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About Us

At the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, we are committed to educating the next generation of leaders in pharmacy, pharmaceutical research and health care – while seeking to ensure the safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines.

Mission Cornerstones

View a PDF of our Fast Facts
View a PDF of our SOP Fact Sheet

Instructional:

We educate student pharmacists to work in partnership with other health professionals to provide accessible, compassionate, and integrative pharmaceutical care with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes. In addition, we provide high quality graduate and post-graduate education tailored to foundational and advanced training in the pharmaceutical, clinical and health outcomes sciences.

Research and Discovery:

We provide scientific leadership through development of innovative research programs in the biomedical sciences, conduct basic, translational and outcomes research, and make informed decisions at preclinical, clinical and post-approval stages of drug discovery, development and implementation.

Service:

We serve patients and the wider community as committed and compassionate leaders in the use of our knowledge and discoveries to help develop and disseminate solutions to complex healthcare problems and promote the health and well-being of regional, national and global populations.

For more information, please view our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan

Our Dean: Jay Panyam

Rankings

The 2024 National School of Pharmacy rankings, compiled by the Pharmacy Technician Guide, placed the UW School of Pharmacy at #8 out of 130 schools/colleges evaluated across the nation. The rankings relied on quantitative assessments of the UWSOP’s educational, service, and research outcomes.

Departments, Centers and Programs

Under the leadership of Dean Jay Panyam, the School of Pharmacy has 67 full-time equivalent faculty members.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry

Conducting research in drug metabolism, bio-analytical chemistry and the biophysical characterization of viral protein assembly.
Chair: Bill Atkins, PhD, Sid Nelson Endowed Professor of Medicinal Chemistry

Department of Pharmaceutics

Conducting research in pharmacokinetics and drug disposition.
Chair: Nina Isoherranen, PhD, Milo Gibaldi Endowed Chair

Department of Pharmacy

Leading in pharmacy education, research, and professional and outreach initiatives.
Interim Chair: Ryan Hansen, PhD

The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute

Conducting research in pharmaceutical economics, drug safety and pharmaceutical policy.
Director: Anirban Basu, PhD, Professor and Stergachis Family Endowed Director

Plein Center for Geriatric Pharmacy Research, Education and Outreach

The Plein Center in Geriatrics encompasses training, research, and service with focus on the optimal use of pharmacotherapy in older adults.
Director: Shelly Gray, PharmD, MS, AGSF, Shirley and Herb Bridge Endowed Professor

Educational Offerings

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): our professional degree
Master of Science (MS): Medicinal Chemistry, Health Economics & Outcomes Research (CHOICE), Pharmaceutics, Professional MS in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Health Economics & Outcomes Research (CHOICE)
Concurrent Degrees: PharmD/Physician Assistant, PharmD/MS, PharmD/PhD, PharmD/MBA
Certificate Programs: Biomedical Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Trials, Comparative Effectiveness Research, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Plein Certificate in Geriatric Pharmacy
Residency Programs: Ambulatory Care, Community Pharmacy, Critical Care, General Residency, Oncology, Pharmacy Management/Master of Health Administration

Awards and Honors

Faculty hold leadership roles in associations including the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), American Chemical Society, and the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX). Recent faculty honors two K12 career development program investigators from UW’s ITHS; Best Poster by a New Investigator and Best New Investigator Podium Research Presentation from ISPOR; ASHP Fellow; AcademyHealth Methods Council; eGEMS special issue editor; American College of Apothecaries award; Committee on the Evidence Base for Genetic Testing; PharmaVOICE honoree; special dedicated issue of Neurochemical Research; and multiple WSPA awards and most-cited article recognitions.

Recent student honors include #1 initial pass rate on NAPLEX pharmacy licensing exam; multiple Best Presentation and Posters at the North American ISSX meeting; two TL1 grants from the Institute of Translational Health Sciences; ARCS Fellowship; Gordon Conference Podium Presenter; AMCP P&T National Competition (second place); AFPE Pre-Doctoral Awards in Pharmaceutical Sciences; two Best Poster Finalist Awards from ISPOR; John Mahan Best Abstract Award; Top 10 placement in the NCPA Student Business Plan Competition; Emil A. P tzer Student Award; UW Global Health Fellow; UW Business Plan Competition (grand prize winner); and Global Innovation Challenge (third place).