GRADUATE PHARMACOECONOMIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING-PROGRAMS IN US COLLEGES OF PHARMACY

This paper describes the results of a survey that investigated how U.S. colleges of pharmacy are responding to the demand for individuals with pharmacoeconomic research skills. The nine-item survey was completed by one faculty member at 29 U.S. colleges of pharmacy. The respondents were asked to provide enrollment numbers and anticipated graduations in graduate pharmacoeconomic and training programs for the 1993-1994 academic year. A 100 percent response rate was achieved. Ninety-two individuals were enrolled in graduate pharmacoeconomic education or training programs at 18 institutions with 18 people expected to complete their studies by July 1994. At least two colleges of pharmacy will initiate graduate pharmacoeconomic programs in July 1994 and development efforts are on-going at other institutions. The results represent the first known estimate of the number of U.S. college of pharmacy graduate programs which formally prepare individuals to conduct pharmacoeconomic research.