Pharmacoeconomics education in US colleges and schools of pharmacy

Am J Pharm Educ. 2013 Sep 12;77(7):145. doi: 10.5688/ajpe777145.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the extent of pharmacoeconomics education in US colleges and schools of pharmacy provided to doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students in 2011.

Methods: E-mails requesting syllabi and information about courses covering pharmacoeconomic topics were sent to all US colleges and schools of pharmacy from which PharmD students had graduated in 2011 (n=103).

Results: Of 87 responding pharmacy colleges and schools, 85 provided pharmacoeconomics education in 2011. The number of hours dedicated to pharmacoeconomic-related topics varied from 2 to 60 per year (mean=20). CONCLUSIONS. Pharmacoeconomics education is provided at almost all US colleges and schools of pharmacy; however, variation in the number of teaching hours and topics covered demonstrates a lack of standardization in the PharmD curriculum. Pharmacy administrators and educators should invest more resources and tools to standardize training in this area.

Keywords: curriculum; pharmacoeconomics; pharmacy education.

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum / standards
  • Economics, Pharmaceutical / standards*
  • Education, Pharmacy / economics*
  • Education, Pharmacy / standards*
  • Humans
  • Schools, Pharmacy / economics
  • Schools, Pharmacy / standards
  • Students, Pharmacy
  • United States
  • Universities / economics
  • Universities / standards