COLLABORATION TO DEVELOP EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO HELP IMPROVE OSTEOARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT Haleon and University of Sydney launch 5-Year fellowship to research efficacy of dietary supplements
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney and online | February 2025
INTERVIEWS
Professor David Hunter,
Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology
Co-Director Sydney Musculoskeletal Health Flagship,
University of Sydney
Dr Bincy Thampi,
Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead
Haleon ANZ
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability affecting over 2 million Australians, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on Chronic musculoskeletal conditions (2024) and 595 million people globally, according to BD 2021 Osteoarthritis Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020. It represents a significant public health burden that diminishes quality of life among ageing populations.
Consumer healthcare company Haleon is sponsoring a five-year named fellowship program at the University of Sydney that will investigate the therapeutic role of supplements in managing osteoarthritis symptoms and digital health technologies that improve mobility.
The fellowship will fund a postdoctoral researcher to work under the guidance of world leading osteoarthritis expert, rheumatologist and researcher Professor David Hunter.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Hunter who said the research collaboration represents a shared focus and investment in improving osteoarthritis management: “This is a disabling disease that has a huge impact on the people affected.”
“A collaborative effort between researchers and manufacturers will drive innovation and hopefully improve the lives of those impacted by this devastating disease. Use of supplements and natural ingredients in managing osteoarthritis is an exciting area with a lot of potential. I’m not aware of any other long-term, five-year projects of this nature that has osteoarthritis as its focus,” said Hunter.
Haleon and the University of Sydney have a shared goal of finding better management strategies for osteoarthritis and developing better outcomes for the people affected.
Dr Bincy Thampi, Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead at Haleon ANZ, also spoke with Australian Health Journal and says, “Haleon has a strong commitment to scientific research that drives innovative self-care and improves consumer health outcomes.”
“This partnership illustrates Haleon’s commitment to advancing trusted science for our products to better everyday health and we’re excited to see where this partnership with University of Sydney leads,” said Dr Thampi.
-
Raising awareness, engagement and inclusion of Allied Health
Anita Hobson-Powell holds the position of Chief Allied Health Officer for the Australian Government within the Department of Health and Aged Care. With a background as an exercise physiologist and extensive experience leading allied health professional associations*, she has been entrusted with three main priorities. First, she aims to raise awareness about the significance of allied health professionals and their role in the healthcare system. This involves ensuring that decision makers and individuals engaging with health services understand the contributions of allied health professionals.
-
The Case for Embedded Pharmacy in Residential Aged Care
Embedded pharmacy in residential aged care has been successful in South Australia at the Tanunda Lutheran Home in the Barossa Valley. Julian Soriano talks about his pharmacy role in medication management and medication safety to deliver the best clinical care for residents.
In this segment, Julian talks about the traditional pharmacy model serving residential aged care and the limitations of the imprest process for dispensing medication. Soon into the project he saw the collaboration required with GPs and onsite nurses in dispensing medication for residents in end-of-life or palliative care. Julian sees the imprest process unable to support end-of-life residents, even being able to check the availability of medication.
But what most may not be aware of, is his rapid growth since starting the business in 2013 having just been in health care a few years earlier. Being part of a 2nd generation health care family, Shawn learnt from his father on site and at trade show visits overseas. Prior to HPA, he spent 2 years working in fit-outs of operating theatres, neo-natal and general population ICU, throughout being more fascinated with what he saw. -
Study reveals socioeconomic barriers to children’s healthcare access
Research published in the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP) has revealed mental health and developmental–behavioural issues such as ADHD are the most common paediatric referrals in metropolitan general practices.
But the research also revealed children at higher risk are less likely to get the care they may need.
