The final phase of facilities for the University of Suffolk's new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course has been completed, ahead of the first students starting the course next week.  

Located in the James Hehir Building, the new work features specialist life science and pharmaceutical labs to be used by the MPharm cohort, as well as by students on Nutrition and Human Health, Biology, Biomedical Science, and Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science courses.  

Read more: Practice suite, mock dispensary and a telehealth room: Inside Suffolk Uni’s new pharmacy facilities 

The labs are equipped with a "range of specialist pharmaceutical and analytical equipment", which the university said will enable students to "experience how medicines are formulated and produced". 

"This includes preparing creams by hand and manufacturing tablets using a dedicated tabletting machine, to exploring new technologies such as pharmaceutical 3D printing," it added.  

The university said students will also have access to advanced analytical instruments like nuclear magnetic resonance and UV spectroscopy, "which will allow students to investigate medicines and develop the scientific reasoning that underpins modern pharmacy practice". 

These facilities follow the first phase of pharmacy development completed earlier in the year which includes a pharmacy practice suite, a mock dispensary for students to develop consultation and dispensing skills, and a telehealth room for practicing remote consultations.  

Read more: Suffolk Uni pharmacy students to get placements at local chain 

The university said the pharmacy course seeks to "address the key skills demands in the industry", with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan 2023 outlining a "need to increase the number of pharmacists nationally by 31–55%".  

The first students on the four-year integrated Master's course will begin on Monday 21 September.  

"Modern and bespoke" 

Dean of the School of Health, Sciences and Society Professor Paula Kersten said the "excellent" new facilities will ensure students can "develop the skills to thrive in their future careers". 

The university's Head of Pharmacy and Prescribing Dr Georgina Marsh said the final phase of work will ensure students can learn in "modern, bespoke facilities". 

She said the facilities will help students to "gain hands-on practical experience and develop the scientific understanding and critical thinking skills that form the foundation of safe and effective clinical pharmacy practice". 

Read more: Give pharmacy students full access to NHS funding, urges RCPharm 

It comes after the university's first phase of facility developments, including the pharmacy practice suite, mock dispensary and telehealth room, were completed in July.  

And it follows the Royal College of Pharmacy calling on the government in July to offer pharmacy students the same access to the NHS Learning Support Fund as other health professions.