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Heidi Wicks

Traditionally, pharmacists are perceived as medication dispensers who sit behind a counter and distribute pills.

But the truth is that pharmacists perform everything from medication reviews, to testing blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. Pharmacists provide smoking cessation counseling, offer safe disposal of expired medications, and advocate with government for client medication coverage.

The pharmacist’s role as health care providers is expanding, and as such, pharmacy schools across the country are adapting their curricula to meet these demands.

The (AFPC) recently announced that as of 2020, all pharmacy schools across the country should commit to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the entry-to-practice level. 

As such, the School of Pharmacy is committed to providing the best possible education and experience for its students, and has begun the process of creating an entry-to-practice Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) program, which is anticipated to roll out in the fall of 2017.

, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, says the curriculum transformation will be one of the school’s top priorities for the next three years.

“For the School of Pharmacy, excellence in teaching and learning, research and public engagement means that we must strive to produce the country’s best pharmacists, who will become leaders in our profession,” he says. “We are embarking on this journey for the betterment of our students, the advancement of the pharmacy profession, and for a better health care system.”

, (program director) will co-lead the program’s development with Dr. Marra and (Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies). The team began the process by holding a brainstorming retreat for faculty and staff. The goal was to determine guiding principles of the PharmD program by highlighting the desired knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of our graduating pharmacists and examining the strengths of our curriculum and areas to improve.

“The group was very engaged and productive during the brainstorming discussions and it was clear that they are committed to making this the best program in the country. It was an inspiring way to start the program planning,” said Dr. Bishop.

The school's Pharmacy Matters series will debut in early September, in the Health Sciences Centre Main Auditorium. 

The events will be held on September 9 (pharmacists event) from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and September 15 (current and prospective students event) from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., and will provide various stakeholder groups with the opportunity to voice their opinions about the upcoming program.

“We want this process to be inclusive for all of our stakeholders,” Dr. Bishop added. “We appreciate and greatly value the role the pharmacy community plays in the caliber of our program - from our preceptor program, to teaching in the classroom, volunteer time, to financial support.”  

In order to reach pharmacists across the province, the September 9 event will be webcast live, with an accompanying Twitter and Facebook feed to provide participants outside of St. John’s with an opportunity to add their voice.

 

Similar future events are planned to address other stakeholder groups, including faculties and departments within the university who will be connected to the new program. A session will also be held during the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) conference in mid-September.

“Anyone can visit our website at any time to provide input on the program’s development. We welcome advice and feedback at all stages of the planning and development of our new program,” said Dr. Bishop. “People can also use our official hashtag – #MUNPharmD – on or to add their thoughts about the program.”

For continuing updates on the Pharm D program, follow us on  and 'like' us on . Pharmacists can also  or complete a at any time.