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A pharmacists work
When people think of pharmacists, they often imagine someone standing behind a counter in a
white coat, dispensing medications. But behind the scenes, pharmacists work closely with
physicians and other health care professionals to discuss patient conditions and treatments. If
the recommended medications are too expensive for the patient, pharmacists may consult with
doctors or insurance companies to help find less costly treatments that produce the desired
outcome. And while pharmaceutical companies manufacture most drugs, pharmacists still
compound or make drug products that may not be easily or widely available.
As pharmacists responsibilities have expanded, many are moving out from behind the counter to
do more than just talk with patients about their prescriptions or recommend over-the-counter
medications. Todays pharmacists can take a patients blood pressure and help interpret the
results. They can become certified to provide immunizations for pneumonia and influenza to
patients with a physician order. Increasingly, they can offer educational programs about certain
diseases, such as diabetes.
This evolution underscores pharmacys shift from a product-centered to a patient-centered
profession. What does this mean? Traditionally pharmacy has been focused on providing the
right drug product to the right patient at the right time. While thats still true, pharmacists are now
involved in more patient-centered care. This includes asking questions like, Does the patient
even need the drug? If so, which is the best and safest one? Is it dosed correctly based on the
persons age, weight, and medical history? The pharmacist is more closely involved with helping
patients manage their health, rather than simply recommending or dispensing a product for a
given ailment.
Just as pharmacists have differing roles and responsibilities, they can also work in varied
settings. While approximately two-thirds of pharmacists work in drug stores, or community
pharmacies, pharmacists can be found in hospitals, physicians offices, emergency rooms,
nursing homes, and urgent care centers, to name a few. Wherever you can imagine a physician,
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imagine a pharmacist there as well. Beyond direct patient care, pharmaceutical opportunities
exist in health maintenance organizations (HMOs), insurance companies, or the government.
Others may choose academia, helping educate the next generation of pharmacists.
While its not a requirement, the chances of moving into a management position in any pharmacy
or health-related organization are enhanced with a graduate degree like a masters in business
administration (M.B.A.) or even a law degree. Some schools offer joint degree programs,
allowing students to pursue multiple degrees concurrently, saving significant time and money.
Pharmacy school
So how do you know if pharmacy is the profession for you? While there is no formula for making
such a decision, most pharmacy students do share certain characteristics. First and foremost,
they want to help peoplesomething pharmacists do on a regular basis. Pharmacy students
often enjoy and excel in high school classes such as biology, chemistry, and physics, which
provide a critical foundation for the advanced science-based course work that awaits them in
college.
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reapply and compete with other students, including their pre-pharmacy classmates, to be
accepted into the professional program. Conversely, at some colleges, pre-pharmacy students
are guaranteed a place in a professional program if they meet certain requirements, which may
include, but are not limited to, a minimum GPA, successful completion of the Pharmacy College
Aptitude Test (PCAT), an interview, and/or a writing assessment.
The first three years of the professional pharmacy program focus on classroom study with a mix
of introductory hands-on learning experiences in different health settings. The fourth and final
year of the program moves completely outside the classroom and is comprised of several
advanced pharmacy rotations or internships. Through the rotations (averaging six weeks),
students can apply their knowledge at community pharmacies, hospitals, research laboratories,
government offices, pharmaceutical firms, and more. The rotation is the culmination of the
professional program, providing critical real world learning experiences, building relationships
that may lead to employment offers, and helping students decide which area of pharmacy is the
best fit for their interests.
Like law and medical students, pharmacy students must take a national licensure exam following
graduation: the North American Pharmacy Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). Each state also has its
own separate licensure exam, tailored to reflect the laws governing pharmacy in that particular
state.
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