Keynote abstract
Lifelong learning has become a necessity in a Europe characterised by rapid technological and economic change. Constant need of new knowledge accentuates these challenges – underlining the need for a continuous updating and renewal of knowledge, skills and wider competences.
This also applies for the pharmaceutical area.
Pharmacists works with topics along all areas of the drug development process from drug discovery to clinical pharmacy. It is therefore necessary to develop post graduate courses/programmes covering all areas of the drug development process.
In Denmark we have for the movement three professional Master's programmes running within the pharmaceutical area
- Master of Industrial Drug Development (MIND)
- Master of Drug Management (MDM)
- Master of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs (MPRA)
These programmes are offered to pharmacists and other academic professionals on part time basis – each covering one year of full time study (60 ECTS credit points).
The programmes comprises about 8 compulsory courses (typical 2½-5 ECTS credit points each), some elective courses and a Master´s project. Each course can also be followed individually. Enrolment at the Master´s programmes is not necessary to follow the individual courses.
The realisation of lifelong learning at international level is however complicated by the lack of communication and co-operation between education and training providers and authorities at different level. Barriers between institutions and countries not only prevent access to education and training but also prevent an efficient use of knowledge and competences already acquired.
The lecture will focus on the Danish assess to create Master´s programmes for academic professionals working in the pharmaceutical sector and the content of these programmes.
