What are the jobs and education outlook for pharmacy students with the implementation of the PharmD – and why was it needed?

Professor Andrew McLachlan, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy in the Sydney Pharmacy School, tells AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh about the excitement in the sector following the announcement of the Doctor of Pharmacy qualification.

Several pharmacy programs around the country are “ready to go” when it comes to the PharmD qualification – and those who graduate from these for a Master of Pharmacy extended will be able to use the title Doctor of Pharmacy.

And “I think generally though other universities are looking at how they can develop programs to meet this qualification title,” he says.

“The Pharmacy Guild had a really critical role in leading a lot of the negotiation with government. The original work though was done a number of years ago from a proposal led by the Council of Pharmacy Schools of Australia, New Zealand, where we really put together the case around why our profession here in Australia would be, and also the community would be well served by pharmacists having the title Doctor of Pharmacy.

“Part of the argument of course has been the development of the extended scope and many different areas of practice that pharmacists are now actively involved in that transition from generalist to specialist in some areas of our profession, the many different areas where pharmacists show leadership within the healthcare system and also important recognition that we need to align our qualification and recognition in pharmacy with international trends…

“[W]hile our quantum and standard of education is world-class and has been mapped through the International Pharmacy Federation, FIP as being equivalent, I think the qualification title recognition is playing a bit of catch up here in Australia.

“And of course looking at other professions… from medicine to dentistry and physiotherapy, optometry, podiatry, it makes sense that pharmacists should also stand shoulder to shoulder in the healthcare team with the opportunity to recognise its graduates with a qualification doctor of pharmacy.”

Highlights include:

01:49 : What will pharmacists need to do to achieve this title?

04:28 : How did we get here?

06:32 : What do the universities think?

07:33 : What study options do pharmacists have?

08:34 : Will recognition of prior learning be granted?

10:27 : What was going on in the background while the qualification was being considered – and what’s the situation internationally?

12:48 : How will this now affect the majority of graduates?

14.47: How might the PharmD affect the jobs market?

16: 54: How have pharmacy students responded to the news?

18:45 : With scope of practice being extended, have there been misunderstandings about the PharmD?

20:41 : How might pharmacy courses look in five or 10 years?

24:29 : The profession in demand

You can access the full transcript of this podcast here. While we endeavour to ensure all important words and phrases are correct, please note there may be some minor inaccuracies in the transcription.

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