By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The reputation of UB's Pharmacy School is growing as quickly as the demand for highly trained pharmacists. Officials say that was the prescription for a one hundred percent increase in applications to the School this year over last.
But there might not be anywhere to put all those aspiring druggists.
More than three [B]illion prescriptions are filled in the U.S. each year. And with an ever aging population, more people need them. That's meant a shortage of pharmacists nationwide. And a boon for UB's top ranked Pharmacy School. 822 students applied for a mere 117 slots available to the six-year program. The School was hoping to make room for more by moving to the UB South Campus. But last week, Governor George Pataki vetoed the $52 million dollar plan. School Dean Wayne K. Anderson says the consequence could be a cutback rather than expansion of the successful program. [Cart No: wayne-ub3 Time: 13s Out-cue: we have "It's very likely that enrollments won't be able to continue at this current level," said Anderson. "We really are not equipped, space-wise, to deal with the enrollments that we have." ] Anderson says the School's highly acclaimed research is also cramped for space on the North Campus. The School recruited top researchers who bring in millions of dollars in grant funding each year. New drugs they develop have also led to local spin off businesses. But without new facilities, Anderson says those researchers may choose to go - and take their funding with them. Anderson says lawmakers need to consider how many negative side effects the Governor's veto could cause. [Cart No: wayne-ub4 Time: 26s Out-cue: solid decision "The kinds of impacts that we have, not only on the education of pharmacists, but the impact that we have on education in other healthcare fields, and the impact we have on healthcare in New York and Western New York," said Anderson. "So, I think my role, our role, is really to provide as much information as we can and let Albany make a good, solid decision."] Lawmakers have until the end of the year to re-introduce the measure and try to over rise the Governor's veto. Joyce Kryszak -WBFO News.