Ohio not meeting demand for new pharmacists

"Ohio State University received more than 900 applications for 125 spots in its pharmacy college in the fall--despite the creation of two new pharmacy programs at other Ohio colleges in the past two years." (Source: "Pharmacy programs are much-needed Rx," Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 28, 2008.) "There are shortages of pharmacists both nationwide and in Ohio. By 2020, 157,000 positions will be unfilled nationwide, including nearly 20,000 in Ohio, according to projections." This shortage has resulted in bidding wars between pharmacies and hospitals for new pharmacists. To meet this need, OSU, Ohio Northern, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Toledo have all recently have expanded their pharmacy programs, while the University of Findlay and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine opened new pharmacy schools in the past two years. Cedarville University hopes to start offering classes in fall 2009.