Our Research
Research at the Faculty of Pharmacy is centred around the five themes of cancer, cardiovascular and diabetes, respiratory disease, mental health and healthy ageing, closely reflecting the Australian Government’s national health priorities.
Research at the Faculty recognises the complexity of managing chronic disease states and so our research extends from drug discovery, development and delivery to patient counseling and education with a high level of focus on collaboration.
Key research strengths are outlined under each theme. More information on research teams and individual academics can be found under our researcher profiles on each page.
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CANCER |
MENTAL HEALTH |
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Cancer is a common major health issue in Australia today. At current rates, the Cancer Council of Australia expects that by the age of 85 one in two men, and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer. Research projects range from personalised anti-cancer therapy to drug resistance to the use of herbal medicines to design new therapies. |
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Mental illness is a national priority area with one in five adults in Australia having an episode of mental illness in any one-year period. Drugs are a major modality of treatment and so pharmacists have the potential to play a significant role in delivering treatment and services to mental health patients. |
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CARDIOVASCULAR AND DIABETES |
RESPIRATORY DISEASE |
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Australians are getting older, heavier and less active, putting themselves at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. CVD is the number one cause of death in Australia, according to the Heart Foundation, and diabetes is the country’s fastest growing chronic disease and the sixth leading cause of death in Australia. Faculty research covers a range of cardiovascular diseases and problems from atherosclerosis and thromboembolism, to cardiac infarction and stroke. |
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With over 2 million people with asthma, Australia has one of the largest populations of asthma sufferers in the world. Research into respiratory diseases in the Faculty has yielded crucial findings for improving asthma treatment alongside other respiratory conditions such a cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). |
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HEALTHY AGEING |
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Many patients in an ageing population are taking complex medication regimens, and medication adherence and the quality use of medicines are important aspects of their management. Research at Sydney is exploring the impact of pharmacist-conducted residential medication management reviews on psychotropic drug use in nursing homes. |