Role of pharmacists in

academia
Pharmacy Practice, PHA 212
University of Botswana
Dr. J. Kgatlwane
Outline
• Definition of Academic Pharmacists
• Overview of academic institutions in Botswana
• Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Teaching/educating/training
• Research
• Community service
• Career paths for pharmacists in academia
• Challenges faced by pharmacists in academia
Definition of academic pharmacists
• “The “Academia” category may be loosely defined as belonging to a
university faculty, usually that of a college of pharmacy. However,
clinical practice pharmacists may also hold academic positions in
medical, veterinary, and other health care–related educational
institutions. Positions may range from the dean of a college of
pharmacy to a teaching clinical pharmacy position at an off-campus
site or to a classroom setting”. (American Pharmacists Association)
 Overview of pharmacy academia in Botswana
• Pharmacy Technician programmes
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Boitekanelo College
• Pharmacists with Pharmacy degree can work in institutions for pharmacy
technician programmes
• Pharmacy Degree Programme – University of Botswana
• Pharmacists with B. Pharm or B. Sc. Pharm can work at UB as Technical
Staff or as Demonstrators
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Teaching/educating/training – variety of topics
• Learners
o Pharmacy
o Medicine
o Nursing
o Social Workers
o Etc
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Teaching/educating/training
o Practicing pharmacists
 Continued Medical Education (CME)/Continued Professional Development
(CPD)
 Pharmacy Examinations on behalf of the Health Professions Council
(Pharmacy Board)
o All health professionals
 Update on management of various diseases/conditions and medicines
 Training/education on rational use of medicines, medicines utilization
research methods, other emerging topics of importance
 Developing and implementing graduate programmes
 Post-graduate programmes
 Masters programmes
 MPhil/PhD programmes
 Residency programmes
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Research
o Teach, educate and mentor learners
 Research methods
 Good Clinical Practice in the conduct of research
 Execution of research
 Analysis of research findings
 Dissemination and utilization of research findings
 Etc.
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Research
oConduct research – to improve patients outcomes, influence policy or
processes, protocols etc. or save costs
oCollaborate with Pharmacy Professionals and other health professionals
in some research projects
o Supervise learners during conduct of research
o Train and mentor pharmacy or other health professionals on research
o Apply for grants
 To conduct research
 To fund pharmacy learners’ research
 Undergraduates
 Postgraduates Update on management of various
diseases/conditions
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Service to the community
o Participate in community service activity or outreach programmes
 Screening of patients for e.g. diabetes, hypertension, etc
 Screen patients for medicines related problems e.g. adverse medicines
reactions, under/overdose, omission or duplication of medicines,
expired medicines
 Educate public on topics of interest
E.g. appropriate use of medicines including antibiotics
Misuse/abuse of medicines
Medicines overdose/poisoning
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Service to the community
o Participate in community service activity
 Screening of patients for e.g. diabetes, hypertension, etc
 Screen patients for medicines related problems e.g. adverse medicines
reactions, under/overdose, omission or duplication of medicines,
expired medicines
 Educate public on topics of interest
E.g. appropriate use of medicines including antibiotics
Misuse/abuse of medicines
Medicines overdose/poisoning
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Service to the University
o Participate in various Boards and committees at the University
o Represent the university in stakeholders committees or Boards
o Teach in other schools or faculties
o Organize conferences/workshops
o Contribute to funding of the research – through applications for grants
 Roles/activities of pharmacists in academia
• Service to the Profession
o Participate in various Boards and committees at the professional bodies
e.g. Pharmaceutical Society of Botswana (PSB)
o Represent the professional bodies in stakeholders committees or Boards
o Participate in outreach programmes
o Participate in organizing activities for the profession
o Contribute to the professional development for the members of
professional bodies
Career paths for pharmacists in academia
Pharmacists in academia can:
• Become Heads of Department or School
• Become Deans of Faculty
• Be consultants
• Own business
• Work in any pharmacy setting e.g. as consultants, pharmacists,
mentors, locum etc.
• Public health specialists
 Challenges for pharmacists in academia
• Shortage of manpower
• Teaching
• Conducting research
• Following up learners
• Requirements to enter academia
• Lack of mentorship
• Teaching
• Research
• Acquiring grants
• Non-performance by learners
Solutions to some of the challenges
• Practicing pharmacists in other pharmacy settings may serves as:
• Adjuvant lecturers
• Preceptors and mentors
• Clinical instructors
• Develop Residency Programmes