Ateneo - UPO

The course aims at introducing the students to the application of economics and management disciplines and their application to the organisations where pharmacists work, with a focus on community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. More specifically, in the first part foundations of economics and management will be discussed together with the main characteristics of the regulatory environment of community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. The second part is focused on managerial issues, including strategy, management tools (marketing, logistics, investments) and accounting.

There is no single text for the course. Brusa L (a cura di). Lezioni di Economia Aziendale. Giappichelli, 2013 or Airoldi G, Brunetti G, Coda V (a cura di). Corso di Economia Aziendale. Il Mulino, 2020. Maggi D (a cura di), Economia dell'azienda farmacia e del settore farmaceutico, Egea, 2013. Other readings. Slides and other readings are uploaded to blackboard.

Understanding the managerial tools aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and overall performance of organisations. Knowing the regulatory environment of community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. Applying the acquired knowledge to concrete examples of managerial issues (marketing, logistics. investments). Developing a collaborative and problem-solving approach, independent judgment and communication skills through group works.

Knowledge of English

The course consists of lectures, exercises and group discussion of business cases /documents. The active participation of students to all activities is essential, in particular to the group work.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff "Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti", consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The assessment relies on a written test on all the course topics; the written test will consist of open questions and exercises. Students failing the written test can join the following one.

Introduction to economics; definition of market and industry. Introduction to management; definition of organisation and its functions; the organisations where pharmacists work; the notion of effectiveness, efficiency and overall performance.
Introduction to the pharmaceutical market. The research and development process. The environment of the community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical companies; the regulation of the pharmaceutical market and distribution.
Management applied to community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. Strategy and competitive environment. Accounting. Management tools; marketing and sales; logistics; investments.

Applying managerial tools to make effective and efficient the community pharmacies and the diverse functions of the pharmaceutical companies. Developing the ability to understand how the environment influences the performance of the companies in which the graduated in pharmacy operates and to keep up to date on the evolution of this environment. Being able to face concrete managerial issues, knowing how to work in a group and how to conduct a field research in the area of economics and management.