Patrick Smith, PharmD, spends his days in a lab solving problems that affect farms and animals across the country. A University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences alumnus, he once thought his future was in retail pharmacy. However, today, his role as a pharmacist working in veterinary medicine means making medications work in real-world conditions, sometimes for thousands of animals at once.
As the Director of Innovation and Intellectual Property Strategy at Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions (VPS), Dr. Smith is at the front of research and development for the nation's largest compounding pharmacy for food-producing animals. Recently, he discovered a patent-pending solution to a long-standing challenge in agriculture: a medication that refused to dissolve in water prevented whole-herd treatment through existing drinking systems. By studying earlier formulation methods of this medication, Smith was able to develop a water-soluble form of the drug, bringing back what he calls the "lost art" of compounding to veterinary medicine.
"Compounding has been part of the pharmacy since the beginning. It's not as present in modern practice, but it's still critical. Every day, I get to remind veterinarians that pharmacists bring something unique, our knowledge of drug interactions and formulation. It’s a hidden tool in their toolbox that we’re rediscovering."
Smith encourages students to embrace challenges, "say yes to hard things," he said. The most rewarding part is simple, “knowing what we create will help animals and the people who care for them,” he said. He believes veterinary pharmacy is a growing space for pharmacists who want to innovate. “Pharmacy opens doors you might not expect," he said. "There’s so much opportunity if you’re willing to take on challenges."
Learn more about Dr. Smith and his career in veterinary pharmacy by participating in our Ask Me Anything:
- Jan 26: Follow @CUPharmacy Instagram account and submit your AMA questions to Dr. Smith.
- Jan 27: Watch for Dr. Smith's answers to your Instagram questions.
Veterinary pharmacy is just one of the specialties that you can pursue with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from CU Anschutz School of Pharmacy.