American Journal Of Hospital Pharmacy
Finding the right prescription: in stiff competition with the private sector for pharmacy faculty, academia often finds itself on the losing sideTracie Powell An aging population, the changing role of pharmacists as health systems rely more heavily on newer, sophisticated drug therapies to cure ills, and a proliferation of corner drug stores is driving a growing demand for pharmacists in this country, a challenge the higher education sector is having a tough time meeting.
There are more students applying to pharmacy schools than available slots; but even as a record number of pharmacy schools are being built, deans are having problems finding people to teach in them. Academia is in stiff competition with the private sector, but often lands on the losing side, as schools can't compete when it comes to compensation.
Three years ago there were four students trying to enroll for every one seat at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Houston. Now, there are nine students for every one seat in a class, according to the school's dean, Dr. Sunny E. Ohia.
"We're not having problems attracting students into the colleges, if anything we have problems keeping them away," Ohia says. "The shortage is largely due to the fact that with the aging generation, we have a lot more prescriptions to fill. The number of prescriptions that are to be filled has been doubling since the early to mid-1990s. If you look at it from that perspective, you see that we almost have to double the number of pharmacists each college trains."
An even bigger problem for Ohia, and other pharmacy deans, is filling faculty vacancies, he says. The school currently has nine vacancies it can't seem to fill. Historically Black Xavier University of Louisiana's pharmacy school also has more students interested in getting into its classes than it has seats. But unlike the University of Houston and others, Xavier has no faculty vacancies and competition with the private sector is almost nonexistent.
"That may have to do with Xavier's reputation," says Cathy Jones, the admissions counselor with the pharmacy school. "We graduate the largest number of African American students. Our program is well-known." Twenty-five percent of the nation's African American pharmacists graduate from Xavier. They practice in careers that range from working for billion-dollar corporations to serving in clinics and hospitals in inner-city, rural and underserved communities.
Xavier's premed program is consistently ranked top 10 in the country and its graduates usually have their pick of medical schools. Xavier's pharmacy school is also ranked in the top tier.
Another historically Black university also turns out its share of pharmacists. The Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is now the third largest of all the pharmacy schools in the nation. It has produced over 1,800 pharmacists and 20 percent of the African American pharmacists in the United States, as well as producing over 60 percent of the African American Ph.D. recipients in the pharmaceutical sciences.
While Xavier University graduates work all over the country, Jones says many choose to work in retail drugstores like Walgreen's and CVS because of the higher pay.
However, LeShahn Layton passed up the retail pharmacies for a hospital experience. Layton, among the first students to graduate from Hampton University's then-newly accredited School of Pharmacy in 2002, was being heavily recruited by hospitals, Eckerd Drugs, WalMart and CVS pharmacies. The drug stores offered signing bonuses and high pay, but she turned them down to do a one-year residency at a hospital instead.
Layton settled on Children's Hospital of Atlanta where she now works full-time as a clinical pharmacist, answering drug questions, adjusting dosages and recommending drug therapy for patients. She earns between $70,000 to $80,000 a year. Layton, who always enjoyed studying science, says she first realized she wanted to be a pharmacist after completing a high school mini-internship program at WalMart.
"I've never liked blood or needles, I don't do well with those," Layton says. "But I've always liked health, science and the human body. Becoming a pharmacist was the best way for me to work with the human body without all that gory stuff." She says the job is rewarding in more ways than just the pay. "You have more say in a patient's therapy, you really get to help people and have an impact on their health."
FILLING THE VOID
In a 2003 survey of vacant, budgeted and lost faculty positions, conducted by Dr. Bonnie Svarstad and Dr. Jeanine Mount of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy; Dr. JoLaine Draugalis of the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy; and Dr. Susan Meyer, senior vice president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), 65 schools of pharmacy reported 354 vacancies. Over half the faculty positions had been vacant because there were not enough eligible candidates to fill the positions.
In 2003, there were 7,488 first professional pharmacy degrees issued at 83 of the nation's 89 pharmacy schools--a decrease of 1.2 percent over the past academic year, according to the AACP. And there is currently a shortfall of 157,000 pharmacists predicted by 2020, states a report issued by the AACP, which recruits students to meet the growing demand. The association reports that California, Wisconsin, Maine, Missouri and Utah have the highest shortages of Pharmacists.
The shortages are occurring in pocket areas in many rural communities, according to Mitchel Rothholz, vice president of professional practice for the American Pharmacists Association, based in Washington, D.C.
Recent graduates don't necessarily want to work in rural areas. But Rothholz says there's legislation pending before Congress to offer incentives for students to work among rural populations. The changing role of pharmacists is yet another shift that is contributing to shortages in certain areas, he adds. In addition to corner drugs stores, today's graduates work in industry, they act as consultants to nursing homes, work in hospice/home health care, nuclear and clinical pharmacy.
"It's no longer the traditional type practices that are available to today's pharmacists," Rothholz says. "Historically, it used to be they'd either go into a community pharmacy practice or a hospital practice. But now, because health care has advanced in so many different areas, the role of pharmacists has advanced with it. Therefore, there are more different types of job opportunities available for pharmacists to fill."
While many college graduates are struggling to find a job in today's tough economy, pharmacy graduates are enjoying large salaries, signing bonuses, stock options and relocation allowances. The continuing pharmacist shortage has chain and independent pharmacies, hospitals and other practice settings consistently upping the ante to recruit pharmacists. Average starting salaries for entry-level pharmacists can range from $90,000 to six figures annually.
In exchange for such perks, students typically need six years of college education to become pharmacists, not necessarily in chemistry, Meyer says. "There are many different routes to becoming a faculty member or a practicing pharmacist," she says. "Some have degrees, some do not. Some come through chemistry, others come from the social sciences or economics."
While more attractive compensation pack, ages and other efforts have been successful in attracting women and minorities into the field, more work needs to be done, Meyer and Ohia acknowledge.
A LOOK AT DISPARITIES
The percentage of women pharmacy faculty has increased from 30 percent of all pharmacy faculty in 1985, to 55 percent in 2002. Yet only 41 percent of tenured faculty in 2002 were women, and pay and advancement disparities persist, Meyer says. Four issues impede the progress of women, according to a study published by the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education: family roles and mobility; work values and activities; gender-related beliefs and biases; lack of support, and marginalization within their departments.
For the 2002-2003 academic year at public and private colleges and universities, women assistant professors in pharmacy earned an average of 7.6 percent less than their male counterparts; an average of 6.4 percent less than their counterparts at the associate professor level; and an average of 11.2 percent less than male full professors.
And although steady increases have been seen, minorities are still underrepresented in pharmacy as is true with all health professions. In 2000, for which the most current data is available, African American graduates of pharmacy programs totaled 7.9 percent and 21.3 percent for Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, while Latino/Hispanic graduates comprised only 2.7 percent.
Pharmacy schools are doing a better job at attracting minority students than medical schools, Ohia says, but they still don't reflect demographics of the population. Ohia is one of a few Blacks to head schools of pharmacy in the nation.
It's not that students of color aren't interested in pharmacy, he says, it's that more out reach needs to be done to minorities at a younger age. Pharmacists also have an image problem, he adds.
"The image of a pharmacist is that of someone standing behind a counter counting pills," says Ohia, who is Nigerian. "The pharmacists we're training now do a lot more than what the public sees. They are analyzing drug therapies, taking into account the whole patient as far as drugs are concerned and they are involved in prevention of diseases. The role is evolving."
Pharmacy Schools With Black Deans
* Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean: Dr. Henry Lewis III
* Hampton University School of Pharmacy Hampton, Va. Dean (interim): Dr. Hugh McLean
* Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta Dean: Dr. H.W. "Ted" Matthews
* Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy, Houston Dean: Dr. Barbara E. Hayes
* University of Houston College of Pharmacy Dean: Dr. Sunny E. Ohia
* University of the Incarnate Word School of Pharmacy, San Antonio Dean: Dr. Arcelia Johnson-Fannin New pharmacy school will begin offering classes by Fall 2006.
* University of Toledo College of Pharmacy, Ohio Dean: Dr. Johnnie L Early II
* Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy, New Orleans Dean: Dr. Wayne Davis
The Money Trail
Average and Median 2003-2004
Full-Time Pharmacy Faculty
Salaries by Discipline, Gender
and Type of Appointment
Academic Year
Number Average Median
of Faculty Salary Salary
Biological Sciences 27 $76,764 $67,000
Male 18 $83,711 $75,677
Female 9 $62,871 $60,254
Continuing Professional Education 2
Male 19 $59,150 $60,488
Male 9 $60,230 $60,488
Female 10 $58,177 $58,880
Library/ Educational Resources 2
Male 0
Female 2
Medicinal/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry
/Pharmacognosy 88 $80,926 $71,393
Male 74 $81,942 $71,780
Female 14 $75,556 $69,038
Pharmaceutics/Pharmacy 100 $76,295 $71,785
Male 75 $78,445 $72,000
Female 25 $69,846 $68,500
Pharmacology 156 $80,432 $76,408
Male 128 $82,032 $77,776
Female 28 $73,116 $72,600
Social and Administrative Sciences 63 $74,232 $72,180
Male 39 $76,094 $72,783
Female 24 $71,205 $64,114
Pharmacy Practice 148 $74,731 $72,748
Male 70 $79,082 $75,300
Female 78 $70,826 $70,645
Calendar Year
Number Average Median
of Faculty Salary Salary
Biological Sciences 43 $80,514 $75,000
Male 29 $78,630 $75,000
Female 14 $84,419 $74,426
Continuing Professional Education 35 $85,078 $83,220
Male 5 $59,560 $56,000
Male 1
Female 4
Library/ Educational Resources 19 $52,682 $52,500
Male 2
Female 17
Medicinal/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry
/Pharmacognosy 345 $102,361 $90,785
Male 307 $103,954 $93,559
Female 38 $89,490 $81,637
Pharmaceutics/Pharmacy 332 $99,098 $88,739
Male 266 $101,616 $93,832
Female 66 $88,952 $81,540
Pharmacology 307 $97,886 $86,512
Male 249 $101,046 $90,733
Female 58 $84,318 $79,017
Social and Administrative Sciences 276 $92,945 $83,797
Male 189 $98,093 $90,975
Female 87 $81,762 $77,000
Pharmacy Practice 1,668 $84,134 $78,000
Male 778 $91,028 $82,905
Female 890 $78,108 $74,780
SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF PHARMACY, 2003-04
PROFILE OF PHARMACY FACULTY; HTTP://WWW.AACP.ORG/DOCS/MAINNAVIGATION/
INSTITUTIONALDATA/4739_PPFPUB2.PDF
More Money
Average Full-Time Pharmacy Faculty Salary
Increase 2002-2003 to 2003-2004 by
rank and institution type
Number Average
of Faculty Increase
Biological Sciences 55 5.50%
Dean 69 5.07%
Public 47 5.15%
Private 22 4.91%
Associate Dean 114 5.61%
Public 86 6.25%
Private 28 3.67%
Assistant Dean 81 4.33%
Public 54 3.91%
Private 27 5.16%
Professor 786 4.68%
Public 624 4.75%
Private 162 4.41%
Associate Professor 903 4.47%
Public 633 4.15%
Private 270 5.22%
Assistant Professor 978 4.31%
Public 691 4.22%
Private 287 4.53%
Instructor 63 3.89%
Public 44 3.19%
Private 19 5.52%
Lecturer 15 0.64%
Public 13
Private 2
Librarian 8 3.05%
Public 5
Private 3
Tota 3,017 4.49%
SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF PHARMACY,
2003-04 PROFILE OF PHARMACY FACULTY;
HTTP://WWW.AACP.ORG/DOCS/MAINNAVIGATION/
INSTITUTIONALDATA/4739_PPFPUB2.PDF
Graduate Degree Programs in Pharmacy (Anticipated for 2005-2006).
* ALABAMA
Auburn University M.S., Pharmacal Sciences Pharmacy Care Systems Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* ARIZONA
University of Arizona M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacology and Toxicology
* ARKANSAS
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* CALIFORNIA
University of California, San Diego School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Biomedical Sciences
University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy MS./Ph.D.--Biological and Medical Informatics Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Chemistry and Chemical Biology
University of the Pacific M.S.--Physical Therapy Speech Language Pathology PharmD/MBA--Pharmacy and Business M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences
University of Southern California School of Pharmacy M.S.--Regulatory Science M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* COLORADO
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Toxicology
* CONNECTICUT
University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Howard University School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* FLORIDA
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences M.S.--Pharmaeconomics M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
MPH/DrPH--Public Health University of Florida College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* GEORGIA
Mercer University Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacy Care Administration Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D.--Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
* IDAHO
Idaho State University College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences Pharmaceutical Sciences
* ILLINOIS
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy M.S.--Forensic Science M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacy Administration Biopharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacognosy Medicinal Chemistry
* INDIANA
Butler University M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Industrial and Physical Pharmacy Pharmacy Practice Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
* IOWA
University of Iowa College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy
* KANSAS
University of Kansas School of Pharmacy M.S.--Hospital Pharmacy MS./Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry Neurosciences Pharmacology/Toxicology
* KENTUCKY
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences Social-Administrative Pharmacy
* LOUISIANA
University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Health Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* MARYLAND
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
* MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Pharmacy-Boston M.S.--Drug Discovery and Development Drug Regulatory Affairs M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics Chemistry Pharmacology
Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, Bouve College of Health Sciences M.S.--Biotechnology MS./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Science
* MICHIGAN
University of Michigan College of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences Social and Administrative Sciences
Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & HS MS./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* MINNESOTA
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutics Social, Admin and Clinical Pharmacy-Social & Admin Track Social, Admin and Clinical Pharmacy-Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology Track
* MISSISSIPPI
University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutics Pharmacology Pharmacognosy Pharmacy Administration
* MISSOURI
St. Louis College of Pharmacy M.S.--Managed Care Pharmacy
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D.--Interdisciplinary-Pharmaceutical Sciences Interdisciplinary-Pharmacology
* MONTANA
University of Montana School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences Toxicology Neurosciences
* NEBRASKA
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Health Services Administration
University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* NEW JERSEY
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Toxicology Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutical Science
* NEW MEXICO
University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy M.S.--Radiopharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Toxicology Pharmacy Administration
* NEW YORK
Long Island University Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences M.S.--Pharmacology/Toxicology Pharmaceutical and Health Care Marketing Administration Drug Regulatory Affairs Pharmaceutics/Industrial Pharmacy Cosmetic Science Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics
St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions M.S.--Toxicology Pharmacy Administration M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
Albany College of Pharmacy M.S.--Biomedical Technology Pharmaceutical Administration
* NORTH CAROLINA
Campbell University School of Pharmacy M.S.--Clinical Research Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* OHIO
Ohio State University College of Pharmacy M.S.--Health System Pharmacy Administration M.S./Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Pharmaceutical Administration Pharmaceutics Pharmacology
University of Cincinnati-Medical Center College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Toledo College of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmaceutical Sciences M.S./Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry
* OKLAHOMA
University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy MS./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
OREGON
Oregon State University College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Biopharmaceutics/ Pharmacokinetics Medicinal Chemistry/Natural Products Pharmacology/Toxicology
* PENNSYLVANIA
Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutics Pharmacology-Toxicology Pharmacy Administration
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Philadelphia College of Pharmacy M.S.--Cell Biology and Biotechnology Health Psychology Pharmacy Administration Pharmaceutical Business (MBA) Bioinformatics Biomedical Writing MS./Ph.D.--Chemistry Health Policy Pharmaceutics Pharmacology Toxicology Pharmacognosy Biochemistry
Temple University School of Pharmacy M.S.--Quality Assurance/ Regulatory Affairs M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
* RHODE ISLAND
University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D. Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Pharmacology/Toxicology Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacognosy Pharmaceutics/Pharmacokinetics
* SOUTH CAROLINA
Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmaceutical Health and Outcomes Sciences
* SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Biological Sciences
* TENNESSEE
University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics Health Science Administration
* TEXAS
Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences M.S.--Environmental Toxicology M.S./Ph.D.--Health Care Administration Pharmaceutical Sciences
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Houston College of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmacy Administration Ph.D.--Pharmacology Pharmaceutics Pharm.D./Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy M.S.--Pharmacotherapy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacy Administration Pharmacy Practice Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacology Toxicology
* UTAH
University of Utah College of Pharmacy Ph.D.--Pharmaceutics Pharmacology/Toxicology
* VIRGINIA
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* WASHINGTON
University of Washington School of Pharmacy MS./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Research Policy Pharmaceutics Ph.D.--Medicinal Chemistry
Washington State University College of Pharmacy MHPA--Health Policy and Administration M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmacology/ Toxicology
* WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia University School of Pharmacy MS./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences
* WISCONSIN
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy M.S./Ph.D.--Pharmaceutical Sciences Social and Administrative Sciences
SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF PHARMACY <WWW.AACEORG>
Pay Scales
Average and Median 2003-2004 Full-Time Pharmacy Faculty Salaries by
Highest Degree Earned, Gender and Type of Appointment
Number Average Median
of Faculty Salary Salary
Academic Year
Baccalaureate 12 $63,438 $61,640
Male 5 $69,901 $70,000
Female 7 $58,822 $55,600
Master's 26 $58,769 $56,450
Male 9 $68,751 $72,000
Female 17 $53,484 $56,000
Doctor of Pharmacy 127 $75,223 $73,500
Male 61 $79,825 $76,875
Female 66 $70,969 $71,330
Doctor of Philosophy 442 $78,827 $73,199
Male 338 $80,502 $74,038
Female 104 $73,387 $70,515
Number Average Median
of Faculty Salary Salary
Calendar Year
Baccalaureate 80 $77,740 $76,238
Male 38 $83,508 $80,094
Female 42 $72,522 $71,932
Master's 143 $77,923 $75,860
Male 75 $87,135 $83,514
Female 68 $67,763 $69,606
Doctor of Pharmacy 1,526 $83,703 $77,777
Male 691 $90,481 $82,262
Female 835 $78,093 $74,813
Doctor of Philosophy 1,303 $98,395 $86,995
Male 1,037 $101,429 $91,620
Female 266 $86,566 $79,874
SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF PHARMACY, 2003-04 PROFILE
OF PHARMACY FACULTY; HTTP://WWW.AACP.ORG/DOCS/MAINNAVIGATION/
INSTITUTIONALDATA/4739_PPFPUB2.PDF
COPYRIGHT 2004 Cox, Matthews & Associates
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
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