Faculty of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is one the oldest and most prestigious areas of study at Riga Stradins University. Higher education in this field, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in Latvia, has been conducted in a separate faculty for decades.
For the wider community, pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare specialists. Pharmacy graduates go on to work in pharmaceutical factories, chemists, scientific research institutes and hospitals. In the past few decades, the number of pharmaceutical products has grown rapidly, as well as the need for pharmacists and experts in the field. Qualified pharmacists are vital for the pharmaceutical industry, as they ensure the smooth operation of pharmaceutical companies, chemists, pharmaceutical wholesalers and other pharmaceutical and healthcare institutions. Pharmacists have a thorough understanding of medications – their origin, use, how they work in the human body, their production and distribution – and a very good knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical legislation, meaning that these professionals act as the bridge between the patient and the doctor.
Pharmacy is a dynamic profession – changes in medications and technological achievements mean that you are constantly learning and broadening your knowledge. The more knowledge pharmacists have, the higher the quality of the information provided and the better they are able to meet the demands of their profession. However, being a pharmacist is not just about having the necessary knowledge – they are also known for their sensitive attitude and their desire to help people.
The Faculty of Pharmacy offers a full-time masters degree programme in Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy, with the objective of meeting the increasing demand for graduates in the field who have a professional and critical approach towards the use of pharmaceutical products and who are able to improve the health and wellbeing of people by providing them with information on the latest pharmaceutical trends. These degree programmes are also offered on a part-time basis.
The Faculty of Pharmacy consists of two departments:
- Departament of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Departament of Pharmaceutical Technology
The degree in pharmacy is comparable to a Masters degree, and the qualification awarded by Riga Stradins University complies with the Council of Europe’s directives on the recognition of professional qualifications. Pharmacy graduates can work unsupervised. They may also choose to continue their education by enrolling in the doctorate programme or to complement their knowledge with the Clinical Pharmacy programme.
