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.
University of South Carolina
College of Pharmacy
The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy (UofSC COP) began its rich tradition back in 1866 with the opening of one of the nation’s first state-supported pharmacy schools. The commitment to a diverse education for students dates back to the early 20th century as local outlets reported that a pharmacy education at UofSC provided a well-rounded experience where students took courses not only in the sciences, but also cultural courses. The COP continued to grow and prosper, adjusting to a changing health care landscape and patient needs, especially those in South Carolina. The COP is home to the Palmetto Poison Center, established in 1972, which provides free professional advice to residents and health professionals across the state. Over 150 years of tradition and history have propelled the COP to educate future pharmacists who make a difference in the lives of patients and significantly improve the health of our state, country and globe.
The mission of the COP is “to prepare the next generation of innovative and collaborative pharmacists and health scientists while pioneering clinical, entrepreneurial, and research endeavours to improve health outcomes for residents of South Carolina and beyond.” This is pursued by:
- Continually building a culture of compassion, inclusiveness and collegiality
- Providing comprehensive pharmacy education
- Conducting and disseminating state of the art research
- Establishing optimal student experiences
- Engaging in community outreach
- Expanding pharmacy practice, post-graduate training, and business opportunities
- Growing alumni and partner relationships
- Foster faculty and staff development
The vision of the COP is to be the destination to empower pharmacy students, researchers, educators, and practitioners to transform health care globally, through:
- Rigorous education of students and practitioners
- Professional placement of students
- Diversity of professionals
- Successes in research and scholarly output
- National and international recognition of faculty and students
- Partnerships with outside entities
- International collaborations and strategic alliances
- Number of international students
- Entrepreneurship
- Success, growth and engagement of our alumni