In response to the growing demand for leadership development for pharmacy professionals, the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, in partnership with the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, has established a new Master of Science in Pharmacy Business Administration (MSPBA) program.
The first of its kind in the U.S., the program will enable working professionals to earn a graduate degree in a flexible, executive-style manner.
Combining the expertise of Pitt’s renowned business and pharmacy schools, the
12-month program will allow working professionals to substantially elevate their
business acumen and marketability. Graduates will be prepared for highly competitive management and administrative positions in the rapidly growing business of managingdrugs and other medicines.
“Professionals want to differentiate themselves,” explained Gordon Vanscoy,
Pharm.D., associate dean for business innovation, as well as chairman and chief
executive officer of PANTHERx Specialty Pharmacy. “They want to get personalized,
efficient, effective and contemporary education. When students leave this program,
they are going to be highly sought after, and their new skill set is going to be put
to use.”
Working with Pitt’s corporate partners, the MSPBA program is taught by faculty who
are industry leaders and internationally respected for their research and
consulting. The leadership-focused curriculum encompasses the business concepts and analytical tools used by successful health care executives
“Many CVS Health pharmacy professionals want to transition into leadership roles and
until now did not have a program that focused on the business of medicines,” said
Larry Merlo, president and chief executive officer of CVS Health and chairman of
Pitt Pharmacy’s Executive Steering Board. “We have done a trial run of the program and are very satisfied with the new skill sets of our associates.”
The University of Pittsburgh currently is accepting applications and enrolling
students for the January 2016 class.