The Growing Field of Nanomedicine and Its Relevance to Pharmacy Curricula

Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Sep;85(8):8331. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8331. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Abstract

The field of nanomedicine is a rapidly growing scientific domain. Nanomedicine encompasses a diverse number of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Submissions of Investigational New Drugs and New Drug Applications have risen dramatically over the last decade. There are over 50 nanomedicines approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because of the fundamental role pharmacists will play in therapeutic and administrative decisions regarding nanomedicines, it is imperative for future pharmacists to gain exposure early in their training to this rapidly evolving class of drugs. This commentary describes nanomedicines, discusses current regulatory challenges, and provides recommendations for judicious incorporation of nanomedicine topics into the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum based on emerging pharmaceutical and clinical science applications.

Keywords: nanomedicine; pharmaceutics; student pharmacist.

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum
  • Education, Pharmacy*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine
  • Pharmaceutical Services*
  • Pharmacy*