Centre for Optimisation of Medicines
About Us
The Centre for Optimisation of Medicines (COM) at The University of Western Australia is dedicated to transforming healthcare through advancing professional practice and optimisation of medicines. As part of the School of Allied Health, we focus on novel research from bench to bedside in knowledge creation and translation. Our team is recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise and impact to the field. Our research has been integrated into and informed guidelines and standards nationally and internationally.
Vision
Transform healthcare through advancing professional practice and optimisation of medicines.
Purpose statement
Bench to bedside knowledge creation and translation through engagement with consumers, clinicians, and organisations to advance professional practice and facilitate medicines optimisation.
Centre's research aims
- Identify novel bioactive compounds and phytomedicines and address gaps in medicinal product formulation and evaluation methods
- Evaluate medicines use, safety and current clinical practice
- Explore strategies to optimise practice and medicines use
- Create a lasting impact on practice standards, clinical guidelines, curriculum and policy implementation
What we do
We are dedicated to advancing the quality use of medicines and medicines safety through research from bench to bedside. We focus on innovative research that at improving medication safety and efficacy, optimizing clinical practice, and enhancing patient outcomes. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates with healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and industry partners to identify novel bioactive compounds, develop better medicinal formulations, and address gaps in current medication use practices.
At COM, we strive to translate our research from bench to bedside, ensuring that our findings directly impact clinical guidelines, practice standards, and health policies. We are committed to educating the next generation of pharmacy professionals through rigorous research training programs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in healthcare. Our ultimate goal is to transform healthcare delivery by promoting the optimal use of medicines and enhancing the well-being of patients globally.
Our research strategy
Download our current research strategy [PDF 1MB]
Our People
- People
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- Director Dr Amy Page
- Deputy Director Dr Kenneth Lee
- Professor Lee Yong Lim
- Associate Professor Liza Seubert
- Dr Natalia Popowicz
- Associate Professor Sandra Salter
- Associate Professor Connie Locher
- Associate Professor Philip Burcham
- Professor Rhonda Clifford
- Dr Okhee Yoo
- Dr Hend Almutairi
- Ms Niki Ferreira
- Dr Lokman Hossain
- Mrs Sharmin Sultana
- Associate Professor Frank Sanfilippo
- Dr Rohan Rosiah
- Dr Alex Park
- Ms Georgie Lee
- Ms Amanda Quek
- Ms Shaylee Mills
- Ms Rhiannon Price
- Dr Md Khairul Islam
- Mariana Mello dos Santos
- Dr Lokman Hossain
- PhD Projects
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PhD Candidate Primary Supervisor Co Supervisors Title Mariana Mello Dos Santos Connie Locher Lee Yong Lim Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivity of Australian Native Bee Honeys Riuna O’Neill Lee Yong Lim Philip Burchum, Okhee Yoo To be determined
K M Yasif Kayes Sidkar
Connie Locher
Lee Yong Lim
High-performance thin-layer Chromatography (HPTLC) as an analytical tool for the evaluation of targeted molecules in complex matrices
Sultana Sharmin
Connie Locher
Lee Yong Lim, Kevin Foster, Kate Hammer
Phytochemical analysis and bioactivity profiling of Clover honeys
Zeyad Ibrahim
Rhonda Clifford
Natalia Popowicz, Alex Park
Methotrexate in Seriously Sick Kids
Georgie Lee
Amy Page
Christopher Etherton-Beer, Julie Pasco
Patterns and implication of potentially suboptimal medicine regimens
Amanda Quek
Amy Page
Christopher Etherton-Beer, Kenneth Lee
Deprescribing in older people: from research to practice
Fatma Alamir
Liza Seubert
Rhonda Clifford, Amy Page, Kiah Evans
To be determined
Sam Stiles
Sandra Salter
Rhonda Clifford
To be confirmed
Helen Wood
Liza Seubert
Rhonda Clifford, Liza Seubert, Kenneth Lee
From the community to the classroom: Co-designing a health literacy curriculum with consumers and students
Dawit Yimenu
Kenneth Lee
Amy Page, Liza Seubert, Kate Wang, Eyob Gebreyohannes
Optimising medicines use in older adults through understanding the impact of health system related factor
Projects
- Pharmacist Review to Optimise Medicines in Residential Aged Care PROMPT-RC
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Limitations in current medicines management practices in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) were highlighted in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Standards, which led to the recommendation to embed pharmacists within RACFs. Our research will develop capacity for evidence based practice and research in RACFs at a crucial time as pharmacists transition into new roles embedded in RACFs. We will undertake an intervention to establish, embed and evaluate a virtual Community of Practice combined with a structured program for training and support to ensure translation and sustainability of the Xndings with an intervention to support pharmacists medicines reviews by pharmacists using an app with integrated decision support.
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 10% random sample
- We use the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 10% random sample of Australians dispensed medicines subsidised by the Australian government from 2006-current. We use these dispensing data to analyse medication usage patterns, trajectories and trends to analyse quality use of medicines and medicines safety. UWA is one of only five research institutions in Australia that use the PBS 10% data for research purposes. It is an interdisciplinary collaboration between three UWA schools (Allied Health, Medical and Population and Global Health) with clinical partnerships.
- Australasian Aged Care Provider Partnership for Epidemiological Research
- We have a partnership with a large Australasian aged care provider to access health data including InterRAI assessments, diagnoses and medicines use. We use these routinely collected data to undertake pharmacoepidemiological analyses of medicines use for people in residential aged care.
- Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Optometry Australia
- We are conducting a comprehensive literature review on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) for Optometry Australia. This project will include an analysis of current research, data, and guidelines to ensure relevance and evidence-based practice. We will evaluate national and international guidelines, assess their applicability to the Australian healthcare setting, and summarize resources to help practitioners apply QUM principles. Additionally, the review will provide key information on common topical and oral medications prescribed by optometrists.
- Associate Professor Philip Burcham’s lab projects
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Our group seeks to understand the role of noxious carbonyl compounds in the progression of many diseases. These deleterious molecules form internally within injured cells to create a situation within tissues known as “carbonyl stress.” Although this process is involved in many health disorders, we are especially interested in its contribution to the harmful effects of cigarette smoke released from conventional cigarettes as well as emissions from electronic cigarettes.
Although dozens of toxic carbonyls likely form during carbonyl stress, most of the published research in this field is highly reductionistic, focussed on the contributions of one or two toxic carbonyls such as acrolein or 4-hydroxynonenal.
Drawing inspiration from longstanding knowledge of the toxicity of chemical mixtures, our research is addressing the possibility that multiple toxic carbonyls might “gang up” to produce greater than expected pathological outcomes due to additive interactions at the cellular level. If this is the case, carbonyl stress may make greater contributions to many human diseases than is often assumed.
A related interest involves the use and development of novel drugs to protect cells and tissues during carbonyl stress. This research is being pursued in conjunction with researchers in UWA Chemistry as well as the United States who are seeking new treatment options for victims of traumatic injury to the spinal cord.