Research

Our research draws on social pharmacy, drug utilisation research, and pharmacoepidemiology, three closely related and overlapping fields that investigate medication use, health outcomes, and pharmaceutical policy within healthcare and social security systems. Through this focus, our work is also closely linked to health services research and social policy research.
Approaches and methods

Social Pharmacy

Interdisciplinary field that examines medicines, medication use, and pharmaceutical services within their broader social context. It explores how social, behavioural, cultural, economic, organisational, and policy factors shape access to medicines, healthcare delivery, medication-related decision-making, and health outcomes. 

Pharmacoepidemiology

The study of the utilisation and effects of medicines in large numbers of people. Pharmacoepidemiology applies epidemiological theories and methods to generate real-world evidence to inform clinical practice, regulatory decision-making, public health, and pharmaceutical policy.

Drug Utilisation Research (DUR)

Qualitative and quantitative studies to describe, evaluate, understand and improve the use of medicines. DUR serves as a bridge between pharmacoepidemiology and health services research. 

Research projects, networks and collaborations

Research within our group is conducted in close collaboration with universities, research institutes, and other partner organisations in Finland and internationally. These collaborations bring together multidisciplinary expertise and strengthen the scientific impact and practical relevance of our work. Below, you will find links to our current collaborative research projects.