(Metro News) UMAK opens center of Pharmacy

MANILA The city government-owned University of Makati has opened its Center of Pharmacy, the first of its kind in the country, under the College of Allied Health Studies (COAHS) for this school year 2012-2013.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, university president Tomas Lopez said the Center of Pharmacy offers a six-year ladderized program consisting of the following two-year courses: Associate of Applied Science in Pharmaceutical Technology; Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with added specialization in Pharmaceutical Marketing, and Doctor of Pharmacy.

Lopez said under the program, graduates of the first two-year course, Associate of Applied Science in Pharmaceutical Technology, could already work competently as skilled pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist in settings such as a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy or a healthcare institution. He or she may also work independently as research assistant, and also in pharmaceutical, cosmetic or medical equipment dealerships.

Graduates of the said course have the option to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, which offers added specialization in Pharmaceutical Marketing.

Those who want to be a licensed pharmacist can continue for two more years to complete the professional program. UMAK is the only school offering specialization in Pharmaceutical Marketing in partnership with the medical industry, Lopez said.

He said that the added specialization in pharmaceutical marketing equipped graduates with needed skills for a career in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, management, market research or related fields within the health care industry. UMAK had been in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry players to strengthen the graduates competencies in the said fields, he said.

The third and fourth years consist of professional pharmacy, marketing, management and administration subjects and the integrated internship programs that will prepare the graduate to take the pharmacy licensure examination and become highly competent pharmacy and pharmaceutical marketing practitioners.

Lopez said the licensed pharmacists had various work opportunities such as dispensing pharmacists in community or hospital pharmacies and as manufacturing pharmacists (quality control, quality assurance, research and product development, etc.) in the pharmaceutical industry. They may also have a career in the academe, clinical research, government service, business and many others.

Meanwhile, Dr. Elyxur Ramos, university secretary and dean of College of Allied Health Studies (COAHS), said that the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is a two-year professional continuing program that further enhances the global competitiveness of B.S. Pharmacy graduates. According to Ramos, it requires an additional two years of study for the graduate to qualify for private professional practice in clinical pharmacy and medication therapy management, or a career in the provision of pharmaceutical care (more patient-focused), in addition to the competencies of a BS Pharmacy graduate, here and abroad.

The College of Allied Health Studies, formerly College of Nursing, is not included in the K to 12 program being implemented by the university since they offers paying courses so they can accept first year college enrollees.

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(Metro News) UMAK opens center of Pharmacy