Legislature denies pharmacy school, but USF continues plans

USF’s proposed pharmacy school was not approved by the state Legislature.

The bill was passed unanimously in the House in April. But in May the Senate indefinitely postponed the bill and withdrew it from consideration.

However, the University is continuing its plans for the school.

“We will try again next year,” said Mark Walsh, associate vice president for government relations.

The University plans on admitting 50 students into the program’s first class in 2011. USF President Judy Genshaft has raised $1 million in private funds to prevent the state from having to pay any start-up costs.

Since a pharmacy degree is a state license, the University must get approval before it begins accepting students.

Walsh said he believes the reason the bill was not passed was because the state is reluctant to start any new programs.

“I think they are worried about creating any expenses,” he said.

A USF business plan in February expected the program to admit 400 students by 2017 at a cost of $10.5 million, generating $7.3 million in tuition.

“We still have several more years to apply,” said USF Health spokeswoman Anne DeLotto Baier. “Even if there is no funding, we will go forward.”

The Florida Board of Governors approved the University’s proposal earlier this year.

Two public universities in the state offer pharmacy degrees. The University of Florida received 2,000 applications for 300 openings this year, and Florida A&M received 1,200 for 150 openings. Florida also has three private universities with pharmacy programs: Nova Southeastern, Palm Beach Atlantic and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.