A bit of history
In December 1997, the National Commission for the Promotion of the specialization program in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy was created, but it was not until six years later that it was offered as a program professor. Before: programs of study had to be ordered: a training program had to be defined, curricula had to be evaluated and places had to be offered.

This is how the first promotion of specialization program came about after the call for applications of spanish pharmacy residency program in 2003.

The pioneer teaching units were the University of Navarra and the University of Barcelona. These units (Navarra and Barcelona) had to adapt the existing training program to the particularities of each one and agreed on the price so that they would be similar. The University of Navarra offered six places in the first year.

Why a specialization program in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy?
The manufacture of medicines has become a highly technological industrial activity. The galenic knowledge necessary to convert a substance with pharmacological activity into a drug, guaranteeing its efficacy, safety and quality, is of sufficient magnitude to be considered the object of a Specialized training Program.

This specialization, designed to provide the pharmacist with the necessary knowledge for the research, development and production of medicines according to current standards and legislation, is intended to train the professional for the organization, monitoring and control of the industrial processes involved in the manufacture of medicines.

What are the objectives of the EFIG?
The general objectives are set out in the guide of training of Specialists.

The training given can be summarized in three fundamental objectives:
1) The research, development and manufacturing of drugs at industrial level.
2) The organization, monitoring and control of manufacturing processes, as well as the coordination of the Departments involved.
3) To ensure the application of the GMP.

At final, students at the end of specialization have the necessary technical and practical knowledge, which allows them to quickly integrate into the groups of work of pharmaceutical and related industries and health administrations.

How many students have passed through the classrooms?
A total of 82 students over 11 promotions (including the present one) distributed as follows: 1st and 2nd of 5 students, from the third call was granted by the Ministry an extension to 9 places per year, reaching the 82 students mentioned at the beginning.

Has specialization program evolved since its implementation?
EFIG has been adapting, throughout this time, to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, which has to be innovative to be profitable. Its training is updated with the competences that allow them to develop their work applying the current regulations and the latest technological advances. Those aspects that provide them with a greater training in the new profiles required by the pharmaceutical industry are enhanced, respecting the agenda set by the Ministry of Health, to adapt to the needs of the market at all times, and always with the goal of continuous improvement.

Do all Schools of Pharmacy teach this specialization program?
No, only four. Barcelona and Navarra were the first in 2003 and later Alcalá and CEU San Pablo Madrid joined.

What is the percentage of employment rate students once they finish specialization program?
Around 100%, we do not say 100% because some of them, for personal reasons, decided to leave their degree program in the industry.

Who are the faculty members?
The training of the residents of the specialization in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy is given by Spanish and foreign professionals from the pharmaceutical industry, the administration and the university. There is a large external partnership of around 80professor per course, mainly from pharmaceutical and related laboratories, Spanish universities, foreign universities and government agencies.

Among our own faculty we have 9 doctors who teach at the School of Pharmacy, two doctors from the Pharmacy Service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and 5 professionals from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology.

EFIG's management is made up of:

- Director: Dr. Adela López de Cerain Salsamendi (Professor and Dean of the School de Farmacia)

- manager professor : Dr. Fernando Martínez Galán (Specialist in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy)

- Coordinator: Dr. Mª Mar Goñi Leza (Specialist in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy and Specialist in Analysis and Control of Medicines and Drugs).

What profile has the student body?
Pharmacists who have passed the spanish pharmacy residency program exam and obtained place. Their geographical origin is very diverse, they come from practically all over Spain.

Finally, what employment opportunities has this specialization program?
In principle, and as is logical, most of the outlets are directly related to the pharmaceutical industry; although this subject of specialization is also required in the Administration. Within the Pharmaceutical Industry, residents easily find work positions in the Departments of research and development+i, development Galenic, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Technical Management. At public administration, residents have outlets in drug-related regulatory agencies (AEMPS, EMA) as well as in the inspection services of the Ministry of Health and the regional Health Departments. Finally, residents are also in great demand in the cosmetic, veterinary, parapharmaceutical and related industries.