One of many steps necessary in building a school of pharmacy was taken last month when USF cemented an affiliation agreement with local pharmaceutical firm, CoreRx Inc.

The multi-faceted agreement will provide for internships for pharmacy students and volunteer teaching by CoreRx Inc. scientists, said Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, dean of USF’s School of Pharmacy.

“The opportunity for our students to spend time with a firm that is at the front end of prescriptions is invaluable,” Dr. Sneed said. “And it is only the beginning of what will be a varied educational experience for our students, who will ultimately have a keener understanding of the drug-making process. This knowledge will help our graduates take leading roles in managing and delivering technologically-advanced pharmaceutical care in tomorrow’s patient-centered practice. This affiliation also affirms our commitment to create innovative academic-entrepreneurial partnerships.”

“We’re thrilled to offer this affiliation with USF and to offer a hands-on learning opportunity for its pharmacy students,” said Todd R. Daviau, PhD, CEO and co-founder of CoreRx Inc.

“We are excited about the fact that CoreRx will continue to play a role in furthering the development of pharmacy students.”

Dr. Kevin Sneed (left) and Dr. Todd Daviau.

Among the key concepts pharmacy students will learn through CoreRx Inc. will be the early development stages of pharmaceuticals, how tablets and capsules are made (with hands-on instruction), and the functionality of additional ingredients found in modern-day drugs. In addition, students will learn hands-on processes utilized in the manufacture of a wide range of pharmaceutical dosage forms.

This is not the first time CoreRx Inc. has connected with USF’s education mission. They have hosted USF chemistry students on paid internships for nearly two years.

CoreRx Inc. was founded in 2006 and is a contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies bring new drugs to the clinic quickly and efficiently.

Dr. Sneed championed and was the major architect of the proposal for USF’s four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which was approved by the Florida Board of Governors in January 2009. Housed within the USF College of Medicine, the USF School of Pharmacy plans to admit its first class of student in August 2011.

For more information about CoreRx Inc., visit www.corerxpharma.com.

Story by Sarah A. Worth, USF Health Office of Communications
Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications