Lawmakers show uneasy support of pharmacy school

CARSON CITY - Despite some misgivings about money, a legislative study panel has endorsed plans for a school of pharmacy within the University and Community College System of Nevada.

The Legislature's interim Committee on Health Care agreed Tuesday to send letters of support to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in hopes of getting federal aid, and to university regents who are considering the project in their upcoming budget.

Students would get basic science training at the University of Nevada, Reno, and clinical experience at UNLV during a six-year program leading to a doctorate in pharmacy. If approved, the school could graduate its first class in 2007.

Dr. David Westfall, vice president of academic affairs and professor of pharmacology at the university's medical school, told the committee Nevada is the only state in the West without a pharmacy school.

A private school has announced plans to open in Henderson in September 2001.

The average tuition in the West for instate students is $7,056 and for out-of-state students, $16,217. For private schools of pharmacy, the cost is $24,177.

Westfall said the state school, which would open with an estimated 35 students, would charge $6,500 to residents and $13,000 to out-of-state students.

The cost to operate the school would be $2.5 million a year, and Westfall estimated $1 million would come from tuition when it's in full operation.

Westfall said Reid has been approached about getting a federal grant, and the state may not have to underwrite the school for the first four years.

But legislators were dubious.

''We've heard that story before,'' Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Reno, said, expressing reservations about the availability of federal money.

Assemblywoman Vivian Freeman, D-Reno, said the proposal is coming at the ''wrong time with all the other things - a dental school and other issues. This doesn't mean I won't support it in the future.''

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, backed the project but suggested the classes be bigger and more out-of-state students be recruited. He said Nevada students are leaving the state to go to school and ''We're losing our bright kids every generation.''