PharmD and Epi Research

[ScenicRoute]

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Hello!

I have been encouraged by my PI to look into a PharmD program in order to stay in epidemiology public health research but still have some patient contact. Researching out Pharmacy schools is new for me (I have been med school-centric the last few years so this is quite a change in scenery) and I am looking at the local university for more information about pharmacy school in general (STLCOP).

My question is: are there any pharmacy schools that have strengths in epi-research, specifically pharmacoepidemiology? Or would I need to get a concurrent MPH? Or are there schools with joint programs?

Thanks! 😎

 

[JohnFe]

This is interesting. I shadowed a pharmacist was part of epidemiology/public health project. They were monitoring the use of a certain drugs and its demographics. It is a lot of data and statistics but interesting when you look at the big picture.

You better do your research. Some schools offer a joint degree in MS Public Health. I think its just an additional year. Good luck!

 

[ScenicRoute]

This is interesting. I shadowed a pharmacist was part of epidemiology/public health project. They were monitoring the use of a certain drugs and its demographics. It is a lot of data and statistics but interesting when you look at the big picture.

YES! that is exactly what type of research I current work in (as a project coordinator) and what I want to do on my own some day. I like data and statistics, actually good at it which is why my PI suggested it to me. I will be teaching myself SAS (statistical software used to number crunch administrative data) this summer and can talk your ear off about comparative effectiveness and effects of comorbidities and such 🙂 In fact it is believed that this sort of research is the future of pharmacy research because when drug companies do drug trials, they have a limited, biased pool and the results of the drugs, drug interactions, and compliance in the real world might not mirror or be the complete opposite of what was found during drug trials.

I am guessing this type of work would require an MPH, but from my research just the last hour, maybe a PharmD/PHD program might be a better fit? That just seems sooooo looooong and I am not getting any younger!

 

[JohnFe]

YES! that is exactly what type of research I current work in (as a project coordinator) and what I want to do on my own some day. I like data and statistics, actually good at it which is why my PI suggested it to me. I will be teaching myself SAS (statistical software used to number crunch administrative data) this summer and can talk your ear off about comparative effectiveness and effects of comorbidities and such 🙂 In fact it is believed that this sort of research is the future of pharmacy research because when drug companies do drug trials, they have a limited, biased pool and the results of the drugs, drug interactions, and compliance in the real world might not mirror or be the complete opposite of what was found during drug trials.

I am guessing this type of work would require an MPH, but from my research just the last hour, maybe a PharmD/PHD program might be a better fit? That just seems sooooo looooong and I am not getting any younger!

I actually asked this to one of the AdComs/Pharmacy Adviser. He said it is better to get yourself in to the program and see what fits your needs. There are electives in pharmacy school that can tailor your long term goals such as statistics, drug monitoring, research design etc. Also, the advantage of a PharmD is that you have the education of pharmacology, therapeutics and patient care, which a PhD lacks. I don't think you need a PhD dual degree. There are available fellowships in certain pharmaceutical companies that look into this. You just have to do more research on which pharmacy schools offer this kind of thing. Good luck! 😀