Pharmacy Law, Policy and Ethics Pathway

Faculty

Joseph L. Fink III, Coordinator
Professor of Pharmacy Law and Policy
A262 Advanced Science & Technology Commercialization Center Building
859-218-6515
jfink@uky.edu

What is Pharmacy Law?

The law applies to pharmacists in many ways - in their professional roles, in their business lives, and in their personal affairs. Legal issues have extensive impact on the profession and those who practice it.

What is Pharmacy Policy?

Pharmaceutical policy deals with the approaches and issues associated with the use of medications and pharmaceutical services, with a focus on topics such as prescription drug insurance programs, provision of optimal pharmaceutical services, regulatory frameworks to assure quality and competence, etc.

Intended Outcomes

The student who completes this pathway will have insights, analytical abilities and skills exceeding those of his or her peers. Such skills can be applied in a variety of settings, either in an employment situation or as a basis for continuing study for the PhD or JD degree. As concerns the curricular outcomes for the Pharm.D. degree program at the UK College of Pharmacy, this pathway will contribute to development of [a] critical thinking skills, [b] professionalism, [c] written and oral communication skills, and [d] social interaction, citizenship and leadership.

Career Opportunities

Boards of Pharmacy
Consulting firms working on prescription insurance programs or medication distribution systems
Managed care organizations and health insurance firms
Positions in the pharmaceutical Industry, medical device or biotechnology industries in Regulatory Affairs or Governmental Affairs
Public policy consulting or governmental affairs consulting firms
State agencies dealing with pharmaceuticals, such as the administering the Medicaid program or regulating controlled substances
U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Description

This curricular pathway will combine pharmacy course work with offerings by other academic units on campus plus structured experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for a variety of interesting and challenging career opportunities that will draw on their pharmacy backgrounds as well as their knowledge and skills related to pharmaceutical policy, law and ethics.