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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy

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 Pharmacy … » 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 ...

Students raise funds for virtual care in Yakima nursing homes

Nursing homes have been ground zero for the havoc caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 11, 60,491 of COVID-19 deaths were nursing home residents. That’s more than a quarter of all deaths nationwide caused by COVID-19. Several pharmacy students from Washington State University have decided to take matters into their own hands by providing virtual care to elderly patients in Yakima Valley nursing homes. While students will be creating videos to advise elderly patients, they need help to raise funds for tablets so that their patients are able to view these videos. The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences caught up … » More …

Student pharmacists on COVID-19 testing in Pullman

When Misty Lefler and Shayne Fontes got the urgent call from Associate Dean of Professional Education Jennifer Robinson that volunteers were needed for COVID-19 testing at WSU’s main campus in Pullman, the third-year pharmacy students scrambled to organize their peers over one weekend. Only one week into the fall semester, and Pullman was already experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases despite going to virtual learning for the semester. “I get really excited saying ‘I get to help out with this and I get to help our community,’” said Lefler. “As health care providers all we want to do is educate, immunize, and help provide those services.” » More ...