On Thursday 20 March 2025, the Department of Pharmacy marked a decade of excellence in post-graduate pharmacy studies with a series of special events.
The Department of Pharmacy offers in collaboration with the Retky College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois, Chicago, USA a Level 8 Doctorate in Pharmacy programme.
Over the past 10 years, 101 pharmacists have completed the programme.
Graduates hail from 23 different countries and 59 graduates are pharmacists from Malta.
During the press conference, Hon. Minister Jo-Etienne Abela, Minister for Health & Active Ageing, underlined that the Doctorate in Pharmacy programme provides the opportunity for pharmacists to develop advanced skills in clinical pharmacy that are relevant for the evolving opportunities within the Maltese healthcare services.
The press conference was also addressed by Prof. Godfrey LaFerla, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and Prof. Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta who portrayed the successful academic collaboration with the top-rated College of Pharmacy at University of Illinois as a strength into ensuring a global insight towards innovative pharmacy practice and research.
Prof. Alan Lau, Prof. Andrew J. Donnelly and Prof. Jennifer Pham, from the Retzky College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, reflected on the contribution of the Doctorate in Pharmacy programme towards empowering alumni to take leadership positions at different national and international pharmacy settings.
As part of the Commemoration, an Academic Seminar was organised at the Central Auditorium, Mater Dei Hospital where faculty, students, alumni and pharmacists engaged in reflections and discussions about opportunities of career development.
The seminar featured a keynote contribution by Prof. Andrew J. Donnelly, titled "Current Issues Impacting Pharmacy Leadership".
A networking event was organised at the Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS), Floriana in the evening, where alumni participated reconnected and shared their career evolution experiences.
