RESEARCH ARTICLES Comparison of Drug Information Practice Curriculum Components in US Colleges of Pharmacy
Objective. To compare drug information training in US colleges of pharmacy. Methods. Course coordinators and principal preceptors were identified and surveyed. The survey instrument solicited information regarding various topics covered in didactic drug information courses and students’ major efforts during drug information practice experiences. Results. Data were obtained from 90% (79) of the 88 colleges of pharmacy surveyed. Eighty-nine percent of first professional pharmacy degree programs and 72% of nontraditional doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree programs required at least 1 didactic course. The mean number of semester hours devoted to didactic drug information courses in first professional pharmacy degree programs and nontraditional PharmD degree programs was 3.6 (mode = 3) and 2.5 (mode = 3), respectively. Twenty percent of first professional degree and 16% of nontraditional PharmD degree programs required a drug information practice experience. Seventy percent of first professional degree and 59% of nontraditional degree programs offered an elective drug information practice experience. Conclusion. The high percentage of programs that required at least one didactic drug information course and offered drug information practice experiences supports the premise that drug information practice skills are an important component of contemporary pharmacy education.