Welcome to the Department of Pharmacy

The Department of Pharmacy offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the area of pharmacy. The department’s areas of interests include pharmacy practice, pharmacoeconomics, computer-aided drug design and industrial pharmacy. The department participates in EU-funded research programmes and currently has a three-year local national research grant in collaboration with a local pharmaceutical industry. The department collaborates with the pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacies, government pharmacy institutions and other departments at the University of Malta for teaching and research activities. It also enjoys extensive international collaboration with other schools of pharmacy and with pharmacy entities. The department hosted the 2^nd Spring European Society for Clinical Pharmacy Conference in 2001, the 2005 Annual Conference of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy and the 7th World Meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, 2010 besides a number of European courses.

In 2005, the Facutly of Pharmacy, University Complutense of Madrid awarded the Institutional Medal to recognise an institution for significant contribution to pharmacy education to the Department of Pharmacy.

Press Release: 07 Mar 2019 

Digitalization in healthcare with a focus on lifelong learning for patient-centred care

Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta has participated as an invited member of the panel during the Annual Reception organised by the European Pharmaceutical Students Association at the European Parliament to discuss the hot topic of digitalization in healthcare.  

Professor Azzopardi’s contribution focused on aspects of pharmacy education which contribute to the development of competences in pharmacy graduates that promote lifelong learning and professional attitudes that embrace new digitalization trends.  European and international recommendations directed to support pharmacy educators and student advocacy groups to focus on experiential education and opportunities for further professional development were highlighted.  Professor Azzopardi referred to the four pillars of pharmacy education which rely on striking a science-practice balance, incorporation of using innovative teaching methods, supporting the evolvement of students into team players and instilling preparedness of graduates for the needs of health-care systems.  

The session was hosted by Lieve Wiernick, a Belgian member of the EU parliament who is also a pharmacist, and was attended by students from different European countries, pharmacy professional organisations and European institutions.  Agnès-Mathieu Mendes, from the DG Sante of the European Commission addressed the panel and presented the EU projects and plans on digital health.

Photo 1:  Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi (2nd from right) with the panel of speakers

Press Release: 25 Feb 2019 

Collaborative agreement between Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorodo, USA

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Rector of the University of Malta, Professor Alfred J. Vella and the Provost of the University of Colorado, Denver, USA, Professor Roderick Nairns to establish collaboration between the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado. The School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado is one of the top-ranking pharmacy schools in the US and is housed at the Anschutz Medical Campus.   

The collaboration covers student and staff exchange. Through the agreement, pharmacists reading for the Doctorate in Pharmacy degree at the University of Malta may take up a rotation in Denver, Colorado.  The course leading to the degree of  Doctorate in Pharmacy is offered by the University of Malta in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois at Chicago.  It is a post-graduate Level 8 Doctorate degree that focuses on providing advanced clinical and patient safety perspectives to pharmacists. The course consists of three components:  1) taught component that is offered by academic staff from the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta and over 50 academic staff from the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois at Chicago.  The second component are a series of rotations in hospital, community and pharmaceutical regulatory sciences settings with an opportunity to take rotations in the US in Chicago, Florida and now also in Colorado.  The third component is the pharmacy practice research dissertation.

The agreement also supports collaborative research.  An area of research that is of common interest between the two pharmacy education institutions is the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.  The Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado is participating in pioneering studies of medicinal use of cannabis.  

The agreement was initiated through the academic collaboration between Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta and Professor Ralph Altiere, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Denver.

Dr Sephora Falzon, Dr Louise Grech, Professor Alan Lau from the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Professor Kairi Franson from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorodo, Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglot and Dr Annalise Attard during the International Pharmaceutical Federation World Pharmacy Congress in September 2018 in Glasgow.

Press Release: 26 Sep 2018 

World Pharmacists Day 2018 - Pharmacists: Your Medicine Experts 

Each year, on the 25th of September, the International Pharmaceutical Federation commemorates World Pharmacists Day. The theme selected for this year is ‘Pharmacists: Your Medicine Experts’.  Pharmacists are versatile healthcare professionals practicing in various settings to provide high quality care to patients and to promote the safe use of medicines. Pharmacists support patients in understanding the use of medicines, in complying with their medication therapy and in responding to questions about medicines. 

This year, to celebrate this day, the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Department at Karin Grech Hospital and the Malta Pharmaceutical Association, are providing medication review and information sessions to outpatients at the hospital to support medication adherence. Students from the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association and the Association for Student Pharmaceutical Technologists are participating in this event. 

World Pharmacists Day 2018 Motto

Press conference held at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta with the participation of Hon Dr Deo Debattista, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018, Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta, Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglott, Chairperson of the Malta Medicines Authority, Mr Aaron Camilleri, Head of Pharmacy at Karin Grech Hospital, Lara Zammit, President of the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association, Yasmine Azzopardi, President of the Association for Student Pharmaceutical Technologists, and academic staff from the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta.

Press Release: 23 May 2018 

Aurobindo Award for the Best B.Sc. Pharmaceutical Technology Symposium Presentation

During the Annual Pharmacy Symposium organised by the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, final year students reading for the course leading to a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Technology degree presented their projects. Aurobindo Pharma Malta has a collaborative agreement with the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta.  Amongst the collaborative activities, the agreement covers the Aurobindo Award for the best presentation from the final year pharmaceutical technology students during the Annual Pharmacy Symposium. 

This year’s Aurobindo award was presented to Shanice Marie Spiteri for her project titled “Drug Stability”. The research assessed medicine storage and disposal practices in Maltese households. Information related to the knowledge of participants about which storage conditions have an implication on the active pharmaceutical ingredient and how the medication can be effected was also evaluated. 

Students reading for the degree in pharmaceutical technology develop skills in development and quality assessment of drugs.  Due to the rapid expansion in the local pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical activities, there are enormous job opportunities.

Left to Right:  Mr. Jonathan Farrugia, on behalf of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. (APL Swift) , Ms. Shanice Marie Spiteri and Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head, Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta 

Press Release: 02 May 2018 

Combino Pharm Award for the Best Master of Pharmacy Symposium Presentation

Through a collaboration agreement between Combino Pharm and the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, the Combino Pharm Award for the best Master of Pharmacy Presentation during the Annual Pharmacy Symposium is presented.  Master of Pharmacy students present their final year dissertation as an oral presentation during the one-week long research symposium.  The Combino Pharm award was this year presented to Mr Stefan Cassar for his presentation on the study entitled “Clinical Practice and Pricing Insights into Medicine Access Intelligence”. 

Mr Cassar carried out the study by analysing real-patient case scenarios where there was a barrier to accessing a medicine.  Fieldwork for the study was carried out at Medicines Intelligence and Access Unit (MIAU) at the Malta Medicines Authority.  The results showed that the most prominent reason for the inaccessibility to a medicine was due to the product not being available in Malta, followed by the price of the medicine. Out of 20 cases followed during the study, 14 were resolved positively with the patient ultimately accessing the required medicine. The study indicated key priority areas that lead to barriers to patients accessing a medicine and validated the clinical interventions by the Medicines Access Intelligence unit.

Left to Right:  Dr Maurice Zarb Adami, chair of the adjudicating panel, Mr Stefan Cassar and Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head, Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta.

Press Release: 22 September 2017 

Maltese academic pharmacist receives international fellowship

Lilian M. Azzopardi, Professor of Pharmacy and Head of Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta received the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Fellowship during the 77th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held in Seoul, Republic of Korea between the 10 and 14 September. FIP was founded in 1912 in The Hague and represents over 3 million experts in medicines use and their responsible use.    

Professor Azzopardi was nominated for the FIP Fellowship for her strong international leadership and for her distinguished contribution to the advancement of pharmaceutical practice.  Professor Azzopardi studied pharmacy and read for the Master of Philosophy and  Doctor of Philosophy degrees at the University of Malta.   She developed a quality system for professional standards in community pharmacy which has been adopted in different countries internationally.  She has spearheaded major developments in pharmacy education within the University of Malta including the re-design of pharmacy studies leading to a Master of Pharmacy degree, the development of a degree in Pharmaceutical Technology to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, and the development of a post-graduate doctorate in pharmacy offered by the University of Malta in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Professor Azzopardi has been invited as an external examiner for postgraduate degrees in different schools of pharmacy. Her research portfolio is in the area of pharmacy quality systems and pharmacist interventions in clinical settings.  She has received research awards by the International Pharmaceutical Federation and the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy and was recognised by  the International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology. She served as an ad-interim Director and a member of the Publications Committee for the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy.  She was co-chair of the working group of the FIP Nanjing Statements on Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Education launched in 2016.

Professor Lilian Azzopardi is currently the President of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy.  

Professor Lilian Azzopardi receiving the International Pharmaceutical Federation Fellowship from FIP President, Carmen Pena 

Video of Professor Lilian Azzopardi receiving the International Pharmaceutical Federation Fellowship (1.52 mins)

Press Release: 16 March 2017 

Combino Pharm Award for best Master of Pharmacy Presentation 

Daniel Joseph Grixti, a final year student following the Master of Pharmacy course, was awarded the Combino Pharm Award for best Master of Pharmacy Presentation at the 40th Annual Pharmacy Symposium. This research event, held at the University of Malta Valletta Campus, is organised by the Department of Pharmacy within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. 

Mr. Grixti’s study, titled “Development of Rheumatology Shared Care Guidelines: Improving Transitional Care”, tackled the development of a Maltese Rheumatology Shared Care Guideline for medicines used in rheumatology including infliximab, methotrexate, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine. The study concluded that the guidelines enhance communication between healthcare professionals working in hospital and community pharmacies. This improves health services extended to patients whilst ensuring safety and proper use of medicines.

Students in the Department of Pharmacy work on a project where they carry out fieldwork and contribute to results which improve safe use of medicines. Students were commended for their project work which is contributing to the development of new pharmaceutical services with a patient focus. 

Press Release: 15 March 2017 

Pharmacy Symposium 2017 Speech by Prof Tanya Sammut Bonnici (Pro Rector Strategic Planning) 

It is a privilege to be invited to the Pharmacy Symposium 2017. 

I am honoured to be in a room with educators and researchers who are passionate about Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology.

My focus in the Rectorate of the University of Malta is on Enterprise and Strategic Planning. Through this perspective, I appreciate that the Pharmaceutical Industry is a complex one, and the task of the Pharmacy Department is unique in itself. 

Once you graduate from the Department, you will be dealing, or may already be dealing, with an extensive supply chain, which starts with pure science in the research and development laboratories of some of the world’s largest, most powerful companies, such as Pfizer, Novartis, Bayer and Actavis, to name just a few.

Regulation and legislation for the approval of new drugs plays a critical role in the industry as time-to-market of new products is of essence. 

Logistics, marketing, retailing, sales and customer management are other fields that add to the complex set of skills required by the industry. 

Pharmacy has an important economic impact. The Malta Roche Bolar Exemption (derived from the judgement in the US court case of Roche Products v Bolar Pharmaceuticals) has created a transitory competitive advantage for our economy. 

Whilst other EU states have adopted the Roch Bolar Exemption, the variance in the interpretation of the underlying legal principles still provides scope for regulatory competitiveness. 

The Bolar Provision has increased Malta’s Gross Domestic Product and enriched the diversity of careers for graduates. Malta has attracted main players in the Pharmaceutical Industry and has established a thriving sector. 

This has been possible through the constant supply of high quality professionals graduating from the Pharmacy Department. 

The next 10 – 20 years will be very exciting times for pharmacy graduates. The lines between Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology are already blurred, giving rise to careers in new and evolving fields. 

We have seen several EU countries shedding factories (which were low-value adding and eventually were lost to competition in the Far East), and strategically replacing them with life science parks for the scope of advancing innovation. The Life Science Park in San Gwann, opposite Mater Dei, is housing a growing number of start-ups, laboratories and scientific technology companies, working in the field of Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Nano-technology and other life sciences. 

The Pharmaceutical Industry is entrepreneurial and business oriented in its nature, at the level of global corporations, international distributors and national firms - including the family run businesses that operate importation companies and retail-pharmacies in Malta’s towns and villages. 

The intricate supply chain that moves medicines from the laboratories, to manufacturing sites, to reach our clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, requires an equally complex set of management skills. Professionals in the field are often expected to manage people, stocks, retailing outlets, finances and to have a knowledge of marketing. The profession is experiencing a demand for hybrid skills and competencies, spanning science and management. Careers in traditional professions, including Pharmacy will continue to require more knowledge of corporate skills for professionals to be competitive in the industry and to progress faster and further in their career. 

It is impressive to see the breadth of research projects being presented this week. We will discover and learn from over 100 presentations from the Doctoral, Masters and Bachelor programmes in Pharmacy. 

What stands out in all the projects is that the scientific and academic aspect of Pharmacy is strongly intertwined with the industry, professional practices, the economy and the societies that profession continues to serve. 

Press Release: 30 September 2016 

Pharmacists: Caring For You

World Pharmacists Day - 25 September 2016

As part of World Pharmacists Day activities, the Department of Pharmacy at Mater Dei Hospital (MDH), the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association, the Association for Student Pharmaceutical Technologists, MCAST, and the Malta Association of Hospital Pharmacists teamed up together to organise health promotion activities for the general public. World Pharmacists Day is co-ordinated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation and the theme selected for this year was ‘Pharmacists: Caring For You’. The event was held at MDH between 26 and 28 September 2016 during which blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring was undertaken, together with medication review and provision of pharmaceutical advice. Leaflets about the role of the pharmacist and the pharmaceutical technologist in healthcare were disseminated.  

This was an opportunity for students following the courses leading to degrees in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, and diploma for pharmacy technician to participate in community outreach activities and collaborate with the Department of Pharmacy at Mater Dei Hospital within a multidisciplinary team.

Staff from the Pharmacy Department at Mater Dei Hospital led by Head of Pharmacy Services, Mr Stephen Falzon, pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology students, from the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta led by Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi and pharmacy technician students from MCAST led by Mr Javier Fenech. 

Press Release: 02 May 2016 

Actavis Best Pharmacy Student Presentation Award

Dylan Said, a Master of Pharmacy final student, was awarded the Actavis Best M. Pharm. Student Presentation award at the Annual Pharmacy Symposium. Mr. Said presented his project titled ‘Practical Implication in Shelf-life Extension of Cytotoxic Admixtures’.  The study was carried out at Mater Dei Hospital and Sir Paul Boffa Hospital Cytotoxic Compounding Units. It focused on the volume and cost of more than 22,000 doses of medicines as well as the risks and benefits implicated in shelf-life extension of admixtures. The award forms part of a technical agreement between Actavis and the University of Malta.

Actavis Export International has renewed the agreement with the University of Malta for another three years. This agreement covers the Actavis Best M.Pharm. Student Presentation Award presented every year, the organising of student placements and extra-mural practical sessions at Actavis for pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology students, as well as the publication of the Department of Pharmacy scientific journal, the Journal of Euromed Pharmacy.

Prof. Lilian Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, Chiara Lanfranco, Actavis Representative and Dylan Said, Master of Pharmacy Student and Winner of the Actavis Best M.Pharm. Presentation Award.

Press Release: 14 March 2016 

Combino Pharm Pharmacy Award

During the opening ceremony of the Annual  Pharmacy Symposium held recently the winners of the Combino Pharm Best Master of Pharmacy Dissertation Award for academic year 2014-15 were announced.  This is the first year that this award was presented after an agreement established between Combino Pharm and the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta.  

The award recognised pharmacy students who achieved the highest mark in their dissertation presented as part of their Master of Pharmacy studies during the September 2015 examination session.  The recipients of the award were Jessica Attard who presented her dissertation on “Evidence-Based Standards for Clinical Pharmacy Practice”, Neil Bugeja for his study titled “Design and Optimisation of Novel Structures Capable of Modulating a Homology Model of the Human M1 Receptor for the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease” and Matthew Camilleri for his study “Development and Patient Evaluation of a Medicines Use Framework”.  

After completing their Master of Pharmacy studies, Jessica Attard, Neil Bugeja and Matthew Camilleri embarked on furthering their studies by following the postgraduate Doctorate of Pharmacy course.  The three year course leading to a level 8 degree is offered by the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinos at Chicago.  The Doctorate of Pharmacy course is currently being followed by 34 students from 8 different countries.

Matthew Camilleri receiving the award from Dino Mangion, Head of Malta Operations at Combino Pharm, and Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head, Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta. In the background Neil Bugeja and Jessica Attard.

Press Release: 10 March 2016 

Journal of Euromed Pharmacy 2016 Issue

The 2016 issue of the Journal of Euromed Pharmacy (JEMP) has been launched during the recently held Annual Pharmacy Symposium 2016. The journal is published by the Department of Pharmacy of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta in collaboration with the Malta Pharmaceutical Association and is supported by an unconditional grant by Actavis. The journal publishes original research manuscripts by postgraduate  students following a Master of Science in Phamacy degree and guest contributions related to aspects of research within the field of pharmacy.  The objective of the journal is to disseminate results of scientific investigation and evaluation of pharmacy processes and pharmaceutical services.

The 2016 issue includes research papers on Pharmacist Intervention in Patient Monitoring in a Psychiatric Setting, The Use of Internet Pharmacies by the Public, the application of Quality Systems to Computerised Stock Management Systems, the effects of regulation on the Availability of Medicinal Products on the Maltese Market, the Impact of Pharmacist Advice on Metabolic Syndrome, Documentation and Analysis of After-Hours Drug Information and the proposal of Guidelines for Responsible Person Eligibility in Malta. The journal carries summaries of on-going research projects undertaken at the department and includes reflection of experiences of undergraduate pharmacy students and of post-graduate students following the doctorate in pharmacy degree.

https://www.um.edu.mt/ms/pharmacy/research/jemp.

Press Release: 09 March 2016 

Pharmaceutical Technology Project contributes to new processes for improved patient safety

Stephanie Wonnacott, third year student following the Bachelor of Science with Honours Degree in Pharmaceutical Technology, was awarded the Aurobindo Best B.Sc. (Hons) Pharmaceutical Technology Student Presentation Award at the Annual Pharmacy Symposium. Ms Wonnacott presented her project entitled ‘Medicine Management Processes on Hospital Wards’. Her project describes innovative medicine management processes in two wards at Mater Dei Hospital. The project which was carried out in collaboration with Mater Dei Hospital Pharmacy presents an effective process aimed at improving the handling, storage and distribution of medicines in the hospital wards. The impact of the study is that it leads to safe medication use for the patients. The participation of pharmaceutical technologists in the development of new pharmacy services at Mater Dei Hospital for the direct benefit of patients provides an additional pharmaceutical dimension to the current team at Mater Dei Hospital Pharmacy. The three-year course leading to a degree in Pharmaceutical Technology is offered by the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta and provides graduates with a vast range of job opportunities in different pharmaceutical settings.

A Complimentary Invitation to a Taste of the Post-graduate Doctorate Programme in Pharmacy

Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 April 2015

Invitation [PDF]

Agenda [PDF] 

Press Release: 01 April 2015 

Aurobindo Award for Best B.Sc.(Hons) Pharmaceutical  Technology Student Presentation

Nicolette Bezzina, final year student following the course leading to a Bachelor in Science with Honours degree in Pharmaceutical Technology is the first recipient of the Aurobindo Best BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Technology Student Presentation during the Annual Pharmacy Symposium.  Ms Bezzina presented her project on ‘Procurement of Medicinal Products in Government Health Services’ during the 2015 Annual Pharmacy Symposium held last March at the University of Malta Valletta Campus.  Ms Bezzina is working on her project under the supervision of Ms Lilian Wismayer. Mr Jonathan Farrugia on behalf of Aurobindo presented Ms Bezzina a certificate and a copy of the pharmaceutical reference book Remington:  The Science and Practice of Pharmacy.   This award is one of the features covered through a formal agreement that was signed earlier this year between Aurobindo and the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta.   

Mr Jonathan Farrugia presenting the Aurobindo BSc Hons Pharmaceutical Technology
Best Presentation Award to Nicolette Bezzina during the 2015 Annual Pharmacy Symposium 

Press Release: 23 March 2015 

Pharmaceutical Technology Students at the University of Malta benefitting from collaboration agreement to broaden skills in the manufacture and testing of sterile medicinal products

The University of Malta has signed a collaborative agreement with the Italian company CTP Tecnologie di Processo to support the department of pharmacy in the area of  pharmaceutical technology.  Through this agreement CTP is organising highly specific courses focusing on practical examples and hands on experience of Good Manufacturing Processes that are required in the manufacture, testing and distribution of medicines in Europe.  The agreement also provides the opportunity for students following the course leading to a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Technology to take up 3 month placements at CTP in Italy where they are exposed to system development for major pharmaceutical industries in Europe. 

CTP Tecnologie di Processo was founded in 1990 and has attained an important role in the pharmaceutical, chemical and healthcare fields in Italy and also in Europe. The company, employing about 170 scientists with high and diverse professional profiles, has a mission to ensure strict compliance with quality requirements established by FDA and European regulators, focussing on the needs of development and marketing of medicines and generics drugs for the European market.

The first activity undertaken within this agreement was the course on Good Manufacturing Processes Requirements for Manufacture of Sterile Products.  The course is spread over four intensive days and the first two days have been carried out in February and the last two sessions will take place in April.  Students following the course leading to the degree of Pharmaceutical Technology and postgraduate students at the Department of Pharmacy are following the course.  Professionals from the local pharmaceutical industry and the Medicines Authority were also invited to participate.  The area of manufacture of sterile pharmaceutical products requires special focus and is an area that is expected to develop in the local pharmaceutical industry.

Course tutors from CTP were Dr Simone Villani, Dr Giuseppe Ruggirello and Dr Aniello Salerno.  The opening session of the course was addressed by Hon Mr Chris Fearne, Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

World Pharmacists Day - 25 September 2014

The Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta (UOM), is this year celebrating World Pharmacists Day in collaboration with the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association (MPSA) and the Malta Pharmaceutical Association (MPhA), with the support of Actavis and the Malta Medicines Authority. World Pharmacists Day is co-ordinated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the theme selected for this year is ‘Access to Pharmacists is Access to Health’.

In Malta, activities organised during the week 22 to 25 September, were held in various localities, including Birgu, Sliema, Valletta and Zejtun. The aim was to reach out to the general public and create awareness of the importance of pharmacists as accessible, trusted and valued healthcare professionals, who can provide professional advice about generic medicines. As part of the World Pharmacists Day activities, an information leaflet about generic medicines is being disseminated to the general public by pharmacy students to encourage use of generic medicines. A self-administered questionnaire is also being distributed to determine the perception of the general public on generic medicines. Having pharmacy students actively participate in this event is very encouraging since these future pharmacists are already being exposed to essential contact with patients and consumers.

Photo 1: Rebecca Bugeja and Stephanie Cassar from MPSA at the stand set up near the Birgu market

Photo 2: Information leaflet disseminated to consumers during the activities 

To mark these activities a press conference was held at a community pharmacy located near the Birgu market. Speakers who addressed the conference were: The Hon. Helena Dalli, Minister for Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties; Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta; Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglott, Chairperson of the Malta Medicines Authority; Professor Alan H. Lau, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of International Clinical Pharmacy Education at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy; Mr  Godwin Mangion, Director General of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA); Ms Stephanie Cassar, Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association, Mr Reginald Fava, Malta Pharmaceutical Association and Ms Arlette Falzon Seychell, a community pharmacist and pharmacy owner.

During the press conference, an announcement was made about the professional doctorate in pharmacy offered for the first time this October by the University of Malta in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Around 26 Maltese and international pharmacists are enrolled for this PharmD. This doctorate is unique in that it combines the development and application of advanced clinical pharmacy skills with contextual research.

Communications & Alumni Relations Office
  25.09.2014

Code of Conduct document

The courses offered by the Department of Pharmacy are intended to prepare you to become a caring, dedicated and qualified healthcare professional who will be participating in activities that are, directly or indirectly, affecting patient safety and health. Your experience during the course is an important step in your personal and professional development. It provides the knowledge, skills and competences for you to acquire professional characteristics and to contribute and perform as a worthy member of the health profession.

The importance of professional behaviour cannot be emphasised enough. We have hereby prepared a Code of Conduct document intended to outline some key issues aimed at helping you prevent misunderstandings or unfavourable attitudes about what is expected of you as a student. This will also serve as an important guide for your future profession.

The Code of Conduct document can be found here in PDF format.

Press Release: 25 July 2014

Pharmaceutical Technology Graduates Event

On Thursday 26th June 2014 The Association for Student Pharmaceutical Technologists together with the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta held a gathering to mark the completion of the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Pharmaceutical Technology degree by the first group of students. The guests were addressed by the Head of the Pharmacy Department, Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi who remarked that the visiting external examiner for the final examination has commended the standard achieved by the graduates.  She augured the new graduates success in the job positions that they have taken up in the pharmaceutical industry. Kurt Borg, the chairperson of the Association for Student Pharmaceutical Technologists (ASPT) and also one of the students who completed the course, gave a short presentation to prospective students and guests who attended. The reception at the Quadrangle, University Campus, was attended by the representatives of pharmaceutical industry and institutions where the students are hosted for placements during the three year programme. Each year the students take up a placement in a pharmaceutical setting so as to be able to assimilate the theoretical knowledge with the practical aspects. Students also have the opportunity to take up an Erasmus mobility in one of the partner Universities in Europe.  

Press Release: 12 June 2014

New Courses Opening at the Department of Pharmacy

Click link below each image to open relevant course PDF brochure.          

B.Sc.(Hons.) in   Pharmaceutical   Technology	M.Sc. in Advanced     Clinical Pharmacy	Doctor of Pharmacy       (Pharm.D.)

Press Release: 29 May 2014

Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi was elected President of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy (EAFP) during the 20th EAFP Annual Conference being held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  

EAFP is at the forefront of developments in pharmacy education and research and serves as a platform to spearhead discussions and networking within stakeholders in Europe and internationally to address the changes and challenges in pharmacy education, research and in the pharmaceutical setting.  

Prof. Lilian M. Azzopardi addressing the Opening Ceremony
of the 20th EAFP conference in Ljubljana 

Professor Azzopardi is the Head of Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta and has been actively leading developments in pharmacy education.  During the conference in Ljubljana, Professor Azzopardi presented a plenary talk on innovations in pharmacy education where she presented the newly launched post-graduate professional doctorate in pharmacy at the University of Malta, the PharmD programme.  This programme which is a level 8 degree is being offered in collaboration with the University of Illinois, at Chicago (UIC).  The course will commence in October 2014 and consists of a patient-centred curriculum developing pharmacy leaders with skills to be able to manage medicine use policies, supply chain management, pharmacoeconomic issues,  medication use optimisation including therapeutic drug monitoring and patient care, pharmacovigilance and innovative drug therapy evaluation.  It is targeted at pharmacists who would like to develop careers in hospitals, primary care or community pharmacy, pharmacy administration and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs processes.

Press Release: 07 April 2014

Maltese Pharmacy Graduate Awarded EAHP-EPSA Best Research Paper award

During the 19th Congress of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) held recently in Barcelona, Danika Agius Decelis was presented with the EAHP-EPSA Best Research paper award for the research paper submitted on the intervention of the pharmacist together with the other members of the healthcare team in the management of pain following heart surgery.  The paper draws on the research study undertaken by Ms Agius Decelis as part of her Master of Pharmacy degree.  In this study it was shown that the pharmacist’s intervention to advise the patients on the use of analgesics and the preparation of medication charts to help patients to follow the intake of the analgesics as prescribed, resulted in a better pain management for the patients.  The study was carried out under the supervision of Dr Maurice Zarb Adami from the Department of Pharmacy in collaboration with Mr Joseph Galea from the Department of Surgery at the University of Malta.

March 2014

Actavis Best M.Pharm. Presentation Award

Actavis representative Ms.Olivia Bilocca delivers the Actavis Best MPharm Presentation Award to M.Pharm. student Ms Rodianne Conti for her presentation of her dissertation on Point-of-Care testing for Hypercholesterolaemia in Community Pharmacies during the 2014 Annual Pharmacy Symposiumorganised by the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta at the Aula Magna, Valletta University Campus.

March 2014

We would like to announce the new postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy, Pharm D programme being offered by the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta. This programme is being offered in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.

The three-year course leads to a Level 8 professional doctorate in clinical pharmacy. Applications are open and the course will start in October 2014. The programme is intended for pharmacists who would like to advance their careers by enhancing professional practice with a research perspective. The course includes taught modules which are delivered by faculty from the University of Malta and the University of Illinois in pharmacotherapy, drug information, principles of pharmacoeconomics and health systems in USA and Europe including pharmaceutical regulatory aspects particularly related to clinical trials. These taught modules are offered through a blended learning model that includes lectures, distance learning and practice-based learning. A characteristic of this Pharm D programme is the inclusion of clinical experience together with a research component within the context of translational and applied research.

This programme is targeted towards pharmacists who would like to advance their careers to a professional doctorate level in clinical pharmacy and is intended to attract pharmacists practicing in hospitals, primary care or community pharmacy and pharmacy administration settings. Further information about the Pharm D course is available at http://www.um.edu.mt/imp/courses/doctor-of-pharmacy. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Michelle Drago or Prof Lilian Azzopardi for more information.

March 2014

The University Pharmacy Department's Annual Symposium 2014 was held over five days between March 3 and 7 at the Aula Magna, Valletta Campus. The students at the Department of Pharmacy celebrate their research achievements in this Annual Symposium. During the Opening the Hon. Ministers Evarist Bartolo and Dr Godfrey Farrugia and members of parliament Hon. Dr Joseph Cassar and Hon Claudio Grech addressed the participants.   During the Opening Session the launch of the programme leading to a professional doctorate Level 8 degree in pharmacy, the PharmD in clinical pharmacy by the University of Malta was announced.  The programme is being offered in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.  The course is expected to start in October 2014.

This year's Annual Pharmacy Symposium was dedicated to the memory of Prof Rombaut, Dean of the School of Pharmacy of the Vrije University in Brussels and President of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy.  Professor Rombaut had established collaboration with the Department including joint research projects and student exchange.  This edition witnessed the final year project presentations from students who shall be the first B.Sc.(Hons) in Pharmaceutical Technology graduates. During the Symposium 38 students completing their Masters studies and 44 students completing studies at the Bachelor degrees level presented their work as an oral presentation. Sixty students in their second year of the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science degree presented a poster on their works-in-progress project.

Research projects were presented in a number of areas of pharmacy including clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical care, pharmaceutical technology and industrial pharmacy, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and medicinal chemistry.

Further information on the projects and the degree programmes offered by the Department of Pharmacy are available at http://www.um.edu.mt/ms/pharmacy or contact Ms Michelle Drago at michelle.drago@um.edu.mt

M.Pharm. student (right) presents one of a number of final year projects during the 2014 edition of the Pharmacy Department Symposium held at the Aula Magna while Prof Frederick F. Fenech (left) chairs the session.

Photo Credit: Marie Claire Bonanno 

October 2013

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Pharmacy as you embark on courses leading to a degree in Pharmacy Technology or a degree in Pharmacy. The Department has a long-standing history.  It was established in 1676, within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and whilst valuing historical aspects of pharmacy the Department has always succeeded to be at the forefront of education and research in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology.  This is possible also as a result of the collaboration that the Department enjoys with local stakeholders and with international partners.

The Department of Pharmacy has over 25 Erasmus mobility agreements with partner schools of pharmacy in Europe. This collaboration makes student mobility with these partners possible.  The research programmes within the Department look at pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy aspects, pharmaceutical technology and medicinal chemistry.  The work done within these groups is disseminated in international fora and publications.  Please have a look at the Department’s website at http://www.um.edu.mt/ms/pharmacy/ where you will be able to find information on the research activities carried out.  For those interested in the historical aspects I invite you to appreciate the traditional dispensing bench which you find in the foyer and to visit the artefacts and old publications which are in the Department’s collection.

I look forward to meeting you personally and in accompanying you in this journey that you are embarking on as you start your professional development in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology.  Please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available to support you in this journey.

Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi Head of Department Department of Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine and Surgery       lilian.m.azzopardi@um.edu.mt

Press Release: 25 September 2013

World Pharmacists Day

The Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta (UOM), in collaboration with the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association (MPSA) and the Malta Pharmaceutical Association (MPhA), has this year celebrated World Pharmacists Day.  The event was supported by Actavis. World Pharmacists Day is co-ordinated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the theme selected for this year was ‘Pharmacists - simplifying your medicines use, no matter how complex’. 

A press conference to launch the activities was held at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta. The Hon. Dr. Godfrey Farrugia, Minister for Health; Professor Juanito Camilleri, Rector of the University of Malta; Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta; Ms Althea Xuereb, MPSA, and Ms Janis Vella, MPhA addressed the press conference.  The Minister for Health spoke about the direct involvement of pharmacists in ensuring safe and effective use of medicines and the value of a collaborative practice between pharmacists and physicians in patient management.  The Rector of the University of Malta elaborated on the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered to provide academic frameworks for pharmacists to develop the practice within the complex scenario of medicine use in contemporary times.

Activities were organised during the week 23 to 27 September, in various localities around Malta, including Birkirkara, Birgu, Sliema, Valletta and Żejtun, to reach out to the general public on the importance of pharmacists as accessible, trusted and valued healthcare professionals, who help in achieving better health outcomes, improving patient safety and overall quality of life. 

Pharmacists are providing professional services in different sectors of pharmacy from the development and manufacture of medicines to ensuring patient safety during distribution and use of medicines. By commemorating World Pharmacists Day, pharmacists are highlighting the focus of their activities as being the patients and consumers. An information leaflet, outlining the various roles of the pharmacist was disseminated to the general public by pharmacy students. 

Through this activity, pharmacy students, pharmacists and the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, reached out to the public to emphasise the professional services of pharmacists in ensuring safe use of medicines. A self-administered questionnaire was also distributed to obtain feedback from the public with regards to new services which they wish pharmacists to provide. The participation of pharmacy students in this event is very encouraging since these future pharmacists are already being exposed to the need to reach out to patients and consumers. 

The panel addressing the press conference to launch the activities of World Pharmacists Day

Pharmacy students participating in a public outreach on World Pharmacists Day 

Press Release: 25 September 2013

Research in pharmacy presented at International Conference

During the 73rd FIP World Congress organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation in Dublin earlier this month, research carried out by the department of pharmacy of the University of Malta was presented.

Professor Lilian M.Azzopardi, Head of Department of Pharmacy and a leader in the research area of validation processes in community and hospital practice, was an invited speaker during the session on Process Validation. Professor Azzopardi presented the research work carried out at the Department of Pharmacy within the last 19 years on the development of validation processes to ensure patient safety, to minimise errors in medication use and to improve service consistency and accountability. There were around 3000 participants from 107 countries at the FIP World Congress in Dublin. During the congress, 22 research posters were presented by post-graduate students at the department of pharmacy participating in research groups in pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences and medicinal chemistry led by Professor Lilian M.Azzopardi, Professor Anthony Serracino Inglott and Dr Claire Shoemake.