Fresh Opportunities for Pharmaceutical
Research, Education and Business
Development Afforded by a New
College of Pharmacy
John M. Pezzuto, Ph.D.
Professor and Dean, College Pharmacy
e-mail: pezzuto@hawaii.edu
Development of UHH College of Pharmacy
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1998  Concept introduced by Hawaii Pharmacy Leaders
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2002  Pharmacy clinical training grant funded through HRSA spearheaded by
Senator Inouye
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2003  Feasibility study conducted by an external consultant
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2004  Search for dean approved by State Legislature and University of
Hawaii Board of Regents
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2006  John M. Pezzuto appointed as Founding Dean
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2006  State Legislative funding allocated for initial core team
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2006  University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved organizational structure
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2006  University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved degree program and
curriculum
Organizational Chart
Recruitment Status
Hired
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Pharmacy Librarian
Offers pending
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Student Services Director
Clinical Coordinator
two faculty members
one lecturer
one Department Head
one Associate Dean
In Progress
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one Department Head
one Associate Dean
Accreditation Status
Regional (Substantive Change Proposal)
– Proposal was submitted to Western Association of Schools and
Colleges (WASC)
– Teleconference was conducted
– Site visit was conducted
– Board action will take place in February 2007
Professional
– Proposal was submitted to Accreditation Council for Pharmacy
Education (ACPE)
– Appearance at ACPE Board meeting was successful
– Site visit will be scheduled
– Board action will take place in June 2007
Outcome
– Accept inaugural class in August 2007
The Profession of Pharmacy
Requirements:
• A minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy training
• Can be done at any accredited college
• Director of pre-pharmacy has been appointed at the
University of Hawaii at Hilo
• Pharmacy curriculum is four years
• Final year is largely experiential – throughout the
state and region
• Doctor of Pharmacy is awarded (Pharm.D.)
• Examination is required for license as a Registered
Pharmacist (R.Ph.)
Shortage of Pharmacists
• Unfilled pharmacy positions – 7,000–10,000/year
• Projection – shortfall of 157,000 by 2020
• Hawaii was one of only five states with no College of
Pharmacy (Alaska, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont)
Expectations for Pharmacy Graduates
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Receive multiple job offers at time of graduate
Excellent starting salary ( ca. $100,000)
Excellent work environment
Superb job satisfaction – “Most trusted health
professional”
Reasons for Growth of Pharmacy in Health Care
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Increase in average lifespan
Increase in chronic diseases
Increase in complexity and number of medications
Increase in health services (primary and preventive)
Increase in home health care, long-term care
Improved access to health care
Cost control
Quality of health care
What do pharmacists do?
• Maintain and safeguard a distribution service of
medications to the public
• Consult with doctors, patients and health care
professionals
• Select the best medication therapy
• Assure the best use of medication
Examples of Career Opportunities
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Community pharmacist
Emergency room pharmacist
Clinical pharmacist
Production management: quality control
Poison control
Veterinary pharmacist
Nuclear pharmacist
Consulting pharmacist
Biopharmaceutical research
UHH College of Pharmacy: Building Academic
Partnerships
• Interprofessional education – stronger ties with
medicine and nursing
• Joint degree programs – e.g., Pharm.D./MBA
• Stronger ties with University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Stronger ties with other UH system colleges
UHH College of Pharmacy: Building
Community Partnerships
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Adjunct and affiliate faculty throughout Hawaii
Pharmacy practice experiences throughout Hawaii
Development of drug information center
Development of unique library resources
Development of continuing education programs
UHH College of Pharmacy: A Platform for
Community Service
• Continue pharmacy technician training throughout
the Pacific Region
• School-based violence prevention program
• Rural health initiative – emphasis on pharmaceutical
care and therapeutics
UHH College of Pharmacy: A Center of Basic
and Applied Pharmaceutical Research
• Faculty of Scholars – attract extramural funding to
support research
• Engagement with the pharmaceutical industry
• Emphasis on natural products, drug discovery,
traditional remedies
• Start-up companies – a common development as
programs mature
• Patent income and licensing agreements
Creation of UHH College of Pharmacy
The whole difference between construction and
creation is exactly this: a thing constructed can only
be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is
loved before it exists.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton
(1874-1936)
Preface to Dickens, Pickwick Papers