Pharmaceutical Scientists' Perspectives on Capacity Building in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Health Workforce Development

Background:

• Ensuring a robust pharmaceutical sciences workforce is crucial for addressing future health challenges.
• Strategic workforce planning requires identifying key drivers for capacity building.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify critical drivers for capacity building in pharmaceutical sciences research.
• To inform strategic decisions and workforce planning in the field.

Main Methods:

• A global questionnaire survey was distributed to 92 internationally renowned pharmaceutical scientists.
• Participants were primarily from academia and the pharmaceutical industry with pharmacy backgrounds.

Main Results:

• The top identified drivers for capacity building were better alignment with patient needs and strengthening education.
• Education strengthening includes continuous learning and deeper specialization.
• Capacity building requires flexibility, adaptation to clinical changes, and lifelong learning, not just increased graduate numbers.

Conclusions:

• Pharmaceutical sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary, necessitating diverse scientific backgrounds.
• Future capacity building must emphasize adaptability, specialized scientific needs, and continuous professional development.