Pharmacy

All fifty states and the District of Columbia now require new pharmacists to complete a doctoral degree in pharmacy (Pharm.D) at an accredited pharmacy education college.

PHARMACY DEGREE

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and assistants are a critical link in the healthcare system. Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing prescription drugs to individual patients, and for monitoring prescription use to avoid adverse drug interactions. Pharmacists are increasingly becoming involved in patient counseling on proper medication usage and general health care issues such as nutrition and exercise. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings, with most working in retail settings. Some pharmacists work as pharmaceutical engineers with drug companies, with government agencies administering health programs, and with insurance companies managing prescription drug benefit programs.

Pharmacy Degree Description

In the past, pharmacists were required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in order to be licensed. In recent years, that requirement has changed and all fifty states and the District of Columbia now require new pharmacists to complete a doctoral degree in pharmacy (Pharm.D) at an accredited pharmacy education college. To enter a pharmacy degree program, a student must have two years of mathematics, science and humanities courses, with most having three or more years of total college credits. Pharm.D pharmacy education programs usually take four years for completion. Pharmacy courses include subjects related to drug therapy and patient care, as well as communications skills, business management, medical ethics and other relevant subjects. The complete pharmacy education also includes internships in pharmacy settings such as retail stores and hospitals.

A pharmacy technician or pharmacy assistant is performs tasks in support of the licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians receive and fill prescriptions and are responsible for accurate dosage and labeling. Pharmacy assistants perform administrative tasks such as filing, stocking shelves, answering the telephone, operating the cash register, and keeping billing records. Many pharmacy technicians and assistants learn on the job, but there are certificate and associate’s degree programs available through many junior colleges and community colleges. These pharmacy education programs offer basic pharmacy courses covering drug therapy, communications skills and related subjects.

Pharmacy Careers

The expected growth in the healthcare industry in the coming years will ensure a strong demand for workers in the pharmaceutical industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth for pharmacists, pharmaceutical engineers, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants to be far above the average of growth in other occupations during the next ten years.

Pharmacy technicians and assistants will be able to find work in retail pharmacy outlets, as well as in hospitals and other clinical settings. A minimum of a high school diploma is required for entry into these jobs, followed by several months of on the job training. Applicants with pharmacy education credentials such as an associate’s degree will have even better job prospects.

Licensed pharmacists will be in high demand in the growing healthcare industry. With the advent of new prescription drugs and a growing population of healthcare clients, the traditional role of the pharmacist as a dispenser of drugs is expanding to include patient counseling, research, health records management and many other functions related to prescription drug use and marketing. The pharmaceutical industry is an excellent career field for individuals interested in science and healthcare. Pharmacy education programs with tracks leading from basic pharmacy courses up to Pharm.D pharmacy degree programs will fill the demand for these healthcare industry professionals.