20 Best Pharmacy Residency Programs In The World Rankings

Are you considering a career as a professional pharmacist? Pharmacy residency programs give you additional training, as well as an appropriate experience, very quickly compared to on-the-job training.

Although taking up any top postgraduate programs in the world today can be very challenging in terms of tuition fees, technicality, and tedious activities, the most challenging part is really knowing the best schools for the pharmacy residency program that is best for you.

So, in this article, we provide everything you need to know about Pharmacy residency programs and the best pharmacy resident programs for you in 2024.

Who is a Pharmacist?

According to Wikipedia, Pharmacy is the science and technology of preparing, distributing and testing medicines and providing additional clinical services.

Thus, a pharmacist is a health professional that aims to ensure drug use is safe, effective at affordable prices.

What is a Pharmacy Residency Program?

 A pharmacy residency is a generalized program that teaches skills that residents can use in any of the previously mentioned practice settings.

This very important program helps pharmacists to develop leadership skills, improve patient-centered care, refine problem-solving strategies, and advance the growth of their clinical judgment.

These are all necessary skills as the profession of pharmacy moves toward a more patient-centered, clinical focus.

Pharmacy residency training programs also provide knowledge and experience at a faster pace and in a more systematic manner than can be obtained in an entry-level pharmacist position.

Why Is Pharmacy Residency Programs Important?

As a matter of fact, both the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) advocate that all pharmacists in direct patient care roles should have residency training (or equivalent experience) as a prerequisite from 2024.

Also, pharmacy training is a faster way to gain experience than committing to a fellowship or even running into more student debt–if you don’t have financial aid.

Remember, just like a mortgage, student loan repayment is a long game with many influencing factors aside from dollars and cents.

So, this postgraduate pharmacy training will generally qualify you for loan payment deferment, so you don’t have to worry about your residency stipend going directly to loan payments.

Not just that, the career of a pharmacist is really a good one. No matter where this career takes you, you are in an exciting and fulfilling field that provides a real benefit to patients’ lives, and that is so worth it!

Read Also: US Pharmacy School Rankings | Requirements, Cost and Aids

Completing a post-graduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency is one of the minimum requirements for obtaining a clinical pharmacist position in a hospital or academic setting.

How Long Does Pharmacy Residency Programs Take?

Completing a Pharmacy residency program time differs according to residency programs. But generally, most programs take 1 year to complete.

Hence, after you complete a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you will spend twelve months (1 year) gaining valuable clinical experience at a pharmacy school.

Best Pharmacy Residency Programs In The World In 2024

Now you know what a pharmacy program is and how important it is to your career as a professional pharmacist.

So, let’s review several top pharmacy residency programs available for you that you can access from any where in the world.

These schools are prominent because they meet our ranking factors in number of programs, accreditation, as well as acceptance rate.

So, in no particular order, here are the best pharmacy programs in the world according to our 2024 rankings.

#1 Johns Hopkins Pharmacy Residency Program

The pharmacy residency programs at Johns Hopkins are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

So, as a result, they establish a foundation for a clinical practice that can be applied in various professional settings. This has made it one of the best pharmacy programs in the U.S and the world at large.

The Department of Pharmacy’s mission is to provide high-quality pharmaceutical care to their patients in an atmosphere of educational growth, shared respect, and communication.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program prides itself in developing highly qualified independent practitioners able to provide patient-centered care in various environments.

Pharmacists completing this program also will be capable of conducting their practice with a high level of maturity and leadership and can perform practice-related projects.

A resident’s stipend is $48,422 for PGY1 and $50, 939 for PGY2.

#2 University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Pharmacy Residency Program

The UNC Medical Center Pharmacy Residency Training Programs offer a postgraduate year-1 (PGY1). They also offer several specialty practice postgraduate year-2 (PGY2), a two-year pharmacotherapy program, and a two-year Health-System Pharmacy Administration/MS residency program.

Residents also serve as educators, teaching in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Care Lab. This involves teaching specialty-specific pharmacy courses and mentoring students on rotations at UNC Medical Center.

UNC Medical Center boasts some of the most progressive technologies and facilities for pharmacy practice, including state-of-the-art clean rooms, advanced use of pharmacy automation, and fully computerized pharmacy systems.

#3 University of California–San Francisco Pharmacy Residency Program

The UCSF Residency Training Program has a longstanding commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow and boasts alumni of over 700 graduates.

UCSF Health and UCSF School of Pharmacy jointly sponsor this top Pharmacy Residency Training Program.

UCSF ranks consistently as one of the founding fathers for clinical pharmacy services. And, the cornerstones of their pharmacy training programs include an emphasis on innovative research.

Not just that, a commitment to teaching, and the promotion of interprofessional care delivery to a diverse patient population.

#4 University of Waterloo, Canada

The University of Waterloo’s active work toward reconciliation takes place through research, learning, teaching, and community building.

Hence, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy has partnered with Kitchener’s Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team to deliver a unique family health team primary care residency experience.

Furthermore, the Hospital Pharmacy Residency Forum of Ontario coordinates the Pharmacy residencies in Ontario. This is in co-operation with the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Toronto and the UWaterloo School of Pharmacy.

#5 The University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Our Community Pharmacy Residency at the University of British Columbia is a one-year postgraduate education and unique training experience.

The program develops advanced knowledge and skills in the delivery of pharmaceutical services by community pharmacies.

It’s hands-on, it’s immersive, and it’ll prepare you to manage a community-oriented pharmacy practice.

In addition, you will enter your pharmacy practice prepared to share your skills with other professionals in the pharmacy community.

This best residency program is backed by the endorsements of the British Columbia Pharmacy Association and the College of Pharmacists of BC.

#6 Alberta Pharmacy Practice Residency, Canada

Did you know? Graduates of this top residency program receive a certificate from Alberta Health Services, Pharmacy Services. They also receive the designation of ACPR (Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Resident).

Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers nine positions in Canadian Hospital Pharmacy Residency Board accredited programs across the province.

Three positions are offered within the Edmonton Zone, three positions within the Calgary Zone, two positions within Cancer Care, and one position with Central Zone.

Furthermore, all four programs offer a variety of training and educational opportunities to help enhance the theories and skills developed in the pharmacy undergraduate programs.

Hence, the successful completion of this residency program gives the equivalent of several years of experience due to the structured learning opportunities.

#7 Ottawa Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program, Canada

The residency program of the Ottawa Civic and General Hospitals have existed for over 20 years. The Canadian Hospital Pharmacy Residency Board awards it full accreditation.

This residency program is well-established, has an excellent reputation, and offers exemplary preceptorship and unique learning opportunities.

Over 95% of graduates of this program maintain a clinical pharmacy practice in a hospital, several have obtained a Pharm.D. Degree or are currently enrolled in a Pharm.D. program

#8 CHI Saint Joseph Health Pharmacy Residency Program

This program in Canada prepares its graduates to assume positions in clinical pharmacy practice or proceed into specialty residency training in a focused area of practice.

The Residency Program at Saint Joseph Hospital is designed to provide broad exposure to patient-centered care in a dynamic and goal-oriented environment.

Also, they place emphasis on the development of independent practice skills in comprehensive pharmacy practice.

#9 University of Kentucky Pharmacy Residency Program

This residency program focuses on enhancing patient care skills. Residents are also encouraged to develop their communication skills by teaching PharmD students in classroom lectures.

Not just in classrooms, they can also teach in pharmacotherapy breakout groups and clinical clerkships.

This best program also exposes residents to teaching philosophies, innovative teaching techniques, and accreditation standards.  Research is readily available and required throughout the program in each resident’s area of interest. 

Also, this program encourages residents to pursue their personal interests while becoming well-rounded clinicians.

#10 London Health Science Centre

This residency program for pharmacy students is a 56-week post-graduate training program to prepare pharmacy graduates for contemporary hospital practice.

The residency program emphasizes pharmaceutical care as well as practical elements of distribution, education, administration and leadership, and outpatient services. The resident is taught through a combination of structured education programs and self-directed
learning.

The program has been in existence since 1972 and is accredited with the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB).

#11 Dartmouth-Hitchcock Pharmacy Residency Program

Our pharmacy residency is a 12-month, full-time, post-graduate year one (PGY1) training program in the Uk.

This pharmacy training program is designed to develop knowledge and encourage clinical leadership.

Here, you will refine clinical problem-solving skills, build confidence, and work with other healthcare team members to deliver the highest standard of patient care.

We prepare you for successful practice in various patient care positions, PGY2 training, and board certification.

#12 Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC)

EMRMC offers a Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) Pharmacy Residency program, which is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). They reside in 34 miles from Lexington, UK.

As a matter of fact, the 12-month residency program builds on pharmacy education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients.

 PGY1 candidates must apply through the ASHP application and matching process.

#13 Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) is the national professional organization for more than 5,200 pharmacists, pharmacist interns.

SHPA’s Foundation Residency Program is Australia’s first and only structured, formalized, supported, and accredited national pharmacy residency program.

Therefore, the importance of foundation training infrastructures is emphasized in Goal 2 of the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) ‘Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals.’

These two-year residency program provides practice-based experiential training targeted at early career pharmacists, or pharmacists entering hospital pharmacy practice via other pharmacy environments.

#14 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Pharmacy Residency Program

The Department of Pharmacy Services has high service, education, and research standards. The residency program at the University of Michigan has a rich history, being one of the nation’s first accredited pharmacy residency training programs.

At UMHS, you will have the opportunity to learn from some of the leading practitioners in the world. 

They continue this legacy by providing residency programs that strive to provide each resident the opportunity to develop practical skills, expand his/her knowledge, and gain experience in an environment that promotes excellence and innovation.

#15 University of Texas—Austin Pharmacy Residency Program

The College of Pharmacy, in collaboration with facilities throughout the State, provides a variety of outstanding PGY1 and PGY2 Practice Residencies in Pharmacy Practice.

Clinical Science Fellowships are also offered for pharmacy graduates who wish to pursue advanced clinical practice or research training. In addition, the College offers advanced training in combination with a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.).

#16 Ohio State University Pharmacy Residency Program

The Ohio State University Pharmacy Residency Program has a nearly 60-year tradition of training excellence. And in preparing our graduates to work at a high level in a wide variety of health systems and ambulatory patient care facilities.

Postgraduate Year One pharmacy residency training is an organized, directed, accredited program that builds upon the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities gained from an accredited professional pharmacy degree.

Successful candidate complete a PGY1 residency, a PGY2 residency and earn a Masters Degree in Health-System Pharmacy.

#17 The University of Illinois—Chicago Pharmacy Residency Program

The University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in collaboration with the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. So, this program trains post-graduate pharmacists in clinical service and research through our PGY1 and PGY2 residencies as well as our clinical research fellowships. 

Applicants must be licensed or eligible for pharmacy licensure in Illinois.

#18 Williamson Medical Center Pharmacy Residency Program

The Williamson Medical Center Department of Pharmacy Services’ mission is to provide services that contribute to optimal medication management for all patients served by the facility.

The WMC PGY1 residency is a 12-month program designed to produce well-rounded practitioners.

The purpose of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited PGY1 residency is to build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education.

Residents will then participate in didactic classroom activities and earn a teaching certificate from Belmont University College of Pharmacy. 

#19 University of Minnesota Pharmacy Residency Program

The Postgraduate (PGY1) Pharmacy Residency Program is a multi-site program focusing on pharmaceutical care practice in the ambulatory care setting.

So, this program requires high dedication from its residents.

The PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists. And, its students are eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

#20 Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service residencies offer an excellent opportunity to learn and to improve the healthcare of Native Americans.

Each IHS pharmacy residency program offers residents unique and rewarding experiences.

In addition to learning in a progressive practice setting, you can experience being immersed in cultural diversity and recreational opportunities. Here, several IHS pharmacy residency programs are conducted as two-year, non-traditional programs.

FAQs

Conclusion

In a nutshell, pharmacy residency programs go a long way in equipping you with all the knowledge you could even need to make a profession in Pharmacy and its related field.

Interestingly, there are medical schools that you can get the best pharmacy residency programs in the world with great stipends.

Good luck in your reading!

References

• Work Chron
• Wikipedia
• US News
• Help To Study

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