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Differentiation in Undergraduate Pharmaceutical Education: The Case

of Pharmaceutical Management

Dr. Benjamin Tak-Yuen Chan

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Issues in This Study

Definition of Pharmaceutical Education Diversity of Pharmaceutical Education Manpower Needs of Pharma Industry Differentiation Strategy for

Pharmaceutical Education Case Examples of Pharmaceutical

Management Programs

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Pharmaceutical Education

Has no available authoritative definition Is generally equated with the education and training

of pharmacists conducted in schools/faculties of pharmacy, postgraduate pharmacy education/training centre or academic pharmacy practice unit

Does not generally include pharmacology but includes pharmaceutical science(s) within its ambit

Both pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences are undergoing expansion of their subject scope and making inroads into other sciences (e.g. pharmacy into social and behavioral sciences); thus, the boundaries of pharmaceutical education is evolving.

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Problems with a Narrow Definition Lack of clarity (e.g. the major journal for pharmacy

educators in Europe is named “Pharmacy Education: An International Journal for Pharmaceutical Education”)

Excludes non-pharmacy schools/departments offering programmes in pharmaceutical sciences(s)

Neglects inclusion of education for personnel associated with R & D, clinical trial, manufacturing, registration and sales/marketing of medicines (Journal of Pharmacy Teaching – Haworth Press makes for such inclusion but no articles actually appear)

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How Diverse is Pharmaceutical Education Today?

Systematic study is needed, particularly for Asia-Pacific region, since database on pharmacy schools/courses is incomplete or lacking

Apart from pharmacy, the following are pharmaceutical-related first degrees Pharmaceutical science(s) Chemical and pharmaceutical sciences Medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry Industrial pharmacy/pharmaceutical engineering Pharmaceutical management Pharmaceutical sciences with another subject (e.g.

law, language, business)

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Survey of UK Undergraduate Pharmaceutical Education 24 Schools of Pharmacy (8 new schools have been established

in the last 5 years) offer the MPharm-first degree in pharmacy 26 universities offer BSc courses in pharmaceutical science(s),

including chemical and pharmaceutical sciences, medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry

10 schools of pharmacy offer courses in pharmaceutical science(s) alongside pharmacy, among them, 5 are new schools of pharmacy

4 universities offer courses in industrial pharmacy/pharmaceutical engineering, only 1 is based in a school of pharmacy

Only 1 course in pharmaceutical management New initiative such as pharmaceutical science combined with

law

Based on UCAS course search 2007

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Survey of Australian Pharmaceutical Education 16 universities offer a combination of first degree

(BPharm) and postgraduate-entry (MPharm) courses in pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Science is offered at postgraduate level by 3 universities that also offer pharmacy degrees

BSc/MSc medicinal chemistry are offered only at 2 universities, both with no pharmacy provisions

New initiative such as MBA in pharmaceutical management is offered by one university with pharmacy provision

Based on IDP course search 2006

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Findings Illustrated by UK/Australian Surveys Schools of pharmacy retain pharmacy as their

mainstay provision Pharmaceutical education is offered in non-

pharmacy schools/departments, some of them capitalizing on this to offer pharmacy later

Crossdisciplinary study is starting to emerge but remains few

Specialization in pharmaceutical related areas (e.g. pharmaceutical management) is undertaken at postgraduate level (Australia, US, India)

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Insularization, Diversification or Differentiation?Insularization Continue running mainly pharmacy first degree program with

assumption that pharmacy graduates are well-equipped for employment in pharmacy, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry careers

Maintain traditional subject boundariesDiversification Increase diversity of student intake through e.g. postgraduate-

entry MPharm course; generate additional fee income for schoolDifferentiation Branch out to integrate related subjects into pharmaceutical

science curriculum Involve other schools (e.g. law and business) in course delivery

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Points to ContemplateInsularization Pharmacy students are trained to take up pharmacist’s role, how

many actually end up in other careers? Prolongation of pharmacy curriculum happens worldwide to stress

on pharmaceutical care, no space for other specialized training Training pharmacist is costly, wastage of public resources if they

don’t work in health systemsDiversification “Me too programmes” spring up quickly, no. of MPharm (graduate

entry) courses is now the same as BPharm courses in AustraliaDifferentiation Is it necessary? The answer lies in job sector requirements and

changes of Pharma Industry

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Careers in Pharmaceutical IndustryJob sectors Pharmacol Pharm Sci Ind Pharm Pharmacy Pharm Mgt

Traditional

Drug Discovery

Development

Clinical Trials

Manufacturing

Regulatory Affairs

Sales and Marketing

Corporate Mgt and Admin

New

Patenting

Scie

nce

Bus

ines

sL

aw

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Pros and Cons of Specialized Programmes for Pharmaceutical Industry

Using Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing as Example

Cons

•Job recruitment is traditionally open to all graduates, employer-based training is provided and professional exams are available

•Degrees in certain subjects offer advantage but prior work experience is equally valued

•Specialized education is for people with some industry work experience, hence course should be offered at postgraduate level

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Pros and Cons of Specialized Programmes for Pharmaceutical Industry

Using Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing as Example

Pros

•Dual track training (university degree and employer-based training) can exist alongside one another, employer-based training is common only for pharmaceutical MNCs

•Employer desired qualities of recruits can be assured in degree programs, SW or PT modes can provide work experience

•Bachelor degree level program can focus on product knowledge and local pharmaceutical industry; postgraduate level program on international pharmaceutical industry

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Models for Running Pharmaceutical Management Course (Bachelor level) Full-time, dedicated school and faculty (e.g. Dept. of

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business, University of the Sciences Philadelphia offers BS Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management)

Full-time based in pharmacy school with courses taught by business school, intercalated year in work option (e.g. University of Bradford offers BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Management)

Part-time, top up degree for in-service pharmaceutical industry staff, jointly taught by academics and adjuncts from industry (e.g. University of Sunderland offers BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Studies jointly with HKU SPACE)

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Features of BS Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management

Science-oriented business curriculum with focus on sales, marketing, management and the applied pharmaceutical sciences

Stress on ‘learn by doing’, using classroom instruction, interactive simulations, case studies, guest speakers, and projects

Option of paid summer internship in pharmaceutical firms and pharmaceutical advertising agencies

Graduates can immediately assume an entry-level sales and marketing position in the industry;take up leadership and management responsibilities

“The blended balance of science and business makes you more valuable to an employer and puts you on a faster track to advancement”

Further study for MBA at USP

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Features of BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Management Combines pharmaceutical science (2/3) with studies in

management techniques and an optional European language (1/3)

Aims to provide graduates with the skills to take up positions as ‘scientifically aware’ managers within the pharmaceutical or related industries

Option year on industrial placement High graduate employment (100% in employment or

further study after 6 months of graduation) in areas of marketing, healthcare and management in the pharmaceutical industry

Offered both in UK and offshore (Singapore)

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Features of BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Studies Admits subdegree students with backgrounds in pharmaceutical

technology or pharmaceutical science Curriculum includes subjects in pharmacology, applied

pharmaceutical sciences, marketing and international business (11 modules)

“The program aims to develop a graduate who has a broad knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology and therapeutics, clinical research and marketing and who is equipped to enter a career in the business and drug marketing aspects of the pharmaceutical industry’

All students are already employed in Pharmaceutical Industry when commencing study

Offered only offshore (Hong Kong) Further study for MSc in International Pharmaceutical Science at HKU

SPACE (awarded by Univ. of Sunderland)

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How does your employment compare with when you were studying in the BSc Pharmaceutical Studies

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%Promotion

Increase in salary

Increase inresponsibility

Increase in jobsatisfaction

Career change

What our BSc graduates say?

Based on a survey of 4 cohorts of BSc graduates with a 36% response rate

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What our BSc graduates say?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%Promotion

Increase in salary

Increase inresponsibility

Increase in jobsatisfaction

Career change

In your opinion, has the BSc contributed toward achieving any of the above?

Based on a survey of 4 cohorts of BSc graduates with a 36% response rate

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Conclusions All three undergraduates programs have produced graduates

with high employment rate and level of course satisfaction Success of these programmes is due to integration of

pharmaceutical science and business, not bolt in of business into science degree as in double major

Integration of work experience into curriculum is essential, as well as participation of pharmaceutical industry in placement or teaching

Undergraduate pharmaceutical management program can answer to local pharmaceutical industry needs whereas a global focus can be better catered by postgraduate program

Per capita cost of training pharmaceutical management student is less than for pharmacist

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Thank you!

Email: benjamin.chan@hkuspace.hku.hk