Hawaii pharmacy school will bring economic benefits to state

Key Points

The College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo is expected to eventually generate $50 million in annual economic activity and an additional $15 million in state incomes, according to a recently released study conducted by university economist David Hammes. The only pharmacy college in the state, UHH-CoP admitted its first class of 90 students in 2007. At present, the school has 180 students, 32 staff members, and supports 274 new jobs.

Hammes says that while much of the spending associated with the college takes place on the Big Island, the entire state benefits from the economic activity, which includes spending by relatives who come to visit students and staff members and others who come for conferences and continuing education. In two years, the college will grow to 360 students, 70 staff members, and 610 related jobs.