What is the best graduate research in a six-year pharmacy education program?

Abstract

In 2006, a historic reform in pharmacy education was enacted in Japan. The goal of the new six-year program is to develop pharmacists who are well-versed in science, the arts, and humanities. This reform was based on a reevaluation of the previous four-year pharmacy education programs, which placed emphasis on “substances,” i.e., drugs. It was thought that basic science and medical science and technology alone were unable to develop pharmacists as medical professionals who provide high-quality healthcare with safety and comfort. That also required a change in postgraduate faculties. However, students in graduate programs biased toward clinical areas might lack literacy in basic science fields. This report presents two examples of graduate research conducted in our laboratory. Each research topic was helpful in enhancing students’ problem-solving abilities irrespective of their previous education programs. We should remember that one of the objectives of graduate education is taking a joyful approach to all types of topics.