Two pharmacy practice researchers have won five-year fellowships from the National Health Service under its national research and development career scientist award programme.
Dr Carmel Hughes (pharmacy practice research group, Queen's University school of pharmacy, Belfast) and Dr Karen Hassell (drug use and pharmacy practice research group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Manchester) have won two of the six national awards announced under the scheme.
Commenting on the awards on June 27, Professor James McElnay (chairman, heads of the schools of pharmacy) said: "Two national awards out of six coming to the area of pharmacy practice research clearly reflects the maturity that research in this area has now reached."
Mrs Christine Glover (President, Royal Pharmaceutical Society) added: "These awards mark a significant watershed in the development of pharmacy practice research."
Dr Susan Ambler (head of practice research, Royal Pharmaceutical Society) told The Journal: "Five year fellowships are rare in any field of academia and to have secured two in what is an emergent area of pharmacy signifies a major change of gear for pharmacy practice. They demonstrate that pharmacy can, and will, compete at a national level for significant funding for individuals, as well as projects, and show that pharmacy practice is an area worthy of research investment by schools."
Dr Hughes is to investigate joint working between community pharmacists and general medical practitioners relating to the rational use of medicines; Dr Hassell intends to investigate the pharmacy workforce.
NHS career scientist awards provide the applicant's salary, plus £5,000 for research costs and £1,000 for courses and conferences each year for five years.