The Safety Pharmacology Training Survey Results Are In
The Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology recently collaborated with the Safety Pharmacology Society to conduct a member survey regarding the feasibility of a Safety Pharmacology Certificate.
There was already anecdotal evidence and general sense among pharmaceutical industry scientists that the field would benefit from having formal education in safety pharmacology. The online survey this fall confirmed the demand and provided the Department with additional information on how to best meet the needs of industry. Initial results are summarized.
Of 119 SPS members who responded to the online survey, over 79% indicated safety pharmacology training would benefit their organizations. Over 40% reported they would be more inclined to hire someone holding a certificate of training.
There was a range of thinking about the type of person who should receive training (from new technicians in the SPh unit to experienced PhD level directors). Respondents were asked to estimate the number of prospective participants in a certificate program from their organizations. The total of all estimates numbered over 700. However, given that some respondents may work for the same organization and given that the response rate was less than 50%; there is still considerable speculation on the market size for a certificate.
Over 66% of respondents report their employing agency provides at least partial tuition payment/refund. Fifty percent report that employees working on a Safety Pharmacology Certificate would be given some time for study/class attendance.
There was also a range of suggestions for which were the most important subjects for a certificate. In addition to basic safety pharmacology topics (regulations, in vivo & in vitro tests in Safety Pharm, risk assessment), cardiovascular pharmacology and experimental design & statistics ranked frequently as important courses.
The SPS leadership is currently studying its policy on credentialing or collaborating on development of any future certificate programs. PHM/TOX will continue to explore the needs of the safety pharmacology community in order to determine the feasibility of establishing a suitable certificate program.
Related Information:
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology (New Online Course Flyer.pdf).