VictorianCollegeofPharmacyVictorianCollegeofPharmacy

05 Constructionbeginsonnewbuilding07 NewProfessorofFormulationScience11 PharmacypracticeworkshopinBallarat15 Alumniprofile:ElizabethGrant 1412

Inside

AlchemyCollege Magazine Issue 09 Summer 2005

Ourangels:thenextgenerationofgraduates

02 125thAnniversary03 FromtheDean04 LookingBack05 LookingForward06–07 CollegeNews08 StaffNews09 CareerNews10 InternationalNews11 RuralNews12 ARCGrantWinners13 ResearchNews14 TeachingNews15 AlumniProfile16–17 StudentNews18–20 AlumniNews

Contents Alchemy,thealumnimagazineoftheVictorianCollegeofPharmacy,afacultyofMonashUniversity,ispublishedtwiceayear.ThenextissueisdueforpublicationinMay2006.

ThemagazineispublishedfortheVictorianCollegeofPharmacycommunity,whichincludesalumni(bothpreandposttheMonashamalgamation),currentandformerstaff,studentsandtheirfamilies,friendsandcolleaguesofthecollege.

TocontactAlchemy: Tel:61399039507Emailalumni@vcp.monash.edu.auVisitwww.vcp.monash.edu.au/alumni

Orwriteto:Alchemy VictorianCollegeofPharmacy 381RoyalParadeParkvilleVictoria3052Australia

Front cover photo: Fourth year pharmacy students celebrating in style at the VPSA farewell breakfast on the last day of classes for 2005 – Jaimee Anderson, Joanne Gross, Sally Welsh, Hayley Zarth and Jane Booth.

Celebrating125yearsin2006Nextyear,thecollegewillbeproudlycelebrating125yearsofservicetothepharmacyprofessionandtheAustraliancommunity.

Tomarkthissignificantmilestone,thecollegeisputtingtogetheranexcitingcalendarofcelebratoryevents.Oneofthehighlightswillbeablacktiedinneron8AprilattheGrandHyattforalumni,staff,formerstaffandcolleagues.Othercelebrationswillincludepubliclecturesandahuge‘backtothecollege’day.

Anotherinitiativetocommemoratetheanniversaryisourinnovative125 stories project.Collegestaffarecurrentlygatheringarangeofstories–bigandsmall–thatbestrepresenttheeventsandpeoplewhocompriseourhistory.Thesestorieswillbeprogressivelypostedonthecollegewebsite.

Tokeepinformedaboutthecelebrationsvisit

www.vcp.monash.edu.au/125To contribute to 125 stories email 125years@vcp.monash.edu.au

TheVictorianCollegeofPharmacybeganlifein1881astheSchoolofthePharmaceuticalSocietyofVictoria.In1992,itbecameafacultyofMonashUniversity.

03

In2006thecollegewillcelebrateits125thanniversary,makingusoneoftheoldestschoolsofpharmacyinAustraliaandthethirdoldestintheworld.

Thereisalottobeproudofinourhistory,whichstretchesfromclassesattheoldMelbourneMuseumsitein1881totoday’smodern,state-of-the-artcollege.

Ourworld-classreputationgrowseveryyear.WewererecentlychosenfromaninternationalfieldbytheUniversityofSharjahintheUnitedArabEmiratestoassistinestablishinganewpharmacyschool.AndtheDepartmentofPharmacyPractice’spharmacyteachingsymposiuminPrato,Italy,continuestogrowinprestige,thisyearwithdelegatesfromeightcountriesattending.

Collegeresearcherscontinuetoattractahighlevelofgovernmentandindustrysupporteachyear,includingasubstantialnumberofARCandNHMRCgrantsconsideringtherelativelysmallsizeofthecollegecomparedtootherinstitutions.

Studentscontributetolifeatthecollegewithpassionandfocus,forginglinkswithotherhealthstudents,supportingthedevelopmentofpharmacyinthirdworldcountriesandwinningmanystateandnationalawards.

Ourprogramsaregrowingaswell.WerecentlyestablishedthefirstChairofFormulationScienceinAustraliaandweareverypleasedtoannouncethatProfessorBarrieFinninwillbeleadingthis

area.AnothernewChairwasalsoestablishedthisyear–theChairofClinicalPharmacy,thefirstpositionofitskindinAustraliatojointlyholdaDirectorofPharmacyrole.ProfessorMichaelDooley,whoisDirectorofPharmacyatTheAlfred,isbringinggreatinnovationandexpertisetothisposition.

Thecampusisdevelopingtoo.InJuly,constructionbeganonthefirstnewbuildingsincetheManningbuildingopenedin1971.ThenewbuildingwillhousetheMonashInstituteofPharmaceuticalSciences,acentreofexcellencethatwillgreatlyenhancethecollege’sexpertiseindrugdevelopmentanddesign.ThisbuildingisthefirstphaseofalargeredevelopmentthatalsoincludesanupgradeoftheManning,anextensionofthelibraryandalong-desiredpharmacymuseum.

Weareplanningayearofcelebrationstomarkthismilestoneanniversaryin2006.Ihopeallouralumni,currentandformerstaff,studentsandtheirfamilieswilljoinusincelebratingourpastandourfuture.

ProfessorColinChapman(1970)

Professor Colin Chapman with fourth year pharmacy students.

Fromthedean

UniversityofSharjahchoosescollegeexpertise

The college has been granted a US$2.5 million, five year contract by the University of Sharjah to assist in setting up a Bachelor of Pharmacy at its new health sciences campus. Chosen from an impressive international field of pharmacy schools, this selection validates the college’s world-class position in pharmacy education.

SharjahisthethirdlargestofthesevenUnitedArabEmirates.SituatedinthecentreoftheUnitedArabEmirates,itisfamousforitsarchitectureandjuxtapositionofmodernandancientculture.TheUniversityofSharjah,establishedin1997,isanot-for-profituniversitywithabout5000undergraduatestudentsineightcolleges.

Underthearrangement,thecollegeisprovidingpharmacycurriculumandcoursematerials,helpingrecruitseniorteachingstaffandassistingwiththedesignofanewhospitalandseparateresearchbuilding.GraduatesofthecoursewillbeawardedaUniversityofSharjahdegree.Thefirstintakeof55studentsbeganon3September.

“Ourexpectationisthatnumberswillgrowquiterapidly,”saidProfessorColinChapman,deanofthecollege.“Thisasanexcitingopportunitytobepartoftheestablishmentofatrulyworld-leadingpharmacyteachingfaculty,withpotentialforresearchcollaborationandstaffandstudentexchange.”

Thefirstinstalmentunderthecontracthasbeenusedtofundnewinitiativesatthecollege,suchaspartsofthenewanti-infectiveandNuclearMagneticResonance(NMR)laboratories,aSmallGrantsResearchScheme,aResearchAward,newpostgraduatescholarshipsandtheannualVictorianCollegeofPharmacyTeachingAwardtosupportexcellenceinteaching.Thefundingwillalsoprovidefornewpostgraduateandundergraduatestudentfacilities.

University of Sharjah.

College and University of Sharjah staff.

04 Looking Back

Thebookcoversthehistoryofthecollege,fromitsveryearliestinceptionastheteachingschoolofthePharmaceuticalSocietyofVictoriatothemodern-daycollege.Itfocusesonthemenandwomenwhoshowedgreatleadershipthroughoutthistime,andoutlineshowthecollegegrewandrespondedtothechangingneedsoftheprofessionandthepharmaceuticalindustry.

Thefollowingdraftexcerptcoversthecontroversysurroundingthecollege’sfirstfemalestudent,whosentshockwavesthroughtheprofessionbywinningthegoldmedal.

“JaneWollenwasthefirstwomantoattendlecturesfortheintermediateexamination.Aswasthecasewithmostoftheearlyfemalepharmacists,Wollenwasrelatedtoapharmacist.Shewasapprenticedtoherfatherandprovedtobeagiftedstudent,winningabronzemedalinmateriamedicaandbotany,andthelecturer’sprizeinbotany.ThisacademicachievementshockedmanyCouncilmembers.In1896,theSocietyhadformalisedthepracticeofmakingthepositionofdemonstratorwithintherightofthegoldmedallistandhonourmanoftheyear.Suddenly,theprospectloomedofhavingtoofferthepositiontoawoman.Theeducationalcommitteesoughttopre-emptthepossibilitybyrecommendingtheappointmentoftheentirestafffor1898,arguingthattheyearlychangeofdemonstratorwasdetrimentaltotheefficiencyofthecollege.Thematterwaspostponed.Fivecandidatesenteredthehonourexaminationheldon29–30DecemberandJaneWollentoppedthelist,scoring246marks,withC.P.Rowanonemarkbehindher.

TheCounciloftheSocietymeton6January1898andnotedthat:‘Undertheexistingconditionstheduxstudentoftheyear,whoisthesuccessfulcompetitorforthegoldmedal,isentitledtotheappointment.Inthepresentcase,thesuccessfulstudent,havingtoserveaperiodoftwoyearsbeforetheapprenticeship

indentureswouldbecompleted,wasineligible’.Theincumbent,BenjaminLewis,wasre-appointed.TheincidenthadcausedsufficientapprehensionthatE.G.Owengavenoticethat,atthenextmeeting,hewouldmovethattheCouncilrescindtheresolutionappointingtheduxtothepositionofdemonstratorandthattheCouncilshouldhavesomediscretionarypowers.ThiswaspassedattheFebruarymeeting.

Attheprizegiving,theSociety’spresidentpraisedthehighattainmentsandteachingabilitiesofthelecturersandsaidthatifstudentsfailed‘itcanbenofaultofthelecturers’.Thebehaviourofthestudentshadbeenexcellentandifthe‘presenceofanamiableladystudentcontributedtoproducethissatisfactoryandpleasingresult’thisinitiativeshouldbeencouraged.Thegoldmedallistwasdescribedasa‘vigilant,painstaking,industriousandsuccessfulstudent’anditwasnotedthatthebotanyexaminerhadawardedher100%,statingitwasthebestbotanypaperhehadeverexamined.Atthesameevent,afemalemedicalstudent,EileenFitzgerald,alsowonthelecturer’sprizeforpracticalpharmacyformedicalstudents.

AttheannualmeetingoftheSocietyheldonthemorningof26March1902,itwasnotedthatthreewomenhadbeenadmittedtotheSocietyduringtheyear.Whileenteringtheprofessioningreaternumbers,therewerestillstereotypestoovercomeandajovialcondescensiontobetolerated,whichwasadoptedbysomeofthespeakersatthevarioussocialevents.Thateveningaconversazionewasheldandtheprizesdistributed.TheguestofhonourwasHisExcellencytheLieutenant-Governor,SirJohnMadden,whowelcomedtheadventoffemalepharmacistsbecause‘whenthedelightfulsmilesoftheladiesaretransmittedintothephysic,itwillsurelybegreatlyimproved’.”

Beapartofthecollege’shistory!DrJanetteBomfordisstillseekingmemoriesofstudentlifeandthelecturersandeventsthatstandout.

Writeaslittleorasmuchasyoulike,butdon’tforgettoincludeyourcontactdetails,yearsofattendanceandastatementgrantingpermissiontoquotefromyourletterinthebookandtoattributethequotetoyou.Allrespondents’nameswillbeincludedintheacknowledgements.

Pleasewriteto:DrJanetteBomford,POBox160,NewportVic3015.

Historian Dr Janette Bomford is currently writing a formal history of the college, to be published during the 125th anniversary celebrations. Dr Bomford recently wrote the history of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria with David Newgreen (1964).

Publishingthecollege’shistory

Looking Forward 05

Work has begun on a major renovation that includes the construction of a new building to house biomedical research. The Minister for Innovation and State and Regional Development, the Honourable John Brumby, launched the building works on 15 August 2005.

The Honourable Mr John Brumby, Professor Colin Chapman and John O’Rourke, Principal of the Plenary Group, launching the redevelopment.

ThelastmajorchangetothecollegewastheconstructionoftheManningbuildingin1971.Overthepast10years,thenumberofstudentsatthecollegehasdoubledandtheManninghasoutgrownitsabilitytohousethecollege’slaboratoryandresearchspaces.

ConstructionhasnowbegunnexttotheManning,onwhatwaspreviouslythecollegecarpark.Thenewbuildingwillaccommodatebiotechnologyresearchandinnovationandwillgreatlyenhancetheworld-classstandingofthecollege’sresearchintodrugdiscoveryanddelivery.ItwillalsohousetheplannedMonashInstituteofPharmaceuticalSciences.

MrBrumbysaidtheVictorianGovernmentwasakeysupporterofbiomedicalscienceandresearch,andthebuildingworkswereagood‘fit’withitsvisionforVictoriaasaleadingscienceandresearchhub.

“TheInstitutewillgoalongwaytowardsfillingagapinthe‘valuechain’betweenthediscoveryoftargetsfordrugdevelopmentandthesuccessfuldevelopmentofnewpharmaceuticalproductsfortheworldmarket,”saidProfessorColinChapman.

“ItwillbebasedoncurrentresearchstrengthsinthecollegeandwillplayanimportantroleintranslatingdrugdiscoveriesmadeatMonashandelsewhereintoeffectivemedicines,”headded.

TheredevelopmentwillalsoincludeanupgradeoftheManningbuilding,anextensionoftheC.L.Butcherslibraryandtheestablishmentofanew

simulatedclinicalpracticeteachingfacility.ItisalsohopedthatpartoftheredevelopmentwillincludetheopeningofapharmacymuseumtohousethePharmaceuticalDefenceLimited(PDL)collectionandotherpharmacyarchivalmaterialsnotcurrentlyondisplayduetolackofspace.

Thebuildingwillbearchitecturallyeye-catchingandwillalsohouseanewcaféopentothepublic,asrequiredbytheCityofMelbournewhengrantingthepermitforconstruction.

Thenewbuilding,thefirstphaseofthismajorexpansion,isdueforcompletionin2007.

AttherecentNationalAustralianPharmacyStudents’Association(NAPSA)AGMinHobart,theVictorianPharmacyStudents’Association(VPSA)andtheBendigoAssociationofPharmacyStudents(BAPS)joinedforcestomakeasuccessfulbidfortherightstohostthe2007NAPSACongressinMelbourne.

Theeventwillattractover400pharmacystudentsfromaroundAustraliaaswellasnewpharmacystudentcolleaguesfromtherecentAsia-PacificInternationalconferenceheldinTokyo,Japan.ThethemefortheCongressis‘Pharmacy:MovingOn’.

TheVictorianbiddingteamputtogetheravideotoshowcaseMelbournelocationstoincorporateintotheproposedCongressprogram.Thiswascomplementedbyaneducationalandsocialprogram,budget,sponsorship,fullitineraryandninesupportinglettersfromVictorianpharmacyorganisations.

Thecollegeandthecollege’sFoundationsupportedVPSA’seffortswithlettersofsupportandadministrativeassistance.TheFoundationalsoprovided$660fortheprintingofbookletsaspartofthebiddingpackage.

TheVPSAhasbeenveryactivein2005,instigatinganewseriesofeventsthatincluded

networkingnightswithalliedhealthstudents.Thefirsteventbroughtpharmacystudentsfromthecollegetogetherwithmedical,dental,nursing,optometryandphysiotherapystudents.Itwasagreatopportunityforalltomeettheirfutureworkingcolleagues,havesomefunandbegintoformnetworks.

For further information about the VPSA visit www.vpsa.org.au

l-r: Alana Meaklim (Education Officer), Jo McDowall (helper), Ewan Dowie (President BAPS), Mary Poon (Treasurer), Nader Mitri (Sponsorship Officer), John Nguyen (VPSA President and Chairperson Congress).

Ministerlaunchescollegeexpansion

PlenaryGroup’sgifttothecollegeBothconstructionofthecollege’snewbuildingandrenovationoftheManningbuildingarebeingundertakenbyanewfinancecompanycalledthePlenaryGroup.

TheGroupwasestablishedbyexpertsinfinanceandpublicinfrastructureasanindependentspecialistpublic-privatepartnershipbusiness.Itaimstogenerateeffectiveinfrastructuresolutionsthatcreatelastingbenefitsforgovernments,businessandthecommunityinAustralia,CanadaandNewZealand.

AspartofPlenary’scommitmenttoensuringthecollegehasthebestfacilitiesandresources,theGrouprecentlymadea$20,000donationtothecollege’sFoundation.

NAPSACongress2007bidsuccess!

06 College News

NewChairofClinicalPharmacy:sixmonthreport

AtBaysideHealth,heoverseesanannualexpenditureofaround$50millionandisresponsibleforover80staffdispensing$65,000inmedicationseachday.Inhiscollegerole,ProfessorDooleycontributestoundergraduateteachingandtheeffectivedevelopmentofclinicalpractitioners,andisdirectlyresponsibleforteaching,researchandsupervisionofPhDstudentsinthisimportantandgrowingareaofpractice.

“Themainadvantageofmyjointroleisthatitcanlinkundergraduateandpostgraduateteachingandresearchwithcuttingedgepracticeinhospitalpharmacy,”ProfessorDooleysaid.

ProfessorDooleyspentthefirstsixmonthsinhisdualrolesconsolidatingthevariouspharmacyareasatthethreehospitalsandestablishingmanynewinitiatives,bothatthehospitalandthecollege.

InhishospitalrolehemanagesthreehospitalpharmacydepartmentsspreadacrosstheNetwork.TheAlfredhospitalpharmacyprovidesawiderangeofspecialisedpharmacyrequirements,withdispensingactivitiesaccountingforlessthanaquarterofthework.TheAlfredisprimarilyatraumahospital,butalsohasspecialistcancer,burns,transplantandHIVservicesamongothers.Thisallrequiresspecialistclinicalpharmacyservices.

Clinicalpharmacyspecialistsalsoworkonallthewards,includingtheEmergencyandTraumaCentre,theIntensiveCareUnitsandtheDayOncologyCentre.OtherinnovativepharmacyservicesincludethecoordinationofanadherenceclinicforpatientswithHIV.

InearlyOctober,theclinicalpharmacyservicesunderwentamajorchange,withthemajorityofpharmacistsallocatedtoclinical

unitsratherthanspecificwards.Thisresultedinopportunitiesforpharmaciststobecomemuchmoreintegraltothemedicalunits.Akeyaspectofthisisroutineparticipationonmedicalwardroundsandinvolvementinclinicaleducationprograms.Somewardsnowhaveuptofourclinicalpharmacistsseeingpatientsandthisismuchmorecloselylinkedtothemedicalmodelofcare,withclinicalpractitionersfollowingpatientsratherthanthelocationofthebed.

Theongoingdevelopmentoftheseclinicalpharmacyserviceshasenabledthecreationofanumberofseniorclinicalspecialistpositionswithinthepharmacydepartment.Clinicalpharmacistswithextensiveexperienceandexpertisewillbeappointedtothesenewpositionsoverthecomingmonths,areflectionontheincreasingsophisticationofhospitalpharmacyservicesandthegrowingcontributionofpharmaciststopatientcare.

Arangeofexistingactivitieswithinthepharmacydepartmentincludeprovisionofacommunityoutreachprogramforpatientswhotakecomplexmedications.ProfessorDooleyrecentlyconsolidatedthisprogramandappointednewpractitionerstothearea.ThedepartmenthasjustbeenawardedaDepartmentofHealthServices(DHS)granttoexpandtheclinicalservicestoincludeapharmacistinthediseasemanagementunit,asalinkbetweenthepatientandtheirGP,thespecialistandcommunitypharmacy.

“Inthefuture,weplantofurtherstrengthenthelinksbetweentheoutreachpharmacistsandcommunitypracticeforthepatientswithchronicdiseases,”ProfessorDooleystated.“Anotherareaofpotentialisthecoordinationof

pharmacyservicestoincludepre-admissionworkforpatientsundergoingelectivesurgeryanddirectcollaborationwiththeircommunitypharmacists.”

ThepharmacydepartmenthasalsointroducedanewwebsitecalledDrugNet.Itgivesfurthersupportandinformationforpatients,providingguidelinesfordosageandeducationabouttheirmedicines.

AtthecollegeProfessorDooley,togetherwithotherresearchersfromtheDepartmentofPharmacyPractice,isfocusingonthepalliativecareareatoenhancetheroleofcommunitypharmacistsinimprovingmedicationmanagement.ThisprojectwasawardedagrantfromthePharmacyGuildofAustralia.

AnimmediateadvantageofProfessorDooley’sdualroleisthetransferofknowledgeandskillbetweenthehospitalandthecollege.OneexampleisthefivecollegethirdyearpharmacystudentsawardedvacationscholarshipsoverthesummertoundertakeshortresearchprogramsatTheAlfred.

Inaddition,workisunderwaytofurtherdeveloparesearchcentrewithinthecollegetofocusonmedicationsafetyanduse.Thisresearchcoversbothcommunityandhospitaluseofmedicines.Anumberofprojectsarealreadywelldeveloped.

“IalsohopetoencourageclinicalandcommunitypharmaciststopursuetheirinterestsinresearchbyundertakingparttimeMastersandPhDs,”ProfessorDooleyadded.

For further information contact Professor Michael Dooley, email M.Dooley@alfred.org.au

“This has resulted in opportunities for pharmacists to become much more integral to the medical units. A key aspect of this is routine participation on medical ward rounds and involvement in clinical education programs.”

In March 2005 the college appointed Professor Michael Dooley as the Chair of Clinical Pharmacy. Along with his position at the college, Michael is also the new Director of Pharmacy of Bayside Health with responsibility for pharmacy services to The Alfred, Caulfield and Sandringham hospitals and the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre.

Formulationscienceisaboutinventingnewproductsandenhancingexistingproducts.TheBachelorofFormulationScience,introducedin2000,providesgraduateswithbothasolidscienceeducationandthevocationalskillsforpositionsinproductdevelopment.Studentsexplorethescienceinvolvedinformulation,productdevelopmentandprojectmanagement,andundertakepracticalexperienceplacements.Graduatesfromthecoursequicklyfindemploymentinproductdevelopmentinthepharmaceutical,personalcare,food,agriculturalandconsumerchemicalindustries.

AcurrentstrengthoftheBachelorofFormulationScienceistheinclusionoflecturesfromindustryexpertsinareassuchasagriculturalformulations,cosmeticchemistry,paintchemistry,perfumesandcolours,GoodLaboratoryPractice(GLP)andGoodManufacturingPractice(GMP),clinicaltrialsanddrugapproval.

Inhisnewrole,ProfessorFinninwilllead,organise,developandmanageformulationscienceactivitieswithinthecollege.Hisdutieswillincludemanagementofundergraduateandpostgraduateprograms,strategicresearchdevelopment,andthefurtherdevelopmentoflinkageswiththemanyindustriesthatdependonformulationscience.

OneofProfessorFinnin’sfirsttaskswillbetoestablishaCentreforFormulationSciencewithstronglinkstootherpartsofMonashandwithotheruniversities,researchinstitutesandalliedindustries.

ProfessorFinningraduatedwithaPhCfromthecollegein1967,followedbyaBPharmin1969andaPhDfromtheUniversityofMelbournein1980.Hisgeneralresearchinterestsareintransdermaldrugdelivery,topicaldrugdelivery,mucosaldrugdeliveryandcosmeceuticals.Hiscurrentresearchisinthelocalisationofdrugsduringpenetrationthroughtheskin,themechanismofactionoftransdermalpenetrationenhancersanddruguptakebythebuccalmucosa.

ProfessorFinnin’steachingresponsibilitieshaveincludedbiopharmaceutics,pharmaceuticalmicrobiology,formulationchemistryandproductdevelopment.HistransdermaldrugdeliveryresearchprogramledtotheestablishmentofpharmaceuticalcompanyAcruxLimited,whichlistedontheAustralianStockExchangein2004.

ProfessorFinninsaidhewaslookingforwardtohisnewrole.

“Thisprovidesanopportunitytodevelopanexcitingnewareaofappliedsciencewithpotentialforimpactontheinternationalstage,”hesaid.

Hisfamilyhasastrongaffiliationwiththecollege.WifeKarengraduatedwithaBPharmin1974,followedbyaGraduateDiplomainHospitalPharmacyin1983.Shewasthecoordinatoroftheformulationscienceprogramformanyyears,beforeretiringattheendof2005.TheirsonBengraduatedfromtheBachelorofFormulationSciencecourseearlierthisyear.HeiscurrentlyundertakinghisHonoursinFormulationScience.

College News 07

FormulationfocusIn August 2005, the formulation science program launched an e-newsletter aimed at keeping its industry partners, alumni and associated friends up to date with happenings in formulation science at the college.

Thenewsletterwillbeproducedthreetimesayear.Thefirstissuecoveredresearchinitiatives,industryplacements,postgraduatenews,courseissuesandthelonghopedforannouncementoftheconstructionofthenewbuilding.Thebuildingwillallowfortheestablishmentofaformulationscienceprecinct,whichwillhouseteaching,researchandofficespaceforstaffassociatedwithformulationscience.

To subscribe to the newsletter contact formulationscience@vcp.monash.edu.au

ProfessorBarrieFinnin:Australia’sfirstChairofFormulationScienceProfessor Finnin, formerly a senior lecturer in the college’s Department of Pharmaceutics, leads an internationally-recognised transdermal drug delivery program. His appointment follows the creation earlier this year of the college’s Chair of Formulation Science – the first in Australia and one of only a few worldwide.

08 Staff News

JanismanagerofeducationandclinicalservicesintheWoundFoundationofAustralia,basedatthecollege.ShevolunteeredthroughAusAidtoassistwiththereliefeffortinBandaAceh,arrivingon28Marchtogivenursinglecturestosurgicalwardstaff.On30Marchanaftershock,centredonthesmallislandofNias,struckthealreadydesolatedarea.

JanwasdeployedtoNiasthenextnightandstayeduntil19Apriltoconductreconnaissancetripstofindvictimsandorganisetheirmedicalevacuations.Shealsosetupmaleandfemalesurgicalwardsandasurgicaloutpatientclinic,helpedsupplythoseclinicsandtrainedthestaff.

“Niaswasanamazingexperience.WorkingwithprofessionalorganisationslikeAusAid,SurfAidInternationalandInternationalSOSwasaprivilege.Theworkwasdemanding,theconditionssometimesextremebutthepeoplewehelpedandworkedwithwereextraordinary,”Jansaid.

“Ourteamofthreetreatedover80peopleinfivehours,providingdressings,splintingandantibiotics.Fromthefirstdayofworkweevacuated11patientstoafacilitysetupto

manageandcareforcomplexissues.Wewereaverymobileunitandsoneededtomovethecomplexinjuredontothosesetuptoreceiveandholdthevictims,”sheexplained.

Duringherstay,Janwasfrustratedbytheuncoordinatedandofteninappropriateinternationalemergencyreliefeffortsinrelationtodonatedmedicalsupplies.

“Aidgroupsweredoingeverythingtheycouldandreallyworkinghardbutwerehamperedbythethousandsofboxesofdonatedmedicalsuppliesthatwereunusablebecausetheywereout-of-dateorcouldn’tbestoredatthecorrecttemperature,”shesaid.

“Theworldrespondedinawayneverseenbeforetothesetwodisasters.Itseemedeverysinglepersonororganisationhadgonetosometroubletopackupwhattheyconsideredspare.Thiswasawonderfulresponse,buttherewasnocentralagencyorganisingthesedonationsandmonthslaterthepeopleoftheseareasarestilltryingtosortthroughthegoods.Muchofthedonationswillendupaslandfillbecausetheyweredamaged,out-of-dateorunsuitable,”shesaid.

Janurgesthosewhoaredonatinggoodstothinkcarefullyaboutwhattheyaresendingandtocontactanaidorganisationworkingintheareatoascertainwhatisactuallyrequired.

Jan’striptoIndonesiawasnotherfirstvolunteerexperience.SheisamemberoftheSurgicalCommitteeofInterplastAustralia,anon-profithumanitarianorganisationfoundedbytheRoyalAustralasianCollegeofSurgeonsandRotaryInternational,whichprovidesvoluntarymedicalteamstoundertakeprogramsofplasticandreconstructivesurgeryinneighbouringdevelopingcountries.

AspartofherworkwithInterplastsheiscurrentlycaringforayoungboyfromBangladesh,Joyanta,whowasthevictimofabearattack.FlowntoMelbournetoundergosurgery,heisstayingwithJanandherfamily(andothervolunteerfamilies)untilChristmas,whenhissurgeryiscompletedandheiswellenoughtoreturnhome.

Janhasalsorecentlyco-authored(withJillStorch)abookentitledReconstructive Plastic Surgical Nursing.

PrestigiousindustrypostforDrCraigRaynerDr Craig Rayner departed for London at the end of August to commence a new role as a Clinical Pharmacologist in Global Pharma Development with international pharmaceutical company Roche.

DrRaynergraduatedwithaBPharmin1995,followedbyaBachelorofPharmaceuticalScience(Honours)in1997.HeobtainedaGraduateCertificateinEducationfromMonashin2003andlatertravelledtotheUSAtocompletehisPhD.

DrRaynerwasaseniorlecturerintheDepartmentofPharmacyPracticeandwasalsothedirectorofthecollege’snewlyestablishedFacilityforAnti-InfectiveDrugDevelopmentandInnovation(FADDI).

“IhavethoroughlyenjoyedthepastfiveyearsatthecollegeandIwouldliketothankallofmycolleagues,mentorsandstudentsformakingthistimesuchaprofessionallyandpersonallyrewardingexperience,”saidDrRayner.“IwouldliketoespeciallythankmyfriendsandcolleagueswithintheDepartmentofPharmacyPractice.”

WethankDrRaynerforhiscontributiontothecollege,andwishhim,hiswifeMichelleandcatAustinbestofluckwiththemove!

Volunteerfortsunamirelief

Jan Rice in Banda Aceh.

College wound care expert Jan Rice spent several months earlier this year working with aid agencies and local people in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.

Career News 09

Thecollege’spre-registrationcourseassistspharmacygraduatestomakethetransitionfromstudenttoindependent,competentprofessional.Graduatesofthepre-registrationcoursearehalfwaytowardsearningapostgraduatequalification–aGraduateCertificateinPharmacyPractice.

Thiscanbeobtainedbycompletingadditionalelectiveunits,whichaddfurtherknowledgeandskillsinarangeofpharmacypractice-relatedareasandprovideagreatopportunityforongoingprofessionaldevelopment.

TheGraduateCertificatecanalsoprovidelong-termbenefitssuchasenhancedcareeropportunitiesandhighersalary.Forexample,inpublichospitals,graduatesareentitledtoahigherqualificationallowance.

Theelectiveunitscanbecompletedduringthepre-registrationyearortheymaybedeferreduntilafterregistration.Unitscanbetakeningeriatrics,dermatology,woundcare,businessandeconomics,evidencebasedpractice,peoplemanagementandriskmanagement.

“IwouldrecommendtheelectivesIhaveundertaken,particularlytheAustralianHealthcareandthePharmaceuticalEnvironment,asitteachesyouaboutthemanyinfluencessurroundinghealthcareandpharmacytoday,”saidMarijanaPutnikovic,whowasapre-registrantin2004.

“IbelieveweshouldallhaveaworkingknowledgeoftheissuescoveredinthisunitandtheGraduateCertificateisthemostconvenientwaytodoit.Theopportunitycertainlyisn’tcommon.”

Thecollegeoffersarangeofqualitypostgraduatecourseworkdegreesdesignedtogivepharmacistsaprofessionaledge.Aninformationsession,heldinSeptemberinCossarHall,allowedprospectivepostgraduatestudentstospeakdirectlywithcoursedirectorsaboutstudiesinwoundcare,pharmacymanagement,clinicalpharmacyandpharmacypractice.

For further information about postgraduate study visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/courses

GraduateCertificateinPharmacyPractice

Pre-registration Course (AppliedPharmacyPractice1&2)12creditpoints

+Elective Units12creditpoints

=Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice

TheSecondPharmacyCareersExpo,heldon3May,attractedover600pharmacystudentsfromthecollegeinterestedinfindingoutmoreabouttheircareeroptions.Over20exhibitorsattendedtheeventtospeaktostudentsaboutopportunitiesinavarietyofsectors,includinghospital,community,defenceandindustrialpharmacy.

Exhibitorsatthisyear’sExpoincluded:Amcal,AssociationofProfessionalEngineers,ScientistsandManagersAustralia(APESMA),AssociationofRegulatoryandClinicalScientists(ARCS),DefenceForceRecruiting,GlaxoSmithKline(GSK),

Healthwise,Mayne,NationalPharmaciesFSMA,Pharmore,QualityPharmacyServices,Raven’sPharmacyServices,SladePharmacyServices,thePharmacyGuildofAustralia(Victorianbranch),thePharmaceuticalSocietyofAustralia(Victorianbranch),thePharmacyBoardofVictoriaandtheSocietyofHospitalPharmacists(Victorianbranch).

For information about exhibiting at the 2006 Pharmacy Careers Expo contact Louise Gray, tel: 613 9903 9504 or email louise.gray@vcp.monash.edu.au

PharmacyCareersExpo2005

Thereisgrowinginterestinthisareaofpractice,whichisbasedoncarefulandconscioususeofcurrentbestevidencetoguidedecisionsmadeinpatientcare.

AunitinEvidenceBasedPracticeiscurrentlyofferedatthecollegeaspartoftheMasterofClinicalPharmacyandalsoasanelectiveintheGraduateCertificateinPharmacyPracticeandtheMasterofWoundCare.

Theunitprovidesstudentswiththeoreticalinformationonevidencebasedpracticeaswellastheskillstoincorporateevidencebased

medicineintotheirclinicalpractice.Topicsincludeformulationofclinicalquestions,searchingtheliteratureforbestevidence,evaluatingtheevidenceandapplyingtheevidenceinpatientcare.TheunitisofferedviaWebCT(awebbasedplatform).

From2006,thecollegewillbemakingthisunitavailableasastand-alonesubject.

For further information contact Kirstie Galbraith, email kirstie.galbraith@vcp.monash.edu. au or visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/courses/clinicalpharmacy

InterestedinEvidenceBasedPractice?

Marijana Putnikovic, pre-registrant 2004.

10 International News

PharmacypracticeinIndonesiaRohan Elliott (1991), course director of the college’s pre-registration programs and Graeme Vernon (1974), Drug Information Pharmacist at Austin Health and a senior associate in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, were recently invited to participate in a seminar at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta.

ThiswasapartofcelebrationsfortheSchoolofPharmacy’s40thanniversary.Theseminarwasentitled‘PharmaceuticalCareandPharmacyEducationinthe21stCentury–AGlobalPerspective’anddealtwiththeissuesofhowtoimplementpharmacypracticeinpharmacycurricula,aswellashowtoputitintopracticeincommunityandhospitalpharmacies.

Asinmanydevelopingnations,pharmacypracticeinIndonesiaispoorlydeveloped.EvenbasicservicesthatwetakeforgrantedinAustralia,suchaspatientcounselling,areuncommon.Therearemanyproblemsassociatedwiththewaydrugsareprescribedandused.Therefore,thereisagreatpotentialandanurgentneedforclinicalpharmacyservicesandindependentsourcesofdruginformation.

FollowingtheseminarinJakarta,RohanandGraemevisitedDrCiptoMangunkusumoHospital,Indonesia’slargestteachingandreferralhospital,wheretheyspenttimeinthepharmacydepartmentandthegeriatricandpaediatricunits.

TheyalsocontributedtoaworkshoponclinicalpharmacyanddruginformationpriortotheIndonesianPharmaceuticalSociety’sCongressinBali.

ThiswasGraeme’seighthvisittoIndonesiaandRohan’ssecond.Graemehasbeenvisitingsince1999,whenhehelpedtoestablishadruginformationserviceatDrCiptoMangunkusumoHospital.SincethenhehasprovideddruginformationsupporttothepharmacistsatCiptoHospitalthroughAustinHealthDrugInformation.Rohanvisitedforthefirsttimein2002andcontributedtoclinicalpharmacyworkshopsforpharmacistsandstudents.

“TherearemanychallengesfacingpharmacistsinIndonesiaastheystrivetodevelopthepracticeofpharmacyandimprovethewaydrugsareused,”saidRohan.“Despitethemanybarriersthatneedtobeovercome,thereisahighlevelofenthusiasmamongthepharmacistsandpharmacystudentsanditwasveryrewardingtobeabletoassisttheminsomesmallway.”

BestpracticemicrobiologyteachinginWales

Cardiff University.

Keri Jones, assistant lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutics, recently spent two months in Cardiff assisting the Welsh School of Pharmacy to assess its teaching of microbiology.

LeavingAustraliainlateAprilontheinvitationofProfessorStephenDenyer,HeadofSchool,KeriworkedinCardiffuntiltheendofJune.Cardiff’sMPharmprogramwasre-accreditedinApril2005.KerijoinedProfessorDenyerandDrJean-YvesMaillardpost-accreditationtore-examinesomeaspectsofmicrobiologyteachingattheWelshSchool,surveyexamplesofgoodpracticeintheseareasandcreatechangesinthesyllabus.

Adocumentcontainingasuggestedframeworkforanintegratedmicrobiologycurriculumwasprepared.Whereavailable,themicrobiologicalcoursestructuresfromotherschoolsofpharmacywereconsideredwhencompilingthisreport.

ConsiderationwasalsogiventotheindicativesyllabusforUKpharmacydegreecoursesandacademicstandardsforpharmacy.

ThereportwillserveasabasisfordiscussionforcurriculumreviewandpossiblerestructuringattheWelshSchool.Keri’scontinuedinvolvementissoughtasCardiffstaffmovetowardsareviewoftheMPharmcourseandpossibleimplementationoftherecommendationscontainedinKeri’sreport.Inaddition,maintainingcontactwillprovideinsightintocurrenteducationaltrendsinUKschoolsofpharmacy,andtheroleandinfluenceoftheRoyalPharmaceuticalSocietyofGreatBritaininthedevelopmentofcoursematerialsforpharmacystudents.

“Irelishedtheopportunitytoworkonacurriculumdevelopmentprojectandbenefitedfromtheexperience,”saidKeri.“However,Ididmissthestudentsbackatthecollege.”

University of Indonesia conference delegates.

Rural News 11

A group of 30 college alumni, preceptors and pharmacists working in the Ballarat area braved a cold, wintry night to meet with college staff and students to discuss the challenges facing rural pharmacists and to assess and strengthen the college’s rural focus.

HeldinstyleatNeiderWieselon10August,Ballaratputononeofthecoldestnightsoftheyearfortheevent,withawintershowofwhitetreetopsandsnowontheground.

TheworkshopwashostedbyProfessorRogerNation,headoftheDepartmentofPharmacyPracticeandKatrinaFitzsimon,whocoordinatestheRuralAdvancedPracticalExperience(APE)programintheBachelorofPharmacy.

ProfessorNationspokeattheeventaboutthecollege’sachievementsinpharmacytrainingandinparticularthewaysthatthecollegeissupportingruralpharmacists.Heoutlinedthecollege’sRuralEntryScheme,whichencouragesstudentsfromruralareastoentertheBachelorofPharmacycourse.HealsoadvisedthegatheringabouttheBachelorofPharmacyRuralScholarship,whichassistsandencouragesapplicantsfromruralareasintothepharmacycourse.

“Iamespeciallyproudofthecollege’scompulsoryAPEprogram.Throughthisprogram,andotheraspectsoftheruralcurriculumintroducedtothecollege’sBachelorofPharmacy,allourpharmacystudentsgainanappreciationofthehealthcareissuesconfrontingpeoplewholiveinruralregions–andalsocometorealisethebenefitsofruralpharmacypracticeandlifestyle,”ProfessorNationstated.

“EvenforthosegraduateswhochoosenottoworkinruralAustralia,itisimportantthattheyhaveanunderstandingoftheimportantroleofthepharmacistinthetownsoutsidethelargecities,”headded.“ThecollegeisverygratefultothepreceptorpharmacistsinruralVictoriawhoprovidethiswonderfulexperiencetoourpharmacystudents.”

FourstudentswhowerecurrentlydoingtheirruralplacementinBallaratattendedthemeetingtogivefirst-handaccountsoftheirexperiences.Onestudent,EsterKoh,spokeaboutthegenerosityofherpreceptorsandthevariedexperienceshehadgainedthatincludedvisitstoanaboriginalhealthcentre,otherhealthcareprofessionals,apharmacydepotandafarm.

Professor Roger Nation with Graham Flett and Murray Stevens.

ElizabethMcBrearty,fromWendoureenearBallarat,afirstyearstudentandcurrentrecipientofthePharmacyRuralScholarship,alsoattendedandspokeaboutthescholarshipandhowwinningithasassistedinherstudies.

KatrinaspokeabouttheAPEprogramindetailandthegrowinglistofpreceptorsacrossVictoriawhoarewillingtotakeoncollegestudents.

For further information about the college’s rural programs or to become a preceptor in the placement program contact Katrina Fitzsimon, tel: 613 9903 9043 or email pep@vcp.monash.edu.au

RegionalpharmacyworkshopinBallarat

WILDFIREsupportingruralstudents‘WILDFIRE’ stands for Working in Leading Development for Indigenous and Rural Education. The group encourages and supports rural students studying health courses across Monash campuses, and urban students who have an interest in rural health and rural practice.

WILDFIREbeganin1993andoffersitsmembersavarietyofcareerandsocialopportunities,includingeducationallectures,clinicalskillsdays,dinnerswithinformativeguestspeakers,socialeventsandchancestoattendruralhealthconferences.

Membershipinitiallycomprisedpre-clinicalmedicalstudentsatMonashandhasgrowntoincludemedical,pharmacy,psychologyandnursingstudentsatbothundergraduateandpostgraduatelevels.Theclubisveryactiveatthecollege.

“IjoinedtheclubbecauseIwasveryinterestedinruralhealthandwantedtomeetandnetworkwithothersatthecollegeandMonashwithsimilarinterests,”saidmemberJosieIbrahim.“I’veespeciallyenjoyedlearningmoreabouttheroleofpharmacistsintheareaofindigenoushealthand

goingtoeventssuchastheMatthewCampbellmemorialservice–aninformativeeveningaboutremoteandindigenoushealthissuesheldbyWILDFIREatMonash’sClaytoncampus.”

WILDFIREwasfounded,andcontinuestobesupported,bytheMonashUniversitySchoolofRuralHealth.

For further information about WILDFIRE visit www.med.monash.edu.au/wildfire

College WILDFIRE members Luke Prust, Josie Ibrahim, Viliria Mikhaiel and Andrea Yates.

College researchers have joined with other partners from industry and Australian universities to form a new ARC Centre of Excellence.

TheCentreofFreeRadicalChemistryandBiotechnologycomprises12universityinvestigators(fromtheUniversityofMelbourne,ANU,theUniversityofSydney,MonashandQUT)andfivepartnerinvestigators(fromtheCSIRO,BluescopeSteel,CUB,OricaandtheHowardFlorey).

TheMonashinvestigatorsareProfessorPeterScammells,headoftheDepartmentofMedicinalChemistry,andProfessorRoyJacksonfromtheSchoolofChemistryinMonash’sfacultyofScience.TheCentrewasawarded$12millioninfundingfromtheARCandwillreceiveupto$4.3millioninmatchingfundsfromtheinstitutionsinvolved.

“Thiswillresultintheappointmentofresearchstaffandstudentsatthecollegewhowillbeworkingonthedesign,synthesisandevaluationofnewcardioandneuroprotectiveagents,thedevelopmentofnewantioxidantsandthestudyofradicalreactionsrelevanttopharmaceuticalsynthesis,”statedProfessorScammells.

ARCgrantsfosterexcellence,partnershipsandthehighestethicalstandardsinresearchandresearchtraininginallfieldsofscience,socialsciencesandthehumanities.ARCLinkagegrantsaredesignedtobuildlinksbetweenresearchcentresinAustraliaandoverseasbyfundingcollaborations.

ProfessorPeterScammells,headoftheDepartmentofMedicinalChemistry,andDrChinhThienBuifrompartneringorganisationIliadChemicals,receivedagrantof$225,000overthreeyearsforaprojectentitled‘Developmentofadiversity-orientedsynthesisplatform’.

Genomic,proteomicandotherstudiesofthemolecularbasisofdiseaseareprovidingaconstantstreamofbiomoleculartargetsfordrugdiscovery.Identifyingsuitabledrugcandidatestoaffectthesetargetscentresonprocuringasuitablelibraryofcompoundsforscreening.Thisapplicationaddressessomeofthekeyissuesrelatedtothedevelopmentofappropriatecompoundlibrariesforsuchscreeningprograms.

DrOssamaEl-Kabbani,aseniorlecturerintheDepartmentofMedicinalChemistry,incollaboration

withSanwaKagakuKenkyushoCo.Ltd,receivedagrantof$80,000overthreeyearstoinvestigatethe‘Structure-baseddiscoveryofdipeptidylpeptidaseIVinhibitors’.

Diabetesafflictsapproximately151millionpeopleworldwide,withanestimatedincreaseto221millionby2010.Todate,notherapyforthetreatmentofdiabetescomplicationsiswidelyaccepted.TheenzymedipeptidylpeptidaseIVhasshownpromisingresultsasatargetforthetreatmentoftype2diabetes.StructuralstudiesofdipeptidylpeptidaseIVincomplexwithinhibitorwillbeconductedtoelucidatethedetailsoftheenzyme-inhibitorinteraction.TheresultswillbeusedtoidentifythemolecularbasisofpotencyandselectivityofdipeptidylpeptidaseIVinhibitorsandmayleadtothediscoveryofpharmaceuticalagentsforthetreatmentofdiabetessufferers.

DrKayStewart,aseniorlecturerintheDepartmentofPharmacyPracticeanddean,ProfessorColinChapman,alongwithacademicsfromLaTrobeUniversityandpartnerorganisationsScheringPharmaceuticalsandSexualHealthandFamilyPlanningofAustralia,received$120,000overfour

ARClinkagegrants

Professor Peter Scammells. Dr Kay Stewart.

Professor Colin Chapman. Dr Ossama El-Kabbani.

Reinforcing its strong record of attracting prestigious industry and government research support, the college received three Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grants in the latest funding round.

ARCCentreofExcellence:CentreofFreeRadicalChemistryandBiotechnology

yearsfortheirproject,‘Astudyoftheprovisionoftheemergencycontraceptivepillover-the-counterinAustralia’.

Australianabortionrates,especiallyamongyoungwomen,areamajorconcern.Theemergencycontraceptivepill(ECP)isaneffectivemethodforthepreventionofunwantedandunplannedpregnancy,withthepotentialtoreduceabortions.ThestudyaimstoproduceevidenceofwhetherthereschedulingofECPinAustralia,sothatpharmacistsaswellasdoctorscanprovideit,hasimproveditsaccessibilityandusebywomenatriskofabortion.Itwillalsoassess

whetherpharmacistsfeelconfident,well-trainedandsupportedtoprovideitandwhetherabortionrateshavereduced.Thestudywillprovidepolicymakerswiththeevidencetoassesswhetherthisimportantinitiativeiseffectiveandwhatisneededtoimproveitseffectiveness.

KayStewarthasrecentlybeeninvitedtoserveontheEditorialBoardoftheAmerican Journal of Pharmaceutical Education,theofficialpublicationoftheAmericanAssociationofCollegesofPharmacy.

12 ARC Grant Winners

Dr Ossama El-Kabbani, a senior lecturer in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, has been awarded a US$10,000 Pfizer grant.

ThefundswillbeusedtostudythesensitivityofsugarmetabolisingenzymestowardsPfizeranti-diabetesdrugs.

DrEl-Kabbaniandhisteamhavebeeninvestigatingdifferentaspectsofthetreatmentofdiabetesformanyyears.Partsoftheirworkhaveinvolvedtheuseofsynchrotrons

intheUSAandEurope,wheretheydeterminedthestructureofadiabetesenzyme-drugcomplexatoneofthehighestresolutionseverknownforanenzymeofitssizeincomplexwithadrug.

“Wehopetheresultsmayleadtothedesignofbetterinhibitorsoftheenzymeforthetreatmentofdiabetessufferers,atleastuntilbettermethodsformaintainingmetaboliccontrolaredeveloped,”DrEl-Kabbanisaid.

The high resolution data (shown in green) obtained at the Swiss Light Source from crystals of the enzyme complexed with the drug was used to accurately determine the orientation of the drug molecule (shown in yellow) in the binding site of the enzyme.

Pfizergrantforresearchintoanti-diabetesdrugs

Congratulations to Dr David Kong (1990), lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and senior pharmacist at The Alfred.

TogetherwithPeterStuchbery(1973),DirectorofPharmacyatNorthernHealthandGiovannaDeSantis,DirectorofPharmacyatWesternHealth,hewasrecentlyawardeda$20,000BristolMyersSquibbClinicalPharmacyResearchgrantfromtheSocietyofHospitalPharmacistsofAustralia(SHPA).

Thetitleoftheprojectis‘Identifyingtheactivitiesandtimecommitmentsofclinicalpharmacistsaccordingtopatients’diagnosisrelatedgroupclassification’.

Theprojectaimstoclassifybydiagnosisrelatedgroupclassificationtheactivitiesperformedbyclinicalpharmacistsonbehalfoftheirpatients.Itwillhelpidentifythosepatientswithbothhighandlowpharmacyserviceneeds;potentialapplicationsoftheresultant

diagnosisrelatedgroups(DRG)weightsincludestaffingallocations;andworkforceplanning.Furtherstandardisationofclinicalactivitiesaccordingtoagreedpracticestandardshasthepotentialtoprovideamoreaccurateestimateofthefundinglevelsnecessarytoprovideclinicalpharmacyservices.

PharmacistswinClinicalPharmacyResearchGrant

The MJA/Wyeth prize is awarded for the best clinical research published in the Medical Journal of Australia, as judged by independent experts.

ThetenthMJA/WyethPrizewasawardedtoAssociateProfessorDamienJolleyandhisco-investigators,whoincludedRobynWright,thecollege’scoursedirectorofpostgraduatestudiesinwoundcareintheDepartmentofPharmacyPractice.DrMichaelLee,MedicalDirectorofWyethAustralia,awardedtheprizeatthe2005AustralianMedicalAssociationconferenceinDarwin.

Theprize-winningresearchaddressedthepreventionofacommonbutunglamorouscondition–thepressureulcer.Inahead-to-headrandomisedtrialthatcomparedtheefficacyofAustraliansheepskinversususualtreatmenttopreventpressureulcers,patientsrestingonmedicalsheepskindevelopednewpressureulcersatlessthanhalftherateofthoseundergoingstandardtreatment.

For further information about the research contact Robyn Wright, email robyn.wright@vcp.monash.edu.au

ResearchintopressureulcerswinsMJA/Wyethprize

l-r Mark Hickey, Robyn Wright, Ken Montgomery, Rodney Sinclair, Don Campbell and Damien Jolley.

Research News 13

14 Teaching News

OrganisedbystafffromtheDepartmentofPharmacyPracticeandchairedbyDrJenniferMarriott,aseniorlecturerfromthedepartment,thesymposiumwasthisyearhostedinconjunctionwithKing’sCollegeLondon.Thisarrangementhelpedtoincreasetheprofileofthesymposiumandtoidentifybothinstitutionsasinnovativeleadersinpharmacyeducation.

Thesymposiumprovidedacollegialforumfortheconsiderationandsharingofissuesrelatedtoeducationinpharmacy.Pastsymposiahaveexplored‘ExperientialTeachingandLearninginPharmacy’and‘InnovationsinTeachingandLearning’,withoutcomesandresourcesbeingfreelyavailableaftertheevents.

CollegelecturerGregDuncancommencedproceedingsbythrowingdownthegauntlettoallattendeestoconsidertheproblemsofassessmentandexploresolutions.Theproblemsincludedgrowingnumbersofstudentsandtheincreasingcomplexityofcourses,combinedwiththepressureofnewtechnologies.Dailythemesincluded‘AssessmentintheTraditionalEnvironment’,‘AssessmentinthePracticeEnvironment’and‘AssessmentintheVirtualEnvironment’.

PlenarysessionsweredeliveredbyexpertssuchasProfessorTomZlatic(StLouis)on‘AssessmentofActiveLearning’,DrPaulRutter(Portsmouth)‘MakingtheBestUseofOSCEs’,AssociateProfessorJanieSheridan(Auckland)‘DealingwithPlagiarismorCheating’,AnnLewis(RPSGB)‘CompetenceAssessment’,ProfessorClaireAnderson(Nottingham)‘AssessmentinaPracticeEnvironment’andDrLaurieLomas(London)‘ConstructiveAlignmentofAssessment’.

OneofthehighlightsofthesymposiumwasthedinnerheldatRistoranteBiagioatArtimino,inthehillsahalf-hourfromPrato.Agreatmealinpleasantsurroundingswasmadeveryspecialbyamagnificentviewoftheentirevalley,fromPratotoFlorence.

“Thereisnoequivalentforumforacademicdiscourseonissuesrelatingtopharmacyeducationandthesymposiumanswersanurgentneed,”saidDrMarriott.

“TheabilitytoconductthesymposiumattheMonashCentreinPratomakesitaccessibletoalargenumberofacademicsfromnorthernhemisphereinstitutions,broadeningitsscopeandincreasingthelikelihoodofattractingalargernumberofparticipants,”sheadded.

TheorganiserswouldliketothankMonashforthecontributionof$5000towardtheconductofthissuccessfuleducationsymposium.

For further information about the symposium series, or to access outcomes and resources from all three events, visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/practice/symposia/

Itfoundpharmacists’wagesalmostdoubled12monthsaftertheygraduated,risingfromanaverage$30,000intheirpre-registrationyearto$58,000thefollowingyear.

Thesurveyrespondentsalsohadaveryhighemploymentrate,withjustover92%infulltimeworkandjustover52%planningtoworkinruralareas.

ThePharmacyPost-RegistrationSurveyfor2005wasconductedbyGraduateCareersAustraliafortheCommitteeofHeadsofPharmacySchoolsinAustraliaandNewZealand.

DeanofthecollegeProfessorColinChapman,whochairsthecommittee,saidtheresultsprovidedthefirsttruepictureofyoungpharmacists’incomesandemploymentprospects.

“Untilnow,GraduateCareersAustraliahasreportedtheresultsofitsannualGraduateDestinationSurvey,whichisconductedinthe

yearafterstudentscompletedtheirstudiesatAustralianuniversities,”hesaid.

“Becausepharmacistsmustundertakeapre-registrationyearaftercompletinguniversitystudies,theirsalariesandemploymentcircumstancesaresubstantiallydifferentfromthatyeartothenext.

“Thisnewsurveylooksatnewly-registeredpharmacistsintheirfirstrealyearintheworkforceanditshowsthatallaspectsoftheircareerprospectsarehealthy,”ProfessorChapmanadded.

“Itisparticularlyencouragingtonotethatearningsforgraduatepharmacistsarecompetitivewithallotherprofessionsandthatsurveyrespondentsarekeentoworkinruralareas,wheretherearesevereshortagesofpharmacists.”

To download a copy of the full report visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/news/gca-survey.html

HealthycareeroutlookforpharmacygraduatesNewly-registered Australian pharmacists are well paid, fully employed professionals and most are keen to work in rural areas, a recent survey has found.

ThirdPharmacyEducationSymposiuminPrato,ItalyForty-seven delegates from eight countries attended the Third Pharmacy Education Symposium in July in Prato, Italy, to investigate the theme ‘Exploring Issues Relating to Assessment’.

Pharmacy graduate James Nevile (2004).

Alumni Profile 15

Shebecameveryinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheprofessionlikeherfather,whohadbeenpresidentoftheRSLChemistsSub-Branchandwasinvolvedinthededicationofthecollegeasawarmemorialbuilding.

Elizabethstudiedwithmanyex-servicemenafterthewar.Shefoundherselfinaminorityof‘just-out-of-school’pharmacystudents.

“However,Ifeltluckytostudypharmacy,astherewereveryfewplacesavailabletowomenduetothemanyreturningservicemenandwomenwhotookpriorityinthecourse,”saidElizabeth.

Akeendistancefreestylecompetitor,ElizabethrepresentedVictoriaattheAustralianSwimmingChampionshipsandtheAustralianIndoorLifesavingChampionships.Shewasabletokeepupherinterestinthesportduetoherfather’ssupport.“Hegavemetimeofftoswim,that’showImanagedtokeepupmyswimminginterestswhileIstudied,”shenoted.

ElizabethopenedherownpharmacyinBriarHillnearGreensboroughin1958andlaterservedtheGippslandcommunityasaprivateandhospitalpharmacist.ShemarriedHowardGrant,anengineer.Thecouplehastwochildren–AllenandSue–andfourgrandchildren.

TheearlyyearsoftheirmarriageinvolvedalotoftravelduetoHoward’sworkandtheydecidedtoselltheBriarHillpharmacyin1963.TheyfirstmovedtoMtGambierandthentoTraralgon.MtGambierwaswhereElizabethfirstbecameinvolvedinawiderangeofcommunitygroupsandinterests.”Ijoinedeverything!”sheaddedwithalaugh.

TheGrantsmovedtoCanberrain1971,whereElizabethcontinuedasalocumpharmacist.Shebecameinvolvedwiththeshapingofmedicalresearchpolicyfollowingherappointmentas‘EminentLaywoman’representativeontheNationalHealthandMedicalResearchCouncil(NHMRC)in1982andservedinthispositionuntil1986.ShealsoservedonarangeofNHMRCCommitteesincludingtheMedicalResearchEthicsCommittee1982–91andtheMedicalResearchCommittee1982–present(nowtheResearchCommittee),andwasChairoftheNHMRCSpecialPurposesCommittee,DentalStandingCommittee1990–91.Shehas

beencloselyinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheAustralianCodeofPracticefortheuseofanimalsinresearchandteachingandiscurrentlychairoftheNHMRCAnimalWelfareCommittee,ofwhichshehasbeenamembersince1985.

SheisamemberoftheAustralianDefenceForceHumanResearchEthicsCommitteeandtheACTDepartmentofHealthandCommunityCareHumanResearchEthicsCommittee,ofwhichshewasappointedchairmanin1997.

Herbreadthofknowledgeandcommitmenthasbenefitedmanycommunityenterprisesoverthepast25yearsinsports,theartsandcommunityservice.TheseincludetheACTArtsDevelopmentBoard,ACTParoleBoard,NationalExhibitionCentreTrust,YMCABoardofDirectors,ACTFestivalsInc,ACTCentenaryofFederationCommittee,ACTOlympicFundraisingCommittee,andtheACTWomen’sConsultativeCouncil.

Elizabethhasalwaysbeengenerouswithherexpertise,actingasabusinessmentor.SheisapastpresidentoftheACTDivisionofBusinessandProfessionalWomen.Inaddition,sherepresentedherlocalcommunityasanelectedMemberoftheACTHouseofAssembly1979–82.

Stillveryactiveinbusiness,sheisadirectorofaninformationbusiness,CommerceManagement,andisamemberoftheParliamentaryPressGallery,havingmaintainedherpassionforpolitics.

ElizabethisalsoalifememberofthePharmaceuticalSocietyofAustralia(Victorianbranch)andwasappointedaMemberintheOrderofAustraliain1987.

In2005,shereceivedanHonoraryDoctorateofLawsfromMonashforherworkwithresearchethicsinhumansandanimalsandshedeliveredtheOccasionalAddressattheMaycollegegraduationceremony.

Althoughithasbeensomeyearssinceshepractisedasapharmacist,shebelievesherworkintheprofessiongaveheragreatgroundinginthehealthsciencesandknowledgeofcommunityneeds,soimportantforherlaterwork.

“Pharmacyisawayoflife.Becauseofthehours,itreallyispartofyourexistence,”saidElizabeth.“Itissohighlyregarded.Itinvolvesyouinthecommunityinagreatway.Ilovedit.”

“I felt lucky to study pharmacy, as there were very few places available to women due to the many returning servicemen and women who took priority in the course.”

Alumniprofile:ElizabethGrantElizabeth graduated in 1951 at the age of 21 following apprenticeship to her father, Leslie Blair Allen, who graduated from the college in 1925 and had been a well-known pharmacist in Mornington, later practising in Melbourne.

16 Student News

MathewPeckTravellingScholarshiptrivianightThe ‘Drink to a Dream’ night – to raise funds for the scholarship to honour Mathew’s life – is in its third year, raising $6690 in 2005.

Therecentfundraiserwasatrivianightheldon20MayattheClydeHotel.Over170people,includingstudents,staff,friendsofMathewandhisfamily,gatheredtoensurethefutureofthescholarship,whichcontinuesMathew’sidealsandcommitmenttointernationalhealthissues.Mathew’sfamilywouldliketothankJason,Dhineliandtheteamofhelperswhoorganisedthenight.

Thisyear’swinnerofthescholarshipisfourthyearpharmacystudentJanaDostal.Issue10ofAlchemyinMay2006willhaveanupdateonherexperienceoverthecomingsummerofworkingonahealthprograminadevelopingnation.

To find out more about the scholarship, the next ‘Drink to a Dream’ fundraiser and how to make a donation visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/students/mpeckscholar

Thethemeofthesymposiumwas‘PublicHealth’,withaparticularemphasisoninfectiousdiseases.Thiswassupportedbylecturesandworkshopsonsubjectsincludinglifestylediseases,medicineshandbook,poliomyelitisandtheseparationofdispensaryandprescribing.

VernaWan,athirdyearstudentandVPSAsecretary2005,receivedagrantfromtheSHPAtoattendthesymposium.

“IwasveryfortunatetohavebeenawardedagrantfromtheSHPAtoattend,andrelishedtheopportunitytomeetandlearnfromotherpharmacystudentsfromdifferentcountries,especiallyourneighborsintheAsia-Pacificregion,”saidVerna.

TheVPSA’sInternationalPharmaceuticalStudentsFederation(IPSF)localexchangeofficer,SharlinaLingam,alsofromthirdyear,foundtheworkshoponAIDSparticularlyeyeopening.

“Iwasinterestedingaininganappreciationofitsmanagementinvariouscountries.IknewthattherewaslittleeducationaboutAIDSinmany

Asiancountries,butIwassurprisedtohearthateveninmajoruniversitiesandschoolsintheheartoftheircapitalcitiesitisstilla‘taboo’subject,”saidSharlina.

“Iwasremindedhowfortunatewearetohavethisinformationreadilytaughttousandavailabletothepublic,plusthesupportgroupsthatexistnotjustforAIDSbutformanydiseasestates,”sheadded.

Aposterexhibitiononinfectiousdiseaseswasheld,involvingpresentationsfromeachcountry.VernaandSharlinacollaboratedwithfiveothercollegestudentstoproduceaposter(withtheassistanceandguidanceofDrDavidKong)thatdiscussedAustralia’sresponseandeffortsincontrollingHIV/AIDSandSTDs,suchasharmreductionprograms.

Thesymposiumwasn’tallhardwork.ManynewfriendshipsweremadewithpharmacystudentsfromaroundAustraliaandtheworldincludingIndonesia,Taiwan,Thailand,NewZealand,Singapore,Japan,Slovenia,France,ChinaandNepal.

ParticularlymemorablewastheInternationalNight,atwhicheachcountryorganisedaperformanceuniquetotheirnation.

“Wedecidedtopromoteourmulticulturalsociety,andbroughtoutfitsfromIndia,SriLanka,VietnamandChina,”saidJohnNguyen,retiringpresidentoftheVPSA.

WhileatAPPS,JohnranforanelectedpositionontheAsia-Pacificcommitteeandwassuccessfulinhisbid,becomingSecretaryGeneralfortheIPSFAsia-PacificRegionalOffice.Johnalsoattendedthe51stInternationalPharmaceuticalStudents’FederationAnnualCongressinAugustinBonn,Germany.

John’stravelswerepartlysponsoredbythecollege,inhisroleaspresident.

“Iammostgratefultothecollegeformakingthisexperiencepossible.Itwasveryinspirationaltomeetwithenthusiasticstudentsfromacrosstheworld,”hesaid.

PharmacystudentstraveltoTokyoandGermanyEleven pharmacy students, from across all year levels, travelled to Tokyo in July to attend the fourth Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS). This was the first time that Australia attended the APPS.

Collegeentrantsinthisyear’sYoungAchievementAustralia(YAA)TertiaryBusinessSkillsprogramaresettomarketaninnovativeproductandatthesametimecontributetotheenvironment.

Previouscollegeteamshaveallwonstateandnationalawardsagainstfiercecompetition.Intheprocess,theyhaveenjoyedbusinesssuccessandgainedmanagementandleadershipskills.

Thisyear’sentrantshaveformedateamcalledDesiyah,consistingof16Monashstudentsfromarangeofdisciplines.DesiyahisproudlysponsoredbySigma,whoissupportingthepharmacyteamforthethirdconsecutiveyear.

Desiyah’sinnovativeproductistheT-Bag–atowelthatturnsintoawaterproofbagforchildren’saquaticactivities.Theconceptfortheproductcamefrombrainstormingdifferentideas.

“Itwasreallydifficultatfirst,”saidMarketingDirectorJulianneHeng.“Butthenweallstartedtalkingaboutourpastexperiencesandhowitwasreallyfrustratingtokeepplasticbagstostorewettowels.”

TheT-Bagallowschildrentoberesponsiblefortheirownswimgear.Itiseasytouseandchildrenonlyneedtoremembertobringhomeoneitem.

l-r: Mun Yee, Laura Mulligan (Environmental Director, pharmacy student), Sharlina Lingam (Sales Manager, pharmacy student), Julianne Heng (Marketing Director) and Diana Tang (Finance Director).

Thebagalsofeaturesaclearvinylpocketsoitcanbepersonalisedbyinsertinganamecard.

Tosupporttheproduct,Desiyahisorganisingacleanupday.Foreachbagsold,thecompanywilldedicate10minutestopickinguprubbishatadesignatedpublicarea.

TheT-BagwillbeavailableinastoreintheVictoriaMarket,thankstosponsorshipbytheItalianHouseofLeather.Visitwww.desiyah.com.autopurchasetheT-Bagonline,orforinformationaboutotherdistributionoutlets.

T-Bagshelpstudentsclean-up

Student News 17

ThecompetitionhascounsellingasitsfocusandallfinalyearpharmacystudentsinAustraliaareeligiblefortheaward.Theprocessofidentifyingthenationalwinnerhastwostages.Inthefirststage,eachPharmaceuticalSocietyofAustraliabranchoperatesacontesttoidentifyitsstatefinalist.

ThesecondstageistheNationalCounsellingEvent,heldatthe2005PharmacyAustraliaCongress(PAC)inOctoberinMelbourne.Thisinvolvesallsixfinalistsdemonstratingtheircounsellingskillsinfrontofapanelofjudges.Thewinnerwillbeannouncedattheconclusionofamajorplenarysessionon31October2005.

TheawardissponsoredbyAlphapharm.Aswellastheprestigeofbeingnamedasastate

finalist,eachfinalistalsoreceivestheAlphapharmStateTravelPrizeoftravel,accommodationandregistrationtoPAC2005.

ThenationalwinnerwillreceivetheAlphapharmNationalTravelPrizeofatravelvoucherplustravel,accommodationandregistrationtothe2006IPSFconferencetobeheldinCairns,Queensland.

“Iamveryproudtohavewon.Muchofthecreditgoestoalltheteachingstaffatthecollegeandthepharmacistswhohavebeenmypreceptorsonmystudentplacements,”saidMichael.“IwouldalsoliketoacknowledgethefantasticstaffattheHeathmontPharmacy,whereIhaveworkedforfiveyearsandfromwhomIhavelearntalot.”

Goodluck,Michael!

Michael Nunan with Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian branch) staff Bill Horsfall (1960), CPE Coordinator (left), and Jane Mitchell, Pre-Registration Coordinator (right), and Nicholas Reilly, Coordinator and Home Medicine Review (HMR) Facilitator with the National Prescribing Service (NPS).

RemedyupdateStudent group Remedy was formed in 2003 with the aim of sharing resources with pharmacy institutions of underdeveloped countries and to educate the college community on health and pharmacy practice issues in underprivileged areas.

Remedy’sactivitiesincludeeventstoraisemoney,shareinformationandencourageinvolvementintheirgoals.TheyactivelysupporttheDrugInformationCentreofAnnamalaiUniversityinIndiaandalsosponsorachildinEcuador.

Latein2004,thegroupbegandevelopingarelationshipwiththeDepartmentofPharmaceuticalServicesontheislandnationofKiribati.RemedyregularlysendspharmacytextbooksandhealthreferenceguidestoboththeuniversityandKiribati.

InAugust2005theyheldtheirfirstInternationalHealthInformationNightcalled‘BeyondOurBorders’.Theeveningfeaturedguestspeakerswhosharedtheirexperiencesofworkinginunderdeveloped,resource-poorsettings.

SpeakersincludedChadHughes,whospokeabouthisworkonanHIVprogramdevelopmentinNepal;JaneGoller,aMedecinsSansFrontieresnurseinDafur,Sudan;andcollegegraduateJonathanDartnell(1983),whospokeaboutpharmacyprogramtraininginBelize,SouthAmerica.

InSeptember2005theyheldtheirsecond‘RealityBites!Remedy’sRealWorldDinner’.Theannualeventhasatwistinthatdiners,whoallpaythesameprice,eitherdineonafeastorsitonthefloorwithabowloffooddonatedbymoreprivilegedguests–tohighlighttheinconsistencyandpurechanceofpovertyversuswealthintheworld.

RealityBitesco-organisers,fourthyearpharmacystudentsJanaDostalandDhineliPerera,saidalldinerscamepreparedforathirdworldexperience.

“Werandomlyallocatedthetypeofmealservedtoeachpersontoemphasisethefactthat,forthelessprivilegedoftheworld,realitydoesbite–everyday,”saidJana.

Thisyear’sdinnerhadatribalislandthemeandtheentertainmentincludedaperformanceofastudent-choreographedPolynesiandance.GuestspeakersincludedSarahAnderssonwhospokeabouthertimeworkingintheNorthernTerritoryandcollegegraduateAndrewHarding(1993)whowasavolunteerpharmacistintheMarshallIslands

throughAustralianVolunteersInternational.The2004YoungAustralianoftheYear,HughEvans,FounderoftheOaktreeFoundation,alsospoke.

Thisyear’seventraised$3000,whichwillsupporttheDepartmentofPharmaceuticalServicesinKiribati,specificallytoenableweekendconferencestobeheldfordoctorsandnursestomeetandputtogethernationaltreatmentguidelinesthatwillbeusedontheouterislandsaswellasinthehospitals.

In2005,JanaandDhinelihandedoverthereinstonewleadersSharlinaLingamandMadelaineNguyen,bothcurrentlyinthirdyearpharmacy.

Jana,DhineliandallthestudentsinvolvedinRemedyhavedoneagreatjobingettingthegroupstartedandwearesurethatSharlinaandMadelainewillcontinueitsgoodwork.

For further information about Remedy, or to receive Remedy’s email newsletter, email vcp_remedy@hotmail.com

MichaelNunanwinsPSA(Victorianbranch)StudentoftheYearFourth year pharmacy student Michael Nunan was recently announced Victorian state finalist in the second annual Pharmacy Student of the Year award held by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian branch).

18 Alumni News

Neil F. Werner OAM (1956) Shepparton

Service to performing arts through Australian National Piano Award; health, aged care and welfare groups.

NeilmovedtoBoortwithhiswifeErnaafterhisstudiesandlivedthereforsevenyears,beforemovingtoSheppartonin1964.Therehesetupapharmacyfromscratchandwasinpracticefor35years,retiringin1999.WhileinBoorthewasontheboardofthehospitalandwhenhemovedtoSheppartonhewasquicklyinvitedtojointheboardoftheGoulburnValleyHospitalonwhichheservedformanyyears,withtwotermsasPresident.HewasonthecommitteesthatestablishedtheValleyDrugandAlcoholServicesandthePersonalEmergencyTelephoneCounsellingservice,whichwaslatertakenoverbyLifeline.Since2000hehasservedontheSheppartonRetirementVillageBoard,whichoverseesthecareof600localagedpeople.

NeilhasapassionfortheartsandwasinstrumentalinestablishingtheAustralianNationalPianoAward,whichgrewoutofalocalinitiative–theSheppartonPianoAward.TheAwardattractedsuchawealthoftalentedyoungpeoplefromaroundAustraliathatithasgrownintothepre-eminentawardforAustralianpianists.NeilalsorepresentedtheGoulburnValleyonthePharmacyGuildofAustralia(Victorianbranch)Boardforseveralyears.

“Itwasagreathonourandsurprise,Iwasdelighted,”saidNeil.“ButhalfoftheawardshouldgotomywifeErna.Ithasbeenateameffortovertheyears!.”

Irvine Newton OAM (1969) SouthYarra

Service to the pharmacy profession and to the community, particularly through promoting harm minimisation programs.

IrvinehasputinyearsofserviceontheCouncilofthePharmaceuticalSocietyofAustralia(Victorianbranch)andhasbeenChairofthatorganisation’sHarmMinimisationCommitteeandPracticeCommittee.Hedevotedmuchofhisprofessionalcareertotheimportantareaofharmminimisation,includingimplementingpharmacyservicesforillicitdrugusers.Instrumentalincreatingacultureofchangewithinpharmacyandthewidercommunity,heunstintinglyworkedtoeliminateprejudicetowardsdrugusers.HewasspokesmanoftheNationalPharmacyIllicitDrugTrainingProjectandin2002wasawardedanAustraliaDayAwardbytheAlcoholandotherDrugsCouncilofAustralia(ADCA).HewasalsoawardedthecovetedProfessionaloftheYear2003byProfessionsAustralia.HeiscurrentlyChairofthePAC2005organisingcommittee.

“Iwasoverwhelmedbutveryproudtohavereceivedthemedal,”saidIrvine.“Itakeitasanacknowledgementoftherolepharmacistsareplayinginsomanyways.Wehavehelpedmoveattitudestowarddrugandalcoholtreatmentandprograms.Ihavealwaysenjoyedservingourgreatprofessionandmylocalcommunity.”

Pauline E. Powell OAM, nee Praetz (1955) Rye

Service through heritage, sporting, service organisations.

PaulineandherhusbandJim,apharmacistwhograduatedintheyearaboveher,marriedandsailedforLondon.TheytravelledthroughEuropeandworkedintheUKfortwoyears,returningwiththeirfirstchildin1958.TheyboughtintoasmallpharmacyinRyeand,afterre-buildingtwicetocopewithitsgrowth,theysoldthebusinessin1994.Thecouplehadthreechildren(andthreegrandchildren).Jimpassedawayin2002.

OnarrivinginRye,PaulineandJimquicklybecameinvolvedinthelocalcommunity.Theyworkedtogetherinthepharmacyandfieldsofmutualinterest,butalsoindividuallyinotherareas.JimwastheFoundingPresidentofRyeTennisClubandPaulineisaLifeMember.AmemberofPortseaGolfClubforover40years,PaulinehasservedtermsasLadies’CaptainandLadies’President,andco-authoredtheClubhistory.Pauline’sactivitieshaveincludedGirlsGuidesDistrictCommissioner,memberoftheShireofFlindersHeritageCommittee,ChairoftheRye/TootgarookCommitteeforVictoria’s150thAnniversaryandshewasanactivememberoftheformerRyeChamberofCommerce.ShewasCharterPresidentoftheRyeLionessClubinthe1970s,instigatingmanyprojectsofbenefittothecommunity,andhasbeenPresidentsincefoundationoftheRyeHistoricalSociety.

“TheawardwasacompletesurprisetomeandIamreallyhumbledbyallthemessagesIreceived,”saidPauline.“Pharmacygivesoneatrulycommunityperspective,particularlyforthoseofourera.Whenyouhavelivedinoneplacefornearly50yearsyoutendtogrowwithandinit.”

Queen’sBirthdayHonoursCollege alumni often feature in the Queen’s Birthday and Australia Day Honours lists. Last June, three graduates were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their contributions to pharmacy, health, aged care, the arts, heritage, sport and their local communities. The awards are well deserved public recognition of their many activities, achievements and years of service.

Alumni News 19

Stayintouchwiththecollegecommunityanddon’tmissoutonthenextissueofAlchemy.Fillintheupdateform,tearitoffandsenditto:

AlchemyVictorianCollegeofPharmacy381RoyalParadeParkvilleVictoria3052AustraliaOrfaxto:61399039058(confidentialfax).

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In1943thecollegeappointeditsfirstwomanstaffmember,MirielWitt,whowasrecruitedbyA.T.S.Sissons,deanofthecollegeduringWorldWarII.

Sheworkedasademonstratorinpharmaceuticalchemistrytohelpreplacemalestaffwhowereoverseas.ThedeanandCouncilalsothoughtitwastimetheyappointedawoman,astherewasbythenalargenumberoffemalestudents.

Mirielwasaverypopularlecturer,whostayedonstaffuntilsheretiredattheageof65.Thisyear,inOctober,Mirieliscelebratingher100thbirthday!

Congratulationtopharmacist,pharmacologistandtoxicologistDrDavidGraham(1968),whowasappointedNationalManageroftheTherapeuticGoodsAdministration(TGA)inAugust.

TheTGA,oneoftheworld’sleadingindependentregulatorysystems,evaluatesthequality,safetyandeffectivenessoftherapeuticproductsbasedonsubmissionofevidencedbased,internationally-deriveddossiers.David,alongwithothers,workedtirelesslytodeveloptheTherapeuticGoodsActandtosubsequentlyestablishtheTGA.

DavidmanagedthePharmaceuticalBenefitsScheme(PBS)1992–1998.HesubsequentlyservedastheDivisionHead(FirstAssistantSecretary)responsibleforthetotalityofageingandagedcareactivitiesoftheAustralianGovernment1998–2002.HisserviceinagedcarewasfollowedbythreeyearsastheGeneralManager,CommonwealthRehabilitationService(CRS)Australia–abusinessunitoftheDepartmentofHealthandAgeing,providingservicestopersonswithdisabilitiesthroughservicecentresacrossAustralia.

1984and1985reunionOn8October,62graduatescamefromasfarawayasShepparton,WangarattaandYarrawongabacktothecollegetocatchupandsharestories.

TheeveningwasorganisedbyDimitraTsucalas(1985)andRichardCzermak(1985).AhighlightofthenightwasadisplayofstudentphotosputtogetherbyRichard,includingshotsofthebasketballandnetballmatchespopularwithstudentsfromthatera.

Eightiesmusicwasthechoiceforthenight,blaringoutfromtheSnakePit,anewvenueatthecollege.Andmanyhadahardtimedraggingthemselvesawayfromthecollege–howtimeschange!

For further photos of the reunion visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/alumni

To organise a reunion, contact the Alumni Office on 613 9903 9087.

Happy100thbirthdaytoMirielWitt

Miriel,alongwithDawnSayers,wasafoundingmemberoftheWomenPharmaceuticalChemistsAssociationofVictoria.Thehardworkingorganisationdisbandedin1979,asmembershadsucceededinreachingtheirgoals,whichincludedequalpayforwomanpharmacists,establishmentofthe‘ContinuingEducation’lectures,representationonmajorindustrybodiesandformationofanationalbody.

AgroupofVictorianwomenpharmacists,manyofwhomwereinvolvedintheAssociation,stillmeetannuallyattheHiltonHoteltocatchupandreminisceabouttheirjourneythroughlifeandpharmacy.

Theirgettogetherthisyearwasheldon9October.

Womenpharmacists’annualreunion

The 2004 get-together with Miriel Witt (seated centre).

DrDavidGraham

Jane Cameron (1985) and Lisa O’Byrne (1985).

VictorianCollegeofPharmacyVictorianCollegeofPharmacy

VictorianCollegeofPharmacyMonashUniversity(ParkvilleCampus)381RoyalParadeParkvilleVictoria3052AustraliaTel:61399026000www.vcp.monash.edu.au

2005GraduationDinnerHeld on 5 May at the International of Brighton, immediately after the official ceremony at Clayton, the Graduation Dinner was a night for graduates to celebrate their achievements with their families, partners and friends.

DeanofthecollegeProfessorColinChapmanaddressedtheguestsandhighlightedmanyoftheyear’ssuccessesandacademicachievements.AlistairLloydAO(1956),Chairofthecollege’sFoundation,welcomedthegraduatingyearintotheirprofessionsandwishedthemwellwithfurtherstudyandworkcommitments.Bothspokeoftheirprideintheaccomplishmentsofthestudentsandurgedthemtostayintouchandusethecollegeasaresourceastheyadvancethroughtheircareers.

GuestspeakerwasAdamElliot,whowroteanddirectedtheanimatedshortfilmHarvie Krumpet, forwhichhewonanOscarforthebestanimatedshortattheAcademyAwards.

Adam’spresentationonhiscareerfromunemployedcartoonisttoOscarwinnerwasahighlightoftheevening.Hisinfectiousgoodhumourandamazing‘ragstoriches’storywasagreatexampletoalltofollowyourdreamsandtoliveandworkwithpassion.AdamwasawillingparticipantinmanyphotosafterhistalkandstayedlongintothenighttoswapstoriesandsellDVDsofHarvie Krumpettoawholenewgroupoffans.

Thisgraduationdinner,thesecondheldbythecollege,wasorganisedbytheAlumniOffice.

Wewishthegraduatingyearof2005bonvoyageandeverysuccessinthefuture.