Every pharmacy student undergoes intensive study in various subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceuticals, and therapeutics in multiple medical fields. They are also trained to work in different settings including community, hospitals, institutions, and others. These extensive learning and training provide them with expertise on dispensing medicines which gives the idea that Pharmacy is only about dispensing medicine which is a total misconception. Their specialization goes beyond that – they can take on various roles in different sectors including hospitals, clinical drug research, and more.
Supporting capacity-building for medical knowledge
Passion for Chemistry and calculations led Vinchelle Lynne Masangkay Chua-Castillo to pursue a BS in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy at CEU. “I am one of the fortunate few who knows exactly what she wants to pursue in college. As an aspiring pharmacist… I have chosen to attend Centro Escolar University, the leading institution that produces the highest number of registered pharmacists in the Philippines. “
Pharmacy graduates can become researchers both in academic and medical settings like Vinchelle, who is one of the editors for MIMS (Monthly Index of Medical Specialities) Singapore – a global company that provides healthcare practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare institutions drug listings, information and medical news, and references for clinical decisions. She is part of the team responsible for creating, updating, proofreading, and approving drug monographs across the Asia Pacific.
Alongside her editor job, Vinchelle also serves as a lecturer (currently on hiatus) for PharmD students at CEU-Makati. She has recently passed the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) Examination for Australia, as issued by the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Leading medical businesses
Among the opportunities that come with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree is the eligibility to take pharmacy licensure exams in the United States. Charisse Manginsay-Fong enrolled at CEU because of this. “It is an accredited institution in the United States, which signifies its adherence to high educational standards… pursuing my studies at such a reputable institution will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in my career as a pharmacist, both locally and internationally.”
A licensed pharmacist in the US, Manginsay-Fong works as a Business and Medication Systems Manager, leading and overseeing the department’s budget where part of her job is to ensure a balance between profitability and patient care. She has also recently completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
As pharmacy graduates are also exposed to the health systems, they become capable of understanding how a certain health organization works, enabling them to also pursue a career in project management related to health as with the experience of Manginsay-Fong.
Managing clinical research and projects
Armed with the global competitiveness of PharmD education at CEU, Flordelyn Cobar Lundgren sees this as among the factors that aid her in gaining opportunities, which include a scholarship abroad. “This scholarship opportunity enabled me to study abroad, gain new perspectives, and expand my expertise in ways I had not imagined. The global exposure I received, combined with the competitive academic preparation from CEU, opened doors to a variety of career options.”
Currently working as a Product Specialist at Viedoc Technologies, a Swedish software company offering a comprehensive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for the electronic capture of clinical trial data, Lundgren is responsible for oversight of eClinical suite builds. She coordinates between customers, internal departments, and other concerns of providers to ensure the conduct of technical demos and end-user training.
While her work isn’t the common person’s picture of what a pharmacist does, her degree plays a crucial role in her job as it requires an understanding of research, data management, and analysis concerning clinical trials. “As a graduate of BS Pharm and PharmD, one of the most valuable skills I acquired was a strong foundation in research and data analysis/management…understanding the intricacies of clinical research such as regulatory perspective, trial design, and patient safety, has made me a subject matter expert.”
PharmD and globally competitive graduates
Value for higher education, perseverance, passion, and a PharmD degree from CEU are among the common denominators among these globally competitive ladies. Influenced by the university’s philosophy of Ciencia y Virtud, they continue to innovate through further studies in their field and serve through their noble jobs.
Centro Escolar University offers Doctor of Pharmacy as a six-year course to incoming college students in its Makati campus. It consists of a total of a required 309 units of formal course work; completion of 1,200 hours of internship in community, hospital, industry, institutional, public health, and regulatory pharmacy; and 1,500 hours of advanced pharmacy practice experience in community and hospital settings.
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