WINTER 2021
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
THE
FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
HOME SCHOOLED PHARMACY
DIABETES PREVENTION
INDUSTRY LEADERS
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Contents 4 Dean Dr. Neal M. Davies Assistant Dean, Advancement Kieran Andrew MacIsaac Development and Alumni Engagement Officer Ellen Doty Editor Kalyna Hennig Contributors Alyssa Aco Julia Brown Photography Eddy Gaeth Kalyna Hennig Gillian Rutherford Design & Illustration Curio Studio The Mortar & Pestle is published twice per year to keep our community of alumni, students, and faculty connected and informed. As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions, and story pitches to guide future issues. phcomms@ualberta.ca ualberta.ca/pharmacy @ualbertapharmacy @ualberta_pharmacy @UAlberta_Pharm linkedin.com/school/ualberta-pharmacy
Dean’s Distillate
NEWS & NOTES 6
Outstanding Pharmacy Alumna
8
2020 Preceptor Recognition Awards
9
Faculty Notes
20 Pharmacy School from Home Since March 2020, the Faculty has been adapting to a new and uncharted reality: training pharmacy students from home.
FEATURES 22 Are We There Yet?
10 Q&A with the PAA
With Alberta pharmacists practicing
11 Dr. John McNeill appointed Member of the Order of Canada
practice, their roles and impacts are
11 In Memoriam
SPOTLIGHT 12 Firm Foundation
with the world’s largest scope of diverse province-wide. Take a road trip across Alberta to visit pharmacies, and pharmacists, near and far.
28 Diabetes Prevention Associate Professor, Dr. John Ussher,
Pharmacy alumnus David S. Tam
identifies a new class of drugs to prevent
pursued a law degree and landed
or control Type 2 diabetes in obese
a hybrid career in pharmaceutical
individuals.
securities law.
14 Industry Leaders Hear from five alumni of the Faculty working in the pharmaceutical industry making our communities safer and healthier every day.
IN THE MORTAR 17 Q&A with Morgan Bharadia
LOOKING BACK 29 The Dunn Generation Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Ambrose Stewart Dunn, pharmacist and WWI veteran, was the third Director of the School of Pharmacy at the Univesity of Alberta.
32 Over the Counter Alumni
Get to know the newest Clinical
Many of the products in your medicine
Assistant Professor at, and alumna
cabinet or on the shelves of your local
of, the Faculty of Pharmacy and
pharmacy were created by alumni
Pharmaceutical Sciences.
of the University of Alberta’s Faculty
18 Early Warning Signs Research from graduate student Dr. Diva Niaz finds poor medication adherence is a factor to consider when looking for early warning signs of depression.
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
34 Fast Facts 2020
DEAN'S DISTILLATE
Dean’s Distillate
UNSUNG HEROES IN THE WORLD OF PHARMACY
4
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
DEAN'S DISTILLATE
T
HE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS GIVEN US TIME TO PAUSE
that have made my life better. From this book, we aspire to raise funds
and reflect in an epoch of turmoil. As Dean of the Faculty of
from the proceeds to endow a scholarship and bursary.
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, I have seen significant
I hope that we can collectively give back. Our profession has made the
decreases to financial resources available to programs and operations
world so much better, and we should all take considerable pride in this.
at the University of Alberta over the past few years. We have also
Let’s dream big. With your help, we can recognize the many professors
had reductions in academic and support staff to run, administer, and
and people that helped build our Faculty into what it is today that have
teach our programs. At the same time, we have been rolling out the
not been adequately recognized with scholarships or bursaries presented
fruits of our labour—a new Entry to Practice PharmD program with a
in their name; we could also raise funds for a long unmet clinical need in
completely revamped curriculum—and making active and purposeful
our Faculty—a not-for-profit clinic for our trainees and programs; and
quality improvements where possible in keeping with accreditation
we can make the lives of our students and their families better.
standards and criteria. How has this all been possible with significant
You care about this profession and the continuity of our programs,
reductions in budget? Only because of all the people who are dedicated
so I ask you to consider showing your support by purchasing a copy of
to our profession, refuse to be bitter, and choose to care. Despite being
Unsung Heroes in the World of Pharmacy. It’s a perfect birthday, graduation,
squeezed to the limit and pelted with harvests of lemons year after year,
or White Coat Ceremony present, or a kind gesture for a local
we have worked together as a championship team. This year, the lemons
pharmacist you know serving on the frontlines during this pandemic.
have only kept growing larger, more sour, and more plentiful. With the
You will be re-investing in the future of pharmacy at your alma mater
buzzing hornets of Service Excellence Transformation of administrative
and making a difference in an aspiring student pharmacist’s life.
functions and academic restructuring initiatives at the University of
In this anthology, you will read that many innovations in pharmacy
Alberta, our Faculty itself will not remain the same by next harvest season.
came from failure and difficulty. After what I assure you will be an
When I came back to the University of Alberta as Dean, it was to give
inspiring literary and historic journey through our entire pharmacy
back to my profession and Faculty. Now, as the cost of education is going
profession, we can all rejoice and quench our charitable thirsts at our
up, many students are struggling financially to pay for their training
lemonade stand and raise a glass together in recognition of the ripened
and remain in our program. In my own family, my father came from
fruits of our collective philanthropy. Now, that would be sweet!
an impoverished background and grew up missing meals and living in squalor. It was because of academic scholarships, grants, and bursaries
Thank you for having me as your Dean.
that he was able to rise above that immobilization to attend both school and University. I have experienced first-hand the positive impact that a
Sincerely,
scholarship and a bursary can have, generationally, in the life of students and their families. Over three decades, I have been working on a book entitled Unsung Heroes in the World of Pharmacy. It is a 400+ page volume of hundreds upon hundreds of stories of pharmacists—real people, their inventions,
NEAL M. DAVIES BSc(Pharm), Ph.D., R.Ph.
events, and discoveries—that have shaped our entire society. This book
Dean and Professor
is my earnest attempt to further give back to a Faculty and profession
To purchase Unsung Heroes in Pharmacy please go to www.heroesofpharmacy.com
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
5
NEWS & NOTES
Sheila Kelcher
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THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
OUTSTANDING PHARMACY ALUMNA
Sheila Kelcher BY KALYNA HENNIG
When Sheila Kelcher (BSc Pharm 1970) saw a job listing
Kelcher worked as a clinical pharmacist alongside family physicians in the Family Medicine Clinics at the Misericordia and Grey Nuns hospitals. One of her roles in the position saw her take family medicine residents on home visits to discuss patients’ conditions, medications, and challenges. “It was a real eye opener for the residents, because many assumed any time a doctor wrote a prescription, the patients got it filled and they took the medication correctly,” says Kelcher. “As pharmacists
for a male pharmacist upon graduation, she didn’t hesitate to apply.
know, that doesn’t always happen.” On one home visit with a couple,
Her successful application got her a job at Woodward’s Downtown
Kelcher recalled a candy dish in the middle of the coffee table, full of
Pharmacy, where she worked until the birth of her first child in 1974.
multi-coloured pills of all shapes and sizes. The students were stunned.
Ahead of her time, she was asked back and continued to work at
“That position was a catalyst to ensure that physicians understood
Woodward’s Southgate, part-time, after starting a family. Kelcher
what an important role a pharmacist can play in patient care,” says
worked as a community pharmacist at Woodward’s Southgate
Kelcher. “It was the first step into that new era.”
until her retirement in 2012, even after it had closed in 1993 and transitioned to The Hudson’s Bay Southgate Pharmacy. But Woodward’s was just the beginning of a life-long career path full of impactful, and unexpected, positions. Kelcher had an ever-
As the program developed, Kelcher was invited to sit and consult on many committees that provided the groundwork for multi disciplinary teams in Alberta that now include pharmacists. In 2001, Dean Dr. Franco Pasutto, now Professor Emeritus,
growing presence and impact within the Faculty of Pharmacy and
spearheaded an update of the entire pharmacy curriculum to include
Pharmaceutical Sciences, humbly leading the profession of pharmacy
at least one full year of experiential education for students during their
into the future.
degree. He asked Kelcher to lead the curriculum planning process. In
In 1982, Dean Dr. John Bachynsky, now Professor Emeritus,
2004, with Kelcher at the forefront, the new curriculum was approved,
introduced Professional Practice courses to the curriculum to help
and the first pharmacy class of the new program began their studies.
students develop their dispensing, communication and patient
Kelcher says it is the proudest accomplishment of her career to date.
counselling skills. Helen Radchuk, then Professional Practice
“It has been a wonderful career, it really has,” says Kelcher. “The
Coordinator for third year students, invited Kelcher in her role as
funny thing is, I never applied for any of the jobs. I would get asked to
Chair of the Internship Committee to discuss recent curricular
do something, and say ‘sure, why not?’”
changes relating to pharmacy practice. Following the meeting,
In 2008, Dean Pasutto had Kelcher take his place at convocation.
Radchuk asked Kelcher to step in at the last minute as a Teacher’s
It was the first class to graduate from the new curriculum she had been
Assistant for a single class, and ended up offering her the position
so instrumental in developing.
for the remainder of the year. The following year, Radchuk moved
“I stood at the podium when that class convocated, and I shook
on to curriculum development for the first year class, and Kelcher
hands with each graduand,” says Kelcher. “It was very special for me.
took over teaching the third-year Pharmacy Practice class full-time.
I knew them so well. I could acknowledge each and every one of them
By 1991, the Faculty was under a new Dean, Dr. Richard Moskalyk, now Professor Emeritus, who asked Kelcher to sit on the Pharmaceutical Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) as the Alberta representative, and by 1995, she was President and leading the change
by name.” Years later, Kelcher says that her students are still at the heart of her career. “The most rewarding part of it all is meeting my pharmacy students
from a paper exam to an additional practical exam—the Objective
that I’ve taught over the years, and having them remember me and
Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)—which is still administered
be so kind. I feel like over time I did make a difference in a lot of
to pharmacy students at the end of their degrees today. Kelcher helped
people’s lives.”
run the OSCEs at the University of Alberta until her retirement in 2012. In addition to transforming the pharmacy examinations, Kelcher
This year, Kelcher was the recipient of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ 2020 Outstanding Pharmacist Alumni
was also fulfilling a joint position between Pharmacy and Family
Award, which was presented to her at the virtual White Coat &
Medicine at the request of Dean Moskalyk. From 1991 through 2008,
Awards Ceremony in January 2021.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
7
NEWS & NOTES
AWARD-WINNING PHARMACISTS Alberta Pharmacy Excellence (APEX) Awards are peer-nominated and presented by the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) and the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) to recognize excellence in pharmacy practice in Alberta. This year, all 2020 APEX Awards were given to
• Dr. Teri Charrois, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Practice Innovation, for receiving the Mentorship Award. • Lauren Bresee (BSc Pharm 2001) for receiving the Donna Pipa Meritorious Service Award.
University of Alberta pharmacy alumni. Congratulations to:
• Cecilia Lau (BSc Pharm 2000) for receiving the Practitioner Award.
• Taciana Pereira (BSc Pharm 2004), Program Performance and
• Dr. Hannah Kaliel (PharmD 2019) for receiving the Pharmacy
Informatics Director, Alberta Health Services for receiving the Award of Excellence.
Practice Residency Award. • Abanoub Graiss (BSc Pharm 2020) for receiving the Future
• Jenny Wichart (BSc Pharm 1998), Clinical Practice Leader, Alberta Health Services for receiving the M.J. Huston Pharmacist of Distinction Award.
Professional Award. • Rhonda Roedler (BSc Pharm 1999) for receiving the Residency Preceptors of the Year Award.
• The Mint Health + Drugs Franklin Station, including Andrew Noh (BSc Pharm 2014), Pharmacy Manager; Lauren Mark (BSc Pharm 2018), Pharmacist; and Dr. Eva Cui (PharmD 2020), Pharmacy Student for receiving the W.L. Boddy Pharmacy Team Award.
• Dr. Cassandra Cooper (PharmD 2019) for receiving the Resident of the Year Award. • Ginny Cummings (BSc Pharm 2002), Josh Torrance (BSc Pharm 2014), Dr. Rene Breault (Clinical Associate Professor and Director
• Colter Young (BSc Pharm 2016), Pharmacy Manager, Shoppers Drug
of PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists Program), Dr. Teri Charrois
Mart; and Klaudia Zabrzenski (BSc Pharm 2016), ACE Program Lead,
(Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Practice Innovation),
Mint Health + Drugs for receiving Future of Pharmacy Awards.
Dr. Sheri Koshman (BSc Pharm 2000, PharmD), Dr. Jill Hall
Both University of Alberta pharmacy alumni and faculty members
(Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Professional
received 2020 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP)
Programs), and the Edmonton Remand Pharmacy Team for
Alberta Branch Awards this year. Congratulations to:
receiving Recognition Awards for their innovative ways of using
• Dr. Rene Breault, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of
technology to improve efficiency in patient care.
PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists Program, for receiving the Past President Award.
2020 PRECEPTOR RECOGNITION AWARDS Congratulations to
Joanna Cheung
Karen Hagen
Vincent Lee
Bonnie Ollikka
Dr. Mikhail Surgent
our preceptors that
Sheldon Chow
Ian Hamilton
Daniel Leung
Bonnie Peyto
Carmen Tetrault
received awards:
Dr. Doson Chua
Sean Hanson
Marianna Leung
Inna Podilsky
Michael Tiet
Terry Allen
Aaron Chy
Sadia Haque
Roy Li
Andrea Romain
Kenneth Tong
Beverly Ang
Ashley Davidson
Roy Hassan
Craig MacAlpine
Rahul Sahajpal
Jaime Turnbull
Katelyn Archer
Jodi Delday
Karen Hee
Joanne Mah
Jennifer Schadek
Trevor Vanderfluit
Shamas Arshad
Anupreet Dhillon
Rachel Heisler
Anahita Malek-Zadeh
Jennifer Schroeder
Amanada Visscher
Margaret Batz
Natosha Eccles
Leah Hodgins
Carly Maxwell
Gisele Scott-Woo
Denise Wilson
Greg Bendera
Karim Elghazouly
Melissa Hozack
Dr. Pat Mayo
David Segatto
Bruce Winston
Raj Bharadia
Dean England
Kendra Huculak
Daniel Melenchuk
Krunal Shah
Kathleen Woloszyn
Belinda Boschee
Natasha Ettrich
Kevin Jacobson
Neire Monteiro
Farooq Shamshad
Debora Wong
Jillian Breen
Leah Fahlman
Michael Johnson
Nathaniel Morin
Randy Sloan
Chris Wynnyk
Tara Bruneski
Nicola Gale
Dmytro Kachenyuk
Dana Moynihan
Varun Solanki
Hannah Yu
Dr. Tammy Bungard
Eric Gaudet
Denise Kultgen
Zak Murakami
Gerard Spytkowski
Linda Zouboules
Cassie Charlesworth
Tom Gieni
Jennifer Lam
Binh Nguyen
Richelle Stewart
Bill Cheredaryk
Anil Goorachurn
Michelle Lee
Tony Nickonchuk
Alma Steyn
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THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
NEWS & NOTES
FACULTY NOTES Dr. Dion Brocks, Professor and
Dr. Sherif Mahmoud, Clinical Associate
Associate Dean of Programs, was
Professor, was inducted as a Fellow
named a Great Supervisor, an award
of the Neurocritical Care Society
from the Faculty of Graduate Studies
(FNCS) in September 2020. The
and Research, to celebrate the
Neurocritical Care Society recognizes
dedicated work of graduate student
exceptional service, neurocritical
supervisors at the University of Alberta.
care program development, academic
He was nominated for his demonstrated
excellence, scholarship, leadership
superb supervisory skills and
and professionalism in the field
collaboration with graduate students.
of Neurocritical care. Additionally,
Congratulations to Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Practice Innovation, Dr. Teri Charrois, on receiving her Doctor of Education (EdD)
Congratulations to PhD student, Ahmed Darwesh Essa, on being awarded the
DR. JESSICA BUHLER Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Buhler (PharmD 2020) on receiving the Alberta
Neurocritical Care Society Presidential Citation and was the recipient of the Neurocritical Care Travel Grant. Dr. Cheryl Sadowski, Professor, was
in December 2020!
ACP PAST PRESIDENT AWARD
Dr. Mahmoud received the 2020
awarded her Certified Health Executive designation this year.
2020 Izaak Walton Killam Memorial
Dr. John Seubert, Professor, along
Scholarship, the most prestigious
with his project co-lead, Dr. Gavin Y.
graduate award administered by the
Oudit (Professor, Faculty of Medicine),
University of Alberta. Every effort is
received a Canada Foundation for
made to honor the criteria set out in the
Innovation (CFI) grant entitled “The
will of Dorothy Killam, whose desire it
Human Explanted Heart Program
was that those awarded scholarships
at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart
and fellowships be likely to contribute to
Institute: A Translational Bridge for
the advancement of learning or to win
Cardiovascular Medicine and Drug
distinction in their profession.
Development.” They also received the
Congratulations to Janice Kung, Health Sciences Librarian, for receiving tenure. Congratulations to Assistant Clinical Professor, Tara Leslie, on receiving her Masters of Education (MEd).
provincial matching funds from the Alberta Government EDTT program. According to a recent Stanford study, Dr. Raimar Loebenberg, Professor and Director of the DDIC, Dr. Dion Brocks, Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Affairs,
Congratulations to Dr. Tatiana
College of Pharmacy (ACP) Past President
Makhinova, Assistant Professor, for
Award for her work as President of the
being selected to be a member of the
Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association
Editorial Board of Research in Social
(APSA), which was presented to her at
and Administrative Pharmacy starting
ACP’s virtual Celebration of Leadership
January 1, 2021.
Dr. Fakhreddin Jamali, Professor Emeritus, and Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar, Professor, are in the top 2% of biomedical scientists in the world in their disciplines.
event in December 2020.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
9
NEWS & NOTES
Dr. Kasia Babyn
Q&A with the PAA
WORK FROM HOME WITH KASIA: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PHARMACY MASTER’S STUDENT
BY ALYSSA ACO Working on your master’s degree is challenging
rest of the time working on some aspect of my
What drove you to get a master’s
enough, but what does it look like when you
research work and addressing the feedback
degree in pharmacy?
throw a global pandemic in the mix?
received in the meetings and reviewing any
The biggest driver was the opportunity to
The PAA checked in with Dr. Kasia Babyn
email responses.
challenge myself in a new way. The style of
(PharmD 2020), currently researching cannabis use in women experiencing menopause, for a glimpse into what it’s like to be a master’s student in Pharmacy Practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is your daily schedule like while
3pm-3:30pm: Stress that I didn’t get enough
learning is completely different from that of
work done for the day and start making a
pharmacy school, and I have had the chance
new to-do list. I also clean and organize my
to apply my own creativity to designing a
desk space.
research project in a very interesting, up and
3:30-5pm: Wrap up the day’s work by sending final emails to keep my supervisor and other research team members informed on
coming area!
What excites you about your research?
working at home?
my progress.
Cannabis is a “blazing” hot topic in research
I used to head to the university to work, but I
What is the biggest change in your
am fortunate that I can do most of my work
opportunity to contribute to the growing
routine since the pandemic began?
knowledge on this subject area, going directly
from a computer, which made the transition to working at home pretty easy. 9am-10am: Enjoying a cup of coffee while answering emails. 10am-12pm: Work on current project tasks— right now that is survey development and writing a proposal and abstract—and prepare any materials for upcoming meetings. Soon I
I had to restructure my process of data
and identify future research needs. I hope to
interviews with my study participants, which
take part in the future development of clinical
we then decided was not feasible in light of the
resources that healthcare professionals can
pandemic. I had to shift back to the planning stages and come up with a new data collection strategy that was suitable for these times.
Favourite work-at-home snack?
to write my thesis or manuscripts.
Hands down, it has to be popcorn! But an honourable mention would be the unlimited
my cooking skills and making delicious home-
amounts of coffee just steps away in my
cooked meals for lunch! I also take my dog,
kitchen. I’ve stepped up my game and use
Mia, on a quick walk.
freshly ground beans to brew a few cups of
1pm-3pm: Zoom meetings. Then I spend the 10
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
to women to have them share their experiences
collection. I intended to do in-person
will be transitioning to mainly using this time 12pm-1pm: Take a break. I have been flexing
right now. I am really excited for the
coffee a day. That counts as a snack, right?
use in practice to help patients make informed decisions on cannabis use.
Want to give a shout out to any fellow alumni who inspire you daily? My graduate studies supervisor, mentor, and fellow pharmacy alumna, Dr. Nese Yuksel (BSc Pharm 1988, PharmD). Without her support and encouragement, my project would not have been possible!
NEWS & NOTES
Dr. John McNeill appointed Member of the Order of Canada Congratulations to alumnus, Dr. John McNeill (BSc Pharm 1960, MSc 1962, PhD 1967 [from the University of Michigan]), who was appointed as a Member (C.M.) of the Order of Canada in November 2020 in recognition of his ground-breaking research into the links between cardiac disease and diabetes. The Order of Canada—established in 1967—is one of the highest honours awarded to Canadian citizens and is presented annually by the Governor General in recognition of significant service to the nation.
IN MEMORIAM We honour those who have passed. JOHN MURRAY MACPHERSON BSc Pharm 1951 April 2019
THEODORE WILFRED PARADIS BSc Pharm 1951 April 2020
KATHLEEN (KAY) YAWORSKI BSc Pharm 1958 May 2019
BORYS A FERBEY BSc Pharm 1953 April 2020
ASTRID USTINA BSc Pharm 1952 June 2019
LAURIE HAY HEULE BSc Pharm 1979 April 2020
EDGAR PATRICK STILES BSc Pharm 1956 January 2020
GORDON ANDREW MCNAUGHTON BSc Pharm 1951 July 2020
CLIFFORD IRVINE FRENCH BSc Pharm 1965 January 2020
ELIZABETH ANN MATHESON BSc Pharm 1963 August 2020
NESTOR IVAN WOROBETS BSc Pharm 1958 January 2020
DENNIS NICHOLAS STRILCHUK BSc Pharm 1951 September 2020
MALCOLM ALLISTER MACKAY BSc Pharm 1952 February 2020
CLYDE MACDONALD BSc Pharm 1958 September 2020
To those who have experienced the loss of loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our hearts are with you. Please know that the pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences community stands in solidarity with you and will continue to put the health of our communities first, through making safe choices, staying home, advocating for
ANASTASIA KATHERINE NIMCHUK BSc Pharm 2006 February 2020
the following of health regulations and protocols, and researching for a cure. We are so sorry for your loss.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
11
SPOTLIGHT
David S. Tam
“My law career would not have been as fulfilling had I not gone through pharmacy first.”
12
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
SPOTLIGHT
Firm Foundation BUILDING A LAW CAREER ON PHARMACY
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather—who owned
his future in pharmacy. There, Professor Dr. John Bachynsky, now
and operated pharmacies in Southern China and neighbouring countries
Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Pharmacy, introduced him to
after WWII—University of Alberta alumnus, David S. Tam (BSc
Leslie Dan, founder of Novopharm, now Teva Canada Limited. Dan
Pharm [with distinction] 1985, LLB 1989), chose pharmacy to begin his
introduced his projects, personally took Tam on a tour of the facilities,
educational journey.
and spoke of the need for generic manufacturers in Canada and globally.
But even during pharmacy school, Tam’s attention was held by the
Later on as part of class work, Dr. Bachynsky had Tam’s
stock market and public companies, an interest he developed in his early
pharmaceutical history paper on Merck Frosst’s Dingbat Calendars
years reading about business stories and the Canadian establishment.
submitted and published in the Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal.
After completing his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with the
“They published it as the cover feature for the month of December
Class of 1985, Tam worked in retail pharmacy in Edmonton for a year
in 1985. It was very cool,” says Tam. “I was only 22 years old and
before returning to the University of Alberta Faculty of Law to get his
was invited to give a presentation on my paper at the Canadian
law degree. During law school, and even after being called to the Bar of
Pharmaceutical Association Annual Convention in Quebec City.”
Alberta, he continued to work as a licensed pharmacist for a number of
There, he was also invited to meet with Mr. Frosst in Montreal.
years.
“The experience was invaluable and immeasurable,” says Tam.
“I would never say that pharmacy was a stepping stone,” says Tam. “I
“I didn’t plan to be both a pharmacist and a securities lawyer and
think it turned out to be quite a niche path—perhaps more of a bridge—
work in both sectors. I never would have imagined it,” says Tam. “But
which I didn’t even know existed until I was pondering it in hindsight.”
working with the professors on their research projects in conjunction
When the time came, his early interest in business led him to choose securities law for his legal practice, which involves raising capital to take
with their business plans are the best projects I’ve had.” Now, after 33 years at Parlee McLaws LLP, Tam has lost count
companies public and building them from the ground up. Over a period
of the number of public company listings he’s worked on, but will
of time, Tam started working on files pertaining to pharmaceuticals and
always cherish the projects from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of
the biotechnology sectors.
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Science, and more.
“My work initially involved more corporate and commercial law with some securities matters, and then I focused on building up my securities practice,” says Tam. “What did happen, which was very interesting, is I
When he takes on new clients, he says he yearns for a connection back to the pharmaceutical sciences. “I just love the biotech and science part of these companies, which is
started meeting up with various professors to help them raise capital and
making our world hopefully a better place, in our progress of science,”
take their companies public.”
says Tam. “I think having this pharmaceutical knowledge and basic
Tam has worked on listing a company, Discovery Acquisitions, with late fellow alumnus Dr. Ronald Micetich, former Adjunct Pharmacy Professor, who is best known for discovering Tazobactam with the
science background permits me to speak a lot better with respect to creating value in a company.” Tam says that he believes if you are open and positive about the paths
Japanese company Taiho Pharmaceutical, which is still marketed
you encounter in your career, you will attract the people who will make
worldwide today. He has also worked on taking Cold FX public with
and seize opportunities with you. But you have to be willing to work
Drs. Peter Pang and Jacqueline Shan from the Faculty of Medicine, as
earnestly and tirelessly.
well as worked with his former Professor Dr. Antoine A. Noujaim, which resulted in his name on a patent because of their shared work. “Dr. Noujaim was quite the entrepreneur,” says Tam. “He was one of the guys that inspired me to become more philanthropic. Just seeing him
“I think a person can go into any field or career and say, ‘this is what I want out of it’. But, it’s more of going into it with ‘what can I contribute during my career?’,” says Tam. “You aren’t trying to get one thing for yourself, it’s about sharing something great together.”
in action, discussing science, and knowing him as a mentor and friend
Tam says he would not have enjoyed his education more than at the
was very inspiring. His business was brilliant and he instilled in me the
University of Alberta. “I look back and can say that it sure wasn’t easy
spirit of giving back to the community.”
for me academically, but my law career would not have been as fulfilling
One of the highlights of Tam’s pharmacy program was the annual
had I not gone through pharmacy first.”
Toronto and Montreal industry trip where he got a first-hand tour of
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
13
SPOTLIGHT
INDUSTRY LEADERS
FORGING A PATH IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES INDUSTRY Alumni of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences work in industry across the world, making our communities safer and healthier everyday. We asked five of them about their roles in the pharmaceutical industry today, how their education at the University of Alberta helped prepare them for their careers, and what advice they would give to someone just starting out.
DR. LAUNA ASPESLET
CEO, Translational Research in Oncology (TRIO); Chair of the Board of Directors, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) Dr. Launa Aspeslet (PhD 1994) oversees global clinical research trials in oncology for TRIO, a clinical research organization focused on cancer treatments. TRIO is a service provider for small biotechs all the way up to large pharmaceutical companies. At any one time, TRIO is managing over a dozen clinical trials.
as though it will be there one day. Being part of the development of this drug from the time it was basic research in the lab, then seeing it go into clinical trials, and building the team needed to get it there was a great experience. In my current job, I am proud that I can contribute to trying to find a cure for cancer and to making patients’ lives and their families’ lives better along the way. Cancer research has been a field I have been passionate about, even before I began working in this area. I feel lucky that TRIO found me and honored to lead such an amazing organization.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting out in their career? Be confident. We all gain a lot of knowledge in university, but I believe that one of the most important things we learn, especially in a PhD program, is to think. All through university, you learn to think and perhaps without even knowing it. So even if you go outside of the area in which you have done in your degree, you’ve been given that all important tool. You need not limit yourself to looking for a career based on
How did your training at University of Alberta prepare
exactly what you studied in school. It’s just a matter of being confident
you for your career?
and saying, ‘Yes, I can do this. I have been trained not just on specific
My training at U of A gave me both the science background and
knowledge, but to think, to learn, and to solve problems.’
the ability to be a critical thinker. My research was focussed on
ROSEMARY BACOVSKY
neurochemistry and antidepressants, but gaining that solid science background and the understanding of how pharmaceuticals work in the body—learning about pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics—is applicable to what I do now. That knowledge can be taken and applied to any drug. Understanding the science behind a drug serves as a strong foundation and additional level of insight as a drug enters the clinical trial process.
President, Integra Consulting Ltd. Rosemary Bacovsky (BSc 1974, BScPharm 1977, MPharm 1985, MHSA 1997) provides
What is the proudest accomplishment of your career so far?
a custom consulting service
I feel like I have had two careers so far. I had a career within a local
with Integra Consulting Inc.,
biotech, Isotechnika Pharma, for 17 years. I have a lot of pride in the
focused on pharmaceutical
work that I did there. Though the drug is not yet on the market, it looks
policy and economics, drug
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SPOTLIGHT
plans, reimbursement, non-physician prescribing and pharmacy
Corrigan’s team is responsible for running studies for first
issues. Her clients include the health and pharmaceutical
in human, drug interactions, and special populations, and
industries; federal, provincial, and territorial governments;
translating information around safety, efficacy, and toxicology
governments of other countries; regional health authorities; and
to inform dose selection. He says that the job plays an important
international health consulting companies. Most of Bacovsky’s
role in informing prescribers and patients around dosing, even
current activities involve preparing expert witness reports and
for drug labels decades old as science advances.
testifying in federal court proceedings on drug plans and policies.
How did your training at University of Alberta prepare
How did your training at University of Alberta prepare
you for your career?
you for your career?
My pharmacy degree really provided the groundwork for understanding
My education in pharmacy and health administration enabled me to
clinical application, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and a lot of the core
work in policy at Alberta Health and to manage its drug programs.
sciences that we use within the pharmaceutical industry. Without that,
This experience forms the foundation for my consulting today.
you can’t really play an important role in this industry.
What is the proudest accomplishment of your career so far? I was one of the early advocates to expand the scope of practice for Alberta pharmacists, including independent prescribing and injecting drugs and vaccines. The resulting legislation in 2007 provided Alberta pharmacists with the most comprehensive scope of practice in Canada, if not the world.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting out in their career? Determine what you want in a career and work to that goal, but be flexible, as you may change your direction many times and ways. In 1988, after working for 10 years in hospital pharmacy, I wanted a change. I determined that ultimately, I wanted to remain in health care, preferably with a pharmacy focus, to enjoy my work, to be respected for my work, to be paid well and to have the flexibility to travel. Consulting
My PhD was focused on pharmacokinetics, which is really what we focus on in clinical pharmacology. That training allowed me to understand the concepts in more detail and actually apply them. Understanding the core science behind clinical pharmacology allows me to apply the scientific method in all of our work. That is at the core of what we do in drug development: have a hypothesis and see if it works by designing the right studies to answer the relevant questions.
What is the proudest accomplishment of your career so far? In our role, what most people don’t realize, is that one can go through their career and never have any medicines they work on come to patients. I have been very fortunate to work on a series of medicines that have come to patients in the neurosciences. Seeing a drug approved and help patients is exciting. It gives me a reason to wake up every day excited to get to work.
would meet these criteria. I determined I would need an MBA and
What advice would you give to someone who is starting
government experience. Therefore, I obtained a Master in Health
out in their career?
Services Administration and worked for Alberta Health for six years,
Follow your passion, especially in the realm of sciences. You may not
including a year as Director, Pharmacy Services, before starting my
see a career path in it right away, but I think if you are true to what you
consulting company in 1996.
love doing, you will find a way. And don’t be afraid to reach out to others
DR. BRIAN CORRIGAN
when you are thinking about your career and trying to figure out what
Global Head of Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Dr. Brian Corrigan (BScPharm 1989, PhD 1996) oversees clinical pharmacology for Pfizer—the world’s second largest pharmaceutical company. In a year, his group
to do. I think you have to keep a curious mind, learn, and ask questions about what other types of career opportunities there are for you.
”Follow your passion, especially in the realm of sciences. You may not see a career path in it right away, but I think if you are true to what you love doing, you will find a way.”
will perform more than 50 clinical trials in clinical pharmacology. THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
15
SPOTLIGHT
DR. JOHN GRUNDY
Vice President of Nonclinical Development & Clinical Pharmacology at Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors of DTxPharma, and
STARR GRUNDY
Co-founder of SD Scientific Inc. Dr. John Grundy (BScPharm 1990, PhD 1996) and Starr Grundy (BScPharm 1990) got married six months after they graduated from the pharmacy program at the University of Alberta and worked for a time as pharmacists. Since then, each of them has grown their skills and made a splash in the pharmaceutical industry. John currently oversees all of the human clinical pharmacology studies—any study with healthy human volunteers— nonclinical toxicology, and pharmacokinetic studies for Arena Pharmaceuticals based in San Diego, California. He is also the co-founder and member of the board of directors of DTxPharma, which launched three years ago to create novel RNA-based therapeutics to treat the genetic drivers of disease, and has already grown to more than 15 employees. When he has time leftover, John also consults for other pharmaceutical companies. Starr Grundy has been running a consulting company—SD Scientific Inc.—for the last 15 years, doing medical writing and
What is the proudest accomplishment of your career so far? John: Founding DTxPharma and seeing its continued success. We started this biotech company a little over three years ago, and at that time the three founding partners had no experience in launching a new pharmaceutical development business and obtaining the necessary funding to support it. Being able to utilize my education from the University of Alberta, and experiences working for other pharmaceutical companies, and putting all this into co-founding a small pharmaceutical company has been a huge highlight of my career to date. Starr: For me it is co-founding SD Scientific. That, and being able to transfer my expertise into veterinary medicine.
medical affairs for companies big and small. For the last three
What advice would you give to someone who is starting
years before 2020, she was also a senior director at a veterinary
out in their career?
pharmaceutical company running their veterinary affairs
John: Be willing to take chances. Think broadly. Be aware and
department.
take advantage of good opportunities that may come your way.
How did your training at University of Alberta prepare you for your career? John: The pharmacy principles and all the basic science that I learned— medical chemistry, pharmacokinetics, biology, an understanding of commercially available drugs and their pharmacology and other properties—are all the things I use on a day-to-day basis. Beginning as a pharmacist and dispensing drugs to patients, and then moving into the pharmaceutical industry where new drugs are developed and commercialized has been fun, because you see both sides. Having an understanding of how therapeutic drugs are used, and what’s required to get a new drug developed and commercialized, gives you an appreciation of what it takes to create and dispense new medicines that benefit patients’ lives. Starr: The undergraduate degree made it much more possible for me to learn everything to do with medical affairs and be able to write and understand literature, which has given me the advantage over people with other educational backgrounds in this field.
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THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
Over my career I have done a variety of things, worked for various pharmaceutical companies, and met many talented individuals who I have learned from. At each place I worked, I have always learned something really valuable. This includes embracing potential new roles and responsibilities, working collaboratively with colleagues and teams, encountering a different focus or being involved with different technologies, and taking on various challenges. All of that will help you grow as an individual, scientist, drug researcher/developer, entrepreneur, and as a pharmacist. For me, it’s been very rewarding to try different things. Starr: I agree, be open to new opportunities. Also, try to identify a mentor—somebody who you aspire to be—and develop that relationship early on, because they can certainly help you navigate those choices. The second thing is never giving up a networking opportunity. Seek those out.
Morgan Bharadia
IN THE MORTAR
with Morgan Bharadia
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Get to know Morgan Bharadia
working towards my PhD in the Department
to address complex issues within pharmacy
(BSc Pharm 2015, RPh, PhD[c]),
of Medicine.
practice. Wherever possible, I also integrate
newest Clinical Assistant Professor, and alumna, of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. When did you start working at the Faculty? I started facilitating in the practice skills labs
my expertise on natural health products and
What is your area of research? My current area of research is on the use of natural health products (NHPs) in patients
What do you enjoy most
potential NHP-related adverse events and
about working at the Faculty?
NHP-drug interactions.
From the beginning of my work in the Faculty, one thing that really stood out to me was the
Why did you choose your area of
2015, and started guest lecturing soon after
research? Why is it important to you?
of Science in Pharmacy students’ program was starting, and I was fortunate enough to take on the role of coordinator for a course that focused on the use of evidence in pharmacy practice, which I coordinated for the next three years. In the Fall of 2019, I was officially hired in the Faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor, which has now turned into a full-time role.
Before you were at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta, what were you doing?
my teaching.
with cancer, including the identification of
in my final year of the pharmacy program, in graduating. In 2017, the PharmD for Bachelor
medication management in older adults into
As a pharmacy student, I was inspired by one of my professors at the time, Dr. Candace
collaborative nature and team-based approach. As I was used to working very closely with a clinical team on the hospital wards, this was something I was really looking for in a career.
Necyk. After discussing her own research in one of our classes, I was really intrigued and wanted to know more about the use of natural health products in our patients. After reaching out to her she introduced me to other
Having the ability to work closely with others really fosters an environment that is supportive, motivating and innovative. And it has been vital during the pandemic!
researchers in this area, including my current
What part of your work are
PhD supervisor! This research is important
you most passionate about?
because it provides clinicians information
Working in the healthcare field, I am extremely
and tools to assist with meaningful patient
passionate about caring for patients. I have
conversations about natural health product use
been privileged to work in a field where I
and therefore, impacts patient safety.
can impact patient care from many angles – through my clinical pharmacy practice,
Well, often I feel like I never really left. And,
What do you teach at the Faculty?
honestly, I didn’t! But, before I had a full-time
A large part of my role is teaching, facilitating
position in the Faculty, I was working as a
and coordinating in the Patient Care
hospital pharmacist at the Royal Alexandra
Skills courses. These courses give students
Hospital in Edmonton. I primarily worked on
opportunities to apply knowledge and develop
the geriatrics and stroke teams. Shortly after
the skills required to care for patients through
getting my Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
case-based learning and patient simulations.
here at the U of A, I also started graduate
I also teach within courses, in both the
studies on a part-time basis. I am currently
Entry to Practice PharmD and PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists, on applying evidence
research, and most importantly, by working with students. The students in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are the future of the pharmacy profession and of healthcare as a whole. The time I get to spend working with them, learning from them, and seeing them grow and flourish into professionals always reminds me “why I do what I do.”
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
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IN THE MORTAR
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THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
IN THE MORTAR
Early Warning Signs MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND DEPRESSION
BY GILLIAN RUTHERFORD (Originally published by Folio)
While completing her graduate degree, Dr. Diva Niaz (PharmD 2019, MSc 2020) got to combine her passions for research and clinical work, so when it came time to find a thesis topic, it was natural that she found inspiration from her interactions with patients. “That’s the beauty of working in a community pharmacy—you’re
GOOD COMMUNICATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL Dr. Niaz, who also did her undergraduate degree at the U of A, works as a registered prescribing pharmacist and plans to continue supporting
helping individuals manage their chronic conditions,” she said. “I
research. She said her degree will help her be more innovative and
noticed that some patients diagnosed with diabetes required more
adaptive as she stays on top of developments in her profession.
followup and I was curious to know whether their drug adherence patterns could serve as a clue for other risk factors, such as depression.” Dr. Niaz examined Alberta Health administrative data between 2008
“Part of being a pharmacist is lifelong, continuous learning to provide the most up-to-date information for patients,” she said. “My own research gives me the confidence to be able to provide evidence-based
and 2018. Of 165,056 individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and
recommendations based on being able to understand and distinguish
prescribed an oral medication, 10.5 per cent also received a depression-
rigorous studies.”
related service within at least one year. By determining adherence to
Dr. Niaz said she was fortunate to have two thesis supervisors:
multiple oral diabetes medications using a “proportion of days covered”
Dr. Candace Necyk, a clinical associate professor with expertise in
calculation, Dr. Niaz was able to analyze whether these individuals had
mental health, and Dr. Scot Simpson, a professor with expertise in
poor adherence.
diabetes research.
“Symptoms of depression may persist for a long time before actually
She also credited her family’s support as a motivation for her studies.
being recognized and diagnosed,” Dr. Niaz said. “We found individuals
Her family emigrated from Russia when Dr. Niaz was nine years old.
with depression were more likely to have poor medication adherence in
Trained as a doctor, her mother, Latifa Niaz-Stadelman, now works
the year prior to their diagnosis compared to those who did not have a
as a massage therapist in Canada. She has always stressed the value
depression diagnosis.”
of education and hard work to Diva and her brother, Kambez Niaz.
Dr. Niaz’s findings showing that monitoring how people with Type 2
Coming full circle, Dr. Niaz said the biggest lesson she will take
diabetes take their medication may provide clues to their mental health
away from her research is how important it is to develop a relationship
were recently published in an academic journal.
with patients and be able to use screening tools to intervene when
“This could flag pharmacists and other health-care professionals to intervene sooner and improve medication adherence, in hopes of preventing future negative clinical outcomes for these individuals.”
appropriate. “Previously, I was mostly focused on explaining each medication and providing detailed information on what to expect or what to monitor for when using the medication during counselling sessions,” she said. “Now, I also take the time to assess whether individuals understand the
“Part of being a pharmacist is lifelong, continuous learning to provide the most upto-date information for patients. My own research gives me the confidence to be able to provide evidence-based recommendations based on being able to understand and distinguish rigorous studies.”
importance of the dose, and I try to create an opportunity for them to communicate how they are taking their medications.” “Patients who have a good relationship with their health professionals are likely more comfortable to ask for help when they need it, and health professionals may also pick up on when someone’s motivation or interest in managing their chronic conditions changes.”
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
19
IN THE MORTAR
HOME SCHOOLED P H A R M ACY THE REALITIES OF LEARNING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC On March 17, 2020, students at the University of Alberta were sent home as the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic came to Edmonton. Students, professors, and staff in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences had to quickly adapt to a new and uncharted reality: students needed to complete their pharmacy training at home.
L E CT U R E S Lectures are delivered remotely and are a mix of live sessions via video conferencing and pre-recorded sessions made available to students on an online portal.
COMPOUNDING LAB P R ACT I C E S K I L L S L A B
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THE MORTAR & PESTLE
Compounding kits have been sent to students’ homes, including capsule fillers,
Students work through practice
mortar and pestles, spatulas, bottles, jars,
skills lab activities in a mixture of
and syringes. Some exercises have been
live and recorded formats on their
redesigned with harmless components
own, in pairs, and in small groups
such as starch and dyes, but still show
of 4-8 with lab facilitators. Patient
the student the importance of proper
simulations and interactions are
techniques. Additionally, a computer
still occurring with lab facilitators
simulation lab for compounding has been
and small groups using video
introduced. Students learn about drug
conferencing, and lab materials
absorption and formulation factors, and
are sent to students’ homes as
how this relates to the drug performance
needed. So far, supplies sent
in the body. This software is supported
home include Naloxone kits,
by a world-leading software company
incontinence supplies, and diabetes
and can show students how industry is
supplies, including insulin pens
assessing drugs when they develop new
and glucometers. Students practice
formulations—it’s the same software used
using these tools in small groups
by the FDA to simulate data submitted by
and with simulated patients.
companies.
IN THE MORTAR
E V E N T S A N D A CT I V I T I E S
IN-PERSON TRAINING
Students and staff have continued to plan and execute events
Injections training must be done in-person and is currently
and activities, virtually. The annual student Pumpkin Carving
being planned for the Winter 2021 semester. If safe to do so and
Contest and Gingerbread House Contest were hosted virtually.
dependent on public health restrictions, students will be split
Students carved pumpkins in October and decorated gingerbread
into small cohorts to attend live sessions that include injecting
houses in December at home and submitted photos to be judged
each other to assess competency.
by staff for prizes. The Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association is also working hard to host Career Night, Blue and Gold, and Pharmacy Awareness Month events virtually in the spring of 2021.
EXAMS Midterms and final exams are written online using the Pharmexam software, along with an online proctoring software
R O TAT I O N S
called Smart Exam Monitor (SEM). This allows students to write exams on their own devices at home, while being virtually
Students have continued on placements during the pandemic.
supervised. Lab exams are a mixture of written examinations,
The practice of pharmacy has had to adapt during the COVID-19
that answer questions based on patient scenarios presented in
pandemic, and students are getting first-hand experience with
text or video simulation format, and live grading in a patient
this, helping patients with guidance and supervision from their
simulation with a lab facilitator using video conferencing. Final
preceptors. The health and safety of our students is of paramount
practice skills exams will include a patient interaction with
importance, so while they are learning in the “real world�, they
standardized patients via video conferencing, where students
are also abiding by all provincial public health orders related to
will determine what is going on with the patient and find the
the pandemic.
best solution.
STUDENT SERVICES All regular student services are available to students remotely, including access to student advisors, faculty advisors, and faculty administration via video conferencing, telephone, and online chat. Student Services has been working hard to provide
B AC K TO C A M P U S
additional services to students at this time that focus on mental
At this time, the University of Alberta has extended its primarily
health, including online seminars with special guest speakers, like
work- and school-from-home mandate until April 30th, 2021.
Dr. Ganz, a registered psychologist who focuses on managing
This is subject to extension at any time based on the state of the
stress and work/study-life balance.
pandemic and health regulations.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
21
FEATURES
ARE WE THERE YET? Take a road trip across Alberta to visit pharmacies near and far BY KALYNA HENNIG
With Alberta pharmacists practicing with the world’s largest scope of practice, it’s no surprise that their roles, and impacts on patients’ lives, are diverse province-wide. Take a journey through Alberta and read about the unique lives of our pharmacy alumni and how they are making their communities a better place everyday. And if you are ever in the neighbourhood, stop in to say hello!
1
“I love it. Everyone knows all the pharmacists in town, as the population is only about 7000. Even so, I can work from here and have a significant impact on pharmacy practice across the province.”
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FEATURES
1
Peace River
“I get to practice in a community that is so amazingly diverse. Having such a broad scope of practice in Alberta makes it that much easier as a professional to improve access to care and break down archaic health care barriers that serve no benefit to our patients.”
PEACE RIVER COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
Tony Nickonchuk (BSc Pharm 2006), Drug Utilization and Stewardship Pharmacist with Alberta Health Services, oversees drug utilization evaluations and stewardship on the policy side of healthcare. During the pandemic, that includes drug-use forecasting for critical care drugs for COVID-19. By evaluating historical utilization in the system, the needs of critically ill patients, and the infection rates across the province, the amount of drugs needed can be predicted and the risk of running out of key drugs can be avoided. His stewardship role involves managing the AHS formulary, which means doing a full review of the evidence for a drug, as well as the its
2
Edmonton
MEDI-DRUGS MILLCREEK
potential cost implications, when requests are made for an addition of a drug to formulary. Although Nickonchuk’s background is in clinical pharmacy, he says he loves how his responsibilities and interests have been able to change in the field during his career. “I can find new paths to follow, all within the world of pharmacy,” says Nickonchuk. “I was a community staff pharmacist for two years, then a community pharmacy manager for six, then a hospital pharmacist for five and a half, and now I am in this position. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
As the owner of two independent pharmacies, Aileen Jang (BSc Pharm 1983) spends her days ensuring her team has the tools they need to succeed and provide optimal care to their patients. After 37 years as a community pharmacist, she says she loves that her pharmacies are an integral part of the community. “Our patients rely on the pharmacy for help and information and sometimes just some TLC,” says Jang. “We treat everyone that comes in the way we would want to be treated.” Over the past few years, her Millcreek store—which has served its community for over 20 years—has established itself as an ally in the LGBTQ+ space, thanks to its pharmacy manager, Dr. Dylan Moulton (PharmD 2019). Dr. Moulton met Jang when she was his preceptor during his fourth
2
year PharmD rotation at the Medi Drugs Clareview location. There, he completed a non-clinical pharmacy project to “revitalize” the Millcreek location, which included creating a business plan to implement some policy-based changes that would support a more inclusive space for all patients. By the end of the rotation, Jang was enthusiastic about the prospect and hired him to facilitate the program upon his graduation. Now, the pharmacy works closely with The Centre—Edmonton’s new 2SLGBTQ+ Wellness Centre—that is adjacent to the Millcreek pharmacy. Dr. Moulton has made himself indispensable to The Centre with his skills, knowledge, and willingness to help. “Medi Drugs Millcreek strives to be a pharmacy that not only respects a patient’s identity but communicates in a way that shows appreciation and celebration of diversity,” says Dr. Moulton. “We work with our patients to support holistic wellness outcomes in an interprofessional setting with shared values and streamlined services.” One of Dr. Moutlon’s favourite professional tasks is injection training with gender diverse patients. He says sharing such an empowering and long-anticipated moment with another person, like their first hormone injection, is a gift. THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
23
FEATURES
3 “Being a pharmacist in Rocky Mountain House is rewarding. Our patients are extremely appreciative for our care as we take the time to work with them on their health goals. We are a rural community, so we have the opportunity to really get to know the people we have the privilege of helping.”
3
Rocky Mountain House
EVERGREEN CO-OP PHARMACY
The pharmacists at Evergreen Co-Op Pharmacy, including pharmacy manager Leanna St. Onge (BSc Pharm 1995), are engaged in their community. They work closely with local physicians, nurses and other health care professionals and are assessing patients in a variety of areas regarding their medication needs day to day. St. Onge can be found trying to keep up with management paperwork, as well as stepping in to support pharmacy staff with patient assessing for new prescriptions, creating formulas for new compounds, or performing injections. She also has extra training in hormone concerns and anticoagulation, and other pharmacists on her team focus on cardiac concerns, smoking cessation, and vaccinations. Evergreen Co-Op Pharmacy is also the only pharmacy in town that does specialty non-sterile compounding. “We truly assist and inspire each other to provide the best care possible,” says St. Onge. “We make it a priority to do team building events, and these really help us to understand each other and to maintain our excellent working relationships.” She says she has never once said ‘I don’t want to go to work today.’
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5
FEATURES
4
Red Deer
RED DEER REGIONAL HOSPITAL CENTRE, UNIT 33
Red Deer Regional Hospital is the largest hospital in the Central
plays a significant role in the medication management of acute stroke
Zone of Alberta, and with 370 acute care beds, it is the sixth largest
patients, especially with secondary stroke prevention.
hospital in Alberta. Daniel Leung (BSc Pharm 2017) works as an
optimizing antithrombotics, antihypertensives, lipid-lowering agents,
unit there and, because of the hospital’s size, sees a wide variety of
antihyperglycemics, and smoking cessation in collaboration with the
patients ranging in acuity and complexity.
neurologist. He also works to optimize medication administration for
Leung’s unit consists of general internal medicine patients as
dysphagic patients as well as manage acute stroke complications such
well as a dedicated acute stroke and neurology service, and includes
as venous thromboembolism, post-stroke seizures, and infections.
two pharmacists—one covering the medicine patients and the
In addition, the team plays a role in assessing and optimizing
other covering the neurology patients. The multidisciplinary team
pharmacotherapy for general neurology patients such as those with
also includes a neurologist, nurse, physical therapist, occupational
seizures/epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
therapist, speech and language pathologist, and dietician. As the
4
Leung focuses primarily on vascular risk reduction with
acute inpatient hospital pharmacist on a neurology and medicine
“It’s clear that pharmacists are respected and valued within
pharmacist caring for the medicine patients, Leung collaborates
the hospital, and the staff—both pharmacy and otherwise—are
with the physicians in optimizing the patients’ acute and chronic
incredibly supportive of each other,” says Leung. “There is a lot
medications, therapeutic drug monitoring, and antimicrobial
of camaraderie within the team.”
stewardship. When he is on the acute stroke/neurology team, he
5
Calgary
SANDSTONE PHARMACIES
Sandstone Pharmacies is based in Calgary and operates about 20
smoking cessations or geriatrics, and to make sure the rest of the
locations across Alberta, from Hythe down to Medicine Hat. In his
team understands and utilizes the professional resources Sandstone
leadership role, Bruce Winston (BSc Pharm 1985), Co-founder and
has developed within the group.
President of Sandstone Pharmacies and President of the Alberta
“I feel honoured to be a part of this noble profession,” says
Pharmacists’ Association, is responsible for the overall management
Winston. “Aside from our obvious role in medication management,
and financial controls of the company and to execute on the strategic
I think pharmacists play a vital role in chronic disease management
plan that the board of directors sets down.
for complex patients. Pharmacists are in a unique position as
Sandstone Pharmacies has a central fill service for its own group
frontline health care professionals in that we can help our patients
of pharmacies, filling both blister packs and strip packaging, a full-
to avoid becoming overwhelmed with information they are receiving
service compounding pharmacy, including sterile compounding,
from multiple sources, like specialists, primary care physicians, allied
that has been upgraded to meet the current standards, and a clinical
health practitioners, laboratory results, and more. Within a care plan
team to service seniors’ lodging and personal care homes. Winston
process, pharmacists can work with their patients to achieve agreed
says it is important to him that he supports individual pharmacists’
to goals of therapy. My satisfaction comes from supporting my team
areas of interest too, whether that is travel, diabetes, respiratory,
in achieving individual successes with their patients.”
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FEATURES
6
High River
NUAID PHARMACY INC.
NuAid Pharmacies Inc. are clinical medical pharmacies situated inside medical clinics across Alberta, including High River and Calgary. On top of their in-clinic work,
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they offer mobile services for their patients, including flu shots, COVID-19 tests, and delivery and counselling services at home. As Vice President of Operations, Ali Oonwala (BSc Pharm 2002) says that in each community, building relationships with patients and neighbours, and learning more about them, are the highlights of pharmacy practice.
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Lethbridge
CHINOOK REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Karen Hagen (BSc 2001, MSc 2003, BSc Pharm 2014) spends most of her time on the stroke and peritoneal dialysis unit at Chinook Regional Hospital. She assesses stroke secondary prevention as well as post-stroke depression and traumatic brain injury behavior management. The pharmacists on her team split dispensary and clinical duties. When Hagen is on clinical days, she attends multidisciplinary rounds and, once a week, participates in neuro/stroke rounds.
“Being a pharmacist in Lethbridge is fantastic! Our team is supportive, our managers are amazing and we know all of our doctors on a first name basis -- and often run into them at the mall or grocery store!”
“I really like being able to make a difference for my patients,” says Hagen. “I was able to be involved in the pharmacotherapy management of a patient with a traumatic brain injury who made significant improvements and was able to go to a brain rehabilitation unit partly because of our interventions. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than that.”
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FEATURES
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“While you’re in town, visit Rob and Melissa’s brewery, Travois Ale Works, which celebrated its third anniversary in November!”
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Redcliff
REDCLIFF PHARMASAVE #304
At Redcliff Pharmasave, Rob Hozack (BSc Pharm 2001), Pharmacy
in this industry under Melissa’s leadership—her 1100 patients
Manager, oversees the dispensary, and routinely does care plans
have lost over 43,000lbs through the past seven and half years. Together, Rob and Melissa are respected members of their
and follow-ups, injections, training on naloxone, flu shots, and asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. He is well known in the
community when it comes to providing naloxone kits and training,
community for going the extra mile to make sure patients get advice
flu shot clinics, epipens for local school districts, and teach
and medication at all hours of the day or night, even if it means
regularly at the Medicine Hat College in both business and nursing
coming in at midnight. Not to mention, the pharmacy is also well
presentations, the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank Baby & Me
known as the biggest board game supplier in town with a unique
functions, the Women’s Shelter, and the Nurture Pregnancy Center. “We love that we can work together every day, bounce ideas off
selection of British foods, drinks, and candy! Also available at the pharmacy is a low carbohydrate, therapeutic
each other as to how we can make our pharmacy a health destination
nutrition protocol to help deprescribe or decrease medication for
for every aspect of our patient’s lives,” says Melissa. “We love that
patients, run by Melissa Hozack (BSc Pharm 2001). Her patients
pharmacists are among the most trusted professionals and that we
are consultation-based only, and she sees them on a weekly basis—
can assist in so many aspects of people’s lives. We love what we do.”
virtually, during the pandemic. Redcliff Pharmasave #304 is a leader
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
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FEATURES
DIABETES PREVENTION
Dr. John Ussher
mice that had this enzyme but they maintained healthy blood sugar control and weren’t getting
A NEW APPROACH
diabetes,” he said.
BY GILLIAN RUTHERFORD (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY UALBERTA NEWS)
muscles’ ability to burn ketones as a fuel
A University of Alberta scientist has identified
“This suggested to us that if you prevent
Dr. Ussher’s laboratory focuses on how
a drug that can prevent diabetes in obese
the process of gaining weight can cause
individuals by interfering with the way
malfunctions in the body’s ability to burn fuel
the muscles metabolize ketones. Dr. John
for energy. While much research has focused
Ussher, associate professor in the Faculty of
on the three fuels found in food—fat, sugar
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and
and protein—there is a fourth source of fuel
Canada Research Chair in Pharmacotherapy
produced by our liver—ketones—that are less
of Energy Metabolism in Obesity, recently
well understood.
published findings that show pimozide—a
Dr. Ussher pointed out that ketones are
drug originally prescribed to treat Tourette’s
produced by the liver during fasting or
syndrome—inhibits an enzyme that is key for
starvation, when following a low-carb or
the metabolism of ketones and is elevated in
“ketogenic” diet, or when diabetes interferes
people with obesity-induced diabetes.
with the function of insulin to metabolize
“We know that worldwide more than 600 million people are clinically obese with a BMI
carbohydrates. “When you’re starving or fasting and
(body mass index) greater than 30,” said Dr.
you have low sugar, the body compensates
Ussher, who is also a member of the Alberta
by having the liver burn fat and turn it into
Diabetes Institute. “These individuals are at a
ketones, which can be metabolized by the
greatly increased risk for diabetes, particularly
brain,” Dr. Ussher said.
source, that might be an exciting new way to treat diabetes with a potential new drug that can improve blood sugar control.” Next, the lab used computer-aided molecular modelling to search databases and identify potential drugs that might inhibit the enzyme. Once they found pimozide, they treated diabetic mouse models with the drug and found their blood sugar levels improved. Dr. Ussher said inhibiting ketone metabolism represents a new approach to treating diabetes that could be used in combination with existing therapies that act on insulin. The next step will be to move to testing in humans. Pimozide is known to cause sideeffects including drowsiness and dizziness, so Dr. Ussher’s lab will pursue the development of new drugs that inhibit ketone metabolism without side-effects.
Type 2 diabetes, and for various heart diseases.
Dr. Ussher’s laboratory first used genetic
“If we can fix the way our body burns this
tools to isolate the major enzyme responsible
on this technology, which is being
fuel, then we can reduce the risk of diabetes
for ketone metabolism and then turn it off in
commercialized with the assistance of
and heart disease in people who are obese, and
animal models.
its newly formed Technology Transfer
improve their quality of life,” Dr. Ussher said. 28
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
“Those mice gained weight just like regular
The U of A has filed a provisional patent
Services office.
LOOKING BACK
LCol Frank Dunn
The DUNN GENERATION
He set off for England on June 2, 1916, and was promoted to Temporary Captain shortly after his arrival on July 1, 1916. Dunn was injured in battle as he travelled from the 89th Battalion 35th Horse on transfer to the 9th Battalion on October 17, 1916. After he recovered, he reverted back to a temporary rank of Lieutenant for the purpose
1923-1943
of proceeding to France on May 15, 1917. In France, Dunn became
BY EDDY GAETH
subsequently a Lieutenant with the 10th Infantry Battalion Canadians
the Sergeant-Major of the Canadian Field Ambulance and then (The Fighting 10th). He was wounded during direct combat on August
Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Ambrose Stewart Dunn was born on
15, 1917, at Hill 70 at Loos, France. At the time of his injury, he was
February 26, 1887, in Deal, Kent, England. He spent his early years at
Second-in-Command of B Company.
Sir Roger Manwood’s school in Sandwich, England, and then attended
Dunn was sent to England to recover on September 6, 1917, and while
London University. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
in convalescence, he became Captain, and then Adjutant, of the 21st
and was also a member of the Imperial Officer Training Corps during
Reserve Battalion in Bramshott, England. It was at Bramshott, where he
his five years of study.
was teaching, that he met the daughter of Colonel and Mrs. O’Farrell,
Dunn immigrated to Canada by himself in 1911 and spent just
Miss Kathleen Grace Patricia O’Farrell, who soon after became his wife.
enough time in Toronto to obtain his Pharmaceutical Chemist (PhC)
O’Farrell and Dunn were married on November 9, 1917, and on
designation from the Ontario College of Pharmacists. He then moved
January 17, 1918, he left Bramshott for the Imperial Adjutants School
west to Alberta and became a dispenser for the Findlay Drug Company
at Cambridge where he studied and taught while still in the Canadian
of Calgary from 1912-1914.
Military. This led to an appointment on December 19, 1918, to the
On January 12, 1915, he enlisted as a Staff Sergeant with the No. 1
Headquarters Staff of the Canadian Educational Services in London
Field Ambulance Depot in Calgary. He was promoted to Sergeant Major
where Dunn was put in charge of military administration. It was here
on July 13 of that year, and became Lieutenant of the 89th Battalion on
where Dunn met the first President of the University of Alberta, Dr. Col.
November 1, 1915.
Henry Marshall Tory, who was on leave from the University of Alberta at “Khaki University.” THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
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LOOKING BACK
The education of overseas Canadian military forces was being
In 1925, Dunn was finally promoted to Professor and Director of
organized and planned by Dr. Tory who became President of Khaki
Pharmacy, Materia Medica, and Toxicology of the School of Pharmacy.
University in 1917. Khaki University was a place that enabled war
That same year, there was a petition to award the PharmB designation to
veterans to continue their education while serving in the army at the end
diploma students, as this was being done by other universities at the time
of World War I. Dunn was officially appointed Adjutant to the Khaki
to elevate the diploma status of the program. This petition was carefully
University of Canada on December 19, 1918, and on June 19, 1919, he
reviewed, however, a PharmB was never implemented or conferred in
became the temporary Captain and Adjutant of the Khaki University.
Alberta. In 1926, the degree program remained at four years with an
After the demobilization of military troops occurred on September 25, 1919, Khaki University was shut down and Dunn returned to Alberta with his wife and began operating a pharmaceutical laboratory in
improved form of the diploma program to be issued after the two-year licentiate course. The depression years of the 1930s slowed the pace of development and
Edmonton. The laboratory was named after his wife—
growth all over the country, but the standard of student efficiency was
Patricia Pharmacal.
improving at the Pharmacy School. By 1935, as academic requirements
It was shortly after his return that Dunn joined the staff of the School
became more rigorous, full Grade 12 matriculation was required to
of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta. He remained a faculty member
enter the pharmacy program and only two years of apprenticeship of the
for the next 23 years (1919-1942), making great strides and setting new
licentiate (diploma) course. At this time, the four-year degree program
standards during his long tenure. He worked as a Lecturer of Pharmacy
was also reduced to three years.
his first year on staff, adding a course in toxicology his following year,
During his time at the University, Dunn remained active with
and he was promoted to an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy from
Canadian Officers Training Corps (COTC), and he rose to Major, and
1921-1924. On December 14, 1923, the current Director of the School,
then to Lieutenant-Colonel with the University of Alberta Contingent of
Professor Gaetz, died suddenly, and Dunn stepped in as Acting Director.
the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps. The Company Quarter-Master
Pharmacy Under Director Dunn
Sergeant was Mr. J. Randy Murray who was on the pharmacy faculty. During the 1934-1935 term, the command of the unit, which included Professor Dunn as Commander in Chief, changed hands to Lieutenant-
When Dunn became Acting Director in 1923, there was significant consternation amongst the pharmacy students who were requesting that
Colonel Strickland. At the time, Professor Dunn decided to take a year-long sabbatical
they be educated in business skills. As a result, a course in accounting
and journeyed to China. He was very interested in Chinese herbal
was added to the curriculum (it was dropped in 1937 due to the
medicines, receiving a Master of Science from the University of Alberta
course being too much added work for students). The following year,
for his thesis entitled: An Investigation of Chinese Materia Medica in 1931.
a committee from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences was appointed to
He spent time at both Lingnan University on Honan Island in Canton
review the pharmacy apprenticeship program with the Educational
Province and Sun Yat Sen University while in Hong Kong. There is a
Committee of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association. The regulation
record of Professor Dunn leaving Hong Kong on September 12, 1935,
respecting apprenticeship in the BSc Pharm course was not changed at
and returning to Victoria on October 8, 1935, travelling first class on
that time.
the cruise liner Lxion.
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LOOKING BACK
He penned an emotional farewell letter to the students:
During his absence, Dr. Arnold “Whit” Matthews—who had spoken on the education of the pharmacy apprentice at the 1935 Canadian Pharmaceutical Association (CPhaA) Conference—stepped up and showed his academic leadership as Acting Director of the School of Pharmacy. Mr. William D. Goldberg was appointed as a Graduate Assistant. Professor Dunn returned to the helm of the School in 1936 and decided to add a course instructing the pharmacy students in Veterinary Materia Medica. Dr. P.R. Talbot VS MDV, a veterinarian, was hired to teach the course. The School of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta was the first program in Canada or the USA giving such courses in veterinary medicine to pharmacy students. By 1936, the School of Pharmacy boasted a state-of-the-art drug manufacturing plant. It included cutting-edge equipment such as a Wiley Mill and percolator and a steam jacketed evaporator that was
School of Pharmacy, I wish On the 25th anniversary of the last class of students at the to say to my twenty-third and enjoyed knowing you. And University of Alberta that I have always be very happy ones. I my recollections of this class will pleasant and successful, at any trust that your futures will be rate, after the war is over. as I do, I am confident that In the meantime, knowing you ch of His Majesty’s Forces, many of you will join some bran are freshmen, juniors, or as soon as possible, whether you d is facing the worst crisis in its Graduating Students. The worl t do your bit to help win this history at present, and you mus any of you. war or there will be no future for well message, but I appreciate This may not be a cheerful fare and feel it is my duty to pass it the seriousness of the situation on to you. Good-bye and good luck, Yours very sincerely,
used for liquid preparations. There was also a Eureka Tablet Machine, used primarily for aspirin tablet production, and an ointment mixer and smoother consisting of a rotating drum and separately moving vertical
F.A. Stewart Dunn, Lt-Colonel y Director of the School of Pharmac
arms that made preparations bought by the University Hospital. In fact, the majority of ointments, pills, etc. used by the University Hospital were produced in the School of Pharmacy laboratories. Tough financial times and shrinking budgets were offset by the School of Pharmacy generating revenue through Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. In 1938, jurisdiction over degree students in pharmacy was transferred
Remembering Professor Dunn
back to the Faculty of Medicine as it had been prior to 1917. It was
Professor Dunn was known as a warm-hearted chap and for his
suggested that special courses for hospital pharmacists might be
authentic nature and high standard of efficiency with students. He
provided, including X-Ray and Pathology. Professor Dunn felt it was
was also well-respected by his peers. His issues with alcohol, which
time that the pharmacy program included postgraduate courses, and
ultimately led to his dismissal, may have been due to his years in active
a committee was set up to examine this in depth. A report was created
military service and what we would now recognize as post-traumatic
in 1939 that proposed setting up post-graduate courses in Bacteriology,
stress disorder.
Pathology, X-ray, and Biochemistry during the summer months. In 1940, the University of Alberta records indicate that Whit
He passed away May 23, 1960, in Edmonton at the age of 74, leaving behind his wife and no children. He never returned to England,
Matthews and Professor Dunn were still the only two permanent
becoming estranged from his British family, and he never claimed his
staff teaching the entire curriculum with Louis Rudolph assisting as a
share of the inheritance of his father’s estate and trust after his death
Sessional Instructor.
on July 12, 1939.
In 1942, Professor Dunn was present for the 25th Anniversary
The Dunn Room in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
celebration of the School of Pharmacy. He was not known for his
Sciences is a permanent reminder of his contributions to the
temperance towards alcohol, and after 20 years at the helm, he was
establishment of Pharmacy education in Alberta and the great challenges
unceremoniously dismissed.
that were overcome through the war and the Great Depression.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
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LOOKING BACK
OVER THE COUNTER ALUMNI PRODUCTS CREATED THROUGH THE YEARS Have you looked in your medicine cabinet lately? Many of the products in there, or on the shelves of your local pharmacy, were created by alumni of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Since the School of Pharmacy’s opening in 1914, many spin-offs and products have emerged from its hallowed halls and pupils, including these eight over the counter treatments.
George’s Cream In 1997, a local dermatologist and western Canada’s harsh weather inspired George Doherty (BSc Pharm 1965) and Skip Gibson (BSc Pharm 1965) to concoct a skin cream treatment for chapped hands, cracked feet, and itchy legs. In 1998, they incorporated George’s Cream Inc. for lasting dry skin relief. George’s Cream is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, and does not contain urea, lanolin, or parabens.
Helikit In the mid-1990s, Dr. Robert Foster (BSc 1979, BSc Pharm 1982, PharmD 1985, PhD 1988) developed and obtained regulatory approvals for a commercially available breathalyzerbased diagnostic test for stomach ulcers that byspasses the need for a biopsy. Though he sold Helikit in 2006, it is still sold around the world today.
Lipsorex Previous Professor, Dr. James Rogers, who has since passed on, founded J.A.R. Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and in 1992, developed Lipsorex, which he licensed to Vexco Healthcare and was further licensed by Ceapro. Lipsorex promotes the healing of cold sores, prevents infection, and offers quick relief of pain and itching.
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LOOKING BACK
Vicks Formula 44 & Intermezzo Alumnus Dr. Nikhilesh Singh (PhD 1986) is the primary inventor on the international patent for Vicks Formula 44 for long-lasting dry cough relief. He also invented and spearheaded the development and FDA approval of the middle-of-the-night insomnia drug, Intermezzo.
Techamex®
ProFlexa
Faculty psychiatrist and researcher,
Previous Professor, Dr. Yun Kau Tam co-founded SinoVeda Canada
Dr. Kevin Morin (BSc Pharm 1991, PhD
Inc. in 2006 along with his wife Dr. Nuzhat Tam-Zaman (PhD 1996).
1997, MD 2001), created Techamex®, a
SinoVeda’s consumer health portfolio includes ProFlexa™, a botanic-
chamomile extract, which was made
ally based topical cream to relieve muscle and joint aches and pain.
available on the Canadian market in 2018. It is an apigenin-containing product with Health Canada approval as an over the counter sleep aid and for anxiety.
SMHeartcard In 2019, Dean Dr. Neal Davies (BSc Pharm 1991, PhD 1996), along with Dr. John Mackey (MD 1990), James Stewart (MEng 1989), and cardiologist Dr. Ian Patterson, created SMHeartCard. SMHeartcard™ aims to reduce the time between the onset of heart attack symptoms and a patient’s access to a combination of Nitroglycerin (NG) and Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)—commonly known as Aspirin—that work to break down clots, open up the blood vessels, and help restore blood flow. The credit card sized pill holder holds four tablets of ASA and three of NG, ensures the stability and performance of the drugs over time regardless of the environment, and eliminates the need for patients to carry around large bottles of medication.
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy
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FAST FACTS
FAST FACTS 2020 STAFF MEMBERS
ALUMNI
5,868
Living Alumni
36 Faculty
14 Support Staff
4,597
Living Alumni in Alberta
PRECEPTORS
686+ Preceptors
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 129
Class of 2021
PPP 72 PharmD
for Practicing Pharmacists Students
128
Class of 2022
GRADUATE STUDENTS
135
Class of 2023
139
Class of 2024
13 26
MSc Students
23
PhD Students
Countries represented by Grad Students
RESEARCHERS
4 Research Associates 34
11 Research Technicians
THE MORTAR & PESTLE | WINTER 2021
10 Post-Doctoral Fellows
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heroesofpharmacy.com
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Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2-35 MSB, University of Alberta 8613 - 114 Street Edmonton AB T6G 2H7 phcomms@ualberta.ca ualberta.ca/pharmacy