The Pharmacy graduation ceremony at Rhodes this year saw an unprecedented seven Doctoral-level degrees being awarded, four of them to women. There were four students graduating with a PhD in Pharmaceutics, one with a PhD in Pharmacy Administration and two with a PharmD degree.
Among the PhD students, mostly guided by Professor Rod Walker, there was a strong focus on doing research that will make medicines more accessible and affordable for the greater populace.
Wai Ling Au investigated methods to test dermatological medicines for safety and efficacy.
Sandile Khamanga developed novel microcapsules that are more stable and can therefore be administered less frequently. These were particularly aimed at patients suffering from the widespread problem of hypertension and the resultant cardiovascular disorders, but because of their size will also be useful in treating children.
Faith Chaibva worked on the relatively new concept of quality by design and her thesis was lauded by one of the external examiners as one of the best he had seen in this field. This process essentially aims to cut down on the time it takes to develop and manufacture quality pharmaceutical products by creating a design space or parameters that will ensure the consistent production of quality products.
Kasongo Wa Kasongo produced research findings that constitute an important step for the care of patients living with HIV infections in the brain. He developed nano systems that have the potential to carry a water soluble ARV across the blood brain barrier, something which up to now has been a major challenge.
Peter Hill focused on the role that pharmacists play in supporting the medicine taking and self-management behaviour of diabetics.
While three of the above students are from other African countries, Khamanga and Kasongo will stay on in South Africa to take up lecturing and post-doctoral research positions in the Pharmacy Faculty at Rhodes, while Chaibva will take up a position with a management consultancy in Johannesburg. These three all served as Wardens for the period of their Doctoral studies.
Adrusha Ramsunder flew in from the UK, where she is currently residing, to receive her PharmD degree together with Vatiswa Henge-Daweti. They are only the second and third students to graduate with this degree, which is unique in the country.
The PharmD degree is offered in conjunction with the Eastern Cape Health Department, as this qualification involves a large amount of clinical site work. To qualify for this three-year degree, students have to be registered as a pharmacist with the SA Pharmacy Council and come with the experience of an internship and community service.
The Rhodes Pharmacy Department is assisting Henge-Daweti to get a clinical post at Cecilia Makiwane Hosital in East London and it is hoped that she will be able to assist future PharmD students at that site.
Ramsunder may also be returning to East London and would be able to assist in the co-ordination of the PharmD programme, which is largely based there and has the potential to grow much bigger.