Industrial Pharmacy

The degree programme, by its structure and focus, will provide graduates in the fields of pharmacy, medicine, biology, chemistry, or engineering with advanced knowledge in the field of industrial pharmacy, with an emphasis on mastering the practical skills needed to perform highly specialized activities related to ensuring the production of pharmaceuticals and supported by the necessary theoretical knowledge. Studying the program will provide an overview of the basic concepts used in industrial pharmacy and enable the acquisition of their practical application. It will familiarize students with the complete research, development, and production process of pharmaceuticals, which leads to a safe, effective, and high-quality product. It will provide advanced knowledge of concepts for introducing pharmaceuticals into production, such as Quality by Design. Education emphasizes developing a wide range of basic and transferable skills, such as analytical problem-solving, teamwork, organization, and communication.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate is able to:

• plan and apply processes in the field of production and quality assurance and control in the pharmaceutical industry, including advanced technologies and biotechnology
• contribute to ensuring safe and effective medicines for healthcare needs and to minimizing the risks of adverse events related to the handling and use of medicines
• contribute to the development of innovations in this sector and participate in the implementation of procedures leading to the preservation of production in the pharmaceutical industry in the Czech Republic and the region
• apply knowledge of new technological processes leading to a reduction in environmental burden, increased energy efficiency, and more careful handling of chemicals, thus minimizing the negative impact of pharmaceutical production on the environment
• apply environmentally friendly practices in their work based on their knowledge of resources, production processes, waste management, and rational and correct handling of medicines
• conduct audits, identify opportunities for rationalization and reduction of energy consumption within pharmaceutical production, and evaluate the impact of implementing modern technologies
• understand the complex professional, legal, economic, ethical, and ecological principles that influence the ecosystem of the pharmaceutical industry
• practically apply knowledge about legal regulations, ethical standards, economic efficiency, emission limits, principles of environmental and biodiversity protection

- research and development of pharmaceuticals (innovative and generic medicinal products, active substances), - manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, - quality control and assurance in the pharmaceutical industry, - marketing authorization and regulatory affairs, - various levels of management of pharmaceutical companies, - regulation and administration of pharmaceutical production. According to statistics, most graduates of analogous study programmes focusing on industrial pharmacy in the European Union start their careers in the field they studied. Graduates can also find employment in related fields that require similar knowledge and skills, such as the chemical, cosmetic, and food industries. Theoretical and practical training in the programme is designed so that graduates meet the professional requirements for performing the function of a qualified person for pharmaceutical manufacturing without having to complete additional theoretical training. The completed study does not prepare the graduates to practice the regulated healthcare profession "pharmacist" under Act No. 95/2004 Coll.

A compulsory part of the degree programme is a supervised professional practice at specialized workplaces for a total of 6 weeks. The practice is included in the 4th semester of study. It can be completed at various types of workplaces in the private and public sectors, ensuring the handling of medicines and other health-related products (e.g. medical devices, cosmetics, foods for special nutrition), especially in the areas of their research, development, production, quality control, wholesale distribution, regulation, etc. The practice can be completed both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The degree programme includes compulsory courses focused on preparing the diploma thesis. The diploma thesis may be an original experimental research or a comprehensive review of a selected issue based on published texts and accessible data. The diploma thesis can be processed in cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry at an external workplace, taking into account the current needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Students should demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems, work critically with professional texts, process and statistically evaluate the obtained data, find relevant answers to the assigned questions, and present them appropriately. Diploma Thesis Defence is one of the parts of the Final State Examinations. The diploma thesis can be worked out and submitted in the Czech language as well as in the Slovak and English languages.

A graduates of the follow-up Master's degree programme may, after meeting the admission requirements, continue their studies in doctoral degree programmes, especially in the fields of pharmaceutical, natural science, and chemical-technological specialization.