NEWS QUEEN'S PROFESSOR AWARDED THE RPS 2025 HANBURY MEDAL
Professor David Jones, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Biomaterial Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, has been awarded the 2025 Hanbury Medal, in recognition for his outstanding scientific contributions to pharmaceutical sciences, education and innovation.
Professor Jones is a leading expert in pharmaceutical engineering and biomaterials. Over his career, he has developed new ways to deliver medicines more effectively and safely, including drug-releasing implants, eye treatments for sight-threatening diseases and coatings for medical devices that help prevent infections.
His work has resulted in over 70 commercialised products and devices that have improved the lives of patients around the world. He also co- founded two successful companies, Xiomateria and Re-Vana Therapeutics, which are bringing these products to market.
Professor Jones is the only pharmacist to have been elected to three national academies – the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Irish Academy - a testament to his reputation across scientific disciplines.
A passionate educator and mentor, he has redesigned pharmacy education programmes, supervised nearly 50 PhD students and authored widely used textbooks in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical statistics. He has also served as Editor of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology since 2000.
Professor Jones, said, “I am both stunned and delighted to have been awarded the 2025 Hanbury Medal. Previous winners of this award have been both giants in and leaders of pharmacy and pharmaceutical research, and they have inspired me at various stages in my career. For me to join this list of winners is truly humbling. It is a great honour to have been recognised for my contributions to pharmaceutical research and education, as well as to my profession, pharmacy, to which I owe so much. I would like to sincerely thank all my work colleagues and students (both past and present), as well as my family, who have been with me throughout this journey.”
Paul Bennett, RPS Chief Executive Officer, said, “The Hanbury Medal remains an important award of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in recognition of excellence in pharmaceutical science. Recipients of this prestigious award have been recognised for their pioneering work
Professor David Jones
and reflects the importance that the Society places on pharmaceutical science and research, disciplines which underpin the profession of pharmacy and without which advancements in medicines and patient care would not occur.
“Many congratulations to Professor Jones who joins an eminent list of past recipients going back to 1881 and whose passion for research and innovation and his pioneering work will be an inspiration to so many pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists.”
HEALTH MINISTER ENDORSES COMMUNITY-BASED CARE MODEL FEATURING COMMUNITY PHARMACIES
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the two-year extension of IMPACTAgewell®, an integrated, community-led health model supporting older people across Mid and East Antrim, funded by the Department of Health's Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).
Delivered by the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership, IMPACTAgewell® brings together GP practices, community pharmacies (PACT), social work teams, and local community groups to deliver joined-up, person-centred support for older adults, especially those facing isolation or managing long-term conditions.
Community pharmacies play a central role in the partnership, providing accessible advice, medication management and proactive health interventions that reduce pressure on GP and hospital services.
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pharmacyinfocus.co.uk
Since 2017, the model has delivered measurable benefits, including improved wellbeing for older people and a significant return on investment - with £2.38 saved for every £1 spent, through reductions in GP visits, A&E attendances and hospital admissions.
Even greater savings were achieved when the service enabled community pharmacists to make home visits. These checked that the correct medications had been dispensed, are being used correctly and not alongside other drugs that together produce negative side effects.
Those reviews produced a saving of £5.81 for every £1 spent, evidenced by a separate evaluation carried our by Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC).
Sadly, home visits by community pharmacists ended when their funding in Northern Ireland ceased at the end of 2022.
Mike Nesbitt
Minister Nesbitt praised the programme as “an excellent example of what can be achieved when local services come together,” and called for the community model to be rolled out across Northern Ireland to support healthy ageing.
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