Perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria on the introduction of the Pharm.D. degree to Nigerian pharmacy schools

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Pharmacy education and practice are facing remarkable changes following new scientific discoveries, evolving patient needs and the requirements for advanced pharmacy competencies for current and future practices (Anderson et al., 2012). Therefore, many countries are introducing or undertaking major transformations in pharmacy education. The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation Education Development Team (FIPEd) are working together with the aim of improving global pharmacy education and have developed a "needs-based education model" (Anderson al., 2010). The model stipulates that pharmacy education programmes must be designed to ensure that specific competencies are achieved ABSTRACT As a result of the increasing scope of Pharmacy practice over the years, many countries (Nigeria inclusive) are introducing or education. The main aim of this work is to explore the knowledge and perceptions of selected 4 th and 5 th year undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the introduction of the proposed Pharm. qualitative, and used focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data. Two focus group discussions with ten students (Five participants per group), lasting an average of one hour were audiotaped in June 2017. checked for accuracy and the transcripts analysis. Most participants highlighted both advantages and disadvantages to introducing the new degree. Advantages identified included the potential for specialization and better career prospects. On the other hand, they expressed worries that the degree change would be disadvantageous to people interested in other (non Several participants also felt of several factors within our environment including the unharmonious working relationship between healthcare professionals, inadequate infrastructure in pharmacy schools a unwillingness of several lecturers to embrace the new degree. In conclusion, believed that the proposed problematic. Their recommendations include increasing the awareness of both st prospective students on what the degree entailed, and allowing concurrent coexistence of both B.Pharm and Pharm.D. Degrees