Aerospace Pharmacy

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Foreword

Research Structures

Energy, Environment, and Biodiversity

Humanities and Ethics

Culture and Education

Society and Development

Information and Communication Technology

Biology and Health

Research Structures and Researchers

About

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Aerospace responses to everyday issues

The Research Nucleus in Aerospace Pharmacy, led by Professor Marlise Araújo dos Santos, is part of the Microgravity Center (MicroG) of PUCRS. Its interdisciplinary activities involve the School of Pharmacy in conjunction with the different health fields, the School of Aeronautical Sciences, the School of Biosciences, and the School of Engineering at PUCRS.

One of the current research projects focuses on the effects of pressure changes on medications, as found on commercial, aeromedical and space flights. This project involves the study of the physical and chemical alterations in solid and liquid pharmaceutical agents subjected to the pressure of a hypobaric chamber, which simulates the conditions found in an airplane cabin. The research seeks to understand the reason for changes in the medications, comparing them to other medications of the same batch and validity under normal temperature and pressure conditions. The ultimate aim is to verify if there is a need to integrate this control method into the official compendium. The initiative has the cooperation of the Brazilian Air Force, located at the Canoas Base, RS.

Telepharmacy is linked to the Telehealth Project, which evaluates the interactions between drugs on the list of medications in the Municipal Report of Essential Medicines (Relação Municipal de Medicamentos Essenciais – ReMUME) of Porto Alegre, RS, and the medicinal and phytotherapeutic plants used by the local population, given that many of these will be prescribed by SUS (Brazilian Public Health System). The goal of the researchers is to assist and inform healthcare teams and patients with regard to the possible interactions (positive or negative) between medications and the plants used by the population.

A further study investigates the germination of plants in simulated hypergravity. Research performed with arugula has shown an increase in the numbers and an accelerated development of germinated seeds. The aim of this investigation is to reproduce this response in other plant species with the goal of meeting the needs of pharmaceutical industries in a sustainable manner and conserving biodiversity.