Innovating Medicines and Pharmacy Practice

The Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences research theme spans education, practice and cutting-edge drug development to advance health outcomes.

Our work includes pioneering nanomedicine and advanced drug delivery systems, transforming pharmacy practice through expanded clinical roles and driving real-world evidence to improve medication safety and therapeutic outcomes.

We also lead innovation in pharmacy education, preparing the next generation of pharmacists through experiential learning and interprofessional training. By integrating laboratory discoveries with clinical research and health policy, we deliver solutions that enhance patient care and shape the future of medicines and pharmacy practice.

Research focuses

Pharmacy Education

Advancing pharmacy education through curriculum innovation, experiential learning and research on professional competence to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.

Researchers: Dr Hayley Croft, Dr Irene Munro, Dr Saad Salem, A/Prof Ian Heslop, Prof Beata Bajorek, A/Prof David Newby

Key activities
  • Curriculum innovation and accreditation for pharmacy programs
  • Experiential learning, simulation and interprofessional education
  • Assessment of health professional competence and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
  • Workforce development and continuing professional education
  • Research on teaching methods, student engagement and learning outcomes
  • Supporting preceptors and linking education with pharmacy practice.
Pharmaceutical Sciences & Nanomedicine

Pioneering the development and translation of advanced drug delivery systems and nanomedicines for human and animal health.

Researchers: A/Prof Susan Hua, A/Prof Roger Liang

Key activities
  • Design and synthesis of advanced drug delivery systems (e.g. nanoparticles, liposomes, hybrid materials)
  • Translational nanomedicine for targeted therapy in inflammation, cancer, respiratory and reproductive diseases
  • Development of non-viral delivery systems for gene and cell therapy
  • Development of novel formulations for overcoming biological barriers (e.g., mucosal, dermal, blood-brain barriers)
  • Preclinical evaluation of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and efficacy
  • Veterinary nanomedicine and non-surgical sterilisation technologies
  • Commercialisation and intellectual property development in pharmaceutical technology.
Pharmacy Practice

Transforming pharmacy practice through expanded pharmacist roles, medicines policy and innovative models of care in community and health system settings.

Researchers: A/Prof Sarah Dineen-Griffin, A/Prof Ian Heslop, Prof Beata Bajorek, Dr Hayley Croft, A/Prof David Newby, Alison Hooper

Key activities
  • Expansion of pharmacist scope of practice (e.g. prescribing, aged care, disability care, chronic disease management)
  • Implementation science and practice change facilitation in community and rural pharmacy
  • Medicines policy, governance and health systems integration
  • Deprescribing, medication safety and consumer engagement
  • Public health roles for pharmacists, including travel medicine and antimicrobial stewardship
  • Optimising pharmacist roles and pharmacy services across all practice settings to enhance patient outcomes and health system performance.
Clinical Research

Driving clinical research and real-world evidence to improve medication safety, therapeutic outcomes and health service delivery.

Researchers: Prof Doan Ngo, Prof Beata Bajorek, Dr Shu Ren

Key activities
  • Design and conduct of pharmacy-led clinical trials in hospital and community settings
  • Evaluation of new therapies and interventions for cardiovascular, stroke, oncology and haematology patients
  • Optimising the use of pharmacotherapy in clinical practice through decision support and multidisciplinary intervention
  • Real-world evidence generation and data linkage for health service evaluation
  • Adverse event monitoring and pharmacovigilance
  • Translational research bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical application
  • Health economics and cost-effectiveness analysis of pharmacy interventions.