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Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Research and marketing efforts about the use of CBD increased the public’s interest and knowledge about its use., peer-reviewed more...

There is a need for sensitive, accurate and efficient methods of analysis to determine amounts of pesticides in herbal products intended for medicinal use, such as cannabis. An educational seminar on the analysis of pesticides in cannabis was organised for scientists and healthcare professionals involved in pharmaceutical analysis, evaluation of herbal medicinal products and patient care. During the seminar, reflections on standardised methods of analysis of pesticides that could be adopted by the industry were discussed to support services development that ensure quality, efficacy and safety of herbal medicinal products., peer-reviewed more...

The cannabis plant has more than one hundred cannabinoids. The two most researched cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Demand for CBD products grew with healthcare professionals recommending CBD for potential therapeutic effects., peer-reviewed more...

Students reading for a pharmacy degree follow two study units in Pharmaceutical Analysis in the second and third year of studies of 4 ECTS each. The focus of the study units is on sample preparation techniques and spectroscopic methods used in bioanalysis. The study units are delivered via lectures and tutorials. Tutorials were re-designed so as to support students to identify suitable methods for different applications., peer-reviewed more...

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have a similar chemical structure though they differ in the spatial configuration of atoms which leads to differences in their pharmacological profiles. There is a growing interest about the promising pharmacological properties of CBD., peer-reviewed more...

The Annual Pharmacy Symposium organised by the Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta brings together academic staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaborators and stakeholders to discuss outcomes of student research projects as oral and poster presentations. The 2021 Pharmacy Symposium was held online for the first time via the Zoom platform due to restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic., peer-reviewed more...

Rare diseases (RDs) affect over 300 million people worldwide. There are approximately 7,000 recognised RDs. RDs are usually genetic and are associated with severe debilitating symptoms which persist for a patient’s lifetime. RD patients face multiple challenges including delay in accurate diagnosis and significant unmet need for beneficial therapies. For 90 % of RDs there are no effective therapies. Medicinal Cannabis (MC) is used to relieve symptoms, such as pain, muscle spasticity and anxiety, which may be commonly experienced by patients with RDs. Being able to manage the symptoms and the progression of diseases, can positively impact patients, families and health care systems., peer-reviewed more...

Background: The implementation of a quality system improves the educational quality of activities undertaken in a laboratory. Aim: To evaluate the perception of undergraduate pharmacy students and laboratory demonstrators on the quality system implemented in the laboratories of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was developed, psychometrically evaluated and distributed to second, third and fourth year undergraduate pharmacy students and laboratory demonstrators (N=110). Results: Out of a total of 94 questionnaires collected, 91 participants agreed that the implemented quality system is important to carry out procedures correctly and safely in the laboratory and is a helpful educational tool for students to appreciate quality processes in pharmacy (n=84). Ninety two participants agreed that standard operating procedures are an essential aspect of a quality system and are important educational tools for laboratory work (n=73). Conclusion: The implemented laboratory quality system is a valuable educational tool for pharmacy students., peer-reviewed more...