Veterinary pharmacy: coverage in the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum and perspectives of practising pharmacists

Authors

  • Noëlle H O’Driscoll School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health and Welfare, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
  • Charles Juwah Department for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
  • Olga Labovitiadi School of Science, University of Greenwich, Kent
  • Andrew J Lamb School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health and Welfare, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

Keywords:

Veterinary Pharmacy, Undergraduate Pharmacy Curriculum, Postgraduate Pharmacy Education, Pharmacy Practitioners

Abstract

Background: The scope of tuition delivered in a School of Pharmacy in the UK on the topic of veterinary pharmacy appears to be centred on legislation and medicine supply under the veterinary cascade.

Aims: This study sought the opinions of pharmacy undergraduate students, practising community and hospital pharmacists, on veterinary pharmacy in the current undergraduate curriculum and their views on increasing coverage of this topic.

Method: Data were collected through use of survey questionnaires, focus groups and direct face-to-face structured interviews from 115 pharmacy students, 40 community pharmacists and 20 hospital pharmacists.

Results: Findings from this study confirmed that veterinary pharmacy coverage is minimal in the current undergraduate pharmacy curriculum. About 70% of student respondents confirmed that greater inclusion of veterinary pharmacy in the curriculum is perceived to be beneficial for future employment. Community pharmacists revealed that their lack of knowledge of veterinary medicines affected their participation in veterinary pharmacy. Though hospital pharmacists were not exposed to, and rarely had any participation in veterinary pharmacy, they were largely of the opinion that all pharmacists should possess knowledge of veterinary medicines.

Conclusions: The main conclusion is the current level of tuition on veterinary pharmacy is insufficient and this identified deficiency requires to be addressed. 

References

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Published

01-07-2014

How to Cite

O’Driscoll, N. H., Juwah, C., Labovitiadi, O., & Lamb, A. J. (2014). Veterinary pharmacy: coverage in the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum and perspectives of practising pharmacists. Pharmacy Education, 14. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/196

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Section

Research Article