Pharmacy Schools Partner in Global Alliance

Two heads—or 3 in this case—are better than 1.

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill has entered into a pharmacy alliance with Monash University in Australia and University College London (UCL).

Their partnership, PharmAlliance, which will last for at least 5 years, aims to “transform research, education, and practice in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences,” according to a press release from UNC’s Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

Their collaborations will focus on areas such as drug discovery, nanomedicine development, and nanotechnology.

“The geographic and quality aspects of this alliance present the opportunity for a truly global perspective on pressing health care issues,” Duncan Craig, PhD, director of the UCL School of Pharmacy, said in a press release. “The possibilities afforded by the partnership are unprecedented, and we are very excited to begin exploring these activities.”

Dean of UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Robert Blouin, PharmD, echoed Dr. Craig’s sentiments and said in a press release that the alliance will provide opportunities that no one school in the nation has on its own.

The March 10, 2015, announcement also stated that the 3 schools will have the opportunity to pursue joint training, development, and exchange opportunities for their students and faculty. Each school will have access to research funds that the nations allocate for international research partnerships, according to a press release.

The 3 schools stated that they would like to see PharmAlliance inspire and train future pharmacy leaders.