Impact of a Pharmacy Management Course for Pharmacists Working Within Brazil’s Public Health System

Objective. To assess the impact of a continuing education course that focused on the development of management competencies on pharmacists working in Brazil’s public health system. Methods. A specialization blended in-service course (360 hours) entitled Pharmaceutical Service and Access to Medicine Management was offered to pharmacists working within the Brazilian public health system. Data on course outcomes were collected through individual interviews with pharmacists who worked in the Brazilian public health system, as well as from focus groups and records of researchers’ observations. The analysis was based on models of learning and training evaluation theory. Results. The findings showed proximal outcomes on students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes; behavioral changes; and programmatic outcomes in the organization and management of health services, promoting the recognition and integration of the “pharmaceutical services division” – a dedicated sector within the health departments in municipalities and states. The inputs (course content, structure, and in-service hands-on activities) were directly linked to the outcomes reported by participants and helped them to overcome some of the barriers to using knowledge and skills in the workplace. Conclusion. A well-structured course including leaning activities to intervene in the workplace had a positive impact on pharmacists’ behavior and contributed to the capacity building of the organizations in which they operate.