School of Pharmacy Research
Spacer devices are commonly recommended for use with a metered dose inhaler to improve coordination of administration of drug particles to the lungs. However, they are not always readily available in South African public healthcare facilities. This has led to an innovative approach to creating spacer devices using recycled 440mL/500mL plastic bottles (Zar et al.,2005). By incorporating the latest technology of a 3D-printer, we have designed a mold for our starter kit that can be utilized in the process of converting these plastic beverage bottles into a spacer device.
This kit includes the following, which can be found on this page, or acquired by contacting Dr Ebrabim (contact details below).
● Instructional Videos - visually entails how to make these spacer devices.
● A Standard Operating Procedure document - of the correct procedures to follow for making the bottle spacers.
● A 3D printed mold - used in the process of converting 440mL/500mL plastic bottles into a spacer device. Alternatively the STL files can also be accessed on this page to allow self printing of the molds if a 3D printer is available.
● An Ideal Bottle Description - help to include and exclude certain bottle types found in South Africa.
● A pictorial Patient Information Label - displays how to use the bottle spacer with an MDI.
These starter kits are available for distribution to South African healthcare facilities - Please see
contact details below. A community project is created by encouraging the public to help
healthcare workers by collecting these bottles, giving them an opportunity to get engaged with
their local healthcare facilities.
Why is this significant?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition, resulting in inflammation of the inside walls of airway tracts (WebMD, 2021). It was determined to be the most prevalent chronic illness within South Africa (The Global Asthma Network, The Global Asthma Report, 2018). This is problematic especially in children, but can be controlled with the aid of spacer devices. These devices can be expensive and difficult to access. Alternative low-cost spacer devices made using plastic bottles are currently available and have been proven to be just as effective as conventional spacer devices (Zar et al., 1999). We have compiled this online spacer molding kit which is sustainable and easily accessible for healthcare facilities. Plastic cooldrink bottles are a common pollutant in the environment. Thus, recycling these into spacer devices provide a more sustainable option than mass-produced spacers, as we provide another option to simply throwing away your plastic cooldrink bottles.
All aspects of the project were made to be easily available by the creation of this website and
incorporated procedures in an easy-to-follow video format.
Instructional Videos on Making a Bottle-spacer
These videos demonstrate the process of making a bottle-spacer device from 440/500ml bottles
using the starter kit provided, and follows a 4 part sequence:
Step 1 - Pre-washing, recommending how to wash the bottles once collected.
Step 2 - Spacer Molding, shows how to safely and efficiently mold the bottles.
Step 3 - Quality Control, on how to clean off excess plastic pieces.
Step 4 - Post-washing, which demonstrates how to wash the molded bottles.
Ideal Bottle
The information below provides an outline as to which bottles are best to use, and what to exclude, based on certain characteristics of the plastic beverage bottles. Please note that all juice bottles are not to be utilised as a bottle spacer. Our recommendation of an ideal bottle is the Jive® 440mL and Double ‘‘O’’® 500mL bottles, but others may be considered.
Table of Ideal Bottle Characteristics
Patient Instruction Label
The printable label below visually demonstrates how patients should use the bottle-spacer
device with their MDI. This label could be displayed in the pharmacy or handed to patients
directly.
[Patient Instruction Label.pdf]
Contact Information
For any queries or information regarding acquiring the Starter Kit packs, please contact Dr
Naushaad Ebrahim on via email nebrahim@uwc.ac.za.
About Us
As of 2022, we are 4th Year Pharmacy students at the University of the Western Cape: Aakifah
Ahmed, Sidney Boer, Shae Lia Hendricks, Tayla Myburgh, Humaira Sima and Arencheo
Wagner. This project was conducted under the supervision of Dr Naushaad Ebrahim .
References:
● Zar, H. J., Streun, S., Levin, M., & Weinberg, E. G. (2005). Randomised controlled trial of
the efficacy of a metered dose inhaler with bottle spacer for bronchodilator treatment in
acute lower airway obstruction. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2006.101642
● WebMD. 2021. Asthma. [online] Available at:
[Accessed 22 March 2022].
● The Global Asthma Network, 2018. The Global Asthma Report. Auckland, New Zealand,
p.55.
● Zar HJ, Brown G, Donson H, Brathwaite N, Mann MD, Weinberg EG. (1999)
Home-made spacers for bronchodilator therapy in children with acute asthma: a
randomised trial. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(98)12445-5
This kit includes the following, which can be found on this page, or acquired by contacting Dr Ebrabim (contact details below).
● Instructional Videos - visually entails how to make these spacer devices.
● A Standard Operating Procedure document - of the correct procedures to follow for making the bottle spacers.
● A 3D printed mold - used in the process of converting 440mL/500mL plastic bottles into a spacer device. Alternatively the STL files can also be accessed on this page to allow self printing of the molds if a 3D printer is available.
● An Ideal Bottle Description - help to include and exclude certain bottle types found in South Africa.
● A pictorial Patient Information Label - displays how to use the bottle spacer with an MDI.
These starter kits are available for distribution to South African healthcare facilities - Please see
contact details below. A community project is created by encouraging the public to help
healthcare workers by collecting these bottles, giving them an opportunity to get engaged with
their local healthcare facilities.
Why is this significant?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition, resulting in inflammation of the inside walls of airway tracts (WebMD, 2021). It was determined to be the most prevalent chronic illness within South Africa (The Global Asthma Network, The Global Asthma Report, 2018). This is problematic especially in children, but can be controlled with the aid of spacer devices. These devices can be expensive and difficult to access. Alternative low-cost spacer devices made using plastic bottles are currently available and have been proven to be just as effective as conventional spacer devices (Zar et al., 1999). We have compiled this online spacer molding kit which is sustainable and easily accessible for healthcare facilities. Plastic cooldrink bottles are a common pollutant in the environment. Thus, recycling these into spacer devices provide a more sustainable option than mass-produced spacers, as we provide another option to simply throwing away your plastic cooldrink bottles.
All aspects of the project were made to be easily available by the creation of this website and
incorporated procedures in an easy-to-follow video format.
Instructional Videos on Making a Bottle-spacer
These videos demonstrate the process of making a bottle-spacer device from 440/500ml bottles
using the starter kit provided, and follows a 4 part sequence:
Step 1 - Pre-washing, recommending how to wash the bottles once collected.
Step 2 - Spacer Molding, shows how to safely and efficiently mold the bottles.
Step 3 - Quality Control, on how to clean off excess plastic pieces.
Step 4 - Post-washing, which demonstrates how to wash the molded bottles.
| Step 1 - Pre - Washing |
Step 2 - Spacer Molding |
| Step 3 - Quality Control | Step 4 - Post - washing |
| Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) The videos above follow the guidelines set out If access to a 3D printer is available, the in the SOP document which is available as text molds can be printed using the .stl files below. [Standard Operating Procedure.pdf] |
3D Mold STL Files If access to a 3D printer is available, the molds can be printed using the stl. files as below. [Support Base 1.stl] [Safety Mold 2.stl] |
The information below provides an outline as to which bottles are best to use, and what to exclude, based on certain characteristics of the plastic beverage bottles. Please note that all juice bottles are not to be utilised as a bottle spacer. Our recommendation of an ideal bottle is the Jive® 440mL and Double ‘‘O’’® 500mL bottles, but others may be considered.
Table of Ideal Bottle Characteristics
| CHARACTERISTIC | IDEAL BOTTLE CHARACTERISTICS |
| Bottle Size | 440ml or 500ml |
| Bottle Shape | Cylindrical throughout |
| Bottle colour | Colourless, transparent bottle |
| Blisters present on inside of bottle |
None |
| Ridges present on inside of the bottle |
None |
| Availability in stores | Freely available |
Patient Instruction Label
The printable label below visually demonstrates how patients should use the bottle-spacer
device with their MDI. This label could be displayed in the pharmacy or handed to patients
directly.
[Patient Instruction Label.pdf]
Contact Information
For any queries or information regarding acquiring the Starter Kit packs, please contact Dr
Naushaad Ebrahim on via email nebrahim@uwc.ac.za.
About Us
As of 2022, we are 4th Year Pharmacy students at the University of the Western Cape: Aakifah
Ahmed, Sidney Boer, Shae Lia Hendricks, Tayla Myburgh, Humaira Sima and Arencheo
Wagner. This project was conducted under the supervision of Dr Naushaad Ebrahim .
References:
● Zar, H. J., Streun, S., Levin, M., & Weinberg, E. G. (2005). Randomised controlled trial of
the efficacy of a metered dose inhaler with bottle spacer for bronchodilator treatment in
acute lower airway obstruction. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2006.101642
● WebMD. 2021. Asthma. [online] Available at:
● The Global Asthma Network, 2018. The Global Asthma Report. Auckland, New Zealand,
p.55.
● Zar HJ, Brown G, Donson H, Brathwaite N, Mann MD, Weinberg EG. (1999)
Home-made spacers for bronchodilator therapy in children with acute asthma: a
randomised trial. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(98)12445-5
The School of Pharmacy comprises of the disciplines Pharmacology, Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and supports research programmes in each of these disciplines as well as interdisciplinary projects.
The use and evaluation of traditional plant medicines and the implementation and enhancement of service learning have developed as strong interdisciplinary foci at UWC.
Research expertise and projects in pharmacy encompasses the spectrum of pharmaceutical sciences and includes all aspects, from the molecule and molecular interaction (drug design and pharmacological characterisation), through preformulation, formulation and drug delivery to drug/medicine utilisation and pharmaceutical care.
The above expertise and experience in medicine registration has also lead to the establishment of the interdisciplinary structured Masters in Regulatory Sciences.
Pharmaceutics
- Physico-chemical aspects of APIs and excipients for improved pre-formulation and formulation studies.
- Polymorphism, cyclodextrin inclusion and co-crystallization of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
This involves the isolation and complete physicochemical characterisation of the modified forms, including quantitative assessment of their in vitro aqueous solubility in relation to the untreated drugs.
hsamsodien@uwc.ac.za
Research is directed towards the development and translation of nanomedicines for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Current research themes include:
- Development of immunotherapeutic nanoparticles for treatment of tuberculosis.
- Development of inhalable particulate systems for treatment of tuberculosis.
- Mechanistic studies of interactions of nanoparticles with immune cells.
- Pharmacokinetic studies of nanoparticles in cells and animals.
- https://dubelab.com
Dr. Naushaad Ebrahim’s research scope is translational medicinal dosage form development of nano-systems, focusing on liposomal and phytosomal carrier systems which include the development of percutaneous absorption models for medicinal plants.
nebrahim@uwc.ac.zaResearch focus: Her research focusses on pharmaceutical preformulation through the investigation of the physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. Altering poor physico-chemical properties of APIs either through solid-state form changes, nano- or micro-encapsulation technology or a combination of both mentioned aspects.
To date her research involved metastable forms of drugs and the stabilisation of these forms. The rationale being that if a metastable form can remain in the solid-state form of higher free energy during dosage form manufacturing and typical shelf-life cycles, the problem of poor drug bioavailability due to poor solubility may be addressed. Furthermore, her research also involves encapsulating APIs through various encapsulating techniques that will bring forth advantages such as improved API solubility or stability. Her research actively combines drug particle engineering and solid-state chemistry of drugs as part of preformulation strategies, aiming to improve drug delivery, release and ultimately bioavailability.
To date her research involved metastable forms of drugs and the stabilisation of these forms. The rationale being that if a metastable form can remain in the solid-state form of higher free energy during dosage form manufacturing and typical shelf-life cycles, the problem of poor drug bioavailability due to poor solubility may be addressed. Furthermore, her research also involves encapsulating APIs through various encapsulating techniques that will bring forth advantages such as improved API solubility or stability. Her research actively combines drug particle engineering and solid-state chemistry of drugs as part of preformulation strategies, aiming to improve drug delivery, release and ultimately bioavailability.
Research focus provided as key points:
- Physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- Improvement of detrimental physic-chemical properties through preparation of different solid-state forms of the APIs, ie: amorphous forms, amorphous solid dispersions, solid dispersions, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates or co-crystals.
- Focus on the stability behaviour of different solid-state forms of drugs. Utilising different encapsulating technology of drug particles in order to improve physical or chemical stability, drug release profiles and targeted drug delivery.
Research focus:
His research focuses on pharmaceutical preformulation through the investigation of the physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. He alters poor physico-chemical properties of APIs through solid-state form modifications. His work centres on metastable solid forms and their stabilisation. Additionally, his research actively integrates APIs particle engineering and solid-state chemistry within preformulation strategies to optimise drug delivery, release kinetics, and therapeutic bioavailability.
In parallel, Dr. Milne advances supramolecular and medicinal chemistry by designing novel small-molecule scaffolds and host–guest assemblies for neurodegenerative diseases—with a strong focus on innovative methods. These systems enhance CNS penetration, modulate protein aggregation pathways, and improve neuroprotective efficacy—bridging solid-state engineering with targeted therapeutic innovation.
Research focus provided as key points:
His research focuses on pharmaceutical preformulation through the investigation of the physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. He alters poor physico-chemical properties of APIs through solid-state form modifications. His work centres on metastable solid forms and their stabilisation. Additionally, his research actively integrates APIs particle engineering and solid-state chemistry within preformulation strategies to optimise drug delivery, release kinetics, and therapeutic bioavailability.
In parallel, Dr. Milne advances supramolecular and medicinal chemistry by designing novel small-molecule scaffolds and host–guest assemblies for neurodegenerative diseases—with a strong focus on innovative methods. These systems enhance CNS penetration, modulate protein aggregation pathways, and improve neuroprotective efficacy—bridging solid-state engineering with targeted therapeutic innovation.
Research focus provided as key points:
- Physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- Improvement of detrimental physico-chemical properties through preparation of different solid-state forms of the APIs, i.e., amorphous forms, amorphous solid dispersions, solid dispersions, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, or co-crystals
- Focus on the stability behaviour of metastable solid-state forms of APIs
- Utilising drug particle engineering and encapsulation technologies to enhance stability, solubility, release profiles, and targeted delivery
- Development of supramolecular host–guest systems for neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Drug design and development, and computerised molecular modelling studies of multifunctional neuroprotective entities with ion channel (Ca2+), enzyme (neuronal nitric oxide synthase, cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase), receptor channel (NMDA), and/or antioxidant inhibitory activity.
- Fluorescent polycyclic ligands as valuable tools in neuroimaging for mechanistic insights into neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.
- Design and discovery of small molecules (MW < 500 g/mol) active against malaria, tuberculosis or the dengue virus.
Drug design and development – novel entities with ion channel or neuroprotective activity; novel molecules with resistance reversal or activity against malaria, tuberculosis or the dengue virus; Influence of chemical structure and conformation on physicochemical properties and membrane permeability of drugs; and drug nomenclature.
sfmalan@uwc.ac.za
sfmalan@uwc.ac.za
Research interests are focused in the area of marine natural products with specific focus on discovery and structure elucidation, medicinal potential, ecological role, biosynthesis and taxonomic application.
Current research projects include:
- Discovery and structure elucidation of marine natural products from marine algae, invertebrates and microorganisms.
- Exploring marine natural products as anticancer, antimalarial and antimycobacterial leads Evaluating the chemotaxonomic potential of marine algal natural products.
- Development of methods for the analysis of crude natural product mixtures.
- Drug design and development of novel polycylic compounds as possible reversers of drug resistance.
- The use of polycyclic scaffolds to improve membrane permeability of privileged structures.
Pharmacy Practice
The pharmacist's role in the practice environment:
- Community pharmacists’ perceptions/attitudes towards teenage use of post-coital contraception.
- Brain bilaterality of pharmacist.
- Role of empathy as a tool for pharmacists as counselors?.
Medicine accessibility and medicine supply management focusing on quality assurance of pharmaceuticals, providing equitable pharmaceutical services and the downstream medicine supply challenges addressed through novel distribution models:
- Expanding the clinical roles of pharmacists in the private sector to address public health problems (e.g. management of sexually transmitted infections)
- Interprofessional collaboration: Optimising the professional relationships between doctors, pharmacists and nurses to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes.
- Accessing medicine in Africa and South Asia – investigating the regulatory, financial, payment, organizational and behavioural barriers.
.
Research:
- Pharmaceutical Public Health, specifically Rational Medicine Use, including anti-microbial stewardship
- Adherence to anti-retroviral therapy and other chronic disease medicines
- Community based interventions to improve chronic disease management
- Substance abuse
Teaching:
- Pharmacy legislation
- Pharmaceutical care
- Public health
Research area:
Interprofessional collaboration, wound care, diabetes mellitus, pharmacy education, patient care.ccgreyling@uwc.ac.za
Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy
- Clinical studies: HIV/ AIDS and Tuberculosis. The focus is on Pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs and anti-TB drugs, treatment outcomes of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (including MDR/XDR-TB).
- The effect of HIV on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs is assessed. Basic pharmacological studies: Study of cardiovascular effects of drugs. Both in vivo (using Wistar albino rats) and in vitro (isolated perfused rat heart) are conducted".?
- Testing guideline implementation strategies among healthcare professionals in chronic disease management
- Exploring a clinic-based role for pharmacists Implementation of service-learning in pharmacy training Use of systematic reviews in therapeutic decision-making
Current Projects:
- Strategies for guideline implementation and clinic-based role of pharmacists in chronic disease management
- Institutionalisation of service learning in undergraduate pharmacy training programmes.
Research interests and expertise:
- Pharmacovigilance.
- Infectious diseases with special interests in pharmacotherapy of HIV and TB.
- Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacovigilance of antiretroviral agent.
- Special interest in Research Ethics in humans.
Research: Computational drug discovery and design, analysis and interpretation of chemical and bioactivity data using Cheminformatics, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning and Biostatistics techniques in conjunction with relevant in-vitro bioassays in order to discover and design novel drug candidates, especially from natural products, for infectious and non-infectious diseases.
As a formulator at heart, we are also involved in the development of novel drug delivery systems for herbal medicine (particularly exploring the use of nanotechnology as a tool for the preparation of novel drug delivery systems for herbal medicine).
+27 (021) 959 3388
+27843477250
As a formulator at heart, we are also involved in the development of novel drug delivery systems for herbal medicine (particularly exploring the use of nanotechnology as a tool for the preparation of novel drug delivery systems for herbal medicine).
Contact:
segieyeh@uwc.ac.za+27 (021) 959 3388
+27843477250
My research interest focuses on the role of the clinically focused pharmacist in the optimisation of medicine use and the implementation of interventions aimed at improving healthcare outcomes at the primary health care level as well as in hospitalised patients. I am also very interested in pharmacy education, with a special focus on experiential learning programmes in the clinical setting. I have experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
jmccartney@uwc.ac.za
jmccartney@uwc.ac.za
Research interests include preclinical and clinical pharmacology, with a particular focus on larval zebrafish disease models, behavioural pharmacology, neurochemical signalling and neuropsychiatric conditions. Current areas of interest include the gut–brain axis, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety-related disorders, translational neuroscience, drug discovery and the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutic interventions.
adossantos@uwc.ac.za
adossantos@uwc.ac.za
Research Interests and Supervision:
My research focuses on interprofessional education and collaborative practice, clinical pharmacy, antimicrobial stewardship, health promotion, and the rational use of medicines. I am actively involved in these fields and am open to supervising mini-thesis research projects. Additionally, I am available to co-supervise full-thesis Masters projects. At this stage in my career, I am not yet qualified to supervise PhD research projects.ykhan@uwc.ac.za
