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University scholars to consult on Qatari pharmacy sector

Academics from Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen are to help develop a strategy for pharmacy based research in Qatar.

Prof Derek Stewart, Dr Lesley Diack and Dr Lorna McHattie of the university’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and Institute of Health and Welfare Research will attend a week-long programme of events in Doha from 25 October to 1 November.

Primarily invited as guests of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) - the premier non-profit healthcare provider in Doha - the RGU team will meet with Qatari health, pharmacy and educational stakeholders. The visit will provide an opportunity for the university to be involved in the strategic and operational development of the state’s pharmacy services, plus the implementation of a research-based approach to support and evaluate them.

While there, the trio will also deliver a two-day research methods taster course for 52 pharmacists based in Qatar which they have developed especially for the excursion to support the country’s plans to increase its research capacity.

Throughout the week, the team aim to forge closer links between RGU and the Middle East, highlighting in particular the postgraduate study and PhD opportunities offered by the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences.

The forthcoming excursion to Doha comes as the result of Prof Stewart’s delivery of a keynote speech at the Qatar Health Congress in December 2010 which focused on pharmacy services development. He was consequently invited to return by members of the HMC who attended the conference.

Prof Stewart said: “Qatar is well placed in terms of the position of pharmacy and pharmacy education within health. There is the opportunity to apply a robust research approach to fully explore and evaluate any future developments. This visit provides a key opportunity for RGU to collaborate and bring expertise to this area.”

Ms.Moza Al Hail, Women’s Hospital pharmacy director said: “Our pharmacy department is proud to announce that, this current pharmacy research work shop is first of its kind to be conducted in Qatar which would not have been possible without the help and acceptance of speakers from RGU.

“It is eminent that pharmacy research activities will be a significant contribution towards helping HMC during its transition to an academic health centre.

“A high quality pharmacy research in certain areas if not all will help to build up good scientific evidence to guide appropriate, safe and effective treatment to the patients.”

For further information about Hamad Medical Corporation visit www.hmc.org.qa.

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