Role of pharmacy education and pharmacy practice in developing pharmacists as clinical researchers in Germany
Yvonne Marina Pudritz1,2, Oliver Scherf-Clavel1
1Pharmacy Department -Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Butenandt-Str. 5-13, Haus B, 81377 Munich, Germany.
Objectives:
To describe the current state of pharmacy education and practice in Germany and to highlight their role in shaping pharmacists as clinical researchers.
Methods:
This narrative review outlines the current structure of pharmacy education, including postgraduate opportunities, and describes the regulatory and professional bodies responsible for pharmacy in Germany. In addition, we provide a personal outlook on future directions for pharmacy education.
Key Findings:
Pharmacy education in Germany is based on a state examination system with a strong emphasis on scientific disciplines, particularly chemistry. Structured research training is mainly offered at the postgraduate level, for example to those pursuing a doctorate.The professional identity of pharmacists in Germany remains primarily focused on their role as medication experts, dispensers, and advisors within the healthcare system. The concept of the pharmacist as a 'clinician-researcher' is not yet widely established in the mainstream professional identity.
Conclusions:
In Germany, research development opportunities for practicing pharmacists-especially outside academia-are still at an early stage. However, recent policy and professional debates have emphasized the importance of strengthening research capacity across all areas of pharmacy practice.
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