The Federal Pharmacy Conferences began in 1989 in response to a need expressed by the federal services for additional education and training in specific areas of pharmacy practice. Four colleges of pharmacy from across the United States -- the University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy, the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas College of Pharmacy, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy -- were asked to participate in the initial effort.

Each of the original schools continues to host an annual program focusing on its special strengths in a particular area of interest to the federal sector. An advisory board consisting of the principal pharmacy officers from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Public Health Service, and Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to representatives from the four colleges, has continued to give direction to this activity since the original program concept was first examined in 1988.

Participants are nominated by their principal pharmacy officers based on practice sites and interests. Within the framework of each program, pharmacists have the opportunity to learn of innovations within the private sector that may benefit the practice of pharmacy in the federal government, as well as share their own original ideas with their peers.

These programs are funded through an unrestricted educational grant from SmithKline Beecham. Program content is determined solely by the advisory board.

Established in 1883, the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy was the second pharmacy school in the United States associated with a state University. From the beginning, the school became a prominent force in the development of pharmacy as a profession in the state and the country. While continuing to offer the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Program (leading to licensure), the School admitted its first students in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program in 1990. Additionally, the School offers a four-year undergraduate program leading to a B.S. in Pharmacology/Toxicology as well as one leading to a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, neither of which lead to licensure. Graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in a number of areas of study . Wisconsin was one of the first to offer a Master of Science degree with a major in hospital pharmacy.

The School has served as a host of the Federal Pharmacy Program since its inception. While the theme and content of the Wisconsin program may change from year to year depending upon needs assessment and analysis, the program tends to focus on pharmacy management issues as they relate to improvement and/or implementation of pharmacy services in both institutional and ambulatory care settings.

The University of Texas College of Pharmacy was originally established in 1893 at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. In 1927, the program moved to UT Austin where, it makes its home in the two-building pharmacy complex located in the heart of the campus as well as in facilities located at the UT Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. The College derives its mandate for excellence through the Texas State Constitution of 1876 which ordained UT Austin to be created as a "university of the first class." The College offers the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree and the Doctor of Pharmacy professional program, as well as master's and doctoral programs. Advanced professional training is offered in the form of residencies and fellowships.

The goal of the UT College of Pharmacy's federal pharmacy program is to examine, discuss and develop practical applications for ambulatory pharmacy practice in the federal sector. College faculty with expertise in ambulatory care and related issues as well as presenters from the private sector and the federal services are utilized to provide lectures and facilitate group discussions and workshops. Although the basic theme remains, program content may vary from year to year as critical issues and current topics of interest are determined.

One of the oldest and most comprehensive universities in the United States, the University of South Carolina at Columbia is the major research center of the University of South Carolina System and is its largest campus. From its location in the state capital, the University offers an exciting range of programs and activities designed to enhance the intellectual, cultural, physical, and social development of its student body.

The College of Pharmacy occupies 78,000 square feet in the Coker Life Sciences complex on the Columbia campus. It offers the Pharm.D., Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees as well as post-doctoral research and fellowship opportunities. While the College of Pharmacy stresses a rigorous academic agenda and individual attention usually associated with smaller institutions, it taps resources only available through a larger university system.

The University of South Carolina's contribution to the Federal Pharmacy Conference is based on faculty members' expertise in pharmacoeconomics outcomes research and health policy. The goal of the conference is to provide participants a fundamental understanding of the techniques used in pharmacoeconomic studies, their application, and their role in assuring an efficient and effective health care system.

The School of Pharmacy of the University of California, San Francisco was founded in 1872 as the California College of Pharmacy by a group of farsighted members of the California Pharmaceutical Society. This was the first college of pharmacy established in the West and the tenth in the United States. In 1873, the College affiliated with the University of California. It became the College of Pharmacy of the University of California in 1934, at which time an academic curriculum leading to the bachelor's degree was offered to replace certification in vocational training. Since then, graduate curriculum leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, as well as the Doctor of Pharmacy degree have been established. In keeping with University policy, the College of Pharmacy became the School of Pharmacy in 1955.

The California program within the Federal Pharmacy Program focuses on clinical therapeutics. Topics are taught by practicing clinicians and center on pharmacokinetics, cardiovascular diseases, infectious and pulmonary diseases, diabetes, and epilepsy. The program is targeted for in- and outpatient clinicians who have several years or more of experience beyond graduation and who wish to update their clinical skills with current information.