Clinical Pharmacy

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Clinical pharmacy is a health science discipline in which clinical pharmacists provide patient care that optimizes medication therapy and promotes health, wellness, and disease prevention. The practice of clinical pharmacy embraces the philosophy of pharmaceutical care; it blends a caring orientation with specialized therapeutic knowledge, experience, and judgment for the purpose of ensuring optimal patient outcomes. As a discipline, clinical pharmacy also has an obligation to contribute to the generation of new knowledge that advances health and quality of life.Before you choose the major, you may pay attention to the difference between Clinical Pharmacy and therapeutics. The main job for graduates with clinical pharmacy degree is clinical pharmacist.

1. Clinical pharmacy education in China

With the development of China,more and more international students tend to study Clinical Pharmacy in Chinese universities. Clinical Pharmacy education in China focuses on pharmaceutical sciences, with the clinical pharmacy bachelor degree of science as the entry-level degree. Chinese Clinical Pharmacy practice curricula in these programs are centered on compounding, dispensing, clinical pharmacy administration, and laboratory experiences, which are the traditional responsibilities for clinical pharmacists. Additional graduate-level training is available at the master of science (MS) and the doctor of philosophy (PHD) levels, most of which concentrate on drug discovery and drug development research. Presently, the emphasis in practice is beginning to shift to clinical pharmacy. With this change, additional degree offerings are being developed to meet the growing demand for clinical pharmacists. There is also interest in developing more clinical pharmacy skills in practicing clinical pharmacists through additional non-degree training. The Ministry of Education is considering a proposal for an clinical pharmacy master degree and/or an  clinical pharmacy doctor degree similar to the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree in the United States.

As China's economy has developed, the employment of clinical pharmacy graduates has fundamentally changed. Currently, clinical pharmacy graduates work in hospitals, community pharmacies, the insurance industry, long-term care, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and research institutes. There are many clinical pharmacy universities in China. Fudan University School of Pharmacy surveyed BS students graduating between 1996 and 2004. Their findings demonstrate a shift in employment from the previous study. The majority(45.2%) of more recent graduates worked in research and development; 28.8% became pharmaceutical manufactures' representatives;and 15.4% entered hospital pharmacy. Graduates with traditional MS and PhD degrees plan to work in research and development (76.5%), medication regulation (10.0%), clinical trials (4.3%), or as pharmaceutical manufacturers' representatives (4.3%). This shows that Chinese clinical pharmacy universities’ graduates have wide opportunities for clinical pharmacy jobs.

2. Graduates' opportunities with an clinical pharmacy degree

For graduates with an clinical pharmacy degree, there are many clinical opportunities available including clinical pharmacology, clinical practice, patient management, pharmacy administration, and laboratory research in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmacy research institutes, pharmaceutical industries, and government offices.

Clinical pharmacy jobs

• Clinical Pharmacist Specialist

• Clinical Manager

• Clinical Pharmacy technician

• Clinical Pharmacy Operations Manager

• Pharmacy Supervisor

• Pharmacy Assistant Director

• Pharmacy Director

Introduction to clinical pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists care for patients in all health care settings. They possess in-depth knowledge of medications that is integrated with a foundational understanding of the biomedical, pharmaceutical, sociobehavioral, and clinical sciences. To achieve desired therapeutic goals, the clinical pharmacist applies evidence-based therapeutic guidelines, evolving sciences, emerging technologies, and relevant legal, ethical, social, cultural, economic and professional principles. Accordingly, clinical pharmacists assume responsibility and accountability for managing medication therapy in direct patient care settings, whether practicing independently or in consultation/collaboration with other health care professionals. Clinical pharmacist researchers generate, disseminate, and apply new knowledge that contributes to improved health and quality of life.

Within the system of health care, clinical pharmacists are experts in the therapeutic use of medications.They routinely provide medication therapy evaluations and recommendations to patients and health care professionals. Clinical pharmacists are a primary source of scientifically valid information and advice regarding the safe, appropriate, and cost-effective use of medications.

Clinical pharmacy courses

1. a mix of basic science (such as mathematics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, and philosophy)

2. advanced chemistry (such as analytical chemistry and medicinal chemistry)

3. basic pharmacy (such as pharmacognosy, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacy administration).

Responsibilities practitioners with clinical pharmacy degree may take

1. Providing leadership through development and involvement in clinical pharmacy consult services, drug informatics, and hospital quality initiatives

2. Assisting in the development of a drug formulary and involvement in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

3. Planning, developing, and providing drug information and educational sessions to professionals within the pharmacy setting, as well as to physicians, nursing staff, and other health care professionals

4. Teaching, precepting, and mentoring students and residents