The Role and Education of the Veterinary Pharmacist

Abstract

Objective. To define the role and education of the traditional pharmacist who supports the needs of the veterinarian (hereafter referred to as veterinary pharmacist) and a pharmacist who practices solely in veterinary pharmacy (here after referred to as veterinary pharmacy specialist). Methods. The Delphi technique involving 7 panels of 143 experts was employed to reach consensus on the definition of the roles and education of the veterinary pharmacist and veterinary pharmacy specialist.Results. The veterinary pharmacy specialist's role included dispensing medications, complying with regulations, advocating for quality therapeutic practices, and providing consultative services, research, and education. The perceived role of the veterinary pharmacist was viewed as being somewhat narrower. Compared to veterinary pharmacists, a more in-depth education in veterinary medicine was viewed as essential to the role development of veterinary pharmacy specialists. Conclusions. The authors hope their research will promote widespread awareness of the emerging field of veterinary pharmacy and encourage schools to offer increased access to clinically relevant professional training programs.

Guiding Principles for Student Leadership Development in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program to Assist Administrators and Faculty Members in Implementing or Refining Curricula

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19] Developed by the Rand corporation in the 1950s, the Delphi was used as a qualitative, long-range forecasting technique 20 and method for improved decision making. 21 The Delphi process has been used in health professions education for identification of training needs 22 and competencies. [23][24][25] Powell argues that the success of a Delphi study rests on the expertise of the panel selected as participants.…”

Report of the 2014-2015 Professional Affairs Standing Committee: Producing Practice-Ready Pharmacy Graduates in an Era of Value-Based Health Care

“…Veterinary pharmacy services are increasing in the United States across all practice settings, and the knowledge and skills necessary to treat our animal patients may be another opportunity for academic and clinical partnerships. 65,66 It is incumbent on colleges/schools of pharmacy to continue to investigate emerging practice areas, as well as new opportunities within existing areas to better align and integrate with our clinical partners to lead the profession forward. Wellness and coaching are yet another group of areas that pharmacists may certify and earn credentials in; we must challenge student pharmacists in experiential settings to develop their prevention-and wellness-based education with patients as well.…”

A Veterinary Comparative Counseling Elective Featuring Web-based, Student-created, Client Information Sheets

“…Ceresia et al found that while veterinarians and PharmDs with a knowledge of clinical, hospital, and community veterinary pharmacy reported that they think traditional pharmacists should be able to counsel pet clients almost to the extent as they would human patients, pharmacy academics lacked a consensus that nonspecialists need to be able to counsel clients on drug effects on animal pathophysiology, drug interactions, or adverse effects. 2 Academics also did not feel pharmacists needed to provide advice on differences in animal physiology, disease states, or administration techniques. Most nonacademic groups perceived a need for veterinary-related didactic course work in pharmacy school; academics at pharmacy schools however, did not.…”

“…However, pharmacists in these practices generally lack adequate training in veterinary medicine as it relates to therapeutics, [1][2][3] because most doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curricula do not provide training in veterinary physiology, disease states, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug administration, adverse effects, or disease or drug counseling. 4 Some pharmacists, therefore, can be uncomfortable with aspects of veterinary pharmacy such as specific companion animal disease states, pharmacotherapy options, dosages, informatics resources, and client counseling.…”