UQ welcomes Beattie pharmaceutical precinct proposal

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay has welcomed today's promise by Premier Beattie to develop an Australian-first Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence if his Government is re-elected.

Professor Hay said The University of Queensland would be a leading participant in the proposed pharmaceutical precinct at Dutton Park near the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

He said it was an "exciting development" that would link the University and the profession, and which was worthy of widespread and bipartisan support.

"The School of Pharmacy at UQ is increasingly recognised as the most creative, innovative and academically distinguished institution of its type in Australia," he said.

"For many years, leaders of the pharmacy profession from Queensland have disproportionately contributed to Australian national pharmacy policy and professional development.

"Queensland's extremely successful approach to public and institutional practice of pharmacy has seen it develop a position of national leadership in this field.

"This new centre of excellence will provide closer linkage between professional authorities, educators and regulators. This offers significant potential for integrated improvement in professional service to the public in Queensland.

"The University congratulates Mr Beattie for supporting this initiative, which will complement the $105 million Institute for Molecular Bioscience being established across the river at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus."

Media: For further information, contact Jan King at UQ Communications 0413 601 248 or email: communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au.