The University has been listed 20th in a survey, published by Times Higher Education, based on pharmacology paper citations over the decade between January 1999 and October 2009.

The study analysed original research reports and review articles from this period indexed by the Thomson Reuters agency. It discovered that 321 papers published by Strathclyde were cited a total of 5,142 times by other scientists, an average of 16.02 citations per paper.

The survey covered institutions which had gained 5,000 or more citations but the rankings were made by the citations per paper, meaning they were based on influence rather than number of papers.

The findings follow a survey by the Guardian newspaper last year which listed Strathclyde as the second-top university in the UK  for teaching in pharmacy and pharmacology and first for pharmacy.

Professor Graham Coombs, Head of the Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, said: "This rating is a testament to the quality and authority of pharmacology and pharmacy research at Strathclyde. Our researchers have an expertise and insight which is acknowledged and valued by their peers.

"The survey again demonstrates the important role that Strathclyde has in this area of research. We are making major contributions towards the development of safer, more effective treatments for patients, locally, nationally and internationally."

The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences is currently the subject of an £8 million fundraising campaign for a £36 million new building to expand and enhance its work in developing new medicines including cancer, heart, disease, infectious diseases and schizophrenia.