Clinical Pharmacy Master program
Introduction
The Clinical Pharmacy Department is one of the main departments at the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University, which contributes significantly and effectively to the educational and research process in the field of clinical pharmacy. For more than thirty years, the department has been offering the master’s program in clinical pharmacy, which is the first and leading program in the Kingdom and the Arabian Gulf region. In addition, this program plays a major role in providing the labor market with hundreds of graduates of qualified pharmacists to carry out their professional role in the advanced practice of clinical pharmacy in various settings such as hospitals, primary health care centers academia, and health care institutions of all kinds in the public and private sectors.
The program is designed to acquire the necessary skills and capabilities in the fields clinical pharmacy and consists of two phases: two semesters of theoretical courses followed by two semesters of clinical training. The first two semesters focus on clinical content relevant to research studies through intensive lectures in pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, and Hospital Pharmacy Management. The curriculum also provides the student with the essential knowledge and skills needed to conduct scientific research and evaluate medical literature, data analysis and hypothesis testing in clinical research.
The other two semesters are devoted to clinical training, which provides the student with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in the practice of clinical pharmacy in various areas of pharmaceutical care. In addition to enhancing their pharmacy practice skills, the student gains more confidence in applying clinical principles based on scientific evidence to make pharmacological treatment decisions. This phase consists of eight training rotations of 4-5 weeks each, selected from the following areas of training: clinical pharmacy in various specialties, therapeutic drug monitoring, and hospital pharmacy management.
Program Information
Degree Name: Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy
Credit Hours: 41 hours
Program Language: English
Study System: Courses and Research Project
Tuition Fee: 100,000 SAR
Program Mission:
The clinical pharmacy master’s program strives to prepare highly qualified and knowledgeable pharmacy professionals who excel in clinical practice and providing patient care, system management, and research. This program is committed to providing comprehensive training that incorporates advanced clinical pharmacy practice and rigorous research methodologies
Program Objectives:
To promote health and improve pharmaceutical care outcomes by utilizing, generating, and disseminating scientific medical knowledge.
To provide population-based and patient-specific pharmaceutical care, thereby helping patients achieve optimal clinical and patient-centered outcomes.
To provide the essential expertise for the development of studies and research methodologies in the field of pharmacy practice. This includes gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting research data and its findings.
To generate scientific evidence that would improve the patients’ care and community's quality of life and promote the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.
Areas of Employment:
Universities and educational institutions.
Pharmacies, hospitals, and medical centers.
Governmental and non-governmental organizations that focus on providing healthcare consultancy.
Research Centers
Learning Outcomes of the Program:
Knowledge and Understanding:
Discuss the principles, theories, and concepts of pathophysiology and pharmacotherapies of disease conditions of high burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the context of patient care.
Integrate principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmacoeconomic to optimize pharmaceutical care plans and pharmacy practice.
Improve the medication use system and facilitate contemporary pharmacy practice by applying emergent theories, leveraging information technology and integrating best evidence.
Acquire an advanced knowledge and understanding of clinical research methodologies and evidence-based resources to enhance decision making in various settings.
Skills
Design patient-centered care plans based on sound therapeutic principles, high-quality evidence, and patient values and preferences.
Monitor drug therapy to identify and resolve drug-related problems to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Provide creative solutions to current practice issues and problems to ensure safe and effective medication use system.
Formulate research questions to address clinical and practice related issues.to address challenges related to clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice in general.
Retrieve, analyze, and synthesize information to make well-informed, rational, responsible, and ethical decisions and solutions to resolve patients’ and practices issues.
Conduct ethical and scientifically sound research to solve practice problems.
Practice in accordance with the rules and regulations applied to the pharmacy profession in KSA.
Communicate effectively in various forms and settings to disseminate knowledge to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the public.
Select and use appropriate technologies and tools to improve medication use system and advance pharmacy practice and research.
Values
Demonstrate integrity, professional and academic values when dealing with various issues.
Establish a climate of ethics, shared values, and mutual respects necessary to meet patient care needs.
Initiate professional planning for academic or professional endeavor and engage in decision-making processes with considerable autonomy to enhance patient care, advance the pharmacy profession, and benefit the community.
Demonstrate leadership skills and accountability within a team in the various pharmacy settings.
Contribute to fostering community quality life through dissemination of knowledge and high-quality services.
Admission Requirements:
In addition to the general conditions stipulated in the Unified Regulations for Postgraduate Studies in Saudi Universities and the Executive Rules of King Saud University, the following section requires:
Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Doctor of Pharmacist from King Saud University or any other recognized body with a grade of at least very good (GPA of 3.75/5).
Have a minimum score of (5) in the IELTS test or equivalent.
Pass the written exam held by the department with a minimum score of 50%.
Obtain a minimum score of (65) in the General Aptitude Test for Universities.
Conducting an equivalency for the certificate issued by non-Saudi universities.
Program's Study Plan:
First Semester:
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units | Activity |
1 | 504 PHCL | Research Methodes | 3 (3+0) | Lecture |
2 | 506 PHCL | Advanced Therapeutics - 1 | 2 (2+0) | Lecture |
3 | 507 PHCL | Advanced Therapeutics - 2 | 2 (2+0) | Lecture |
4 | 510 PHCL | Advanced Clinical Pharmacokinetics | 2 (2+1) | Lecture + Practical |
5 | 514 PHCL | Advanced Management of Hospital Pharmacy | 2 (2+0) | Lecture |
Total | (11) Study Units | |||
Second Semester:
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units | Activity |
1 | 508 PHCL | Advanced Therapeutics - 3 | 2 (2+0) | Lecture |
2 | 509 PHCL | Advanced Therapeutics - 4 | 2 (2+0) | Lecture |
3 | 522 PHCL | Applied Biostatistics | 3 (2+2) | Lecture + Practical |
4 | 523 PHCL | Seminar | 1 (0+2) | Lecture |
5 | 526 PHCL | Research project - 1 | 3 (0+6) | Project |
Total | (11) Study Units | |||
Third Semester:
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units | Activity |
1 | 515 PHCL | Cardiology | 2 (0+6) | Training |
2 | 516 PHCL | Critical care | 2 (0+6) | Training |
3 | 517 PHCL | Internal medicine | 2 (0+6) | Training |
4 | 527 PHCL | Research project - 2 | 3 (0+6) | Project |
5 | …. PHCL | Elective course -1 | 2 (0+6) | Training |
Total | (11) Study Units | |||
Fourth Semester:
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units | Activity |
1 | 518 PHCL | Infectious diseases | 2 (0+6) | Training |
2 | 519 PHCL | Hospital Pharmacy | 2 (0+6) | Training |
3 | …. PHCL | Elective course - 2 | 2 (0+6) | Training |
4 | …. PHCL | Elective course - 3 | 2 (0+6) | Training |
Total | (8) Study Units | |||
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List of Elective Courses (Training):
Students must select (3) courses from the following, with a total of (6) credit hours:
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units | Activity |
1 | 533 PHCL | Gastroenterology | 2 (0+6) | Training |
2 | 534 PHCL | Pulmonary Diseases | 2 (0+6) | Training |
3 | 535 PHCL | Endocrinology | 2 (0+6) | Training |
4 | 536 PHCL | Pediatrics | 2 (0+6) | Training |
5 | 537 PHCL | Oncology | 2 (0+6) | Training |
6 | 538 PHCL | Rheumatology | 2 (0+6) | Training |
7 | 539 PHCL | Ambulatory Care | 2 (0+6) | Training |
8 | 542 PHCL | Surgery | 2 (0+6) | Training |
9 | 543 PHCL | Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 2 (0+6) | Training |
10 | 544 PHCL | Drug Information | 2 (0+6) | Training |
11 | 545 PHCL | Medication Safety | 2 (0+6) | Training |
12 | 546 PHCL | Pharmacy Administration | 2 (0+6) | Training |
13 | 547 PHCL | Regulatory Pharmacy | 2 (0+6) | Training |
14 | 548 PHCL | Academia | 2 (0+6) | Training |
15 | 549 PHCL | Research | 2 (0+6) | Training |
Course Description:
PHCL 504 (Research Methods): The course discusses various research methods and tools as related to the field of clinical pharmacy, starting from identifying research problems/questions, designing methodologies to collecting data and interpreting results considering the strengths and weaknesses of different research techniques.
PHCL 506 (Advanced Theraputics-1): This advance pharmacotherapeutics course aims to promote patient-centered pharmacy practices by providing advanced knowledge in rational drug therapy in areas including gastroenterology, pulmonology, and immunology. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing them for advanced clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes case-based learning, in which students assess case study findings in relation to medications and disease states. Additionally, students explore the process of complete therapeutic planning and monitoring in the management of multi-organ diseases
PHCL 507 (Advanced Theraputics-2): This advance pharmacotherapeutics course aims to promote patient-centered pharmacy practices by providing advanced knowledge in rational drug therapy in areas including hematology/oncology, nutrition, and acute care. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing them for advanced clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes case-based learning, in which students assess case study findings in relation to medications and disease states. Additionally, students explore the process of complete therapeutic planning and monitoring in the management of multi-organ diseases.
PHCL 508 (Advanced Theraputics-3): This advance pharmacotherapeutics course aims to promote patient-centered pharmacy practices by providing advanced knowledge in rational drug therapy in areas including cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine diseases. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing t. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing them for advanced clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes case-based learning, in which students assess case study findings in relation to medications and disease states. Additionally, students explore the process of complete therapeutic planning and monitoring in the management of multi-organ diseases.
PHCL 509 (Advanced Theraputics-4): This advance pharmacotherapeutics course aims to promote patient-centered pharmacy practices by providing advanced knowledge in rational drug therapy in areas including infectious, neuropsychiatry, and other diseases including men’s and women’s health. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing t. It enhances students' ability to execute and evaluate effective pharmacotherapy, thus preparing them for advanced clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes case-based learning, in which students assess case study findings in relation to medications and disease states. Additionally, students explore the process of complete therapeutic planning and monitoring in the management of multi-organ diseases.
PHCL 510 (Advanced Pharmacokinetics): This course aims to introduce students to the essential principles of clinical pharmacokinetics, with a specific focus on chronic drug therapy. Understanding these principles is crucial due to various factors such as alterations in dosage requirements throughout the progression of a disease, as well as changes in hepatic and renal function that necessitate adjustments in dosage regimens. Proficiency in these concepts is essential for selecting appropriate drug products and recommending optimal dosage regimens tailored to individual patients.
PHCL 514 (Advanced Hospital Pharmacy Management): This course aims to familiarize students with the fundamental principles of management as they pertain to professional pharmacy practice. It is designed to equip pharmacy students with a foundational understanding of the practical aspects involved in managing a pharmacy operation. Topics covered will include the essential functions of planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling within a pharmacy setting. Additionally, the course will introduce students to key principles and methodologies related to human resources management and operational management. Furthermore, students will explore the significance and practical applications of value-based management and Pharmacoeconomics within the context of pharmacy practice.
PHCL 522 (Applied Biostatistics): This course introduces descriptive statistics, and analysis of statistical models with one or two predictor variables. Topics include principles of study design, basic study designs’ analyses, sampling, contingency tables, one-and two-way analysis of variance, simple linear regression, and analysis of covariance. Both parametric and non-parametric techniques are explored. Core concepts are mastered through team-based case studies and analysis of authentic research problems encountered by program faculty and demonstrated in practicum experiences. Students will exercise using the R or SAS packages.
PHCL 523 (Seminar): This seminar course is specifically designed to offer students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of topics of interest while also developing and refining their presentation skills.
PHCL 526 & 527 (Seminar 1 & 2): These courses serve as an introduction to the scientific process, aiming to familiarize students with its fundamental concepts. It will provide an overview of scientific inquiry and facilitate the development of essential skills required for designing and conducting rigorous research. Students will learn how to apply the scientific method to address significant questions in pharmacy sciences, from problem identification to result presentation and interpretation. Through a combination of lectures, readings, exercises, and individual projects, students will explore key concepts and challenges involved in research study design and implementation.
PHCL 515,516,517,518, 519: The field training is in the second year of the program, and it aims to develop and strengthen the students’ clinical and intellectual skills and prepare them to cover all aspects of clinical pharmacy practice. Student are required to complete eight training courses – five core and three electives, and in each of which each student will be supervised by a clinical pharmacist and loin a medical team specialized in internal medicine or other specialties such as critical care, cardiology, infectious diseases, or hospital pharmacy. The program also provides opportunities for elective courses that include but are not limited (medication safety, pharmacy informatics, drug information, scientific research and teaching, pharmacy administration, and others).
Faculty Members:
The courses of the program are taught by 62 faculty members from the clinical pharmacy department who hold either a doctorate degree or residency in clinical pharmacy from prestigious international universities.
PHCL Faculty Members | College of Pharmacy
Contact Details
For more information, please contact the program administration:
Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the Clinical Pharmacy Department
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Wahaibi
aalwhaibi@ksu.edu.sa
Supervisor of the Clinical Pharmacy Masters Program
Dr. Noura Qalaji
Nakalagi@ksu.edu.sa
Or contact the Clinical Pharmacy Department through the following channels:
Email: cpd@ksu.edu.sa
Phone: +96611467468
