First Cohort to graduate from Master of Pharmacy

Wednesday, 19th April, 2006

The University of Newcastle is playing an integral role in alleviating the national and regional shortage of Pharmacists with its first group from the Master of Pharmacy to graduate on Friday.

The University of Newcastle was the first university in Australia to introduce a graduate based program of Pharmacy.

On Friday (21 April), the University graduation ceremony will showcase 27 inaugural Master of Pharmacy students.

Chair of the Pharmacy Benefits Advisory Committee, Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom is a founding member of the program.

"These people have a very strong science with clinical skills as well as a strong grounding in Epidemiology and the quality use of medicine," Professor Sansom says.

"They will be highly employable in the industry, for government and both hospital and community practice," he says.

One graduate, Ross Cairns achieved the highest aggregate marks across the two years or the program. Coming from a Radiography background he says the practical component of the course is invaluable.

"You are very green when you come out of university, so the practical experience enables you to be very confident and competent from the start," Ross says.

"The pharmacists across the community were very supportive and offered a lot of placement and hands on experience," he says.

The Director of Pharmacy at the John Hunter Hospital and co-program founder, Helen Dowling worked with this year graduates.

"The program itself has been designed to give the students a broader understanding of the Pharmacist's role in health, whether it be in hospital, community or otherwise," Ms Dowling says.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health, Professor John Marley says the program allows locals to service the Pharmaceutical shortage in the region.

"There's a scarce supply nationally, and this program is meeting the needs of the workforce, addressing the shortage particularly in the Hunter New England, and Central Coast regions," Professor Marley says.

Enrolments have already doubled since the first program was offered in 2003.

Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom will also be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Health for his contributions to Australian Health Care at the graduation ceremony.

Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom 0418 811 025
Professor John Marley 02 49216378
Ross Cairns (graduate) 0439 730 526
Helen Dowling 4921 3634