Pharmacology at the University of Sydney: a Brief History

PHARMACOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY: A BRIEF HISTORY Rudiments of pharmacology were first taught in of appointment be made to Adrien Albert (who was 1883 in the newly-founded medical school, whose later to become Professor of Medicinal Chemistry degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Doctor of at the Australian National University). The offer of Medicine were established by Royal Charter in the Chair was declined, so the position was 1858. The discipline was described as Materia advertised, attracting thirteen applications, but was Medica, and its first lecturer was Thomas Storie then re-advertised at new salary rates in the hope Dixson, from 1883 to 1917. The establishment of of increasing the number of applicants. Meanwhile, a Chair of Pharmacology was then recommended, Dr Hales Wilson, another distinguished medical and, in 1918 the first Professor of Pharmacology, graduate of the University, was appointed to Henry George Chapman, was appointed. lecture in Pharmacology. Hales Wilson gave one Chapman had taught in the Department of lecture per week for one term in each of two years Physiology but was not a specialist in to medical students, largely ex-service personnel, pharmacology; he resigned to become Professor who were described as 'very likeable and keen to of Physiology in 1920. The Chair of Pharmacology learn'. then lapsed for twenty-eight years. The previous position of Lecturer in Materia Medica was re- Roland Thorp and the Department of established, and filled in 1921 by John Pharmacology MacPherson, a Sydney graduate who was a leading Australian authority on Materia Medica and Roland Thorp was selected from the therapeutics. After MacPherson retired in 1934, applicants for the Chair, and offered the position. Pharmacology was taught by members of the He arrived in Australia to take up his appointment Physiology Department, resulting in some and set up the new department in 1949. Thorp dissatisfaction among the medical students. was well trained in Pharmacology. He had joined In December 1938 a Senate sub- the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories committee reported that the students' complaints in 1936 as an assistant to the Chief were justified. In the resulting re-shuffle of teaching Pharmacologist. At that time, medicines such as in the medical school, pharmacology became digitalis leaf and insulin had to be standardised linked with therapeutics. In 1946, the Senate biologically so that their potencies could be worked requested the senior medical professors to report out and accurate drug doses calculated. Thorp on future developments in physiology and had worked with many distinguished pharmacology. This they did within one month and pharmacologists on the development and testing of part of the recommendation was that the Chair of analgesic drugs, and in studies of their clinical Pharmacology be re-established and that an offer pharmacology. He was also involved in the Page 2 monitoring of pharmacological aspects of medical students. An important aspect of the production control and biological standardisation of medical course has been the opportunity for insulin, vitamin D and organic arsenicals. Between selected medical students to undertake a Bachelor 1946 and 1949, Thorp had established Wellcome's of Science (Medical) degree in pre- and biological assay laboratory at Dartford. paraclinical subjects. The degree was introduced Thorp was a man of considerable in 1949 and in the following year, two students intellectual calibre and was interested in a wide enrolled in Pharmacology: Barry Firkin, who range of University issues beyond those to do with became Professor of Medicine at Monash his academic discipline. His appointment was as University and William Barclay, who became NSW 'Professor of Pharmacology and Director of State Director of Psychiatric Services. They were Pharmacy'. The Pharmacy course was partly followed by others who have also achieved conducted by the University and partly as an professional and academic distinction, such as the apprenticeship programme. Registration as a late Victor Chang, who pioneered cardiac pharmacist was contingent upon the successful transplantation in Australia, and Stephen Leeder, completion of a University course as well as on who is Dean of Medicine at the University of passing examinations conducted by the Pharmacy Sydney. Board. Thorp worked to upgrade the academic The degree of Doctor of Philosophy was standing of Pharmacy and was, in large measure, introduced by the University in the early 1950s. responsible for the introduction of the Pharmacy Within the Department of Pharmacology, it was degree course by the University. He also played awarded in 1956 to Sydney Wright and Tom an important role in the formation of a separate Watson, (both later to become Professors in the Department of Pharmacy, initially under the Department of Pharmacy), to Michael Rand in direction of the late Professor S.E. Wright. 1957, Anne Stafford in 1959, Bruce Cobbin in 1960 At the time of Thorp's appointment, and Jocelyn (Pennefather) O'Neil in 1961 and to enrolment in Medicine was swelled by World War 2 many other distinguished scientists. ex-service personnel. There were over 450 During the 1950s and 60s, many students in fourth year, where Pharmacology distinguished visitors from overseas were invited to lectures were given in a temporary 'fibro' theatre contribute to the teaching in the Department, known as 'The Barn'. In addition, with the thanks to the generosity of the pharmaceutical assistance of one Lecturer (Bruce Cobbin), Thorp industry. The first was Professor Frank Winton had to organise the instruction of 180 Pharmacy from University College, London, followed by students. Professors Gaddum, Robson, Keele, Vogt and To aid the development of Pharmacology Perry. These leaders in Pharmacology gave as a discipline in its own right, the subject was lectures to undergraduate students, seminars to introduced into the Faculty of Science where it teaching and research staff and postgraduate could be selected as a career subject. Since the students, and advised on research projects. They early 1950s, a constant stream of scientists has also assisted our research graduates to obtain continued to flow from the Department and some, postgraduate posts to further their training in the such as Michael Rand, Professor of Pharmacology United Kingdom. at the University of Melbourne (1965-1992), have The research activities of the Department achieved international reputations. The early in the 1950s and 60s included a large growth of the Department was assisted by the cardiovascular component. This commenced with provision of research fellowships and scholarships studies on cardiac glycosides, defining optimum by pharmaceutical companies, notably Burroughs growing conditions for Digitalis species, methods Wellcome, Drug Houses of Australia, Nicholas of separation and analysis of component Laboratories and Roche Products. The Australian glycosides from this genus, their metabolism and Jockey Club also funded a research fellowship. diverse non-cardiac actions. A major parallel The teaching of Pharmacology as a activity was the study of drug action on service course was extended to the Faculties of electrophysiological properties of cardiac muscle. Veterinary Science in 1953 and Dentistry in 1967. Research activity received a boost in the decade The earlier part-time teaching, part-time from 1962 when Smith, Kline and French provided apprenticeship Diploma in Pharmacy was changed the funds to establish a Research Institute in the to a full-time degree course in 1960, since when Department of Pharmacology. This generous the quality and quantity of pharmacological support provided research positions, support staff instruction to these students, as for students from and running costs. The major areas of activity the Faculty of Science, has exceeded that given to were a study of endogenous cardiac stimulants Page 3 and the pharmacology of substituted adenyl Thorp's retirement. Johnston, a chemistry graduate nucleosides and nucleotides on platelet from the University of Sydney brought very aggregation and coronary haemodynamics. significant research experience in medicinal Changing fortunes led to the closure of the Institute chemistry and expanded the Department's in 1969. In the 1960s, the Australian Universities research activity and interest in central nervous Commission provided funds to build the Bosch system pharmacology. Building complex, which included extended Research in respiratory pharmacology and accommodation for Pharmacology, particularly mediators of inflammation was strengthened, and undergraduate laboratories. The Department now also its clinical applications. The Department occupies much of the ground floor of the Blackburn succeeded in attracting much new research Building, and part of the ground floor and all of funding, particularly from government sources but level 2 of the Bosch IB building, but has far also from other grant-giving sources, and a outgrown its office and research space as noted by significant number of collaborative research a series of departmental reviews. projects with industry and other institutions have Owing to ill health, Thorp retired at the been established. The number and quality of beginning of 1975. Associate Professor Diana senior research personnel in the department has Temple was appointed Head of the Department greatly benefited both research and teaching, and continued in that position until a new although the expansion

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