A new degree launched in New Zealand has been born out of the Covid pandemic

Otago University will offer a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science from next year.

School of Pharmacy Associate Professor, Arlene McDowell, says Covid's had a significant impact in getting the degree of the ground.

She says the pandemic is a tragedy - but it's highlighted being able to have people trained to create medicines quickly is an advantage.

She's hoping other universities will follow suit.