"Spain ranks eighth in the world pharmaceutical industry market, with 53 companies included in the ProFarma Action Plan and an estimated expenditure and investment in research and development of 448 million euros in 2003". This was stated by José Carlos Montilla, board member for Industry of the committee of Pharmaceutical Associations. This specialist visited the School of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra on the occasion of the first course of the new specialization in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy.

"This specialization program responds to the great demand for experts required in a sector that already has 262 national and international pharmaceutical companies," said Montilla. The new program was offered in the last spanish pharmacy residency program and will offer specialized training in research, development and manufacturing of drugs in the industrial field, in accordance with current regulations and legislation.

José Carlos Montilla explained that "very few can cope with such an initiative. The specialization in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy is only offered at the Universities of Navarra and Barcelona. To carry out a course like this, the academic center needs to have the necessary staff and facilities to teach 400 hours of theory and 1,300 practical hours in its own pilot plant for the manufacture of drugs.

Likewise, this expert added that "the University of Navarra not only has this, but also maintains a firm contact with the pharmaceutical industry, which allows its students to carry out six months of internships in the industry".

For Montilla, "this is a very modern and innovative program. It will be profitable for all those who in the future will have great responsibilities within the pharmaceutical sector, as a consequence of the development plan of their professional degree program ".