Pharmacist

Pharmacy

Pharmacists are health professionals who are concerned with the pharmaceutical needs of patients. Along with the traditionally recognized duties of pharmacists, including compounding and dispensing medicines, the responsibilities of a pharmacist have increased in recent years. Today, pharmacists are also active in consultation with physicians, direct patient care, and patient education. The majority of pharmacists work in a variety of settings, from independent, strictly prescription pharmacies, to chain pharmacies, that also generate income from the sale of other merchandise. Pharmacists are also employed in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Beyond direct patient care, there lie opportunities for pharmacists in research or manufacturing organizations, colleges or universities, and various government departments.

Specializations include clinical pharmacy, and recognized pharmacy practitioner specialties such as ambulatory care, clinical pharmacokinetics, geriatrics, oncology, psychopharmacology, drug information, and nutrition support. Pharmacists have also been an important part of the development of poison control centers around the country.

Needs for pharmacists are increasing as the older population grows, as does the level of medication use. Services are shifting towards long-term, ambulatory, and home care settings, where opportunities for pharmacists will be best. New opportunities are emerging in managed care organizations, where pharmacists analyze trends and patterns in medication use for their populations of patients. Fast growth is also expected for pharmacists trained in research, disease management, and pharmacoeconomics--determining the costs and benefits of different drug therapies.

Desired Skills and Attributes

Communication, interpersonal skills, and a desire to help others are all vital to being a successful pharmacist, as the profession grows to encompass such areas as patient education. Other important skills include critical thinking skills, good judgment, attention to detail, consultation skills, and a knowledge of business management. It is also important to note that due to the nature of the profession, pharmacists are required to be on their feet for the majority of the work day, especially in community pharmacies.

Recommended Undergraduate Preparation

Almost any major is appropriate, as long as the required courses are completed in order to be competitive when applying to schools of pharmacy. As with other graduate programs, extracurricular activities are encouraged, as schools often seek candidates that are "well-rounded." If possible, working with a pharmacist is highly recommended, in order to gain a better understanding of the field.

Degrees Offered

There are currently 83 accredited pharmacy programs in the U.S. These programs award two professional degrees: The Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BS Pharm.) and the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.). The BS requires 5 years of collegiate study, whereas the Pharm. D. is a four year program following a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy coursework in college. Approximately 75% of students admitted to Pharm. D. programs have completed at least 4 years of university work. Only 3 programs offer the BS as the only professional degree, but by 2006, all accredited pharmacy programs will award the Pharm. D. as the only professional degree in pharmacy. Some schools also offer joint programs with M.S. and Ph.D degrees. These are research oriented degrees, and are not meant to provide preparation for licensure as a pharmacy practitioner.

The Application Process

For most schools, the application process starts approximately 18 months prior to your intended matriculation date. The process can be complicated and time consuming. The application process for pharmacy is individual, so students must research schools early in advance, so that they can narrow down their choices before requesting application materials.

Each institution has its own requirements, guidelines, and deadlines. Some programs require Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores, while others may also request SAT, ACT, or GRE scores. Application materials will most likely include an official application form, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, official transcripts, and an application fee. Some schools require supplementary applications and invite potential students for interviews.

In 2003, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is introducing a centralized application service: PharmCAS, the Pharmacy College Application Service. This service will streamline the process of applying to multiple schools that participate in the program.

Links for More Information

Illinois Wesleyan Contact Person

For more information on optometry, contact Director of the IWU Career Center, Warren Kistner, via email: wkistner@titan.iwu.edu, or phone: 556-3071.