Faculty introduces new courses
New Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (Aged Care)
Monash University is launching a brand new graduate course in clinical pharmacy relating to aged care, one of the most critical issues facing societies around the world.
In Australia, the government has designated the treatment of seniors as a National Health Priority Area amid concerns raised by the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
An overreliance on psychotropic medications affects thousands of elderly Australians, with over 60 per cent of residents prescribed them regularly. Of those, 90 per cent suffer problems. The commission called for more pharmacists to work collaboratively with ;other health professionals to improve medication management so there has never been a better time to upskill as a greater range of opportunities are emerging for pharmacists.
The new Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (Aged Care) is a part-time course designed to advance knowledge of both evidence based practice and pharmacy services and equip graduates to resolve medication-related problems in both residential aged care and the community.
It contains units from Monash University’s Master of Clinical Pharmacy program, so it represents a great, low-cost way for those considering a higher degree to dip a toe in the water.
New Master of Pharmaceutical Science
A new postgraduate course will address a major skills shortage afflicting the Australian pharmaceutical sector and provide employers with the top-quality candidates they’ve been struggling to recruit.
The Master of Pharmaceutical Science will be offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from 2022.
Melbourne-based companies make up over 40 per cent of all ASX-listed med-tech and pharmaceutical firms in Australia, and employ over 31,000 people. As the sector continues to grow each year, demand for premium pharmaceutical science graduates in Victoria has never been higher.
“The world continues to face a number of urgent health challenges, and pharmaceutical scientists will play a central role in helping to provide solutions over the next decade and beyond,” said FPPS Dean, Professor Arthur Christopoulos. “With many other manufacturing industries being disrupted by technology, it’s a career path that will still be relevant 20 years from now.”
Filling the skills gap
The course covers the full length of the drug discovery and development process, from target identification to taking a drug to market, offering students a comprehensive overview of the industry.
It will also cover areas such as management, regulation, clinical trials and marketing, and has been designed in consultation with major employers to ensure content aligns with areas where there are skills gaps. Students who already have a background in pharmaceutical science can apply for recognition of prior learning and receive up to two semesters’ credit.
Using a range of teaching methods including case studies, hypotheticals and laboratory experience, it will give students the opportunity to interact with industry and research leaders and gain hands-on experience of contemporary pharmaceutical science. The guiding principles of social responsibility, sustainability and positive impact underpin every aspect of the degree.
The degree culminates in an extended placement with an industrial or research organisation to give participants the chance to consolidate everything they’ve learnt and give them a folio to demonstrate their value in a professional environment.
An urgent need
Pharmaceutical manufacturing is very much in the spotlight both here and around the world. “If recent events have shown us anything, it’s that Australia urgently needs to build its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. This isn’t just a public health imperative – it’s an economic one,” Professor Christopoulos said.
“Melbourne is one of the world’s great centres of biomedical research, and we have the potential to translate that into manufacturing jobs.”
Course Director Dr Tony Hughes, recently recruited from the University of Melbourne to develop the high profile course, said the master degree offers a different set of skills to a PhD.
“Traditionally, students seeking a higher qualification in pharmaceutical science or biotech have pursued a doctorate,” he said.
“Whilst the deep knowledge provided by a PhD remains highly relevant for many roles in the sector – particularly research – there’s an increasing number of jobs where the breadth offered by a coursework master is a better fit.
“The degree is designed to meet the development needs of two key groups of students: those who already have a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and want to gain a competitive edge in the employment market, and those with a degree in general science, biomedicine or engineering and wish to specialise in pharmaceutical science.”
Entry requirements
To be eligible, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in either pharmaceutical science, biomedicine, science or engineering. There are three entry levels, depending on previous studies and grades. For international students, English requirements must also be met.