HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1325
As Reported By House Committee On:
Higher Education
Title: An act relating to tuition for students in programs leading to the degree of doctor of pharmacy.
Brief Description: Changing tuition provisions for students in programs leading to the degree of doctor of pharmacy.
Sponsors: Representatives Sheahan, Jacobsen, Mulliken, Benton and Carlson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Higher Education: 2/3/95, 2/10/95 [DP].
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Mulliken, Vice Chairman; Jacobsen, Ranking Minority Member; Mason, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Blanton; Delvin; Mastin and Sheahan.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Carlson, Chairman; and Benton.
Staff: Susan Hosch (786-7120).
Background: In 1989, the accrediting association for pharmacy programs, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, declared an intent to accredit only doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs after the year 2000. A number of state and national organizations concerned with pharmacy have endorsed the proposed change. The University of Washington and Washington State University have proposed phasing out their Baccalaureate programs in pharmacy and replacing them with Pharm.D. programs.
As proposed by the institutions, an entry-level Pharm.D. program will prepare pharmacists to begin their professional careers. The program will require six years of education: two years of pre-professional education in basic fields and four years in pharmacy. The program will expand a pharmacy student's education by one year. In addition, the programs will be revised to prepare entering pharmacists to perform an enhanced role in the evolving health care fields. In addition, a post-baccalaureate Pharm.D. program will continue to be available for practicing pharmacists.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board completed a pharmacy education plan in January of 1994. In the plan, the board endorsed the transition of entry-level pharmacy programs from a baccalaureate degree program to a Pharm.D. program. The Pharm.D. program would become the sole entry-level professional program for pharmacists trained in the state. The board also endorsed the proposal of the institutions to charge graduate-level tuition for students enrolled in the Pharm.D. program. The board endorsed the tuition increase with the understanding that the two institutions would continue to increase the amount and level of scholarship monies for needy pharmacy students. The board also understood that the two institutions would maintain and/or increase the enrollment of students from disadvantaged or minority families.
Summary of Bill: The University of Washington and Washington State University will charge graduate level tuition for students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
Appropriation: For the 1995-97 biennium, $779,000 is appropriated to the University of Washington and $396,000 is appropriated to Washington State University for Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1995.
Testimony For: Health care providers are encountering an increasingly complex profession. Newly credentialed pharmacists entering that profession need to have advanced training that includes significant amounts of field experience. Upon graduation, some are expected to participate as health care team members in local hospitals and clinics. In those settings, they monitor drug therapies prescribed by doctors and are expected to anticipate any possible adverse interactions of the diverse drugs that may be prescribed by different doctors. In recognition of these evolving roles, the accrediting associations for pharmacy programs will accredit only Doctor of Pharmacy programs after the year 2000.
Testimony Against: Many pharmacists in neighborhood pharmacies believe that the current five year training program is sufficient to provide the education needed by new pharmacists. The proposed Doctor of Pharmacy program contains extraneous material that is not needed at the present time. If additional requirements are placed on the profession in the future, the programs can be revised at that time, if necessary. Continuing education is adequate to address the evolving material needed by neighborhood pharmacists.
Testified: James Carlson, self-employed (con); Rod Shafer, pharmacist (pro); David Doane, Evergreen Pharmaceutical Service (pro); Mahmoud Monem, Washington State University (pro); Wayne Kradsan, University of Washington (pro); John Swenson, Valley Medical Center; Lawrence Corbin, Washington State Society of Hospital Pharmacists - University of Washington (pro); Anderson Jolly, University of Washington (pro); and Daren Wooley, University of Washington (pro).