CAREERS IN VETERINARY PHARMACY BUILDING YOUR SKILL SET/FINDING YOUR JOB Gigi Davidson, BSPh, DICVP Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services NC State College of Veterinary Medicine

What is veterinary pharmacy? Clinical pharmacy practice Provide pharmaceutical expertise for variety of patients: Many species Many breeds Unique anatomy and physiology Unique “jobs” performed for humans Pharmacists are the only health care professionals that can care for both humans and animals

Goals Today Discuss opportunities in veterinary pharmacy Describe skills and experiences and licensure required for each opportunity Describe advanced veterinary training programs Present ideas to build a resume consistent with employment in veterinary settings

Opportunities Veterinary Teaching Hospitals Veterinary Specialty Referral Hospitals Veterinary General Practices Veterinary Retail Outlets Veterinary Online Outlets Retail Pharmacies Industry Government Sector

opportunities Veterinary Teaching Hospitals Veterinary Specialty Referral Hospitals Veterinary General Practices Veterinary Retail Outlets Retail Pharmacies Industry Government Sector

Veterinary teaching hospitals Pharmacists in college of veterinary medicine hospital Currently : 28 US colleges 5 Canadian colleges All but 1 employ pharmacists (Oklahoma State University) Full scope of practice: Primary care Tertiary referral care Ambulatory care Critical care The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Pharmacy Staff

Veterinary Teaching Hospitals Three areas of focus: Service Research Teaching

Typical day at work Morning rounds Return to pharmacy for DUR/therapeutic intervention Research and respond to DI questions Maintain hospital pharmacy operations Dispensing Compounding Client counseling Clinical studies and research activities Variety of incidental teaching and consultations

Private Veterinary Specialty Referral Centers Estimated number 710 in 2011 (14 per state) Same as veterinary teaching hospital except: Very high caseload Minimal research Minimal teaching DVM interns and residents DVM 4 th year rotation students

Private Veterinary Specialty Referral Centers Article measured impact of PharmD on VSRC* Positive effect on : Patient care Patient-well being Regulatory compliance Practice revenue PharmD may additionally specialize in one non-human species Equine referral centers Exotic referral centers Feline referral centers Aquatic Species (aquariums) *Dorsey M. Impact of a clinical pharmacist on pain management in a veterinary specialty referral practice. ASHP 36 th Midyear Clinical Meeting, abstract # p-45d New Orleans, Louisiana, December 2001.

Typical Day at work Direct patient evaluation/care Pain management (acute and chronic) Nutrition management (enteral and TPN) Diabetes and asthma care Prescription preparation and dispensing Drug procurement, distribution, inventory control Client counseling Compounding Regulatory compliance activities (DEA, VMB, FDA)

Veterinary General Practice Number of practices: 26,000 in 2011 Activities generally same as VSRC but less emphasis on tertiary care Current model PharmD contracts with several practices to spend 1-2 days per week: Performing DUR and therapeutic intervention Asthma/Diabetes Clinics Drug procurement, distribution, inventory control Compounding Regulatory compliance

Typical day at work Morning rounding/chart review Compliance activities Regulatory Therapeutic Refill clinics Check drug inventory/procurement/analyze trends Disease state clinic for clients Compounding

Veterinary retail outlets Banfield (PetSmart) 700 hospitals in 2010 Hired first pharmacist in September 2012 National formulary manager Responsibilities: Standardize formulary for all 800+ PetSmarts Develop client education materials Assist in development of drug treatment protocols

Veterinary online outlets Order fulfillment for veterinary prescriptions Growing segment of the veterinary market NABP accreditation possible: Vet-VIPPS

Community Pharmacy Practice Large chain: Target, Kroger, Walgreens Actively recruiting animal prescriptions Dedicated veterinary compounding programs Responsibilities: Rotating Staff Pharmacist Currently no dedicated Veterinary PharmD Credentialed veterinary pharmacists are very competitive

Community Pharmacy Practice Independent Pharmacies Historic collaboration with veterinarians and pet owners Models: Mixed community practice Compounding only – mixed practice Veterinary only – approved drugs and compounds Veterinary compounding only

Community Pharmacies Responsibilities: Dispensing/counseling activities Compounding Pet clinics: Brown bag medicine evaluation Asthma clinic (humans and pets) Diabetes care clinic (humans and pets) OTC education and warnings Signage/inservices Product selection within VCPR

Typical day at work Depends on what setting/employer enthusiasm Chris Simmons, vice president of creative compounding for PCCA Started as a CVS pharmacist near the Columbus Zoo Quickly became known as an expert in veterinary compounding Now world famous veterinary compounding pharmacist

Licensure Requirements If practicing traditional pharmacy (e.g. filling and dispensing prescriptions, compounding) MUST BE A LICENSED PHARMACIST Check with state requirements to see if you must work in a LICENSED PHARMACY e.g. NC does not require veterinarians to register with board of pharmacy, licensed pharmacists can practice in a licensed veterinary practice

Veterinary Pharmacy Training Programs Veterinary Pharmacy Residency: PGY1: NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine (2) University of California Davis College of Vet Medicine (2) Purdue University College of Vet Medicine (1) PGY2: Option to extend 1 yr at UCD

Veterinary Pharmacy Training Programs PY4-5 Experiential rotations: 60% of colleges of veterinary medicine accept pharmacy students on rotation Elective rotations in veterinary practices, zoos, aquariums

Veterinary Pharmacy Professional Organizations  Society of Veterinary Hospital Pharmacists (svhp.org) $25.00/yr for student or associate membership  American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (vetmeds.org) Free

Gathering Competitive Experience Identify a veterinary care mentor Veterinarian Veterinary Pharmacist Veterinary Drug Regulator Veterinary Industry Leader Volunteer/Intern now!

Resume Boosters Volunteerism Course work Community projects: Interventions (signage/posters/inservices) on vet pharmacy topics Classroom interactions with primary school students Brown bag medication identification/drug interactions at vet clinics/shelters Publications/Research: newsletters, articles, posters, presentations Veterinary Pharmacy Clubs

Resume boosters Letters of reference from dedicated veterinary professionals Be prepared to paint a clear picture of your future in veterinary pharmacy and what a perfect job day would look like from your perspective

Questions? Comments?