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Advances in our understanding of pathology and pharmacology have led to an explosion of new medicines in the past 30 years.  Large, biological molecules are now commonplace in the formularies of clinical specialities, and smaller drug compounds which act on a diverse range of targets are providing clinicians and patients with much needed options. 

Yet despite this, medicines, which are the most common therapeutic intervention, carry a risk of harm, and in some patient groups are a significant cause of iatrogenic injury.   There is also a paucity of evidence regarding using medicines simultaneously in patients with multi-morbidity (e.g. the elderly, or new-born infants) as they are not consistently included in clinical trials.  Where data is available, it is interesting to note that there is considerable variation in the therapeutic response patients show to medicines – only some of which we are beginning to understand.  Together, these factors make prescribing complex, and prone to error.

The medicines optimisation research group therefore has three clear goals to improve our understanding of how use medicines safely and effectively:

The science of medicines: Develop world-class research that utilises basic science research expertise and techniques to increase our understanding of medicines.  Areas of research expertise include: pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and microbiology; pharmaceutical formulation; clinical bioanalysis; pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.

The clinical use of medicines: Develop world-class research that examines human behaviours and psychology in health and disease.  Areas of research expertise include: behavioural medicine, health psychology, and paediatrics.

Medicines related education, training and support: Identify and test new approaches to educate and assess the current and future workforce with regards to medicines optimisation, and medicines optimisation research.

Our external partners include, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Brighton and Sussex Medical School