New pharmaceutical degree to include wide range of disciplines

Cures and remedies for diseases and ailments could be created by New Zealanders, once the University of Otago starts pumping out graduates from its newly established pharmaceutical science degree.

The degree is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and will encompass a broad range of scientific disciplines, critical to the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies.

It aims to create a career pathway to the forefront of science and technology that will not only prevent and treat disease in people, but also animals and plants.

University of Otago acting pharmacy dean Prof Sarah Hook said it was exciting to be able to offer the new undergraduate degree.

‘‘This qualification will lead to so many exciting career opportunities in a diverse and rapidly growing global pharmaceutical industry, as well as other health-related research careers.

‘‘These graduates could be part of developing medicines that provide treatments and save lives.

‘‘The skills learnt through this degree are also transferable to industries including cosmetics, food science, agricultural chemicals and more.’’

Associate Prof Arlene McDowell, of the pharmacy department, was closely involved in the development of the qualification and said the Covid-19 pandemic had highlighted the demand for graduates who could discover and develop new medicines and other products.

Prof McDowell said she was looking forward to working in this area with students who were innovative and creative thinkers with practical skills.

‘‘This will be a lab-based degree, so our students will be getting practical experience in the discovery, design, synthesis, formulation and delivery of pharmaceuticals.

‘‘We are offering small class sizes with world-renowned scientists and industry experts, and the degree structure is flexible enough for students to be able to fine-tune their study to their own interests by adding papers from other departments.’’

Also unique to the degree was how it included Maori medicine to help understand medicines beyond Western practices.

‘‘It’s important to give our students a wealth of knowledge to draw on, and an ability to see things from more than one perspective.’’

The bachelor of pharmacy degree, which trains students to practise as pharmacists in various professional settings, will continue to operate.

The pharmaceutical science degree will start in the first semester next year.