[Translated article] Pharmacist access and training process for residency in Hospital Pharmacy in Argentina

Abstract

Hospital pharmacy worldwide has proven to be a crucial element in healthcare. In Latin America, it draws inspiration from 2 main models: United States, which promoted clinical pharmacy and later pharmaceutical care, and Spain, which shares similar healthcare practices and the added advantage of a common language. Both models influenced the implementation of hospital pharmacy residencies in Argentina since the 1980s.

Hospital pharmacy residencies in Argentina constitute a paid system of intensive postgraduate training on a full-time basis with exclusive dedication. They are carried out in 11 provinces across Argentina in services with recognized teaching experience. Currently, there are 46 locations with a total of 75 annual vacancies for applicants.

The objective of hospital pharmacy residencies is to train pharmaceutical professionals with the necessary competencies to ensure the care of patients through the optimization of the safe, effective, and efficient use of medications and healthcare products tailored to each patient's individual therapy.

Hospital pharmacy residencies have demonstrated that pharmacists acquire specialized training that can be decisive in influencing healthcare policies related to the safe use of medications and healthcare products. Therefore, actions to promote and encourage interest in this field among pharmaceutical professionals are necessary, involving scientific societies, universities, pharmaceutical associations, and the political sphere.