In a concerning trend spanning over two decades, enrollment at pharmacy schools across the United States has witnessed a sharp decline, sparking worries among experts about the future of the profession. According to data compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the number of students interested in pursuing pharmacy careers has dwindled significantly since the early 2000s, raising questions about the root causes of this downward trajectory.
At FAMU the of pharmacy and pre-pharmacy majors has plummeted from just over 1,000 in 2008 to 382 in Fall 2023, according to the university’s enrollment data base. FAMU's enrollment declined concurrently with the College's increased admissions standards to improve students performance its North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) test scores.
Overall, the FAMU's pharmacy enrollment reflects a broader trend observed nationwide, as indicated by AACP data revealing a substantial decrease in pharmacy school applicants over the years. In fall 2011, there were 106,815 applicants to pharmacy schools, a figure that dwindled to 76,525 by fall 2015 and further to 40,552 by fall 2021, marking a startling decline of over 60% in less than a decade.
The repercussions of this decline extend beyond just enrollment figures, with acceptance rates skyrocketing from 65.9% in 2004 to 86.8% in 2020, the most recent year for which data are available. Edward Foote, Dean of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in Pennsylvania, highlighted the increasingly saturated market for pharmacists as a primary factor contributing to the dwindling interest in pharmacy education. Foote noted in an email to Pharmacy Times that students now face fewer guaranteed job opportunities upon graduation, coupled with stagnant salaries, painting a less appealing picture of the profession.
Anne Lin, dean of pharmacy and health sciences program at St. John’s University, offers a different view, “(enrollment numbers are down) that is true at all schools nationally, across the board”. "What we are seeing is there are more job openings than qualified people to fill them. As current practitioners age and retire, it is increasingly difficult to replace them."
"Im concerned, Lin said, "that the number of college students pursuing pharmacy degrees has consistently dropped since 2015."
The expansion of pharmacy schools exacerbates this issue, with the number growing from 80 in 2000 to 143 over the next two decades. While this expansion aimed to meet the growing demand for pharmacists, researchers caution that such rapid growth may be unsustainable, leading to unintended consequences. These consequences include decreased competitiveness for applicants and potential funding cuts for pharmacy programs, which could further exacerbate the challenges faced by the profession.
As national stakeholders grapple with these challenges, FAMU is looking at enhancing its digital marketing, strengthening its partnerships with high schools/community colleges/universities to increase enrollment, and offering additional scholarships to revitalize interest in pharmacy education.