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Washington State University
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy

How one alumnus transformed his Seattle pharmacy into a community center

You probably have never considered your local pharmacy to be a community center. But that’s exactly what class of 2008 WSU PharmD graduate Ahmed Ali wanted to create when he started his own pharmacy in the southside of Seattle three years ago. Ali’s Othello Station Pharmacy serves the predominantly East African and Somali community in Rainier Valley. It is also the community in which Ali grew up after relocating to Seattle from Somalia in 1998 at the age of 17.

“It was a completely different world and different language. I had to do a lot of learning, and my parents were the driving force for … » More …

How one professor is combating a silent epidemic in eastern Washington

Just as the COVID-19 epidemic exploded on the world stage in early 2020, a silent epidemic was also taking place in parallel to the spread of the deadly virus: drug overdoses, which increased nationally by 42% in May 2020 compared to year before, according to ODMAP. Law enforcement and public health experts believe the growth of overdoses was a result of state-mandated stay-at-home orders. Job losses, reduced income, and increased stress and anxiety have led to increased drug use as a coping mechanism for many. In 2020, fentanyl overtook methamphetamines as the drug most involved in overdoses in Washington state. This is where Assistant Professor in Pharmacotherapy Nicole Rodin has made it her mission to educate communities in eastern Washington about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and the use of naloxone, the antidote to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. » More ...

WSU pharmacy graduates lead residency matches in Washington state

WSU PharmD students led in accredited residency matches in Washington state this year. More than 67% of fourth-year pharmacy students seeking a residency matched, according to the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) data, which coordinates the official match process for pharmacy schools nationwide. This year, 47 WSU PharmD students matched, up from 41 students last year. Residencies are post-graduate training programs which allow new pharmacists to perform as a licensed practitioner to train under the supervision of an experienced preceptor. Residencies are highly sought-after positions to help pharmacists gain experience, leadership skills, advance their growth of clinical judgement, and hone their skills as a practicing pharmacist. » More ...

Nontraditional pharmacy roles that you never knew existed

Pharmacy Roles in Pharmaceutical Industry
Most PharmD students know that their degree can land them a career in the pharmaceutical industry, but what exactly do people with a PharmD degree do in these companies?

According to Pharmaceutical Sciences Associate Professor Bhagwat Prasad and Director of Industry Engagement at the college, Doctor of Pharmacy of students are highly sought-after candidates in the pharmaceutical industry. Not only do they have the scientific knowledge to comprehend how drug therapy works, but they also have the practical patient care skills to know how therapies will be delivered, whether it’s by doctors or at home. Positions for Doctor of … » More …

New York Times cites WSU on growing demand for pharmacists and technicians

Vice Dean of External Relations Linda Garrelts MacLean started seeing a growing demand for pharmacy students in April 2020, just two months after the COVID-19 pandemic officially kicked off in the US. First came the requests by public health officials for students to help at COVID-19 testing sites. Soon, the need for student pharmacists and their skills in being able to communicate with patients and knowledge in administering vaccines became a bright spot in a very challenging year of virtual learning.

“We are receiving requests from pharmacies and providers, big and small, for our students. They know our students have the skills they need to … » More …

Two students who found a passion for pharmacy and each other

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences would like to feature one of the many couples who found their match in pharmacy school. Ryan Nottingham and James (Jimmy) Leonard found their passion for pharmacy and each other while pursuing their Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Hear their story and what they have been up to since graduating.

In 2016, Ryan Nottingham and James (Jimmy) Leonard sealed the deal –personally and professionally. Shortly after receiving their Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Washington State University, the two committed to spending the rest of their lives together on June 25, 2016, in … » More …

Medicine-carriers made from human cells can cure lung infections

By Sara Zaske, WSU News

SPOKANE, Wash. – Scientists used human white blood cell membranes to carry two drugs, an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory, directly to infected lungs in mice.

The nano-sized drug delivery method developed at Washington State University successfully treated both the bacterial growth and inflammation in the mice’s lungs. The study, recently published in Communications Biology, shows a potential new strategy for treating infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

“If a doctor simply gives two drugs to a patient, they don’t go directly to the lungs. They circulate in the whole body, so potentially there’s a lot of toxicity,” said Zhenjia Wang, … » More …

WSU and Columbia Basin College set new path for pharmacy students

Students in the Tri-Cities area can now complete pre-requisite courses for the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program at the cost of attending CBC. In a collaboration between Columbia Basin College (CBC) and Washington State University (WSU), students who complete the approved transferable Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) degree will be eligible for admissions into the WSU Doctor of Pharmacy program.

“As someone who grew up not too far from Tri-Cities, I’m proud that we can now offer students new opportunities and career pathways that did not exist before. This new collaboration fulfills WSU’s mission as a land-grant university, which is rooted in accessibility and public service,” … » More …

Native American Heritage Month Spotlight

November is Native American Heritage Month and it is a time for us to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of our First Americans and honor their important contributions to the community. First-year student pharmacist Estebon Hughes of the Spokane tribe shares some of the driving forces as to why he chose to work in health care and become a pharmacist.

What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
My mother works in health care and I have always looked up to her and the work that she does. I wanted to become a pharmacist so that I could help people … » More …

Career advice and lessons learned in pharmacy

Vice Dean of External Relations Linda Garrelts MacLean is a veteran of the pharmacy community. As co-owner of Jones Pharmacy & Home Health Care Center for over 20 years, a past-president of the Washington State Pharmacy Association, past trustee for the American Pharmacists Association, and a recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia Award (the highest honor in the profession), Garrelts MacLean knows a thing or two about building a successful career, seeking out opportunities, and above all, caring for patients. In this video, she shares her lifelong experience working in community pharmacy, running a business, and working to advance the practice. » More ...