Pharm.D. Pathways to Biomedical Research: The National Institutes of Health Special Conference on Pharmacy Research

Abstract

To address the shortage of research-trained pharmaceutical scientists (or doctor of pharmacy [Pharm.D.] scientists), a 2-day pharmacy research conference titled "Pharm.D. Pathways to Biomedical Research" was convened on December 13-14, 2006, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus (Bethesda, MD). The workshop included invited speakers and participants from academia, industry, and government. Forty-two pharmacy schools were represented, including deans and clinical pharmaceutical scientists with current NIH funding. In addition, several pharmacy professional organizations were represented--American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Accreditation Council on Pharmaceutical Education. The workshop was divided into three sessions followed by breakout discussion groups: the first session focused on presentations by leading pharmaceutical scientists who described their path to success; the second session examined the NIH grant system, particularly as it relates to training opportunities in biomedical research and funding mechanisms; and the third session addressed biomedical research education and training from the perspective of scientific societies and academia. We summarize the discussions and findings from the workshop and highlight some important considerations for the future of research in the pharmacy community. This report also puts forth recommendations for educating future pharmaceutical scientists.

The Influence of an Elective Introductory Clinical Research Course on Pharmacy Student Interest in Pursuing Research-based Careers

“…However, despite a strong foundation to pursue careers as pharmaceutical scientists, the profession may underutilize this opportunity. [1][2][3][4] When pharmacy faculty members who were working in research intensive settings in 2002 were surveyed, only half of the respondents had formal research training. 1 Additionally, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) reported that only 22 doctor of pharmacy (PharmD)-trained researchers were principal investigators on funded awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2008.…”

“…1,2 Although the preferred path for pharmacists to be trained as clinical pharmaceutical scientists has been disputed, it is generally accepted that exposing students to research while pursuing a PharmD degree would be beneficial. In fact, a uniform recommendation from the ACCP White Paper and the NIH conference was to increase students' exposure to research with faculty members early in the PharmD curricula.…”

“…In fact, a uniform recommendation from the ACCP White Paper and the NIH conference was to increase students' exposure to research with faculty members early in the PharmD curricula. 1,2 The impetus behind early exposure to research is to facilitate students' interest in pursuing a career in research. The hope is that early exposure will result in more students pursing research careers to increase the critical mass of pharmacist-trained researchers.…”

Student Perceptions of a Basic Medical Science-focused Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

“…Pathways in Biomedical Research," to discuss training of pharmacy researchers. 3 Included within the conference recommendations was for schools of pharmacy to promote pharmacy research experiences for student pharmacists. 3 As such, it should be beneficial for the curriculum of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)…”

“…3 Included within the conference recommendations was for schools of pharmacy to promote pharmacy research experiences for student pharmacists. 3 As such, it should be beneficial for the curriculum of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs to include a mechanism by which student pharmacists can obtain an understanding of basic science research and its roles in medical and pharmaceutical advancement.…”