He is a pharmacist whose medical study is of six years’ duration. In the first four years, students study the same curriculum as the general pharmacy student. In the fifth year, they study more courses in clinical pharmacy. Then, they receive a special kind of training and internship in hospitals during which the student works in different departments like cardiology, internal diseases, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, emergency, intensive care unit, psychology, neurology etc.
This program enhances the pharmacist’s role in the medical team in order to facilitate and clarify the communication between him/her and the medical staff in all matters concerning the patients. This specialty is characterized by intensive clinical training and close contact between the medical team and pharmacists, making the patient the first beneficiary prior to any medical procedure.
Pharm.D provides medical services to the patients in all matters related to their treatment plan from the time they are admitted to the medical institution until their discharge. The specialists follow up the patient’s medication record with regard to the doses of the drug and its side effects, and raise awareness of the patient's health accordingly. The Pharm.D provides up-to-date drug information to the medical team and discusses with them all drug developments, contributing to reducing the proportion of medical errors and increasing the effectiveness of treatment.
The specialty of a pharmacist is not a modern discipline per se. It has been in place for more than 40 years in the United States. It was going in parallel with the traditional pharmacy specialty until recently. The US competent authorities asked all pharmacists with a traditional pharmacy certificate to develop their skills in order to receive a degree of Pharm.D. Therefore, the Pharm.D has become the only degree in the United States of America that enables a person to practice the pharmacy profession, thus ending the traditional pharmacy specialty.
In the Arab region: Jordan (University of Science and Technology, University of Jordan), Lebanon (American University), Saudi Arabia (King Faisal University), Palestine (An-Najah National University), Egypt (Alexandria University), UAE and Qatar. Today, most regional universities have a Pharm.D program.
Pharm.D is also found in Canada, Spain, Portugal, France, Hungary, Italy, Iran, India, Philippines and Thailand.
Our dear students, today Pharm. D program is available in Emirates International University. All you can do is to register at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy.
Objectives
Preparing and qualifying graduates specialized in clinical pharmacology to be well qualified at the academic and professional levels to work efficiently in the field of curative health care.
Providing students with basic concepts and skills to research and develop their initiative and ability to conduct independent, community-based research.
Developing a partnership with the public and private sectors through studies and clinical pharmacy consultancy in the area of clinical pharmacology.
Providing students with the self-learning skills and the use of information technologies and scientific research to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Graduate Attributes for Pharma D Program
Upon successful completion of an undergraduate pharmacy education program, the graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of basic and biomedical sciences and their application in pharmacy.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences.
Apply current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) criteria in formulating and preparing pharmaceutical /cosmetic products from different sources (including raw materials) and contribute to the distribution and storage system.
Utilize analysis methods (qualitative and quantitative) in testing raw materials and pharmaceutical products.
Deal safely and effectively with chemicals, natural materials and pharmaceutical products and participate in optimizing medicine use.
Practice and perform responsibilities and authorities ethically, legally, professionally and respect patients’ rights.
Educate patients and members of health care team in the rationale use of pharmacotherapy regimen based on updated professional medical references.
Apply evidence-based decision making skills, knowledge, research, and high quality practical training needed in solving problems related to the profession of pharmacy.
Demonstrate effective communication, leadership, marketing and business management skills.
Plan, design, conduct, and participate in research to improve healthcare system performance.
Apply self-dependence, life-long and collaborative learning skills in updating their knowledge.
