Affordable drug options: A survey of what colleges and schools of pharmacy are teaching

ObjectiveCurrent economic struggles influence the ability of patients to afford healthcare. There is limited literature showing what pharmacy schools are doing to prepare students to help these patients. The primary objective of this project was to gain a better understanding of how colleges and schools of pharmacy are incorporating information about affordable medication options into their curriculum for students.Methods/ProceduresSurveys were distributed via Survey Monkey through several American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) listservs in October 2009. Questions were focused on determining what was taught by each instructor with regard to cost and affordability of medications. Instructional methodology and specific content was also solicited.ResultsA total of 158 faculty from 78 pharmacy schools responded to the survey. Seventy-one respondents coordinate therapeutics/clinical coursework, 43 coordinate social and administrative sciences coursework, 30 oversee advanced and/or introductory pharmacy practice rotations, eight coordinate drug information courses, and six are curriculum chairs. Fifty-four percent of respondents are faculty at public institutions. Fifty-nine percent of respondents indicated that students are not effectively taught the role of a pharmacist in managing financial and economical situations. When asked if their curriculum teaches students how to help or refer patients in need of social services, 35% and 33% of the respondents indicated yes. Twenty-two percent of respondents provided specific examples of teaching this content.ConclusionWhile some efforts are being made to teach students about the cost and affordability of medication this is an opportunity for growth for programs across the country.