The Entry-Level Doctor of Pharmacy Degree
Implications for Minority Pharmacists
Marcellus Grace PhDpages: 9 - 15
- DOI: 10.1300/J060v03n02_02
- Version of record first published: 25Nov1992
Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to give the author's views on the B.S. vs. Pharm.D. debate from the perspective of the Dean of one of the four historically Black Colleges of Pharmacy. Data seem lo indicate that all colleges/schools of pharmacy offer or soon will offer the Pharm.D. degree in the near future. The rhetorical question and criticism by many in the pharmacy profession is whether or not all graduales need the Pharm.D. degree. The author concludes that they do, and the reason is lhey can better market themselves. The author states that he entry-level PharmD. program will have a sienilicant im~act on the African Americans and other minority pharmacists. It is predicted that given current trends, there may be a decline of African American and Hispanic pharmacy students enrolled as schools convert to the entry-level Pharm.D. The author concludes that minority pharmacists, in the future, without a Pharm.D. could face racial discrimination with the lack of a Pharm.D. being used as a potential "legitimate" excuse to not hire them in key administrative, clinical or other nontraditional roles.