Veterinary Pharmacy Sciences Certificate

Coordinator: Julie Adrian, D.V.M., Professor
Email: jluiz@hawaii.edu

Program Description

This certificate is designed to offer the DKICP Pharm.D. student a concentrated introduction to veterinary medicine, veterinary pharmacy sciences, veterinary prescribing and compounding focusing on pharmacy jurisprudence, ethics and regulations, and veterinary communication and collaboration. Students will possess knowledge and skill base related to veterinary drug calculations, preparation, common animal diseases, pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy, as well as veterinary toxicology, veterinary endocrinology, veterinary anesthesiology and controlled substances, and gain pharmacy practice experiences through animal health-related tasks. The certificate is meant to prepare students for successful placement in veterinary pharmacy residencies and/or for students to be competitive in the pharmacy job market. Students who complete these curricula will have a better ability to serve veterinary pharmacies, veterinarians, their patients and their clients.

Program Mission

The goal of this certificate is to produce Pharm.D. graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, experience, skills and ability needed to succeed as a pharmacist working with veterinarians in veterinary pharmacies and patient care settings.

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  1. Implement the knowledge, skills and ability of veterinary pharmacy sciences in practice settings.
  2. Organize the knowledge and skills from courses in the certificate curricula and apply this knowledge to enhance veterinary patient care and veterinary communication.
  3. Use veterinary drug resources commonly used by veterinarians.
  4. Describe the role(s) of a pharmacist on a veterinary patient care team.
  5. Describe basic concepts in veterinary medicine, including veterinary prescription calculation and formulation.
  6. Recognize veterinary diversion outlets as it relates to opioids and other controlled substances relating to dispensing and the One Health Campaign.
  7. Describe the ability to explain solutions to common veterinary questions in the pharmacy setting.
  8. Discuss the common toxins that are harmful to companion animals while describing the toxic principle, formulation and/or source, susceptible species, reported lethal dose, reported LD50, ADME, mechanism of action, clinical signs and treatment.
  9. Determine appropriate drug therapy based on species-specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in canines, felines and other companion and food animals.

Certificate Curriculum (15 Credits)

Students must complete the following courses during the P2-P3 Year:

  • PHPS 548 Intro to Vet Pharmacy Sciences (1)
  • PHPS 539 Common Animal Disease Pharm I (1)
  • PHPS 549 Common Animal Disease Pharm II (1)
  • PHPS 547 Veterinary Toxicology (1)
  • PHAR 570 Certificate Project Pres (1)

Student must choose four (4) elective credits from the following list based on their focus during the P2-P3 Year

  • PHPP 572 Intro to Residency Application (1)
  • PHPP 554 Zoonotic Diseases (1)
  • PHPS 571 Veterinary Endocrinology (1)
  • PHPS 573 Vet Anesthesia and Contr Subst (1)
  • PHAR 509 Intro Pharm Prac Exp Elective (1)
  • PHPP 599 (3) (Directed Studies- PCCA Institute Veterinary Compounding Course)

Students must complete one (1) of the following experiential electives during the P4 Year:

  • PHAR 585 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec II (6)
  • PHAR 586 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec III (6)