School of Pharmacy, University of Otago

Congratulations Erana!
We love seeing what our graduates achieve once they leave the school!

PSNZ would like to congratulate Erana Ikimau from Whangarei Hospital on being awarded PSNZ’s top intern for 2025.

PSNZ education team reflected that Erana was a delight on training days.

"She delivered an impressive public health promotion focused on the safe use of medicines and encouraging the public to engage more confidently with pharmacists.”

Congratulations Erana!

Whakamihi atu! Congratulations to our 2025 Graduating class 🎓

World RxTech Day - More than just a Tech!

Today we celebrate our amazing Pharmacy Technicians! Chloe, Lisa & Heather!

World Pharmacy Technician Day is a day to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the vital contributions that pharmacy technicians make every single day. While others might see you as “just a tech,” we know you are so much more. You are the unsung heroes of healthcare—supporting pharmacists, protecting patients, and keeping the entire system running smoothly.

HRC Grant Success

Professor Sarah Hook and Dr Amber Young (Taranaki iwi) have received an HRC grant to develop vaccines in capsule form.

Project lead Professor Sarah Hook, of the School of Pharmacy, says vaccines are only beneficial if everyone is willing to be vaccinated and can access vaccination services.

Initially, their research will focus on developing an influenza vaccine, and a novel vaccine treatment for colon cancer.

Read more about Sarah's research - https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/no-longer-a-pain-in-the-arm-vaccine-innovation-focus-of-research

Ozair Sahib one of our 2023 graduates spoke to Newsroom about why he became a pharmacist, how his first year as registered pharmacist is going, what his 3 highlights are, and what unleashing pharmacy’s potential means to him.

It is always great to see what our graduates are getting up to!

Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RrrRw1c6j/

“After completing my degree and internship, I am very grateful to have become a pharmacist.

"As accessible healthcare professionals, we play a vital role in ensuring medicines are safe and effective, providing clear guidance to patients, and working collaboratively with other health providers to improve health outcomes.

“It is extremely rewarding to hear from patients about how appreciative they are of our time and effort put into maximising their health outcomes. That is what motivates me to continue to upskill myself as a healthcare professional.”

Ozair Sahib from Wellington talks to Newsroom about why he became a pharmacist, how his first year as a registered pharmacist is going, what his 3 highlights are, and what unleashing pharmacy’s potential means to him.

Read more here: https://www.psnz.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=364

Massive congratulations to one of our graduates McKinley Vollebregt on her recent Young Pharmacist of the year award!

We are extremely proud of both the finalists McKinley Vollebregt and Michaela Duerre!

Pharmacy Today
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15usXSkPA8/

🏆 WINNER - YOUNG PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR 🏆

MCKINLEY VOLLEBREGT has taken out the Chemist Warehouse Young Pharmacist of the Year award at the 2025 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards He Tohu Mauri Ora.

Ms Vollebregt improved clinical outcomes and care for patients with type 2 diabetes at Seatoun Medical in Wellington, strengthening relationships and trust with patients and staff.

The judges say “this submission demonstrates the future focus of healthcare delivery where patients and whānau can access services with health care professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver services. It moves us away from professional silos by placing the consumer and whānau at the centre of delivery!”



Tū Ora Compass Health Chemist Warehouse New Zealand New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards He Tohu Mauri Ora

🎓 From Otago to the Frontlines of Pharmacy – Ozair Sahib’s Journey 💊

We’re proud to celebrate Ozair Sahib, a recent graduate of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Otago, who is now a registered pharmacist making his mark in the profession.

In a recent interview with the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ), Ozair shares his experiences moving into professional practice, the challenges and rewards of the role, and what motivates him as a new healthcare professional.

📺 Check out the full interview with PSNZ here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.psnz.org.nz%2FStory%3FAction%3DView%26Story_id%3D364%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTTRCeURRVDhUS0h5bnN6OQEeZQpDLSj0_ufFZCyxmq31AAjc9QwRFKMfN4nDZBTZckLChfD4bW1NL_2c26s_aem_JwbsUSRz1Ky8Drlm_pmqsg&h=AT3w9ny2aVhuZFRLAzFlK9FkwwI3KHiNSXIMYawvIhO5lV6MUU9LOU3UoHk-hdYSCMjDVJru8dfv3VFw6lTh5NN8KdrJbVjoshZs-4-2YB2ckr9eTDMZ6e-nTnfSe77vSfGCRQi-Zj1mLA&__tn__=-UK*F

Newsroom interviews... Ozair Sahib : Pharmaceutical Society of NZ Newsroom interviews... Ozair Sahib Why did you become a pharmacist? I chose to become a pharmacist because it combines my passion for sciences - particularly health sciences, along with my drive to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I developed this passion in high school, and pharmacy ...

🎉 Congratulations to Our Outstanding Alumnae! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our alumnae McKinley Vollebregt and Michaela Duerre who have been named finalists for the Young Pharmacist of the Year Award! 👏

Your dedication, innovation, and commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession are truly inspiring. Being recognized as finalists is a testament to your hard work, leadership, and the impact you're already making so early in your careers.

Wishing you all the best as the awards approach — we're cheering you on every step of the way! 🏆💊

The School of Pharmacy recently partnered with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology to host a collaborative Research Bites session.

The event featured insightful presentations from the following speakers:

Mrs. Emma Smith – "Research at the Pharmacy Clinic: Future Opportunities"

Dr. Joanne Harrison – "Conditioning Sheep Hearts with a Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Agent (oCO-21) During Bypass Surgery"

Dr. Amber Young – "Supporting Conversations About Vaccination During Pregnancy"

Associate Professor Alesha Smith – "From Concept to Clinic: Introducing New Zealand’s First National Antibiotic Guidelines"

Dr. Tyla Alexander – "A Cellular Framework for Understanding Migraine Drugs: Antagonism of Four Signalling Pathways by Rimegepant at the CGRP Receptor"

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the discussion!

One of our Pharmacy graduates was interviewed by Pharmacy Today

One of only a few pharmacists registered and able to practise pharmacy in both New Zealand and Samoa, Jody Hopkinson talks to Lester Kamu of Niu Pharmacy in Apia, Western Samoa

Check out the article on Pharmacy Today.

New Zealand-trained pharmacist adapts to challenges in Samoa One of only a few pharmacists registered and able to practise pharmacy in both New Zealand and Samoa, Jody Hopkinson talks to Lester Kamu of Niu Pharmacy in Apia, Western Samoa