FIP, as the global leader for pharmacy, has taken the initiative to build the “FIP World List of Pharmacy Schools”, which will be the most comprehensive and up-to-date list of pharmacy institutions from around the world. This global list is intended to guide all pharmacy stakeholders, from students to policymakers, in assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of pharmacy education strategies. The availability, completeness and quality of FIP’s World List of Pharmacy Schools means it will provide a unique source of information for pharmaceutical workforce policies, procedures and plans.
Further background on the FIP World List of Pharmacy Schools:
The FIP World List of Pharmacy Schools is an initiative to monitor pharmaceutical capacity and capability, similar to those of many other global organisations, such as the World Medical Schools List held by the World Medical Association. Given 2021 is the World Health Organization’s Year of Health and Care Workers, the need for our global organisations to demonstrate increased capacity in all health workers is key to ensure our professions are not further diminished but amplified.
FIP is a founder member of the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) with doctors, nurses, dentists, and physiotherapists. All WHPA members have been requested to feedback their schools’ status to the WHO as part of pandemic preparedness, and FIP having a list of accredited pharmacy schools will help to identify where schools may be needed and created to ensure long-term pharmaceutical workforce capacity.
Western University of Health Sciences
College of Pharmacy
The Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy opened in 1996. The PharmD program prepares pharmacy professionals in a humanistic, interdisciplinary tradition to become competent, qualified practitioners. WesternU now supports specialty residencies (Cardiology, Community Practice, Infectious Diseases) and fellowships (Cardiology, Transplant, & Health Outcomes).
Programs offered in the College of Pharmacy:
Doctor of Pharmacy Program
The PharmD professional program at Western University of Health Sciences is a four year program designed to train students for the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. Students will need to complete a minimum of two years of preprofessional education at an accredited college or university before being admitted to the Pharm.D.
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies (MSPS)
The major focus of the Master of Science (MS) program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is to provide students with a strong research focus, training and skills in order to prepare them for careers in academia, pharmaceutical industry, or public/private research institutions.
International Post Baccalaureate Pharm.D. (IPBP) Program
The Western University College of Pharmacy offers a unique opportunity for American and/or foreign trained Pharmacists with a bachelor's degree (B.S. or equivalent) who wish to progress to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Applicants are admitted with advanced standing into the second year of our traditional Pharm.D. curriculum thereby by-passing the first-year entirely. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree awarded to the students in the international program is the same as those awarded to our students in the traditional Pharm.D. program.
Postdoctoral Training
Post-doc's have the opportunity to participate in didactic and experiential teaching, as well as assist in the development of clinical skills with pharmacy students in all phases of pharmacy school. WesternU has an innovative block structure in the curriculum, which allows students to focus on one topic at a time, and for faculty (and other lecturers) to focus their teaching time.