of Pharmacy is next October aiming to launch a new equally ambitious course and the first of its kind to be approved by the University Senate after four years of intensive discussions and preparations. This was achieved through the continuous effort and leadership of the Head of Department of Pharmacy, Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Professor Godfrey LaFerla and the stimulus of the Rector of the University of Malta, Professor Juanito Camilleri. The new Professional Doctorate in Pharmacy is offered in collaboration with the University of Illinois in Chicago. A number of working visits between the academic staff of both universities led to the development of a curriculum which could serve as the benchmark for the evolvement of the Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in Europe. The course will be a three year course to obtain a Level 8 degree which is at the same level as the PhD but is designed for students pursuing professional careers and who are interested in the opportunity to reflect on best practice. Students opting to terminate their studies after successfully completing the first three semesters will be awarded the MSc in Advanced Clinical Pharmacy. The PharmD programme is a means to develop professionals with a research-oriented approach and with skills in advanced clinical pharmacy practice. It will also provide the background required for those who aspire to become specialists in the management of clinical trials, in regulatory affairs aspects such as assessors for the registration of medicines in the European market, preparation of relevant documentation such as dossiers for marketing authorisation applications, in the administration of drug policy such as the national and hospital medicines formulary, and in performing advanced clinical practice and medicines research. The Doctor of Pharmacy graduate will be able to deliver a significant contribution to pharmacy practice, develop clinical pharmacy programmes and contribute and manage policies in pharmacy and related areas. These graduates will have the potential to lead the direction of new developments in the pharmaceutical profession and provide a significant impact in their respective fields to ensure medicine usage is undertaken in a rational and pharmacoeconomically sound way. [Foreword by Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglott]