Education
UA College of Pharmacy Admits Biggest PharmD Class Ever
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Aug 26, 2008 - 5:00:37 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy this fall admitted 97 students into its PharmD (doctor of pharmacy) program, the largest incoming class since the degree program was initiated in 1985. In 1985, the program graduated seven students; last year’s incoming class numbered 90.

“As the only public college of pharmacy in the state, we take our role as provider of new pharmacists very seriously,” says J. Lyle Bootman, PhD, dean of the college. “We have been expanding our enrollment as much as possible to help meet the demand for new pharmacists in Arizona.”

According to the Pharmacy Manpower Project, Inc., the western region of the United States currently has the highest demand for pharmacy positions. As of June 2008, 87 percent of the U.S. population resided in states where it was at least moderately difficult to fill open pharmacy positions.

The University of Arizona’s PharmD program ranks ninth in the nation, according to America’s Best Graduate Schools 2009, published by U.S. News and World Report. The average science GPA (grade point average) of the 97 newly admitted students is 3.69 and their average score on the Pharmacy College Admission Test is 80.

About the UA College of Pharmacy
For fall 2008, approximately 350 students are enrolled in the PharmD program, with an additional 77 master’s and doctoral students in the following fields:

· medicinal chemistry

· pharmacology & toxicology

· pharmaceutics

· pharmacoeconomics, policy and health outcomes

· clinical research

The enrollment statistics in the PharmD program reflect changing demographics and career choices: 63 percent of student pharmacists are women and 35 percent of student pharmacists report being from underrepresented ethnic groups.

See www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/media/facts for more information.

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