Faculty: Pharmacy

The Pharmacy specialization focuses on the science and practice of preparing and dispensing medications, as well as providing patient care and education. Students develop skills in pharmacology, pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and clinical pharmacy. Graduates are prepared to work in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinical settings, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Develop skills in pharmacology, pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and clinical pharmacy.
• Learn techniques for drug preparation, dispensing, and management.
• Explore principles of patient care, medication therapy management, and public health.
• Analyze and interpret pharmaceutical data and research findings.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills for effective pharmacy practice.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Pharmacy
   • An overview of the key concepts, principles, and practices in pharmacy.
   • Basics of pharmaceutical sciences, medication management, and patient care.
2. Pharmacology
   • Principles of pharmacology, including drug actions, mechanisms, and therapeutic uses.
   • Techniques to understand and apply pharmacological principles in medication therapy.
3. Pharmacy Science
   • Principles of pharmacy science, including drug formulation, dosage forms, and delivery systems.
   • Techniques for designing and manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
4. Medicinal Chemistry
   • Principles of medicinal chemistry, including drug design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships.
   • Techniques for developing and optimizing pharmaceutical compounds.
5. Clinical Pharmacy
   • Principles of clinical pharmacy, including patient assessment, medication therapy management, and interprofessional collaboration.
   • Techniques for providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care to patients.
6. Patient Care and Communication
   • Principles of patient care and communication, including patient education, counseling, and adherence support.
   • Techniques for effective communication and relationship-building with patients.
7. Public Health and Pharmacy
   • Principles of public health in pharmacy, including disease prevention, health promotion, and drug safety.
   • Techniques for addressing public health issues through pharmaceutical interventions.
8. Pharmacy Law and Ethics
   • Principles of pharmacy law and ethics, including legal regulations, professional standards, and ethical decision-making.
   • Techniques for maintaining legal and ethical standards in pharmacy practice.
9. Clinical Training/Internship
   • Practical experiences in pharmacy environments, including clinical training, internships, and hands-on practice in community pharmacies, hospitals, or clinical settings.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical pharmacy scenarios.
10. Pharmacy Capstone Project
    • A comprehensive project applying skills in pharmacology or clinical pharmacy.
    • Presentation of a polished pharmaceutical project, research paper, or presentation.

Assessment Methods:

• Pharmacology reports, pharmacy projects, medicinal chemistry studies, clinical pharmacy plans, patient care and communication projects, public health analyses, pharmacy law and ethics projects, clinical training/internship reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Pharmacy" by various authors.
• "Pharmacology" by various authors.
• "Pharmacy" by various authors.
• "Medicinal Chemistry" by various authors.
• "Clinical Pharmacy" by various authors.
• "Patient Care and Communication" by various authors.
• "Public Health and Pharmacy" by various authors.
• "Pharmacy Law and Ethics" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, and anatomy. Suitable for students interested in pharmaceutical sciences, medication management, and healthcare.

Program Duration:

Typically 4 to 6 years to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.), including coursework, clinical training, and internships. Additional advanced degrees or certifications may be required for specialized roles.

Certification:

Graduates may obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) and pursue further education or professional certifications, such as licensure exams (e.g., NAPLEX in the USA) to become registered pharmacists.

Target Audience:

Aspiring pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, pharmacologists, and individuals seeking careers in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinical settings, and the pharmaceutical industry. This specialization equips students with the scientific, clinical, and patient care skills necessary to excel in pharmacy, supporting careers in diverse pharmaceutical and healthcare environments.