From Apprentice to Authority: A Career Trajectory

Dr.John McEwen’s career is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity and dedication in the field of pharmacy and medicine safety. Starting as a pharmacy apprentice, he ascended to become an internationally recognized authority on pharmacovigilance. His journey underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving landscape.This article delves into the key milestones and influences that shaped his career.

The Spark: Early Influences and the Path to Pharmacy

when asked about his initial decision to pursue pharmacy, Dr.McEwen recalls, “I finished secondary school aged 15 with little idea of a future career.I followed my father into pharmacy but was sensibly apprenticed to another pharmacist.” This practical apprenticeship provided the foundation for his future academic and professional pursuits.

Formative Years: Victorian College of Pharmacy and Early Experiences

Dr. McEwen’s apprenticeship at the Victorian College of Pharmacy was a pivotal period. “I spent nearly half of each week at the College of Pharmacy and the remainder in the pharmacy, both in central Melbourne.” He gained hands-on experiance with various medications, including compounding double-strength aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine mixture. This early exposure to the intricacies of pharmacy practice shaped his understanding of medicine and its impact on patients.

The dedication of the college’s lecturers inspired Dr. McEwen to further his education.This motivation led him to earn a Master of Science in neurophysiology, followed by a lectureship in physiology and, ultimately, the completion of his MBBS, showcasing a multifaceted approach to medicine.

bridging Pharmacy and Medicine: A Unique Perspective on Adverse Drug Reactions

Dr. McEwen’s dual background in pharmacy and medicine uniquely positioned him to address the challenges of adverse drug reactions. His career took a decisive turn when he applied for the Medical Officer, Adverse Drug Reactions position advertised by the Department of Health. “I was a resident at Royal Melbourne Hospital when the Department of Health advertised for the Medical Officer, Adverse Drug Reactions. My submission was accepted!”

As Secretary to the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC), Dr. McEwen was instrumental in identifying and publishing significant medicine/reaction associations. “I became Secretary to the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) where I was encouraged to find and publish medicine/reaction associations of likely clinical importance.” This role allowed him to contribute directly to improving patient safety by understanding and communicating the risks associated with medications.

Global Impact: Contributions to International Pharmacovigilance

Dr. McEwen’s influence extended beyond Australia. His attendance at the World Health Organization (WHO) Programme for International Drug Monitoring in 1979 marked the beginning of his involvement in global pharmacovigilance. He held prominent positions, including Chairperson of the Advisory Group to the Uppsala Monitoring Center (UMC) from 1985 to 1987, and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISOP) from 2006 to 2009. These roles highlight his commitment to advancing medicine safety on a global scale.

Continued Dedication: Maintaining Work with the TGA

Even in retirement, Dr.McEwen remained committed to the Therapeutic Goods administration (TGA). “I enjoy exploring data relating to medicine efficacy and safety.” His passion for data analysis led him to write A history of therapeutic Goods Regulation in Australia, published in 2007.He described this as “a interesting task, with many hours spent at the National Archives.” This project further solidified his understanding of the regulatory landscape and its impact on medicine safety.

His work with the TGA involved undertaking high-level reviews, contributing his expertise to ensure the safety and efficacy of therapeutic goods in Australia. This ongoing involvement reflects his unwavering dedication to the field.

Shaping Regulations: Influencing Australian Medicine Safety

Dr. McEwen’s senior roles at the TGA provided him with the opportunity to influence Australian medicine safety regulations directly. In mid-1989, he “developed the basic criteria for ‘less hazardous’ goods being entered in the ARTG, something not initially intended by the Commonwealth.” This initiative led to the inclusion of provisions for Listed Medicines in the 1989 Therapeutic Goods legislation, granting these Australian products a unique status in domestic and export markets. This contribution demonstrates his ability to shape policy and improve the regulatory framework for therapeutic goods.

Advice for Future Pharmacists: Curiosity and Continuous Learning

When asked about advice for pharmacists starting their careers, especially those interested in pharmacovigilance or policy progress, Dr. McEwen emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning. “Maintain the curiosity and analytical skills developed during undergraduate study as pharmacy offers many and varied opportunities, including in pharmacovigilance and policy development. Keep up to date throughout your career, as it will span many crucial developments and changes.”

A Journey in Pharmacy and Medicine Safety

Today, we’re honored to have dr. John McEwen, a distinguished figure in pharmacovigilance, share insights from his extensive career. welcome, Dr. McEwen!

Dr. McEwen: Thank you, Sarah. It’s a pleasure to be here.

The Early Days: From Apprenticeship to Academia

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): Dr. McEwen,your career started with a pharmacy apprenticeship. What sparked your initial interest, and how did that experience shape your path?

Dr. McEwen: Well, Sarah, it was a bit serendipitous. I finished school quite young and followed my father into pharmacy, apprenticing with another pharmacist. that hands-on experience was invaluable. It provided a practical foundation that fueled my academic pursuits.

Formative Years and Unique Education

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): You then went on to the Victorian College of Pharmacy. How do you think your studies at the college of Pharmacy and subsequent Master of science in neurophysiology, MBBS shaped your interest in adverse drug reactions?

Dr. McEwen: Those formative years gave me a comprehensive outlook. The apprenticeship and early work introduced me to real-world pharmacy practice, while the master’s and MBBS gave me a more academic approach to medicine.

Adverse Drug Reactions and ADRAC

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): A pivotal moment was your role with the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC). Could you elaborate on your contributions and the impact you made as Secretary?

Dr. McEwen: As Secretary of ADRAC,I had the possibility to identify and publish significant medicine/reaction associations. This work was crucial in improving patient safety by understanding and communicating the risks associated with medications.

Global Pharmacovigilance Contributions

Sarah thompson (Archyde): Your influence extended globally through your involvement with the World Health organization (WHO) and the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISOP). How did these international experiences shape your perspective on medicine safety?

Dr. McEwen: Working with the WHO and ISOP provided a broader perspective on pharmacovigilance challenges and best practices. It highlighted the importance of international collaboration in ensuring medicine safety on a global scale.

Continued Dedication and TGA involvement

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): Even after retirement,you continued working with the Therapeutic Goods Governance (TGA). What motivated you to remain involved, and what impact did your work have on Australian medicine safety regulations?

Dr.McEwen: My passion for data analysis and medicine safety drove me to continue contributing to the TGA. I enjoyed undertaking high-level reviews and influencing regulations to ensure the safety and efficacy of therapeutic goods in australia. I’m glad I could write that book — *A history of therapeutic Goods Regulation in Australia*.

Shaping Policies and ARTG

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): Speaking of shaping policies, you developed the criteria for ‘less hazardous’ goods entering the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Can you tell us more about that?

dr. mcewen: That was an engaging challenge. We realized there was an opportunity to create a distinct category for lower-risk products, which ultimately led to the inclusion of provisions for Listed Medicines in the Therapeutic Goods legislation. This gave Australian products a unique position both domestically and for export.

Advice for Future Generations

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): Dr. McEwen, what advice would you give to pharmacists starting their careers, particularly those interested in pharmacovigilance and policy development?

Dr. McEwen: Maintain your curiosity and analytical skills.Pharmacy offers varied opportunities. keep up-to-date throughout your career as it will span many crucial developments and changes. Never stop learning.

A question for our readers

Sarah Thompson (Archyde): Dr. McEwen, your dedication to medicine safety is truly inspiring. One last question for our readers: What steps can individuals take to contribute to better pharmacovigilance in their own communities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!