How do we meet the pharmacological skills training gap in the UK?

1. Satellite meeting on pharmacological teaching The 15th World Congress of Pharmacology June 29 – July 1 2006 How do we meet the pharmacological skills training gap in the UK? Martin H. Todd AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK. SK10 4TG

2. Developing new medicines The skills we need in Pharma • Good depth of subject knowledge • Scientific rigour • Ability to learn • Determined • Gets on with people • Teamwork • Good ideas • Presentation skills • Experience of working life

3. Employers survey Sustaining the Skills pipeline in the Pharmaceutical and biotech industries • Aims:To review the provision of skilled scientists, engineers and technologists to support pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing in the UK and highlight issues for the future • www.abpi.org.uk

4. The most significant skills shortages were identified in : • In vivo sciences • Clinical research and experimental medicine • Chemical sciences • Engineering • Maths & statistics

5. Employers survey - recommendations • Stimulate an interest in Science • Support Industry needs in curriculum • Develop practical skills • Establish an in vivo sciences task force

6. A key focus for Pharma – In vivo skills • In vivo experiments in animals are a requirement before compounds can be tested in man • The Pharma Industry • Sees man as the experimental model of choice • needs staff who can design and carry out in vivo studies • Supports the development of animal models and in vivo skills in University centres of excellence • seeks positive contributions to the 3Rs

7. Pharmacology/PhysiologySurvey of our scientists • Fewer than 2% of 8,000 graduates in Physiology, Pharmacology and related subjects have been taught whole animal in vivo skills • Reasons for decline in teaching • High costs of facilities animals, licences and teaching time • Bureaucracy associated with licence approval system • Lack of suitably qualified staff with the time to teach • Emphasis on cell based systems for research • The situation is getting worse • ~ 25% of qualified staff and technicians retire in next 5 years • Lack of suitably qualified scientists to replace them

8. Suggested improvements • Increase awareness of value of in vivo by students (school and university) • Train new academics in in vivo skills • Offer studentships in in vivo • Offer new academic positions in in vivo research

9. Response to the skills gapThe Integrative Pharmacology Fund • Established by AZ, GSK, Pfizer and BPS in 2004 • Commitment of £4 million from Pharma over 4 years (£350,000 p.a. from each Pharma contributor) • To support in vivo research and training at academic centres with the expertise in research and teaching, best facilities and animal welfare practice - Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology • Funded new positions for postgraduates, new lecturers and established scientists

10. Created a Capacity Building Awards scheme UK invests to strengthen best practice in animal research Press Release - June 13th 2006 Four UK research centres have been awarded more than £11million to regenerate training in animal research skills for undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists Imperial College, London King's College, London Manchester/Liverpool consortium Glasgow/Strathclyde consortium The awards were made possible by a unique funding partnership between Research Councils, University Funders and the UK Pharma Industry

11. Working together to secure the skills pipeline School Graduate Post grad Professor • Securing funding for academic study • Developing centres of excellence in training • Targeting training to key groups: • e-learning • computer simulations • critique of papers • laboratory skills • in vivo skills • distance learning packages

12. Professional bodies have a key role School Graduate Post grad Professor • We need strong networks and partnerships to deliver: • Science in schools curriculum • Teaching materials for schools • Training in experimental science – schools • Training in laboratory skills • Training in in vivo skills • Training in translational science • Training in Safety sciences

13. Thank you