The first year will also involve some experience in various types of survey research and learning grant writing and project development skills, as well as aiding in teaching and precepting of drug information students. The University of Missouri Kansas City School of Pharmacy, which is a provider of professional pharmacy education, supports innovative opportunities to provide a comprehensive education in all aspects of pharmaceutical care that address the needs of the changing role of the pharmacy profession. Students recognize the fact that they will need specialized knowledge to be able to address certain issues with patients. These products do contain pharmacologically active components which, just like standard pharmaceutical drugs, have side effects, toxicities, and can interact with drugs and other natural products. Pharmacists are not only the most available healthcare professionals, but are very often directly at the point of sale of the natural products and with access to the patients prescription drug information.
Pharmacists have ethical and legal responsibilities to provide pharmaceutical care to patients.
It is our contention that that pharmaceutical care cannot be considered comprehensive without the consideration of natural products. Inclusion of at least a basic level of expertise in this area will allow problems to be recognized and avoided. This program will train pharmacy professionals to be able to do research that will add to the scientific knowledge base in the area of natural products, contribute to the clinical knowledge base and to help educate healthcare professionals, students, and patients and consumers in the safe and effective use of natural products. Current Fellow Cydney E. McQueen, Pharm.