University of Findlay Pharmacy Students Learn From Current Medication Shortages Plaguing the United States
University of Findlay’s Doctorate of Pharmacy Program is taking the time to educate and prepare students, using the ongoing medication shortages as examples. “Like any rise in certain disease states or even pandemics, we as a college work to modify and adjust the curriculum to contain new and focused information that will make our students the most successful in practice as future pharmacists,” said Rachel Kahle, Pharm.D., University of Findlay assistant professor of pharmacy practice.
The nation currently faces what experts are calling a “tripledemic,” with an abnormally high amount of cases of influenza, RSV, and COVID. As a result, many pharmacies are struggling to stock enough children’s pain relief medicine. Those pharmacies that are able to stock the shelves, have set limits on the amount of medications that can be purchased (including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid). “Pharmacists are faced with having to recommend another antibiotic in stock that may not be the best option for the patient. Yes, the antibiotic that is recommended will still work, but broader antibiotics are having to be used, thus increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance for the future,” said Kahle.
Pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, due in part to the fact that pharmacies are everywhere, and that no appointment is needed. “We are asked a lot about medications, for our opinions, and for recommendations,” Kahle said. To prepare students, UF pharmacy students are challenged with reading and analyzing journal articles to best understand how to proceed. Students are also extensively trained in biostatistics in order to best draw a conclusion from novel studies and medications. UF pharmacy students also accumulate hundreds of practical experience hours to learn how to work with patients. “Our students must complete 300 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) hours prior to entering their final year of schooling. In their final year of schooling, students start their rotations, where they can get an additional 200 hours of experience each month,” said Kahle.
With sick kids and a lack of medications, comes upset and concerned parents. Kahle recognizes the frustration of parents and patients, and knows first-hand what pharmacists face. “It definitely can be uncomfortable at first, but that is why our students get so much experience,” she said. “Students observe these scenarios, encounter them as the lead communicator, and teach those around them on how to best manage the situation. It is through these experiences that they are prepared for almost any type of situation, difficult or simple.”
For more information on the University of Findlay’s Pharmacy Program, visit the pharmacy webpage.
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