Associate ProfessorIngrid Gelissen

• Exploring the role of pharmacists in nutrition education.

Pharmacists are on the frontline in terms of health promotion and can play a valuable role in education their patients on aspects of disease prevention. Healthy diets and weight management provide the cornerstone for the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as cadiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Together with collaborators, A/Prof Joanna Harnett, Prof Ines Krass and Prof Margaret Allman-Farinelli, A/Prof Gelissen has an interest in exploring how pharmacists can promote healthy nutrition in addition to medication management for non-communicable diseases.

• Food allergens in pharmaceutical products and OTC topical products sold in community pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical and OTC products available in community pharmacy regularly include what are commonly known as food allergens (for example, oat-based lotions or products that contain milk or nut allergens or excipients used in pharmaceutical production). When such products are applied to broken skin, sensitisation to food allergens may occur through the affected skin. Furthermore, early exposure to food allergens via the skin before ingestion in young infants, may lead to sensitisation to those foods and the subsequent development of food allergies. 

The aim of this project is to investigate the prevalence of food allergens present in pharmaceuticals and OTC products dispenses and sold in community pharmacy, some of which are registered with the TGA while others are not registered (depending upon their therapeutic application. Ultimately this project aims to lead towards greater clarity and education for consumers and patients, in particular parents of children with food allergies.