Scientific research training program for four-year pharmaceutical undergraduates in China: framework proposal

Abstract Nowadays, with rapid development of science and technology and dramatic changes in the spectrum of diseases, people have put forward higher requirements for the development of clinical medications to be more precise, safer, and more effective. Therefore, pharmaceutical industry is facing more stringent quality standards and innovation pressures, and the demand for talents with professional pharmaceutical knowledge is increasing day by day. Pharmaceutical education, as a significant part of the establishment of pharmacy, has supplied the pharmaceutical with a wealth of talents. Among the four parts of pharmaceutical education, undergraduate pharmacy education is the backbone of higher pharmaceutical education. It needs to cultivate professionals who meet the demands of pharmaceutical research and development in the new era, by optimizing the curriculum system and strengthening scientific research practice training. Based on the authors’ teaching and research experience and drawing on research findings from both domestic and international sources, this paper proposes a scientific research training (SRT) program framework tailored for four-year pharmaceutical undergraduates in China, which will enhance undergraduates’ scientific research capabilities and cultivate innovative thinking to better address complex challenges in the global health field.