Professor John Smart, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Brighton has been appointed a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Being appointed a Fellow of the Society is one of the highest achievements that can be bestowed upon members. Only those who have made an outstanding original contribution to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge or attained distinction in the science, practice, profession or history of pharmacy are eligible for the award.

On top of his role as head of department Professor Smart has, since graduating from Brighton with a BSc(Hons) in Pharmacy in 1979, undertaken a range of additional leadership roles in support of the profession. Some of his many achievements in education, research and professional matters include:

• as an internationally recognised scientist advancing the pharmaceutical sciences, notably in the development of bioadhesive drug delivery systems
• helping to establish the Council of University Heads of Pharmacy (CUHOP), leading much of its work and then chairing the group
• working in the Modernising Pharmacy Careers (MPC) Workstream 1 team that developed the recommendations for MPC, endorsed by the Medical Education England main panel and currently being considered by the Secretary of State for Health, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s  Science committee, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Education Expert Advisory Panel
• leadership for pharmacy and radiography in the New Generation Project team, and
• contributing to the Joint Programme Board and South East coast regional foundation board developing postgraduate programmes for secondary care pharmacists.

 Professor Smart said,

“It’s a great honour to be recognized by the Society in this way. And it is particularly pleasing that, having embarked on my career in pharmacy from Brighton, I should receive this award whilst Head of School here.”

The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences is one of the UK's leading university departments for pharmacy, biology, chemistry and biomedical education and maintains close links with Brighton and Sussex Medical School.