Celebrating 25 years at the University of Tasmania

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Tasmania. Responsibility for education and training of pharmacists to meet the health care needs of the Tasmanian community was transferred from the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education to the University in 1978, as a result of the 1976 Karmel Report into higher education in the State.The course was introduced as a three-year full-time degree with an enrolment of 24 students. It has grown to become a four year full-time program enrolling 36 Australian and 16 international students annually. The School pioneered hospital and community based clinical teaching of pharmacy students in Australia and its graduates are highly regarded throughout the country.Since 1978, more than 500 Australian students have been awarded the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy by the University. A large number of international students have also received their degree from the School, including sudents from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Brunei, Vanuatu, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. The School has also been active in research during this period, with 18 PhD, 9 MPharm and 42 BPharm(Hons) degrees being awarded. Continued strong demand for places in the course and the current and projected shortages of pharmacists throughout Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas, augurs well for the future.

A collection of pharmacy memorabilia has been brought together in a display at the Morris Miller Library, Sandy Bay campus of the University, in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the School of Pharmacy becoming part of the University. This is a significant period in the history of pharmacy education in Tasmania - and indeed in Australia.