125 stories for 125 years

Professor Colin Chapman

Professor Colin Chapman graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the Victorian College of Pharmacy in 1970, a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) from Melbourne University in 1976 and a PhD researched at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (Medical Biology) in 1981. From 1987-1991 he was Head, School of Pharmaceutics and Professor of Pharmaceutics at the Victorian College of Pharmacy. He has been Dean and Professor of Pharmacy at the college since 1991.

Professor Chapman is interested in the research areas of immunoparasitology, veterinary pharmacology, pharmacogenetics, quality use of medicines, medication safety, pharmacy workforce issues and quality assurance in pharmacy education. His achievements include: Chairman of the Therapeutic Goods Committee; Chairman, Committee of the Heads of Pharmacy Schools in Australia and New Zealand; the establishment the Victorian Pharmacy College Foundation in 2001; and in 1998 he was awarded an honourary fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. He also wrote the guidelines for, and helped to establish, the New Zealand and Australian Pharmacy Schools Accreditation Committee. The accreditation process is now in place and is a key function of the Council of Pharmacy Registering Authorities.

In 2005, Professor Chapman received an ARC grant with Dr. Kay Stewart, along with academics from La Trobe University and partner organsiations, Schering Pharmaceuticals, and Sexual Health and Family Planning of Australia, for their project; ‘A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia’. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) has been rescheduled so pharmacists can now provide it to patients; the study will assess how effective the the change has been; whether pharmacists feel confident providing the pill and how to improve its effectiveness.

As Dean of the College, Professor Chapman has played a large role in transforming the rural health industry. He has spoken out about the lack of health professionals in rural areas and has publicised schemes to attract and retain health professions in rural communities to improve the situation. Professor Chapman introduced the Rural Entry Scheme which encourages students from rural areas to study at the college and, in the long term will help to increase the amount of pharmacists in country areas. He has also introduced compulsory rural placements for all pharmacy students at the college and the Rural Entry Scholarship for high achievers from country areas. He is working hard to understand the special needs of rural pharmacists and has programs in place to foster rural pharmacy research at the college.

Professor Chapman led the college through the period of amalgamation with Monash University, ensuring the transition was seemless and caused as little disruption to staff and students as possible.The college is now listed in the top 25 schools worldwide thanks to its research strengths and modern pharmacy curriculum. Professor Chapman has ensured the College has not only kept up to date, but is a leader in the constantly changing profession and industry. He also facilitated the establishment of Acrux, a very successful company that spawned from research undertaken at the college.

The recent introduction of new degrees and courses to the college ensure the success of its students. In recent years the college has established the Bachelor of Formulation Science, Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry, the Pharmacy Management Program, the Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice, the double degree Bachelor of Pharmacy/Bachelor Commerce, as well as post graduate programs in Wound Care and Clinical Pharmacy. Professor Chapman has extended the Bachelor of Pharmacy to four years and introduced clinical placements in 1999, they remain regarded as the best clinical placement programs in any pharmacy school in Australia.

The introduction and quality of courses has created a large increase in student population resulting in major upgrades to the campus, directed by the Dean. Upgrades to Cossar Hall, lecture theatres, laboratories, student facilities and the grounds have been completed. The current construction of a new building to house the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the refurbishment of the Manning building will complete the massive renovations.

Professor Chapman has had a remarkable influence on the college and is well respected by students, staff and the profession.