In 1984, the School of Pharmacy and two pharmaceutical companies initiated a collaborative pilot program to evaluate the potential contributions of clinically trained pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry practice setting. Over the past 20 years, the program has grown exponentially to include 13 different companies (including several of the top ten global companies) within the pharmaceutical industry and related medical communications business. An exciting development in the Program was the establishment of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships in 2002 and the appointment of Dr. James Alexander, one of the first fellows to complete the program, as its Director.

Over 80 Pharm.D.s now participate in the Fellowship Program annually. Over 500 Fellows have successfully completed the Program to date, and are now pursuing influential and rewarding careers in the pharmaceutical industry both in the US and abroad.

The growth of the program has been due to the emergence of the Pharm.D. degree as well as an industry-wide desire to use clinical pharmacists throughout the corporate structure. The Program is nationally recognized, trusted, and proven as the pathway to industry for pharmacists.

Under the leadership of Dr. Joseph A. Barone, Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Dean John L. Colaizzi, and Dr. James Alexander, the Program has grown dramatically to become nationally recognized as the premier Program for pharmacists seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Through the generosity of Dr. Ernest Mario, who provided an endowment for the Institute, the program was able to plan for the administrative support needed to expand and maintain its high quality.