UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and AbbVie partner to announce innovative Professorship in Medication Adherence

VANCOUVER, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and AbbVie are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mary De Vera as Assistant Professor, Recipient of the Professorship in Medication Adherence with UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The objective of the Professorship is to conduct research and share knowledge and best practices on medication adherence and its connection to improved health outcomes and health care sustainability.  The Professorship will include such innovative techniques as developing the first ever "living laboratory" whereby practicing pharmacists will learn new skills in working with patients on adherence issues.

Image with caption: "Dr. Mary De Vera, Assistant Professor and recipient of the AbbVie Professorship in Medication Adherence, speaks to a group of people during the official launch of the Initiative for Medication Adherence at UBC in Vancouver, B.C. June 20, 2013. Photo by Jeff Vinnick/CNW/AbbVie (CNW Group/The University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130621_C2304_PHOTO_EN_28332.jpg

Image with caption: "Dr. Mary De Vera, Assistant Professor and recipient of the AbbVie Professorship in Medication Adherence, speaks to a group of people during the official launch of the Initiative for Medication Adherence at UBC in Vancouver, B.C. June 20, 2013. Photo by Jeff Vinnick/CNW/AbbVie (CNW Group/The University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130621_C2304_PHOTO_EN_28333.jpg

Studies have shown that non adherence to long-term therapy contributes to an increased burden on health care, According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report entitled Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action 2003 - findings include:

• Adherence levels can fall quickly after starting therapy
• Adherence to long-term therapy for chronic illnesses in developed countries averages only 50%
• Non-adherence wastes resources, represents a missed opportunity for therapeutic benefit, and is associated with poorer patient outcomes
• Non-adherence is a leading cause of preventable morbidity, mortality, and cost

Dr. De Vera's primary mandate will be to develop methodologies and programs that will assist in ensuring adherence and optimizing patient health outcomes. Areas will include addressing barriers for patients and practicing pharmacists and examining the gaps in health care delivery systems that affect adherence. Due to their accessibility and reputation as trusted health care professionals, pharmacists have the ability to play a vital role in encouraging proper medication adherence.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with such a well-reputed university and professional with Dr. De Vera. Pharmacists are well positioned to play an important role with adherence and patient care. AbbVie and UBC both understand the need for research into the appropriate use of medication," says Felipe Pastrana, General Manager, AbbVie Canada.

Dr. De Vera will be educating students and health care practitioners with an increased emphasis on the clinical skills required to support medication adherence; building strong inter-professional teams to create and implement successful models of adherence; and identifying practical adherence approaches to ensure optimal patient care.

"Dr. De Vera is an exceedingly bright and committed academic, with a promising future," says Dr. Wayne Riggs, professor and dean pro tem, UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. "We look forward to having her work with us in this enhanced capacity and we thank AbbVie for their support of this exciting new initiative."

"Medication non-adherence is truly an epidemic and as a pharmacoepidemiologist, I look forward to dedicating my research program to addressing it," explains Dr. De Vera. "I also look forward to the many collaborations that will be formed as we move towards multi-disciplinary approaches to understanding and solving this health problem."

Dr. De Vera will commence in this new role on July 1, 2013.

About UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Established in 1946, the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences advances knowledge, health outcomes and the profession of pharmacy leading to enhanced societal benefit and optimal patient care. With more than 5,000 alumni, the Faculty specializes in pharmacy education, research and practice.

The Faculty offers degree programs in Bachelor of Science (750 undergraduate entry-to-practice students in 2012/2013 academic year), Master of Science and PhD (54 graduate students in 2012/13) and PharmD (16 Doctor of Pharmacy students in 2012/13). It also offers non-degree programs in continuing pharmacy professional development, pharmacy practice, and community pharmacy residency.

About AbbVie Corporation

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. AbbVie combines the focus and passion of a leading-edge biotech with the expertise and structure of a long-established pharmaceutical leader. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie aims to help patients live healthier lives and collaborate on sustainable health care solutions. AbbVie employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com or www.abbvie.ca. Follow @AbbVienews on Twitter or check out careers on our Facebook page.

Video with caption: "Video: AbbVie Professorship in Medication Adherence ". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130621_C2304_VIDEO_EN_28334.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130621_C2304_PHOTO_EN_28334.jpg&clientName=The%20University%20of%20British%20Columbia%20Faculty%20of%20Pharmaceutical%20Sciences&caption=Video%3A%20AbbVie%20Professorship%20in%20Medication%20Adherence%0D%0A%0D%0A&title=THE%20UNIVERSITY%20OF%20BRITISH%20COLUMBIA%20FACULTY%20OF%20PHARMACEUTICAL%20SCIENCES%20%2D%20UBC%20Faculty%20of%20Pharmaceutical%20Sciences%20and%20AbbVie%20partner%20to%20announce%20innovative%20Professorship%20in%20Medication%20Adherence&headline=UBC%20Faculty%20of%20Pharmaceutical%20Sciences%20and%20AbbVie%20partner%20to%20announce%20innovative%20Professorship%20in%20Medication%20Adherence

SOURCE: The University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

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