Doctor of Pharmacy
Encyclopedia
A Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy
. In some countries, it is a first professional
degree
, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist
.
offers an 6 year Pharmacy program. During the first 4 years, students focus on studying Pharmaceutical science. The last two years are considered clinical residency in which students practice clinical pharmacy at various hospital
and community pharmacies before they graduate.
, Edo State is the only institution offering the Pharm D degree. It is a six (6) year undergraduate program. Students are giving clinical training in Pharmaceutical Care (PC) in various hospitals in the City
since 1964, Jahangirnagar University since 1982, Rajshahi University
, Khulna University
, and Noakhali Science & Technology University. All of these are government universities. There are also 20 private universities in Bangladesh offering pharmacy education.Among them "The University of Asia Pacific (http://www.uap-bd.edu0, International Islamic University Chittagonghttp://www.iiuc.ac.bd and North South University are the top rated private universities. It is the best for home and abroad students. The B.Pharm is completed in 4 years and the M.Pharm in one year.
and the Pharmacy Council of India
in 2008. The first batch of post-baccalaureate Pharm.D students graduated in August 2011. The Pharm.D degree requires five years of classroom-based academic study (two years as a post-baccalaureate course), followed by a year of internship or residency training.
a total of 21 universities are registered with Pharmacy Council of Pakistan for imparting Pharmacy courses. In 2004 Higher Education Commission of Pakistan revised the syllabus and changed the 4-year B.Pharm Program to 5-year PharmD. program. Out of the 21 universities, 19 universities have so far started the 5-year Program. In this regard [Baqai Medical University] - a Private Sector University - is ahead of other universities for its well established six months regular Clinical Pharmacy in the main Govt. hospitals of Peshawar. The top raking professional institution of PharmD degrees in Pakistan are University of Peshawar
, Punjab University
, University of Karachi
, Quaid-i-Azam University
. Recently, the renowned public sector medical university of Pakistan, Dow University of Health Sciences
also initiated its PharmD. Program at its new constituent college, Dow College of Pharmacy (DCOP) at Dow Medical Research City, Ojha.Jinnah university is also offering D pharm.
, only the Centro Escolar University
offers the degree Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The degree requires the completion of 52 units of formal course work and 36 units of clinical rotation done at the Makati Medical Center. It is a 2-year postbaccalaureate degree open to licensed pharmacists in the Philippines.
http://www.ceu.edu.ph
, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)program first established at Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences http://www.pha.nu.ac.th Naresuan University http://www.nu.ac.th in 1992.and Faculty of Pharmacy http://pharmacy.siam.edu/ Siam University http://www.siam.edu in 2007.
, Mgr.) (the undergraduate study of pharmacy takes 5 years). Applicants must defend a research or experimental thesis, and pass a rigorous examination. The PharmDr. title is highly prestigious and written in front of the name. It is different from the postgraduate Ph.D.
diploma.
, pharmacy studies can only be accessed through a competitive examination ("concours
", with numerus clausus
) happening at the end of the first year of health studies. Most candidates hold a Scientific Baccalaureate from the equivalent to high schools (lycée). In case of failure, it is possible to retry once. Yearly success rate depends on the university's current numerus clausus
and the number or registered students, ranging from 10 to 30% bearing in mind that second-time participants are three to four times more likely to succeed than students trying for the first time.
The studies last a minimum of 6 years, or 9 years for students choosing residency (hospital pharmacy
or medical biology
). It is accessible through another competitive exam, even more selective. It lasts four years and gives another diploma of specialist like in medicine (DES for "diplôme d'études spécialisées" ) .
Students must specialise when entering the 5th year, and choose between dispensing pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry or hospital residency. In any case, a 12-month part-time hospital externship is mandatory during the 5th year, although some flexibility is possible for students choosing industry.
6th year for industry is generally dedicated to further specialisation with a former Professional Master's degree
or a former Research Master's degree
including internship.
State diploma for the Doctorate of Pharmacy, Pharm D., is granted to pharmacists after they have completed a thesis.
In France, since the harmonization of European Union in September 2005, the student who chooses the industry/research orientation have a 6 month period of part time hospital externship, and 3 to 6 month of full time training in a pharmaceutical industry or a research lab.
It is also possible to defend a research thesis for preparing a Ph.D.
After having obtained the Master degree in Pharmacy, the student may also choose to become a specialist in Hospital Pharmacy, with an additional 4 year professional study program and respective final exam.
The student takes the Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (equivalent to the PharmD program) in one of the 9 Pharmacy faculties with their own respective numerous clausus which comprises a 6 year rigorous study (5 with the uniformities in EU teaching). Finished the degree, the academic title of Doctor of Pharmacy is issued. The graduate can then enroll in the regulatory institution for the Pharmacist profession in Portugal called, "Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society" or in Portuguese "Ordem dos Farmacêuticos". After the enrollment the title of Pharmacist is issued. Afterward, Pharmacists can start their career in a limitless number of professional areas that range from community pharmacies, drug development, fundamental or applied research, biotechnology to areas such as forensic sciences, toxicology, regulatory affairs, clinical analysis, law enforcement (scientific police), bromatology, drug marketing, regulatory authorities, university teachers, etc. The Pharmacists can also choose to become a specialist in one of following areas of activity: Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Affairs, Hospital Pharmacy, and Clinical Analysis. Each specialization requires an additional 5 year professional study program guided by a tutor in the respective area of knowledge. This training includes regular evaluations by the professional order, which also requires an exam at the end of the 5 year training. After the success at the exam, the Pharmacist then becomes a specialist in its area of expertise.
In summary, in Spain an entry-level pharmacy degree lasts 5 years and a Hospital Pharmacy Specialist needs 9.5 years of education and/or training. Hospital Pharmacy Residents are paid during their residency period. There are other residencies avalailable to pharmacists such as Medical Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Radiopharmacy, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Industrial Pharmacy lasting from 2 to 4 years.
Pharmacists usually work as retail pharmacists (private practice), hospital pharmacists, primary care pharmacists, medical biologists, scientists (private and public biomedical research institutions), as university professors (Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, Food Sciences, Biochemistry, Veterinary, Nursing, etc.), and as technicians and exceutive managers (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and governmental institutions).
The Masters degree in Pharmacy was available in Tehran University since 1926.
Program. When the program was first offered, students shared their first 3 years with medicine student, the last two with pharmacy students and one year of clinical work. After 2006, the program's nature had changed; a new curricula was developed specifically for this program. Students now complete 5 years of academical work and 1 year of clinical practice to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy(B.Sc.) degree. This program is offered at some public universities in Jordan, such as Jordan University of Science and Technology
and University of Jordan
.
, the first Doctor of Pharmacy degree was awarded by the Lebanese University Faculty of Pharmacy (upon a decree by the Lebanese government) to its graduating class of 19 students in 1992. The program was first established by Dr. Anwar Bikhazi, a Pharmacy graduate of the American University of Beirut
with a PhD from the University of Michigan
. The 6-year entry level PharmD program at the Lebanese University adopted the US PharmD curriculum and training. Enrollment into the program is highly competitive with an average admission rate of 20% of applicants. This was the leading PharmD program in the Middle East, which was followed by other mirror copies of similar programs in Lebanon and neighboring countries, such as the one provided by the Lebanese American University (LAU).
, then in 2005 at Ibn-Sina University, then 2006 at KFU, then 2007 at Qassim University. In 2008, KSU College of Pharmacy at Riyadh, College of Pharmacy at Kharj, and Taif University started their PharmD programs. The degree duration in Saudi Arabia is six years in total, including one academic year of clinical rotations.
According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), if a student graduates with a (minimum six years) PharmD degree, then the graduate has the chance to further develop himself. This can be achieved by taking an Accredited Residency Training Program that is at least one year long (for a total of seven years, minimum). Upon successfully completing both the Residency program and the PharmD, the graduate can apply for Professional Equivalent (only equivalent in practice) to the Master degree in Pharmacy.It is also available in cnaq
and French
. Currently in Canada BScPharm (and not PharmD) is the minimum level to practice pharmacy. Students enrolled in the program must have graduated from a CCAPP (Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) or an ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) school with an accredited teaching program or must have passed the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) Evaluating and Qualifying examinations.
As of fall 2007, the PharmD program is offered at the Université de Montréal
(in French) and at the Université Laval
(in French). The Université de Montréal
was the first Canadian university to give this program instead of the baccalaureate program in pharmacy. A PharmD degree may also be obtained upon completion of a post-graduate program through the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.
, the PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy
) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice. It is awarded after four years of pharmacy school, which include one year of practical experience. Most schools require students to take an entrance test (PCAT) and complete 60-90 credit hours (2–3 years) of university coursework in the sciences, mathematics, composition and humanities before entry into a professional program. Many pharmacy students complete a bachelors degree before entry to pharmacy school.
Total time: 2–4 years undergraduate (Associate or Bachelor degree), 4 years professional (PharmD), optional 1–3 years of specialization (residency/fellowship).
Previously, in the United States, the bachelor's degree
in pharmacy was the first-professional degree for pharmacy practice. Some schools and colleges of pharmacy offered a post-baccalaureate graduate PharmD degree. These graduate level degrees became prevalent in US programs in the late 1960s.
In 1990, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
(AACP) mandated that a doctor of pharmacy degree would be the new first-professional degree. Currently all accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy in the US offer the PharmD degree. Many also offer post-PharmD graduate programs in specialized areas of the profession.
The current PharmD degree curriculum is very different than that of the prior BS in pharmacy and now includes extensive didactic clinical preparation and a full year of hands-on practice experience.
In the USA, legal requirements to becoming a pharmacist
include graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy
(PharmD) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, serving an internship under a licensed pharmacist, and passing a state (NAPLEX) and law exam. The designation PharmD is sometimes erroneously likened to a PhD degree which is an advanced scientific degree in this field (ie. Phd. in Pharmacology or Pharmaceutics). PharmD holders can also earn another advanced degree in this field such as the MS in Pharmarcy offered at many US institutions. The former degree was a Bachelor of Pharmacy and required slightly less schooling and different curriculum. Due to the changes to health care in today's society and the increasing need for counseling and medication maintenance, pharmacists have taken on a larger role as clinicians. This increase in the need for accessible health care information for consumers has led to great strides in the field of pharmacy. One result of this has been a change in the way pharmacy schools structure their curriculum as well as an advanced doctorate degree, which further sets the pharmacist apart as a trusted ally in a patient's health care treatment regimen. In fact, pharmacists consistently rank as one of the most trusted professionals in today's society.
This degree requires the completion of at least five years of post-secondary schooling but usually requires at least 6-8 years at present time, depending on which state you live in and the pharmacy school which you attend. The former degree obtained upon completion of pharmacy school was a Bachelors in Pharmacy or BS and pharmacists with this designation were given the title RPh.
In the USA, pharmacist who acquire a PharmD degree are legally allowed to add the prefix "Dr." before his / her name.
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
. In some countries, it is a first professional
First professional degree
A professional degree prepares the holder for a particular profession by emphasizing competency skills along with theory and analysis. These professions are typically licensed or otherwise regulated by a governmental or government-approved body...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
.
Kenya
The University of NairobiUniversity of Nairobi
The University of Nairobi is the largest university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution goes back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970 when the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: Makerere University in...
offers an 6 year Pharmacy program. During the first 4 years, students focus on studying Pharmaceutical science. The last two years are considered clinical residency in which students practice clinical pharmacy at various hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
and community pharmacies before they graduate.
Nigeria
Presently, The University of BeninUniversity of Benin
There are several institutions called the University of Benin in West Africa:*The National University of Benin, in Cotonou, Benin*The University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria*The University of Benin in Lomé, Togo, now known as the University of Lomé...
, Edo State is the only institution offering the Pharm D degree. It is a six (6) year undergraduate program. Students are giving clinical training in Pharmaceutical Care (PC) in various hospitals in the City
Bangladesh
The degree is offered in numerous universities. The study material is taught in English. The text books and exams are in English, thesis is provided in English. The universities are the University of DhakaUniversity of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
since 1964, Jahangirnagar University since 1982, Rajshahi University
Rajshahi University
Rajshahi University or University of Rajshahi is a public university located in Rajshahi, a city in north-western Bangladesh...
, Khulna University
Khulna University
Khulna University is one of the public universities in Bangladesh. It is situated at Gollamari, Khulna, Bangladesh, by the river Moyuree, beside the Khulna-Satkhira highway. The academic programs of Khulna University started on 31 August 1991 with only 80 students in four disciplines. Currently,...
, and Noakhali Science & Technology University. All of these are government universities. There are also 20 private universities in Bangladesh offering pharmacy education.Among them "The University of Asia Pacific (http://www.uap-bd.edu0, International Islamic University Chittagonghttp://www.iiuc.ac.bd and North South University are the top rated private universities. It is the best for home and abroad students. The B.Pharm is completed in 4 years and the M.Pharm in one year.
India
The Pharm.D (a 6 year integrated doctorate in pharmacy course) was introduced by the Government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
and the Pharmacy Council of India
Pharmacy Council of India
The pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate level is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India , a statutory body governed by the provisions of the Pharmacy Act 1948 passed by the Indian Parliament....
in 2008. The first batch of post-baccalaureate Pharm.D students graduated in August 2011. The Pharm.D degree requires five years of classroom-based academic study (two years as a post-baccalaureate course), followed by a year of internship or residency training.
Pakistan
In the PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
a total of 21 universities are registered with Pharmacy Council of Pakistan for imparting Pharmacy courses. In 2004 Higher Education Commission of Pakistan revised the syllabus and changed the 4-year B.Pharm Program to 5-year PharmD. program. Out of the 21 universities, 19 universities have so far started the 5-year Program. In this regard [Baqai Medical University] - a Private Sector University - is ahead of other universities for its well established six months regular Clinical Pharmacy in the main Govt. hospitals of Peshawar. The top raking professional institution of PharmD degrees in Pakistan are University of Peshawar
University of Peshawar
The University of Peshawar is a public sector university in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan. The university was established in October 1950 by Mr...
, Punjab University
Punjab University
Punjab University may refer to:In India:*Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana*Punjab Technical University*Punjabi University, Patiala*Panjab University, ChandigarhIn Pakistan:*University of the Punjab, Lahore...
, University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
, Quaid-i-Azam University
Quaid-i-Azam University
The Quaid-i-Azam University is a public, research university in Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. It was initially founded as the "University of Islamabad" in July 1967...
. Recently, the renowned public sector medical university of Pakistan, Dow University of Health Sciences
Dow University of Health Sciences
Dow University of Health Sciences is a coeducational medical university, owned by Mohammad Hamza Rahman and founded in 2003, in Karachi, Pakistan. It comprises two already established schools, Dow Medical College, and Sindh Medical College as well as the newly formed Dow International Medical...
also initiated its PharmD. Program at its new constituent college, Dow College of Pharmacy (DCOP) at Dow Medical Research City, Ojha.Jinnah university is also offering D pharm.
Philippines
In the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, only the Centro Escolar University
Centro Escolar University
Centro Escolar University is a private university in the Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna, and was originally called Centro Escolar de Señoritas. It became a university in 1933...
offers the degree Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The degree requires the completion of 52 units of formal course work and 36 units of clinical rotation done at the Makati Medical Center. It is a 2-year postbaccalaureate degree open to licensed pharmacists in the Philippines.
http://www.ceu.edu.ph
Thailand
In ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)program first established at Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences http://www.pha.nu.ac.th Naresuan University http://www.nu.ac.th in 1992.and Faculty of Pharmacy http://pharmacy.siam.edu/ Siam University http://www.siam.edu in 2007.
Czech Republic and Slovakia
In both countries, the Pharm. D. (Pharmaciae doctor) diploma can be obtained by pharmacists who have previously graduated in pharmacy (MagisterMagister (degree)
Magister is an academic degree used in various systems of higher education.-Argentina:...
, Mgr.) (the undergraduate study of pharmacy takes 5 years). Applicants must defend a research or experimental thesis, and pass a rigorous examination. The PharmDr. title is highly prestigious and written in front of the name. It is different from the postgraduate Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
diploma.
France
In FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, pharmacy studies can only be accessed through a competitive examination ("concours
Concours
Concours or EU concours is a recruitment competition and examination to select staff to all institutions of the European Union.- Explanation of open competition :...
", with numerus clausus
Numerus clausus
Numerus clausus is one of many methods used to limit the number of students who may study at a university. In many cases, the goal of the numerus clausus is simply to limit the number of students to the maximum feasible in some particularly sought-after areas of studies.However, in some cases,...
) happening at the end of the first year of health studies. Most candidates hold a Scientific Baccalaureate from the equivalent to high schools (lycée). In case of failure, it is possible to retry once. Yearly success rate depends on the university's current numerus clausus
Numerus clausus
Numerus clausus is one of many methods used to limit the number of students who may study at a university. In many cases, the goal of the numerus clausus is simply to limit the number of students to the maximum feasible in some particularly sought-after areas of studies.However, in some cases,...
and the number or registered students, ranging from 10 to 30% bearing in mind that second-time participants are three to four times more likely to succeed than students trying for the first time.
The studies last a minimum of 6 years, or 9 years for students choosing residency (hospital pharmacy
Hospital pharmacy
A hospital pharmacy is concerned with pharmacy service to all types of hospital and differs considerably from a community pharmacy.Some pharmacists in hospital pharmacies may have more complex clinical medication management issues whereas pharmacists in community pharmacies often have more complex...
or medical biology
Clinical pathology
Clinical pathology , Laboratory Medicine , Clinical analysis or Clinical/Medical Biology , is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as...
). It is accessible through another competitive exam, even more selective. It lasts four years and gives another diploma of specialist like in medicine (DES for "diplôme d'études spécialisées" ) .
Students must specialise when entering the 5th year, and choose between dispensing pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry or hospital residency. In any case, a 12-month part-time hospital externship is mandatory during the 5th year, although some flexibility is possible for students choosing industry.
6th year for industry is generally dedicated to further specialisation with a former Professional Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
or a former Research Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
including internship.
State diploma for the Doctorate of Pharmacy, Pharm D., is granted to pharmacists after they have completed a thesis.
In France, since the harmonization of European Union in September 2005, the student who chooses the industry/research orientation have a 6 month period of part time hospital externship, and 3 to 6 month of full time training in a pharmaceutical industry or a research lab.
It is also possible to defend a research thesis for preparing a Ph.D.
Hungary
In Hungary, pharmacists obtain their Master's degree, after 5 years of study. On the fifth year, students must undergo a professional training, that lasts for six months in a public pharmacy or a hospital. At the end of this period, the student must pass a nationwide exam to be legally entitled for practicing the profession of pharmacy, after acquiring the pharmacist work license. According to the new law in 2008, all pharmacists, who have acquired the Masters degree of Pharmacy, are entitled to the Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy).Italy
In Italy the Master's degree in Pharmacy last 5 years, which includes a 6-months professional training in a public pharmacy or hospital. At the end of this period, the student must pass a nationwide exam to be legally entitled for practising the profession of pharmacist. The subscription to "Pharmacists Order", or in Italian "Ordine dei Farmacisti", is required for working in public pharmacies or hospitals. It is not required if the pharmacist is working in a private entity (e.g. a pharmaceutical company).After having obtained the Master degree in Pharmacy, the student may also choose to become a specialist in Hospital Pharmacy, with an additional 4 year professional study program and respective final exam.
Netherlands
The education of pharmacists in the Netherlands requires a minimum of six years of university study. EU-harmonisation has led to division into three bachelor and three master years. A bachelor title is, however, not used at all professionally. The Dutch consider the educational level of their current (M.Sc.) Degree in Pharmacy to be comparable to the PharmD title in use in the United States. Before the harmonization a four year Master of Science was superseded by two more years of university education preparing for pharmacy practice. To become a hospital pharmacist a 4-year residency program has to completed after that.Portugal
In Portugal, Pharmacy studies consists in 4 years of basic school, 5 years of preparatory school, and three years of high school where afterward the student is submitted to nationwide exams. The process is the same for every degree the student chooses, from medicine to engineering.The student takes the Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (equivalent to the PharmD program) in one of the 9 Pharmacy faculties with their own respective numerous clausus which comprises a 6 year rigorous study (5 with the uniformities in EU teaching). Finished the degree, the academic title of Doctor of Pharmacy is issued. The graduate can then enroll in the regulatory institution for the Pharmacist profession in Portugal called, "Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society" or in Portuguese "Ordem dos Farmacêuticos". After the enrollment the title of Pharmacist is issued. Afterward, Pharmacists can start their career in a limitless number of professional areas that range from community pharmacies, drug development, fundamental or applied research, biotechnology to areas such as forensic sciences, toxicology, regulatory affairs, clinical analysis, law enforcement (scientific police), bromatology, drug marketing, regulatory authorities, university teachers, etc. The Pharmacists can also choose to become a specialist in one of following areas of activity: Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Affairs, Hospital Pharmacy, and Clinical Analysis. Each specialization requires an additional 5 year professional study program guided by a tutor in the respective area of knowledge. This training includes regular evaluations by the professional order, which also requires an exam at the end of the 5 year training. After the success at the exam, the Pharmacist then becomes a specialist in its area of expertise.
Spain
In Spain, Pharmacy studies can be accessed after completing five and a half years of University College (with at least 6 months of initiation to Pharmacy Practice). The Licenciado en Farmacia or Grado en Farmacia (equivalent to the PharmD program) Spanish degree is the only title that allows to practice the profession of Pharmacy in Spain. To become a Hospital Pharmacist a person with a degree in Pharmacy must enter a selection process (national selection process called FIR) to initiate a Pharmacy Residency period of professional training during 4 additional years (including one full year of advanced clinical practice in different medical wards). Apart from the professional degrees, like with any other university studies, Pharmacy degree allows to pursue an academic career by enrolling masters and doctorates programs (MSc and PhD) in several scientific fields (pharmaceutical technology, pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics, biomedical sciences, cosmetics & pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical and organic chemistry, physical chemistry, food sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, public health, etc.). Masters usually lasts 1–2 years and PhD's no less than 4 years.In summary, in Spain an entry-level pharmacy degree lasts 5 years and a Hospital Pharmacy Specialist needs 9.5 years of education and/or training. Hospital Pharmacy Residents are paid during their residency period. There are other residencies avalailable to pharmacists such as Medical Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Radiopharmacy, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Industrial Pharmacy lasting from 2 to 4 years.
Pharmacists usually work as retail pharmacists (private practice), hospital pharmacists, primary care pharmacists, medical biologists, scientists (private and public biomedical research institutions), as university professors (Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, Food Sciences, Biochemistry, Veterinary, Nursing, etc.), and as technicians and exceutive managers (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and governmental institutions).
Iran
In 1930 Tehran University changed the Pharmacy degree from Masters to doctorate (Pharm.D. or Doctor of Pharmacy) and the duration of the study was increased to 5 years. Graduates need to present and defend their theses in different fields of pharmacy and this adds another year to their studies and generally after 6 years students can graduate as Doctor in Pharmacy.The Masters degree in Pharmacy was available in Tehran University since 1926.
Jordan
In Jordan, this program was first offered in 2000. This program is not to be confused with PharmacyPharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
Program. When the program was first offered, students shared their first 3 years with medicine student, the last two with pharmacy students and one year of clinical work. After 2006, the program's nature had changed; a new curricula was developed specifically for this program. Students now complete 5 years of academical work and 1 year of clinical practice to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy(B.Sc.) degree. This program is offered at some public universities in Jordan, such as Jordan University of Science and Technology
Jordan University of Science and Technology
The Jordan University of Science and Technology , often abbreviated JUST, is a comprehensive, state-supported university located on the outskirts of Irbid at Ar Ramtha region, in northern Jordan....
and University of Jordan
University of Jordan
The University of Jordan , is a government-supported University located in Amman, Jordan...
.
Lebanon
In LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, the first Doctor of Pharmacy degree was awarded by the Lebanese University Faculty of Pharmacy (upon a decree by the Lebanese government) to its graduating class of 19 students in 1992. The program was first established by Dr. Anwar Bikhazi, a Pharmacy graduate of the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
with a PhD from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. The 6-year entry level PharmD program at the Lebanese University adopted the US PharmD curriculum and training. Enrollment into the program is highly competitive with an average admission rate of 20% of applicants. This was the leading PharmD program in the Middle East, which was followed by other mirror copies of similar programs in Lebanon and neighboring countries, such as the one provided by the Lebanese American University (LAU).
Qatar
In Qatar, pharmacy degrees are offered by the new College of Pharmacy at the Qatar University. Students were accepted into the 5-year BSc (Pharm) program commencing in 2007. Students will be accepted into the final year of the 6-year PharmD program in 2011. Accordingly, the first graduates of the PharmD program are expected in 2012. The program adopts a Canadian curriculum and received early accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) in February 2009. This is the first international program to undergo review and receive accreditation by this sole Canadian accreditation agency.Saudi Arabia
Started in 2001 at KAUKing Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University was founded in 1967 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Designed by English architect John Elliott, it had 2,000 teachers and more than 37,000 students in 2000/2001....
, then in 2005 at Ibn-Sina University, then 2006 at KFU, then 2007 at Qassim University. In 2008, KSU College of Pharmacy at Riyadh, College of Pharmacy at Kharj, and Taif University started their PharmD programs. The degree duration in Saudi Arabia is six years in total, including one academic year of clinical rotations.
According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), if a student graduates with a (minimum six years) PharmD degree, then the graduate has the chance to further develop himself. This can be achieved by taking an Accredited Residency Training Program that is at least one year long (for a total of seven years, minimum). Upon successfully completing both the Residency program and the PharmD, the graduate can apply for Professional Equivalent (only equivalent in practice) to the Master degree in Pharmacy.It is also available in cnaq
Canada
In Canada the PharmD program is offered in both EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. Currently in Canada BScPharm (and not PharmD) is the minimum level to practice pharmacy. Students enrolled in the program must have graduated from a CCAPP (Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) or an ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) school with an accredited teaching program or must have passed the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) Evaluating and Qualifying examinations.
As of fall 2007, the PharmD program is offered at the Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
(in French) and at the Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
(in French). The Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
was the first Canadian university to give this program instead of the baccalaureate program in pharmacy. A PharmD degree may also be obtained upon completion of a post-graduate program through the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.
United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice. It is awarded after four years of pharmacy school, which include one year of practical experience. Most schools require students to take an entrance test (PCAT) and complete 60-90 credit hours (2–3 years) of university coursework in the sciences, mathematics, composition and humanities before entry into a professional program. Many pharmacy students complete a bachelors degree before entry to pharmacy school.
Total time: 2–4 years undergraduate (Associate or Bachelor degree), 4 years professional (PharmD), optional 1–3 years of specialization (residency/fellowship).
Previously, in the United States, the bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in pharmacy was the first-professional degree for pharmacy practice. Some schools and colleges of pharmacy offered a post-baccalaureate graduate PharmD degree. These graduate level degrees became prevalent in US programs in the late 1960s.
In 1990, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is the national association of schools and colleges of pharmacy and their faculty.-External links:* *...
(AACP) mandated that a doctor of pharmacy degree would be the new first-professional degree. Currently all accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy in the US offer the PharmD degree. Many also offer post-PharmD graduate programs in specialized areas of the profession.
The current PharmD degree curriculum is very different than that of the prior BS in pharmacy and now includes extensive didactic clinical preparation and a full year of hands-on practice experience.
In the USA, legal requirements to becoming a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
include graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy
A Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a first professional degree, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist.-Kenya :...
(PharmD) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, serving an internship under a licensed pharmacist, and passing a state (NAPLEX) and law exam. The designation PharmD is sometimes erroneously likened to a PhD degree which is an advanced scientific degree in this field (ie. Phd. in Pharmacology or Pharmaceutics). PharmD holders can also earn another advanced degree in this field such as the MS in Pharmarcy offered at many US institutions. The former degree was a Bachelor of Pharmacy and required slightly less schooling and different curriculum. Due to the changes to health care in today's society and the increasing need for counseling and medication maintenance, pharmacists have taken on a larger role as clinicians. This increase in the need for accessible health care information for consumers has led to great strides in the field of pharmacy. One result of this has been a change in the way pharmacy schools structure their curriculum as well as an advanced doctorate degree, which further sets the pharmacist apart as a trusted ally in a patient's health care treatment regimen. In fact, pharmacists consistently rank as one of the most trusted professionals in today's society.
This degree requires the completion of at least five years of post-secondary schooling but usually requires at least 6-8 years at present time, depending on which state you live in and the pharmacy school which you attend. The former degree obtained upon completion of pharmacy school was a Bachelors in Pharmacy or BS and pharmacists with this designation were given the title RPh.
In the USA, pharmacist who acquire a PharmD degree are legally allowed to add the prefix "Dr." before his / her name.
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.