The pharmacy community contributes to biomedicine at multiple
levels including education, scholarly activity, and service through patient
care. Pharm.D have a broad base of knowledge in pharmacology, including
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacotherapy,
pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomics, as well as a strong
understanding of human metabolism, transport, and elimination. Because of
significant interest in clinical research questions related to drug development
and therapeutics, the field of pharmacy is in a unique position to conduct
research toward achieving the goal of individualized prescription drug therapy.
With the ability to envision translational endpoints, Pharm.D is a valuable
component of the current biomedical research enterprise.
Pharmaceutical scientists can offer unique
perspectives to clinical and translational research, such as introducing and
integrating pharmacogenomic approaches and methods to clinical trials in
various disease areas. In addition, Pharm.D researchers can play an important
bridging role between clinical investigators who may not otherwise find each
other. Broad training in physiology and drug metabolism enables Pharm.D
scientists to pursue research interests in a range of therapeutic areas,
including but not limited to oncology, cardiology, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, and
health services research. Pharmaceutical scientists that are currently
conducting studies in these areas provided brief accounts of their research,
described their own career paths, and offered suggestions on strengthening the
Indian Pharm.D researcher pipeline.
Despite a wide range of individual career
trajectories, these successful pharmaceutical researchers all viewed certain
characteristics of their training as pivotal to their becoming productive,
independent scientists. These include i) high-quality mentoring, ii)
grant-writing education and experience, iii) exposure to rigorous research, and
iv) clinical acumen acquired through practice experience.
Leading pharmaceutical scientists
have followed diverse paths to yield successful research careers
Historically, most of the trailblazers in
pharmacy research discovered their interest and compatibility with scientific
investigation relatively late in the game. Most reported that they turned to
research after realizing that manufacturing & dispensing alone was not
sufficient to hold their interest. Many also were dissatisfied with the lack of
a literature basis for pharmacy practice. Once these investigators chose to
pursue a research career, a common thread to their eventual success was the
significant value of mentoring (occasionally from outside the profession).
Whether on-site or from a distance, mentoring is an essential component of the
professional development of junior investigators. Through continual nurturing
from experienced investigators, junior scientists acquire the necessary
professional skills for succeeding in research, such as grant-writing and
manuscript preparation. Mentoring Pharm.D students from current level should
also include a focus on raising awareness about clinical research opportunities
and play their role in interpreting the research.
Pharm.D aspirants have a wide range of research exposure and career interests in
academia and industry
Some students plan to pursue Ph.D. after earning
their Pharm.D degree, whereas others obtain research experience through some
type of post graduate diploma in research after receiving a Pharm.D degree.
There is some debate about the value of each type of training approach in our
country, but general consensus exists that when it comes to training, one size
does not fit all. Speakers agreed that a solid basic science education and
meaningful clinical experience were both important ingredients of a successful
pharmacy researcher.
For those students who focus on research,
individual preference as well as research interest and skills will influence
whether that graduate suits his employment in academia, industry, or other
venues such as the government. One reality is money: Every graduate who had the
thought to accumulate into the industry after his Pharm.D degree will find a
high-paying position in industry in future. It is also important to recognize
that emerging Pharm.D graduates will surely draw their importance
and contribution to industry irrespective of other concerns.
Pharm.D's had the opportunity to play key leadership roles in contract research
organizations (CROs), pharmacovigilance, health policy makers, pharmaceutical
firms, and biotechnology companies in their careers.
