The Value of the Clinical Pharmacist in the Drug Development Process

Abstract

AbstractDue to the complexity of the clinical research process, the increasing proportion of sales that research and development (R&D) expenditures represent, and the competitive nature of the 1980's marketplace, pharmaceutical companies have had to explore various alternatives to increase the productivity and efficiency of their clinical drug development programs. The increased utilization of clinical pharmacists has been one such approach. Clinical pharmacists, particularly those with the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, possess a unique profile of skills ideally suited to the drug development process (the clinical research process). Having developed positive collaborative relationships with their physician colleagues at various institutions around the country and within the pharmaceutical industry, clinical pharmacists have expanded their involvement in clinical research over the past decade. As “out of house” investigators and “in house” drug development personnel, these professionals have been a...