Daiichi University of Pharmacy

Daiichi University of Pharmacy (the University) is located in Fukuoka City on the southern island of Kyushu. Established on a rich history of culture and traditions, the city boasts of local festivals, professional sports, and competitive education. Considered the Gateway to Asia, Fukuoka can be accessed by sea, air, and land, providing opportunities for international exchanges and development.

The University is one of 31 schools that form educational organization Tsuzuki Gakuen. Tsuzuki Gakuen has three pharmacy schools in Fukuoka, Yokohama, and Saitama. The University presently has 1060 students in attendance from around Kyushu and neighboring prefectures, with 150 graduates this year studying for the licensing exam. The students are trained to work as pharmacists in hospitals, community pharmacies, drug companies, and schools, and have the option of continuing their studies in graduate school.

The two six-year pharmacy programs of the Department of Pharmacy and the Department of Kampo Pharmacy (traditional Japanese medicine) provide students with the clinical skills and science-based knowledge to provide competent pharmaceutical care in hospitals and community pharmacies. The six years of study follow a rigorous curriculum of pharmaceutical science courses, liberal art language and humanities options, a year of pre-clerkship practical study, two 11-week clerkships in a hospital and community pharmacy, and concludes with research study and national licensing exam preparation. Collaboration between local hospitals and pharmacies allows students to practice their learning with patients and observe professionals in realistic pharmacy settings. The advanced curriculum that follows the clerkship program encourages students to focus on specialized areas of research and practice before graduation to give a competitive edge in the job market.

The students develop balanced lifestyles and interact with their peers through extra-curricular clubs, such as team sports, arts, and cultural disciplines. Once a year, there is a school festival where students work together as a school body to create an enjoyable day for the people in the local community and stage their talents. Many students volunteer in community pharmacy programs to promote drug abuse awareness and to assist in local cleanup from recent earthquake and flood disasters.

The University aims to increase international partnerships to provide the students with exposure to global pharmacy practice. These partnerships give the students opportunities to travel and observe pharmacy practice in other countries. Presently, there are active partnerships with pharmacy schools in the United States, Italy, Taiwan, and China. The University also wishes to increase scientific and clinical research partnerships through faculty exchange programs.

Everybody is born with a special gift that defines character and distinguishes individuality from other people. In primary and secondary education, this quality may be identified, but it needs to be developed and recognized fully through a specialization in higher education. Daiichi University of Pharmacy (DUP) assists each student to acquire expert knowledge in pharmacy and a professional spirit for a vocation in prescribing and preparing medicines as a pharmacist. It is hoped that this spiritual legacy at DUP will lay the foundation for many students to gain self-realization as professionals through life-long learning and education.

DUP’s rules provide that “this college, following the provisions of the Constitution of Japan, the Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Law, shall impart a great deal of expertise to the students who are determined to learn pharmacy, and turn them into pharmacists with practical competence; it shall contribute to improving and developing medical welfare and science.”

DUP has a history of over fifty years, and has ever produced 13,000 students as pharmacists in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, supporting community health care. Long before the new six-year pharmaceutical education system was introduced, this college had been committed to educating the students to be pharmacists who not only have vital expertise and clinical competence but feel compassion for patients. Now it is also making every effort to offer many different courses compatible with an aging society, including guidance of life and health care in local communities.

With its eminent faculty and administrative staff, highly original curriculum and educational facilities on a higher level, OCPS is supporting the students.