Social Pharmacy as a Field of Study in Undergraduate Pharmacy Education

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain and compare the differences, extent and depth of education in Social Pharmacy and reveal international regional variations. To analyze Social Pharmacy education at different pharmaceutical faculties. To examine the range and scope of teaching subjects partially related to the social, behavioral and administrative pharmacy sciences. Methods: A questionnaire survey was developed based on the examination of the study plans of 15 pharmacy schools around the world. A questionnaire was created based on the analysis of the curricula and mailed to 371 deans (or heads of Departments of Social Pharmacy) at colleges and schools of pharmacy in Europe, North America and developing countries (Latin America, Asia and Africa). Results: Fifty-one usable surveys were returned to the authors (a 53% response rate). 41% of the respondents reported that their school of pharmacy had a Social Pharmacy Department. In addition, 41% of the schools featured Social Pharmacy as a separate subject. This article describes regional differences and different representation of sub-disciplines. Conclusions: Although the most of surveyed schools had Social Pharmacy and related sub-disciplines in their curricula, there were large differences in approach and scope of teaching. Regional trends were discovered connected with the economic, political and social environment of particular regions.

A Comparison of Patient-Centered Care in Pharmacy Curricula in the United States and Europe

“…Twenty-six percent of European curricula and 6% of US and Canadian schools lacked pharmacy management courses, and 47% of European schools lacked an education and research methods course. 37 The focus on clinical aspects in the United States is also confirmed by studies that compare US curricula to those of New Zealand and China. 38,39 The FIP and WHO are attempting to improve the quality of pharmacy curricula via competency-based education.…”

Uma proposta de ontologia para a Assistência Farmacêutica a partir das páginas da Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva

“…The annual number of articles produced by these types of institutions grew steadily throughout the period, while the number produced by private universities (35) and foreign institutions (10) fell. Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency, ANVISA, published articles in the periods 2004-2010 (6) and 2011-2015 (1).…”

“…Despite the increasing presence of articles about PS in other national periodicals, journals in the field of public health like the C&SC remain focused more on the so-called "social" aspects of the pharmaceutical sciences. It is evident that the C&SC is an important vehicle for disseminating the theme, accounting for between 5 and 10% of 1Antimalarial Medicine (1) Medicine Policy 7Antiretroviral Medicines (2); Generics (1); Frameworks and Concepts (2); Global Health (2) Pharmaceutical Advertising (1) Frameworks and Concepts (1) Intellectual Property (1) Antiretroviral Medicines (1) Registration (1) Incorporation of Medicines (1) Health Regulation (23) Commercialization 1Antihypertensive Medicines (1) Public Provision 2Dyslipidemia 1; Strategic Medicines (1) User Satisfaction (1) Medicine Dispensing (1) Medicine Selection (2) Essential Medicines (2) Pharmaceutical Services (4) Primary Health Care (1); Antineoplastic Agents (1); Mental Health (1), Regionalization (1) it continues the annual publication of articles on PS in Brazil over the last 11 years.…”

“…In turn, the basic sciences characterized the way in which pharmacy was taught and, consequently, the profile of professionals working in academia and care services. Over recent decades, social issues linked to medication have gained greater importance, given that the natural sciences on their own are not capable of explaining or delving deep into aspects that involve relationships between medication and individuals, families, communities, or indeed professional practice 1,2 .…”

Introduction

“…In addition, the department has also produced hundreds pieces of social and administrative pharmacy-related research generated from more than 150 MSc and PhD students from around 15 LMICs. Kostriba, Alwarafi, and Vlcek (2014) identified large differences in approach and scope of teaching social pharmacy courses as a field of study in the undergraduate pharmacy education worldwide. They also identified regional trends connected with the political, economic, and social aspects of particular regions.…”