New Programs, New Success, New Innovations

The theme for this spring graduation edition of Pharmacy Perspectives is “Reaching New Heights.” I cannot think of a more appropriate description of this past academic year at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. I hope you take the time to read the stories in the following pages. If you do, you’ll agree that it has been a stellar year for the School of Pharmacy.

Our graduates achieved some of the highest NAPLEX pass rates in the nation.

Our students received national research awards and clinical recognitions.

Our faculty were tapped to lead some of the most distinguished academic and medical associations in the nation and provided key testimony around pharmacy legislation and opioid abuse treatment.

Our pharmaceutical researchers made breakthrough discoveries in cancer treatment, HIV therapies, neurological disorders, and much more.

Our researchers in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research played critical roles in helping reduce drug costs for Americans across the U.S.

Our preceptors volunteered countless hours to mentor our students and provide critical health care at free clinics across the state.

Our staff were honored with system-wide awards for service and commitment.

And, of course, our alumni continued to bring acclaim to the School through their outstanding careers community pharmacy, research, advocacy, industry, professional associations, technology and academia.

From an administrative standpoint, we confirmed our commitment to social justice by hiring our first Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, as well as our first female Associate Dean of Research. Throughout the school, faculty and staff work groups are evaluating and developing everything from internal processes to outward impact.

We are holding steadfast to the belief that our best days are still ahead as we educate, advocate, and collaborate to train the next generation of pharmacy professionals to make the world a healthier, more just, place to thrive.

Sincerely,

The fall of 2022 brought new energy to CU Pharmacy. The academic year started ‘normal,’ something that had not happened since 2019. In a post-pandemic phase of COVID, the school returned to life, but not without lessons, changes, and reassurance that we are on the right path.

Remote learning is here to stay, with the permanent addition of a remote cohort to the regular PharmD doctoral track. This remote option allows students from across the United States to complete their Doctor of Pharmacy degree from wherever they choose, and balance whatever life circumstance they have, with their education. Location should not stop anyone from continuing education, achieving their dream, and working toward better healthcare for all.

Ralph J. Altiere, PhD

Dean, University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Our existing online program, the InternationalTrained PharmD (ITPD), received the Global Education SIG 2022 Outstanding Program Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). The ITPD program, now in its 10th year, is for individuals practicing pharmacy in a country other than the United States, usually with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, but who would like to both obtain a PharmD and to expand the field of pharmacy within their own country. This fall, it welcomed its most diverse class, with eight students representing nine different countries, with one student splitting time between two countries.

In response to ever-changing student and public health needs, the on-campus PharmD program partnered with the University of Colorado Denver to create a pharmacy pipeline program.

The partnership program allows students to enter CU Denver as an undergraduate and seamlessly transition to CU Pharmacy to earn both their Bachelor’s of Science and their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in seven years. The program offers an individualized education experience, where students have close contact with advisors at both campuses and have access to resources at both campus locations – and students are already enrolled for this fall.

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse and Prevention continued its meteoric growth in response to a meteoric rise in drug overdose deaths. Created to address the drug abuse epidemic, the Consortium was a key player in developing the Colorado Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which provided the framework for the disbursement of opioid settlement funds to 19 regions, local governments, an infrastructure fund, and a state fund. Because of its work, Colorado is the very first state in the nation to be recognized by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for excellence in application of the Principles for the Use of Funds from the Opioid Litigation

In February, The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) released its most up-to-date North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) results, showing University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy) graduates had a first-time pass rate of 96 percent, 16 percent higher than the national average. Only two other schools in North America saw higher scores.

In March, CU Anschutz returned to the airways with 'Possibilities Endless,' a new campaign to showcase what makes our campus different. The campaign features some familiar faces – Dan LaBarbera, PhD, professor and founding director of the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD) at CU Pharmacy, and Senior Professional Research Assistant Qiong Zhou. By optimizing the analysis of new drugs and therapies, Dr. LaBarbera and his collaborators can shepherd promising new drugs and therapies to clinicians faster –helping people in Colorado and beyond live longer, healthier lives.

CU Pharmacy is on a path of its own, reaching new heights, creating new maps, and finding ways to bring healthcare to all.