Prospects and opportunities for pharmaceutical production specialists training

Introduction. The main trend toward localization of pharmaceutical production and growth of the pharmaceutical market increase the demand for specialists with competencies in drug development, manufacturing, quality control and circulation, including knowledge and skills related to the specific characteristics of drugs.

Objective: to present practical experience and possible ways to modernize educational programs and the training pathway for specialists for the pharmaceutical industry using the example of cooperation between the Faculty of Pharmacy of SibSMU (Tomsk), Novokuznetsk State Institute for Advanced Medical Education (a branch of RMANPO, Novokuznetsk), and the drug manufacturer JSC “Organica” (Novokuznetsk).

Material and methods. Content analysis of higher education and continuing professional education curricula in Pharmacy, analysis of the demand of a pharmaceutical manufacturer for pharmacist competencies, and interviewing 69 pharmacists from healthcare institutions and private pharmacies in the Kemerovo Region.

Results. Most pharmacists reported dissatisfaction with their current occupational functions and limited use of fundamental knowledge in practice, demonstrated interest in industrial pharmacy and readiness to undertake advanced training and move to pharmaceutical manufacturing while maintaining their accreditation status. The information obtained allows us to review training and professional development programs for pharmacists in terms of their focus on industrial pharmacy, quality management, pharmacovigilance, and marketing support for pharmaceutical drugs.

Conclusion. Expanding the list of competencies developed within classical pharmaceutical education and including modules focused on industrial pharmacy broadens the scope of practical application of the pharmacist qualification and increases its demand in industrial pharmacy.