Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Master of Pharmacy Program in Clinical Pharmacy

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Pharmacy Program in Clinical Pharmacy is fundamentally dedicated to enhancing the quality of healthcare and ensuring the safe, effective use of medicines, placing it in direct alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum is designed to produce advanced clinical pharmacists and researchers who can optimize patient outcomes and contribute to a robust healthcare system. The program's core mission to improve pharmacotherapy and patient care is a cornerstone of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). By emphasizing evidence-based practice and specialized care for diverse patient populations, including those with chronic diseases, the curriculum actively supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting equitable access to high-quality pharmaceutical care. As an advanced research-based degree, the program is a pillar of SDG 4 (Quality Education), fostering a new generation of clinical pharmacy specialists and leaders. Furthermore, its emphasis on research collaboration and the dissemination of new knowledge embodies the cooperative spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

        The Master of Pharmacy Program in Clinical Pharmacy at Khon Kaen University is dedicated to elevating the quality of comprehensive patient care within the healthcare system, particularly focusing on managing complex medication-related issues. The university supports students in applying advanced knowledge through core courses such as PS307 721 Pharmaceutical Care in Complex Diseases 1 and PS307 724 Advanced Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, culminating in research conducted under PS307 898 Thesis. The emphasis is on developing precise pharmaceutical care protocols to enhance the efficacy and safety of medication use for patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the elderly in regional hospitals.
        The results include significant improvements in prescribing guidelines that reduce risks of drug interactions and medication errors. This initiative creates sustainable, widespread impact by enhancing the safety and public trust in healthcare services and reducing the financial burden of preventable complications. It also promotes equity and improves the quality of life for citizens.
        These activities align with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by improving health outcomes and minimizing medication risks; SDG 4: Quality Education by producing highly skilled professionals with clinical impact; and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by improving access to advanced pharmaceutical care.

Best Practices

        The Master of Pharmacy Program in Clinical Pharmacy at Khon Kaen University has driven sustainable development by combining Interprofessional Education (IPE) with real-life community healthcare activities. Specifically, the weekly interprofessional home visit program, which takes place every Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the community under the care of Triangle Medical Center. The team comprises family doctors, professional nurses, nurse assistants, pharmacists, dentists, physical therapists, social workers, and students from the faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Dentistry, who visit older patients with have chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are bedridden. They spend 45 minutes to an hour with each patient, focusing on patient-centered care, keeping an eye out for polypharmacy, and promoting the rational use of medicines and patient safety. The pharmacist plays a crucial role in identifying, preventing, and resolving Drug-Related Problems (DRPs), giving out and suggesting the right medications, and keeping track of pharmaceuticals that have expired.
        Additional activities in the curriculum include clinical practice in hospitals, doing research on drug usage in people with chronic illnesses, managing antimicrobial stewardship, and participation in international scientific conferences. These experiences help students develop team work skills through work with people from different professions and apply theoretical knowledge to practical application in patient care. Patients and communities, on the other hand, get better healthcare overall, less misuse of medications, preventing antibiotic resistance, and enhancing patient safety, which is reflected in published research such as monitoring the prescribing of drugs not on the National List of Essential Medicines, assessing the rational use of antibiotics in fresh wounds, and prophylactic antibiotic use during childbirth.
        This work is obviously in line with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, especially Target 3.8, which aims to achieve universal health coverage that includes safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccinations, and Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable chronic diseases. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education by encouraging interprofessional education that develops teamwork skills and lifelong learning. Furthermore, they align with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by encouraging the rational use of medicine, proper management of expired drugs, and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance. Finally, they align with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by encouraging academic institutions, hospitals, and the communities to work together to build sustainable and high-quality healthcare systems.