To address a critical gap in pharmacy education, Dr. Avadhesh C. Sharma, Chair and Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at PCOM School of Pharmacy, is spearheading research to improve pharmacy students' knowledge and ability to counsel patients about medical cannabis.
Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES, BCACP, FADCES, FCCP, interim dean of PCOM School of Pharmacy, emphasized the importance of training students for the current and future practice of pharmacy.
“The role of medical cannabis continues to evolve. Here in Georgia the low THC oil program has continued to evolve and grow,” she said. “It is vital for our students to learn how to properly counsel patients about medical cannabis as well as identify and resolve possible drug interactions with medical cannabis.”
As the use of medical cannabis becomes more widespread, Sharma recognizes the importance of equipping future pharmacists with the necessary skills to navigate this evolving landscape.
"Studies have documented limited knowledge about cannabis among pharmacy students, leading to a lack of confidence in counseling patients about its therapeutic potential and potential risks," Sharma explained.
To tackle this issue, Sharma and his fellow researchers are developing and implementing an expanded educational program focused on medical cannabis. The cannabis research group includes representatives from the Department of Pharmacy Practice and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Dr. Michael Lee, Dr. Yujin Kim, Dr. Hua Ling, Dr. Vicky Mody, and Dr. Kimberly Barefield).
One of the project's research aims is to enhance pharmacy student training, providing a comprehensive understanding of cannabis therapeutics.
“An increased use of cannabis and recent legalization of medical cannabis has a significant impact on the overall health of the U.S. population,” Sharma said. “Therefore, I felt that it is essential that we develop a fully trained workforce of healthcare professionals for the rational use of cannabis in various disorders.”
The findings from this research will directly influence the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program curriculum at PCOM School of Pharmacy. As part of the PharmD program, students currently have the opportunity to pursue a medical cannabis concentration, which includes elective coursework covering therapeutic applications of medical cannabis and related topics. Sharma plans to incorporate the rational use of medical cannabis into pharmacotherapeutic courses and redesign an elective course based on his research outcomes.
Sharma, who has more than 30 years of extensive research experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to this project. He also works to share his passion for research with his students.
Sharma suggests that students interested in pursuing research opportunities contact faculty, mentors, advisors, or instructors to learn about research opportunities and join as soon as possible.
“Research efforts are always rewarding for personal and professional development,” he said. “Research provides insight into why we must understand what we study.”
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