Pharmacoeconomics education in faculties of pharmacy and the knowledge levels of pharmacy students about pharmacoeconomics

Kurt M. Pharmacoeconomics Education in Faculties of Pharmacy and the Knowledge Levels of Pharmacy Students about PharmacoeconomicsPurpose: The purpose of this study is to review the pharmacoeconomics education in the faculties of pharmacy and to determine the knowledge levels of students about pharmacoeconomics. It aims at revealing the place of pharmacoeconomics subject in pharmacy education programs in the world, and the comparative importance and the status of the subject in Turkey.Method: In this thesis, in line with the purpose of the study, survey method has been used to determine knowledge levels of 4th and 5th grade students in Faculties of Pharmacy, in Istanbul and Ankara, on pharmacoeconomics. The applied surveys have been prepared by the researcher.Results: It has been stated that as a result of the information provided by faculty representatives, pharmacoeconomics class is currently offered in two faculties? curriculum, and it is being planned to include it in other faculties? curriculum. When the results of the student surveys are assessed, it has been observed that the students of the faculties, whose educational curriculum includes pharmacoeconomics class, has more knowledge about the subject than the other faculties? students. It has been determined that 78% of the students, are willing to have education about pharmacoeconomics. The survey has shown that those students, who know expert(s) on pharmacoeconomics, are planning to build a career in this area. The fact that 18.9% of the students, which is a percentage, that cannot be underestimated, are planning to work in pharmacoeconomics area, brings up the need for education in this area.Conclusion: 970 students, from five Faculties of Pharmacy, have participated to the survey. An academician, assigned by the Dean?s office for each faculty, has been asked to fill in an information form about the pharmacoeconomics education in their curriculum. In light of this information collected, it has been observed that pharmacoeconomics class is offered by two of these Faculties of Pharmacy, and not offered by three of them. Since pharmacoeconomics is an important target in increasing patients? quality of life, pharmacists need to take actions in order to increase their activities in this area. Therefore, it is necessary to add the pharmacoeconomics class to the curriculums of faculties of pharmacy. It should be considered that in our country, pharmacoeconomics needs firstly to be included in the curriculum of undergraduate pharmacy education; and we should have graduate and doctorate programs in order to increase the number of educated experts in this area.Key words: Pharmacoeconomics, Health economics, Education, Pharmacy, Pharmacy education