Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences news

Minister launches Parkville campus expansion

August 2005

The Minister for Innovation and State and Regional Development, Mr John Brumby, has launched major building works at Monash University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences by turning the first sod.

Mr Brumby and the dean of the faculty, Professor Colin Chapman, yesterday inspected plans for the expansion and redevelopment of the Parkville campus.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian government was a key supporter of biomedical science and research and the building works were a good ‘fit’ with the government’s vision for Victoria as a leading science and research hub.

Professor Chapman said the new building would accommodate biotechnology research and innovation that would greatly enhance the world-class standing of the faculty's research into drug discovery and delivery. It would also house the planned Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, he said.

“The institute will go a long way towards filling a gap in the ‘value chain’ between the discovery of targets for drug development and the successful development of new pharmaceutical products for the world market,” Professor Chapman said. 

“It will be based on the current research strengths in the faculty and will play an important role in translating drug discoveries made at Monash and elsewhere into effective medicines.”

The redevelopment will also include an upgrade of the Manning Building, an extension of the C L Butchers library and the establishment of a new simulated clinical practice teaching facility. It is also hoped that part of the redevelopment will include the opening of a pharmacy museum at the faculty to house the PDL collection and further pharmacy archival materials which are not currently on display due to lack of space.

This new building is the first to be constructed at the faculty since the Manning was opened in 1971. It will free up much needed space for teaching in other parts of the faculty.

Construction of the new building, the first phase of a major expansion of the campus – is due for completion in 2007.