ADDRESS QUESTIONS TO: edu MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management: A Pharmacy and Graduate Business School Collaboration Model Fadi M. Alkhateeb, BSPharm, M.B.A., Ph.D., David A. Latif, Ph.D., Jennifer Snell, Pharm.D. School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV Background Discussion Results Objectives Although many schools now offer dual PharmD/MBA (Masters of Business Administration) or MBA standalone programs, very few of them offer an MBA that specializes in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management. The objectives of this exploratory study were to (1) review the available literature on the MBA programs that are related to pharmacy and (2) investigate pharmacists’ perceptions and expectations about pursuing MBA degrees (Focus, type and program setting). Table 1. Comparison between the programs that offer MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management Of the 150 mailed surveys, 30 were returned as undeliverable. A total of 57 responses were received giving a response rate of 47.5%. Methods Table 2: Descriptive characteristics for the respondents Conclusion For the first objective, articles were identified via searches of PubMed and IPA from inception to March 2011 related to MBA programs for pharmacists. Programs at seven colleges/universities in the United States were examined and compared regarding curriculum, duration/flexibility, pharmacy-related coursework, and hands-on training. For the second objective, pharmacist perception of the MBA programs was evaluated through an online survey of a sample of 150 pharmacists working with University of Charleston School of Pharmacy as clinical preceptors in West Virginia. Most pharmacists preferred MBA programs that are related to healthcare or pharmacy area (66%) over general MBA programs (33%). The majority of the respondents expressed their interest in the online, evening and weekend MBA programs. Pharmacists also expressed their interest in MBA programs that focus on Management and finance courses and, to a lesser extent on marketing and pharmacoeconomics topics The Capstone Project is a common component of most MBA programs that allows students to apply knowledge and skills to an actual work environment This study provides insight for academic programs that offer the MBA in Pharmacy or dual PharmD /MBA programs regarding useful parameters for evaluating their students’ educational and professional capabilities. It may guide curricular revisions, leading to a more broadly educated pharmacist who is better prepared for management positions in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. CharacteristicsWant MBA Do not want MBA Total Degree BSc Pharm.D Both degrees Practice setting Community (Chain or Independent) Hospital Pharmacy Other Pharmacist position a Staff Pharmacist PIC Manager or director Gender Male Female Possible Reimburse by employer for tuition/ fees a Yes (Full) Yes (partially) No 10 (31.2) 7 (36.8) 2 (40) 7 (25.9) 12 (44.4) 0 1 (8.3) 2 (14.3) 14 (60.9) 11 (36.7) 8 (33.3) 0 9 (69.2) 10 (37.0) 22 (68.8) 12 (63.2) 3 (60) 20 (74.1) 15 (55.6) 2 11 (91.7) 12 (85.7) 9 (39.1) 19 (63.3) 16 (66.7) 0 4 (30.8) 17 (73.0) University Name Total Average Cost Credit hours Mode of instruction SJU: MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing $71,00048Online / campus EMBA Drexel: MBA Pharmaceutical Management $54,00051Mixed University of Colorado: MBA in Health Administration with Pharmaceutical Management option $48,00048Mixed Rutgers: MBA in Pharmaceutical Management $ 75,00060Campus FDU: MBA in Pharmaceutical Management $70,00051Campus Aspen University: MBA in Pharmaceutical Management & Marketing $8,00036Online University of Sciences in Philadelphia (USP): MBA in Pharmaceutical & healthcare Business $76,00038Mixed CharacteristicsFreq(Percen tage %) Nature of the program Evening Weekends Full time Specialization General MBA Pharm Marketing Pharm Manag Health admin or Healthcare Type of courses wanted in the MBA program Accounting Finance Marketing Pharmacoeconom Management 21 (58.3) 15 (41.7) 0 (0) 15 (33.3) 0 (0) 9 (20.0) 21 (46.7) 27 (71.1) 32 (84.2) 16 (42.1) 22 (58.0) 32 (84.2) Table 3: Respondents preferences regarding the MBA programs features a: significant at P< 0.05 Questions? Fadi M. Alkhateeb, Associate Professor College of Pharmacy University of Charleston, Charleston, WV Tel: Fax: