MEDICINES MATTER At of , we pride We are ranked in the top 20 for Pharmacy The desire to ourselves on our teaching and research and Pharmacology in the UK1 and more achievements. We offer an exciting and than 85% of our research output is rated as take medicine innovative curriculum that integrates internationally excellent or world leading2. professional practice with strength in Our strength in research feeds into our is perhaps science. We use a variety of teaching teaching and enables our students to methodologies to deliver the curriculum, develop problem-solving skills and a deep the greatest making extensive use of electronic learning understanding of how research impacts all feature which platforms, and podcasting our lectures. Our areas of health. This provides you with the specialist pharmacist Teacher Practitioners skills fit for becoming a future leader in an distinguishes keep the course relevant and our staff are ever-changing pharmacy landscape. man from friendly, enthusiastic and creative. animals. Dr Katrina Bicknell William Osler, Physician Head of Reading School of Pharmacy 1849-1919 www.reading.ac.uk/pharmacy

1 11th in the Guardian University Guide for Pharmacy & Pharmacology, 2019, and 20th in the Complete University Guide for Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 2019. 2 Research Excellence Framework, 2014 – Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.

www.reading.ac.uk/pharmacy

WALKING

But for Catherine it didn’t end there. THE WALKHer determination to help her students have a greater understanding of their patients’ challenges has been further Catherine enhanced by the introduction of an Inter- Langran professional Learning Symposium. Catherine worked as a medical admissions Students have the opportunity to talk and anticoagulant pharmacist before to elderly patients and then get to moving into the Education and Training experience for themselves the everyday arena at Frimley Park – and got difficulties these patients face. the bug for teaching. For example, by wearing visual In 2011 she joined the University as a impairment glasses, students can Senior Teaching Fellow in pharmacy empathise with how challenging simple practice. “As soon as I arrived at Reading, tasks can become – like reading a I knew there was something I needed to medicine label, filling out a hospital bring to the course – and that was more menu or simply finding the toilet. hands-on experience of real-life patients. By putting on bariatric suits Training workshops and simulations are (which simulate being overweight) and useful, but nothing can beat the movement-restricting elderly simulation real thing.” suits, students discover how hard and True to her vision, Catherine launched stressful it can be for some people to the Healthy Living Assessment (HLA) get back up after experiencing a fall. later that year. “Today, empathy with the problems After training and competency tests, Year that patients face is paramount to 4 students are able to undertake a Healthy any would-be pharmacist,” Catherine Living Assessment on real patients. This summarises, “and there is no substitute entails performing a series of diagnostic for real, hands-on experience – which is tests to calculate the possible risk of something that I am determined every heart disease. They also consult with pharmacy graduate from Reading School the patients and discuss their lifestyle of Pharmacy walks into work with.” (such as diet, exercise regime and alcohol consumption) enabling them to give evidence-based healthy living advice.

system diseases and their causes. charity and industry, academics are Developing more By mimicking features of healthy human helping to improve healthcare. At brains and brains affected by Alzheimer’s Reading, our particular strengths include relevant human in vitro disease, Angela’s work aims to identify neurobiology, cardiovascular disease, models of disease can help Dr Angela and test life-changing new drugs. crystallography, nanomedicine and health service innovation. us to better investigate the Bithell She also brings her research to her Try to imagine a dish that thinks it’s teaching. You might learn with her during Reading School of Pharmacy is also one underlying causes. As such, a brain. If you can, you can seriously your MPharm or BSc Pharmacology of the University’s key supporters of they may also help to identify start thinking about working studies and could be offered the equality. In fact, Angela leads the School’s alongside Dr Angela Bithell. opportunity to carry out your final Athena SWAN programme, promoting new therapeutic targets year research project alongside her the careers of women in science, and test pharmaceutical As a lecturer in Stem Cell Biology and have your name published on any technology, engineering and mathematics and Regenerative Medicine in the resulting research papers. (STEM), as well as Diversity and Inclusion drug candidates. Pharmacology division, her research in higher education. has led to the development of 3D Research within Reading School of ’brain network’ models in vitro. Pharmacy as a whole spans a broad “The result is a nice working environment, spectrum from study of molecules free from obstacles. We make sure that The in vitro models have been specially and chemistry, through formulation, both staff and students are aware of created to help us build a better diagnosis and pharmacology, to everything that’s in place to support them.” understanding of central nervous patients. With funding from government, JOURNEY INTO

Physician Associates (PAs) are medically Samantha just like all our trainee trained professionals who work alongside PAs was taught by various MEDICINEother healthcare roles helping to diagnose healthcare professionals, such as patients, formulate management plans consultants and registrars, from the and, ultimately, make a real difference Royal Hospital. in patients’ care. The role was first “The placements and guest lectures introduced into the NHS in 2003 really helped my career prospects. recruiting PAs trained in the USA. My neurology placement sparked Quick to see the potential of this new role my interest the most. I find the The world of healthcare The working with brain so fascinating.” local NHS trusts and the Royal Berkshire is changing, and patient Samantha now channels her Hospital developed a postgraduate fascination of the brain into three needs are changing with it. programme to train PAs in the UK and is clinics at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. one of the first institutions to introduce Physician Associate’s have She runs a headache clinic, a nerve a new integrated master’s programme conduction clinic for patients suffering an integral and fundamental in physician associate studies (MPAS) from nerve problems in the upper allowing students to study to be a PA role to play as an integrated, limbs, and a Botox clinic for patients with straight after A-levels. neuromuscular disorders affecting the frontline, generalist clinician. Samantha Bautista was in the very first face and neck. We are educated, trained cohort of PAs at Reading, graduating from Alongside her three days a week at the our PGDip programme in 2017. She is now and equipped with the skills RBH, Samantha works with Dr Richard thriving in two roles for the NHS, splitting Perry – a GP and Lecturer on the PA and competences needed her time between jobs at the Royal programme – at his local Practice, and is Berkshire Hospital and a local GP surgery. to provide excellent patient Health Education England PA Ambassador “It is an exciting new way to practice Regional Lead for the South, helping to medical care. The role is medicine. When I visited the University promote the role of the PA to colleagues both varied and rewarding, of Reading, I got a strong sense that they in the NHS and prospective students. were really enthusiastic and passionate and is certainly an exciting about this new role in the NHS.” profession to enter. GROWING

However, I was also delighted to be able to HOPE maintain formal links with the University of Reading, where I had the chance to flourish as a scientist and contribute Professor tangibly across a diverse range of work.” Ben Whalley Ben is evidence that a Pharmacy degree can lead to various opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to step sideways and Our graduates have careers in explore a new opportunity.” These are industrial pharmacy, community the words of Professor Ben Whalley – pharmacy, government and regulatory a pharmacist turned academic turned bodies, hospital pharmacy, education company director – whose own circuitous and research, and medical writing. career path is proof that there is more Employers from many of these areas than one route for a registered pharmacist. of practice attend the School’s annual Ben has been guided by his need to find careers fair, making it a good event challenge, surprise and satisfaction in his for finding work placements and work. While working as an independent job opportunities. locum pharmacist in the 1990s, he According to recent data, 100% of became interested in neuropharmacology. Reading School of Pharmacy graduates Ben sought a PhD opportunity and when are in work or further study within six he finished his postgraduate studies, he months of graduating.1 The numbers joined Reading School of Pharmacy. Here, speak for themselves, but what makes he led a research programme focused on Pharmacy graduates so employable? cannabis-derived medicines, particularly Ben has his thoughts: for the difficult-to-treat forms of epilepsy. In 2017, Ben took up the post of Director “Pharmacy provided me with a skillset of Research for GW Pharmaceuticals, and a mindset that I have always found a global leader in pioneering novel valuable in my roles. From the rigour therapeutics from the cannabis plant. of scientific thinking, through to the ability to consider the context of non- Ben’s work along with other members of clinical drug development, pharmacy the Pharmacology group resulted in FDA provides an incredibly diverse yet robust approval of a cannabidiol (CBD) containing foundation on which to build a career.” medicine. This research was recognised by the international community through The placements and experiential the prestigious James Black Award for learning that you receive as part of your Drug Discovery in 2019. undergraduate degree are an opportunity to explore many of the different avenues “This was a unique opportunity to develop you can take with a pharmacy degree. the drug I worked on for so many years.

1 Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 2016-17. SNAKEBITE

Why do we take the drugs that we do to Snakebite venoms are made of proteins/ ANYONE?cure diseases? How do they work and how peptides that induce bleeding or blood are they processed by the body? If you clotting and neurological defects. are passionate about scientific research, Dr Vaiyapuri is working on developing interested in drug development and want a universal antidote that can effectively to make a real difference in life, studying neutralise all venom proteins stored at the pharmacology at university could be local bite site and in the blood circulation, for you. irrespective of which type of snake bit the person. Such drugs could be made available Pharmacology is the science of drugs in tablet form or as a nasal spray and would and their effect on living systems and is not have to be refrigerated, which opens crucial for drug discovery or improving the up the possibility of making treatments effectiveness of existing drugs. available to everyone, even in the most At Reading, Pharmacology is taught remote places. by scientists at the forefront of the Dr Vaiyapuri will be teaching cardiovascular major aspects of Pharmacology. Be pharmacology and clinical toxicology on it neuroscience, stem cell biology or our new BSc Pharmacology programme. cardiovascular pharmacology. He brings the subject to life using his Dr Sakthivel Vaiyapuri’s research research and every year undergraduates focuses on cardiovascular and venom have the opportunity to assist him pharmacology. All his research deals with on his research with molecule tests platelets, the part of our blood responsible and data collection. for clotting and the subsequent wound Studying Pharmacology at an healing processes and managing immune undergraduate level can open the door cells. One of Dr Vaiyapuri most exciting to a diverse career which can have an projects is developing an improved anti impact on a global scale. Our new BSc venom therapy to treat the effects Pharmacology programme aims to provide of snakebites. students with the education, training Considered to be a significant occupational and experience that enables them to health issue around the world, a snakebite work as pharmacologists within the is classified as a ‘neglected tropical disease’ pharmaceutical, or life sciences-related, by the World Health Organization. Globally, industry or academia. it affects nearly 5 million people and causes around 150,000 deaths each year. INSIDE

As well as shadowing pharmacists, Emily from the School, securing placements Emily Jackson went to prison for the to see how it compares with other had an opportunity to work alongside takes effort. TRACKsake of her education. Well, to clarify, pharmacy settings.” other healthcare professionals and to learn she spent two days working in HM Prison “Don’t be afraid to contact as many places Next, she spent four weeks interacting from medicines management technicians, Swansea’s Pharmacy Department – one as possible because, in my experience, directly with customers during her pharmacy technicians and assistant of eight placements that Emily undertook they are always supportive and positive.” placement with Boots, followed closely technical officers. during her MPharm degree. Getting by a week at St Bernard’s Hospital, where Since graduating, Emily has begun her out into the workplace helps students However, it is not only the students who she gained experience of psychiatric pre-registration year back at Morriston put learning into context, which is why benefit from these relationships. During medicines. She then furthered her Hospital in Swansea. MPharm students undertake placements her final placement, Emily supported knowledge at Royal Berkshire Hospital, throughout their undergraduate degree. a hospital pharmacy with an audit and “I feel I’m very well prepared with both University Hospital of Wales, Morriston was directly responsible for a number of theoretical and practical knowledge from HM Prison Swansea was Emily’s first Hospital and Prince Charles Hospital. prescription changes that improved the my time at Reading and am excited to placement. She shadowed the Chief “Placements in such a wide range quality of care for patients. discover what opportunities lie ahead in Pharmacist throughout her daily activities of establishments enabled me to my pharmacy career.” and was trusted to help with controlled It is the outstanding quality of students, make an informed decision about drug stock checks. like Emily, that has helped solidify what area of pharmacy I wanted to long-established, trusted relationships “Learning about prison drug charts and work in for pre-registration. Working between Reading School of Pharmacy and medication was extremely interesting in these environments gave me the healthcare sector. Yet, despite close and it was especially useful to observe real-life experience that can’t be links with industry and strong support the pharmacist-patient interaction learned from lectures.” THE BUSINESS

The NHS needs a new generation of The CBA is very relevant to the current ENDrevolutionary leaders who can think climate and will further my employment outside the box. You could go into prospects. I’m not tied to one area of finance, accounting, or management in pharmacy – I’m able to carry out a clinical other areas within the pharmacy industry role and look into management and – areas you may not realise are open to leadership roles, which the NHS needs.” you. At Reading School of Pharmacy, The CBA helped Kalid understand we fully understand the evolving role organisations and Trusts, and how to of the pharmacist. come up with ideas to improve current All MPharm students will benefit from ways of working. lectures in business and leadership, “I found it extremely interesting and useful. throughout their degree, by the award- It puts you ahead of others. It pushes you winning Henley Business School. In the out of your comfort zone, and I’m really spring term of your third year, you’ll happy I was encouraged to do that. It is an also be offered the chance to invest investment in your future and you can’t in an additional module followed by go wrong with it in my eyes.” an assessment, run in the summer by Henley Business School. Upon successful At Reading School of Pharmacy, you completion of this, you’ll receive a can invest in your future and stand out Certificate in Business Administration. from the crowd with the Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration. Kalid Odweyne, a Reading Pharmacy graduate, embarked on the CBA opportunity to distinguish himself from other pharmacists. “Pharmacy is moving away from modern-day dispensing and becoming more involved with things like managing a local area, commissioning, and finance. STUDY ABROAD Life experience must be lived, not On weekends, she explored Italy’s best learned, and studying abroad can give known cities, including Venice, Verona, you valuable skills and unforgettable Naples and Rome. experiences that are hard to find at I knew this invaluable experience home. This is exactly what happened would allow me to meet new people for Reading School of Pharmacy and learn new things, such as travelling student Sara Morsi. Copyright and trademarks independently and the culture in a © University of Reading, 2019. With a keen interest in culture, history and different country. It would also be a The University of Reading name and logo are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. languages, Sara decided to take part in the useful addition to my CV. I expanded Erasmus+ scheme. During the first term of my scientific skills by trying laboratory Year abroad and placement fees Some courses include an optional or compulsory year abroad her final year, she took her MPharm studies techniques and procedures I might not or placement year. During this year you will only pay a partial to the University of Padova in Italy, carrying have tried had I not gone abroad. fee which is currently set at 15% of the normal tuition fee. Disclaimer Check the website for the latest information: out laboratory research for her dissertation Reading School of Pharmacy has This brochure was issued in 2019 and is aimed at www.reading.ac.uk/fees-and-funding prospective undergraduate students wishing to apply for on Parkinson’s disease. The partnerships listed are correct at the time of publication global links, allowing you the chance a place at the University of Reading (the University) and (Sept 2019). For up-to-date information on the University’s start a course in autumn 2020. The brochure describes “I was excited and a little nervous to travel solo to collaborate with peers from a range partnerships contact [email protected] in outline the courses and services offered by Reading for the first time. The University of Reading of countries. For example, if you study School of Pharmacy at the University. The University makes Where Study Abroad is not a compulsory part of the degree provided great support – they ensured I Pharmacy with us at Reading, you’ll have every effort to ensure that the information provided in the programme, the University of Reading cannot guarantee was settling in well and maintained regular the opportunity to undertake your final brochure is accurate and up-to-date at the time of going that every applicant who applies for the scheme will be to press (Sept 2019). However, it may be necessary for successful. Whilst efforts are made to secure sufficient contact. They also provided financial support year project at one of our international the University to make some changes to the information places at partner institutions, the number of places available via the Erasmus+ grant, which helped fund a partner Universites. presented in the brochure following publication – for and the University’s partners can vary year-on-year. In all example, where it is necessary to reflect changes in practice cases, the University cannot guarantee that it will be possible portion of my living costs in Italy.” Sara has some advice if you’re considering or theory in an academic subject as a result of emerging for applicants to choose to study abroad at a particular research; or if an accrediting body requires certain course institution. Further, certain courses and/or institutions Sara didn’t hesitate to immerse herself in studying abroad: “Embrace the content to be added or removed. To make an informed may require you to satisfy specific eligibility criteria. the Italian way of life. Although everyone opportunity and go for it! There’s so and up-to-date decision, we recommend that you check It can be a competitive process. For further information spoke English in the labs, she enrolled much to learn, not only about the country www.reading.ac.uk/Ready-to-Study for up-to-date on the University’s Study Abroad Scheme please contact information. [email protected] onto an Italian language course, enabling you’re heading to but about yourself too. The University undertakes to take all reasonable steps to Reading School of Pharmacy organises set placements her to engage with the locals over some It’s an unforgettable experience.” provide the services (including the courses) described in for every MPharm student. Additional placements are not good food and gelato. this brochure. It does not, however, guarantee the provision guaranteed and are fully dependent on students securing of such services. Should industrial action or circumstances their own placement opportunities, normally through a beyond the control of the University interfere with its ability competitive recruitment process. The University provides to provide the services, the University undertakes to use all support for those wishing to apply for additional reasonable steps to minimise any disruption to the services. placement opportunities. Reading School of Pharmacy www.reading.ac.uk/pharmacy Ask us a question www.reading.ac.uk/question

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