The Executive Board, Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS) approved the proposal by the College of Pharmacy to establish a Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy during its fifth meeting held on May 8, 2019. The College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University is now responsible for establishing and running the new Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy in the brand new Thumbay University Hospital at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, UAE. The Center will function in Collaboration with Drug Information Centers in the Medical University of South Carolina and Washington State University, USA.
Thumbay Medicity is a hub of medical education, healthcare, and research. It houses the Gulf Medical University, Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Labs, Thumbay Pharmacy, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Thumbay Physical Therapy, and Rehabilitation Hospital. Outside Thumbay Medicity, Thumbay Chain Pharmacies are functioning in all emirates of UAE. In addition, Thumbay Chain Hospitals and Clinics in most of the Emirates in UAE make Thumbay group as one of the largest healthcare providers in the country.
These hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are part of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS). The Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy will be located in Thumbay University Hospital to serve the drug information and evidence-based pharmacy needs of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in GMUAHS.
Dr. Dixon Thomas, Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice said, “The Center will provide guidance to health professionals in Thumbay group of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies on safe, effective, quality, and affordable use of medication. By providing drug information support the center will support health professionals to develop informed decisions to establish evidence-based practice. The center will also provide guidance on creating protocols to develop standardized clinical pharmacy services.”
Prof. Sherief Khalifa, Dean College of Pharmacy commented, “ We are excited about establishing the Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy. This is a long awaited milestone for the College as it impacts both, the College educational programs as well as patient care in our affiliated hospitals. Such a center of Excellence in Pharmacy Services will redefine the role of the pharmacy profession and move it to higher standards and new frontiers in patient care.