January 23rd 2024.
According to a recent report by WTOP News, Howard University is on a mission to increase the number of Black pharmacists in the healthcare industry. They believe that with the high starting salary and the critical role pharmacists play in helping people overcome life-threatening illnesses, there is a wealth of opportunities in the pharmaceutical field. However, there is a significant lack of Black representation in this profession. Currently, only 4% of the 315,000 pharmacists in the United States are Black.
The HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) is determined to change this statistic, not only to eliminate racial disparities but also to improve treatment for Black patients. Studies have shown that Black patients tend to have better outcomes when treated by Black physicians. "It's crucial for us to have practitioners that we can connect with and trust," says Dr. Tamara McCants, a clinical assistant professor at Howard University, in an interview with WTOP News. "Especially when it comes to pharmacists, who are usually the most accessible healthcare professionals."
Jelani Smith, a first-year student at Howard University's School of Pharmacy, has experienced firsthand the decline of pharmaceutical care in his small town after the only pharmacy and the closest thing they had to a doctor unexpectedly closed down. "Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are ravaging our community," he shares. "My ultimate goal is to go back home and open up a pharmacy to help my community."
Despite the advantages of being a pharmacist, Dr. McCants acknowledges that there are also challenges. "We have to be realistic with this generation," she explains. "We're seeing that the students applying to pharmacy schools today are not the same as those who applied 10 or 15 years ago. The workload can be overwhelming if you're not used to it."
If Howard University can successfully produce more Black pharmacists, it could have a significant impact on the current landscape of pharmaceutical care. This is especially important as Black people continue to face disproportionate treatment and a lack of trust towards healthcare providers. In related news, the Biden-Harris Administration has recently forgiven an additional $4.9 billion in student loans, providing some relief for students pursuing careers in the healthcare industry. The ultimate goal is to provide equal opportunities for all and address the systemic inequalities that exist in our society. This is a mission that Howard University is fully committed to, and they are determined to produce more Black pharmacists than ever before. This article was first published on Black Enterprise.
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