Development of a community residency program with a focus on specialty pharmacy

Purpose. An innovative community residency program that provides training in the clinical and administrative aspects of specialty pharmacy practice is described. Summary. An ongoing rapid rise in U.S. approvals of specialty therapies for chronic diseases and conditions (e.g., Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, infertility, hepatitis C infection, multiple sclerosis) is fueling demand for pharmacists trained to meet the complex needs of patients receiving those therapies, which are typically subject to risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) requirements and limited distribution arrangements. In 2011, Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy partnered with Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy to launch a one-year community residency program designed to (1) provide enhanced education on diseases and conditions targeted by specialty therapies, (2) develop well-rounded clinicians who are fully knowledgeable of the medications used to treat those disorders, and (3) prepare trainees for the operational and business-related challenges of specialty pharmacy practice. The first half of the residency year emphasizes direct patient care experiences, with team-based rotations focusing on specific disease states and health conditions; the second half of the residency program emphasizes operational-administrative training in areas such as clinical program development, resource utilization review, REMS compliance, contracting, and navigating manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs. Other program components include a one-month external rotation at a managed care organization, research projects, and teaching experiences. Conclusion. A unique community residency program jointly developed by Duquesne University and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy prepares trainees for careers in diverse clinical, managed care, community-based, and academic practice settings.