Pharmacy leaders and the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy

Adoption of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm..D.) degree as the minimal educational level for entry into the practice of pharmacy has far-reaching implications. Pharmacy leaders will play a crucial role in the debate over the appropriateness of the entry-level Pharm.D. degree as a prerequisite to practice. The study identified pharmacy leaders likely to exert a significant impact on the entry-level Pharm.D. debate. Identified pharmacy leaders were then asked their views of the likelihood of implementing the entry-level Pharm.D., the purpose for implementing a change in educational standards, and the probable outcomes such a change will have. Identified pharmacy leaders believed the entry-level Pharm.D. would be implemented and the major reasons for this were to better address patient and societal needs, better enable the pharmacy profession to fulfill its mission, and better enable practitioners to adapt to changes in pharmacy practice. Identified pharmacy leaders felt that and increase in residencies and fellowships was the most likely outcome.