Drug information programs

[HRoark]

I was wondering if anyone knows of training/programs that are available for a career in Drug Information.


I understand that there are PGY2 programs and fellowships that can be geared toward this specialty. But I was wondering if anyone had heard of a master's or some sort of training program offered for this specialty.
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Thanks!

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[KappaPsiGuru]

There are multiple schools and colleges of pharmacy that require a DI rotation along with residencies. I would suggest doing a rotation in the field. What is it that you're looking to learn?

 

[HRoark]

Thanks for the reply.

I was looking to see if it was possible to obtain specific training in drug information services either directly after graduating or concurently during school. From what I could gather, it seems that there are 2 options: Doing PGY1 and then PGY2 in DI or doing a 2 year fellowship in industry, gearing it towards DI.

I had read in an article on DI that there were master's programs that were offered in this field (no specific names were mentioned). The only problem is the article was written in the 90s and my searching came up empty.

I am not against PGY1 training but I'm not 100% convinced that it is absolutely necessary. I could be dead wrong but was just wondering what are the possible options.

 

[wes011]

Sullivan university is a new school that just started a DI residency. I thought at one point it was listed as PGY1/PGY2 so you might be able to do it as your PGY1 if you had the rotation.

Here is a link to their DI residency program.

http://www.accp.com/resandfel/profile.aspx?col_name=view&i=5337

Thanks for the reply.

I was looking to see if it was possible to obtain specific training in drug information services either directly after graduating or concurently during school. From what I could gather, it seems that there are 2 options: Doing PGY1 and then PGY2 in DI or doing a 2 year fellowship in industry, gearing it towards DI.

I had read in an article on DI that there were master's programs that were offered in this field (no specific names were mentioned). The only problem is the article was written in the 90s and my searching came up empty.

I am not against PGY1 training but I'm not 100% convinced that it is absolutely necessary. I could be dead wrong but was just wondering what are the possible options.

 

[p-rog]

You forgot option 3. There are PGY-1 industry drug information residencies (Mercer has one with Solvay). By default, these residencies are unaccredited (a speciality residency has to be PGY-2 as part of the accreditation requirement).

Good thing the pharmaceutical industry doesn't give a crap about accreditation and would actually prefer you to do a PGY-1 industry based DI residency than to go do a hospital PGY-1 + PGY-2 in DI.

 

[bacillus1]

Yes, there are PGY1 residencies strictly in drug info (I know USP has one in partnership with Ortho-McNeil).

One question: how much does a DI specialist get paid as opposed to a community or hospital pharmacist? I heard they got paid less (according to the APhA career pathways survey, but that was a very small sample size surveyed).

 

[Requiem]

Yes, there are PGY1 residencies strictly in drug info (I know USP has one in partnership with Ortho-McNeil).

One question: how much does a DI specialist get paid as opposed to a community or hospital pharmacist? I heard they got paid less (according to the APhA career pathways survey, but that was a very small sample size surveyed).

In my province, in Canada, the DI pharmacist got the lowest salary of any pharmacist in the province. Interesting title to have.

Naturally, salary is only one piece of the pie. Do you love it is the question.

 

[iphetamine]

In my province, in Canada, the DI pharmacist got the lowest salary of any pharmacist in the province. Interesting title to have.

Naturally, salary is only one piece of the pie. Do you love it is the question.

even in industry, or just in hospital settings?

 

[bacillus1]

In my province, in Canada, the DI pharmacist got the lowest salary of any pharmacist in the province. Interesting title to have.

Naturally, salary is only one piece of the pie. Do you love it is the question.

Yeah but theoretically if I like clinical pharmacy 95% as well as industrial DI, and DI pays significantly less, then I'll probably just go clinical.

 

[iphetamine]

Have you considered informatics?

 

[bacillus1]

Have you considered informatics?

I'm only a P2 so I'm keeping options open.
But doesn't informatics involve programming and whatnot? I am not a big fan of that.

I am actually visiting a DI specialist Tues. (for a class) so I guess I'll find out more about it then.

 

[Requiem]

Yeah but theoretically if I like clinical pharmacy 95% as well as industrial DI, and DI pays significantly less, then I'll probably just go clinical.

Well naturally, every decision in life has a set of pros and cons.

Of course if you realistically feel they're equal in job satisfaction and salary is important to you, then that's a plus for clinical pharmacy.

I don't see how what you said was relevant to my post...

 

[Requiem]

even in industry, or just in hospital settings?

It wasn't either really, it was the provincial drug information pharmacist employed by the school of pharmacy.