Bachelor of Pharmacy to be Available Across Tasmania

Media release – UTAS, 29 June 2022

Pharmacy study fast-tracked across Tasmania from 2023

For the first time, students wishing to pursue a career in pharmacy will be able to study on the north-west coast and in Launceston from 2023.

The new fast-track Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours program will be available state-wide next year, increasing access and opportunity for students while helping to meet future workforce needs in the regions.

The new distinctive three-year undergraduate degree program is the first of its kind in Australia.

“Previously, students would have to travel to Hobart to undertake the Bachelor of Pharmacy undergraduate degree program,” Professor Glenn Jacobson, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, said.

“The expansion of the new undergraduate program across Tasmania provides vital local opportunities for people to pursue a career in pharmacy.

“Students will be able to study and participate in local work-integrated learning opportunities which are distinctive to Tasmania.”

Professor Jacobson said career pathways for pharmacists continued to evolve. From community pharmacy, to leading the rollout of life-saving vaccines to communities and driving innovations in aged care medication management, pharmacists have opportunities to have a positive impact in people’s lives.

“There is a shortage of pharmacists in the workforce, especially in the regions,” he said. “Pharmacists play such an important role in communities as part of primary health care teams.

“Our graduates go on to pursue a range of careers including in community pharmacies and hospitals.

“There are also new career opportunities emerging, where there is an increasing need for higher clinical skills in health workforces including aged care facilities and integration of pharmacists in emergency departments and general practices.”

University of Tasmania Cradle Coast campus Pro Vice Chancellor Jim Cavaye said he was excited about this announcement.

“This is part of our continuing push to establish more start to finish courses in the north-west for regional people to access. Adding Pharmacy to the list is a great addition to our existing offerings,” Professor Cavaye said.

“We know that students who study in our region are more likely to seek jobs locally after they graduate, which serves to benefit the community for years to come.”

The new degree program is unique in Australia, as it is the only current undergraduate Pharmacy program which allows students to complete the full degree in three calendar years. This is achieved by using a trimester model instead of the traditional semester approach. Typically, undergraduate pharmacy degree programs are four years in duration.

Media release – Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Tasmanian Branch, 29 June 2022

PHARMACY GUILD SUPPORTS UTAS FAST TRACK BPHARM OFFERING IN REGIONAL AREAS OF TASMANIA

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Tasmanian Branch has welcomed the announcement from the University of Tasmania that its traditional four year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree will be offered as a ‘fast tracked’ degree in two new locations, Burnie and Launceston.

Branch President Helen O’Byrne said the Guild recognises the challenges for young people who live in areas outside of Hobart in being able to attend tertiary studies and take specific courses.

“This is a great option for young people from the Launceston and North West Coast regions who want to study pharmacy, to pursue their chosen career without needing to move to Hobart,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Ease of access is a major issue for young people and their families when considering university course options. Having a course available close to home makes the choice so much easier for students and their parents, particularly when the cost of accommodation and living expenses does not have to be factored in.”

Ms O’Byrne highlighted the success of the Nursing degree being offered in Launceston and now Burnie, at the UTAS Cradle Coast campus, and said she hoped that the Bachelor of Pharmacy gains similar interest.

“As pharmacy owners we are actually aware of the current difficulty in finding pharmacist staff,” Ms O’Byrne said. “Making the degree accessible closer to home for students, will help to fill the shortage in the pharmacist workforce across Australia in the future.”

“It’s an exciting time to be in pharmacy – there are so many more opportunities for pharmacists to be practising at their full scope in many varied settings, including community pharmacy, hospitals, aged care and policy roles.”

Ms O’Byrne completed her pharmacy degree at UTAS and commenced her career in Launceston before deciding to become an owner in a local pharmacy.

“Having the opportunity to combine my clinical skills with pharmacy ownership in my home town has been such a positive experience. I hope that others consider the many options a Pharmacy Degree can offer.”

The fast tracked degree is delivered over trimesters, essentially doing away with the usual ‘summer break’ of nearly four months.

Ms O’Byrne said that “our Launceston pharmacy community would be very interested in supporting students with part time jobs. We know that this ‘on the job’ experience is invaluable to students’ learning, and they may even decide to stay on for their Intern year and beyond.”

“The Guild wishes Head of Pharmacy School, Glenn Jacobson, and his team much success with this exciting new initiative in the Pharmacy Degree offering in Tasmania.”