Pharmacist Education

All pharmacists have earned at least a Bachelor of Sciences degree in pharmacy. However, in July 1992, a majority of the nation's schools and colleges of pharmacy voted to move toward awarding the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree as the only professional degree in pharmacy. This objective has been achieved and the only professional degree in pharmacy is the PharmD degree. The majority of PharmD programs require four years of professional study, following a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy study, for a total of six academic years following high school.

A sound education in math and science is an essential part of preparation for the study of pharmacy, so pre-pharmacy students take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Also, good written and verbal communication skills are important in both the study and practice of pharmacy, so would-be pharmacists study literature, history, government, and social studies to develop a strong background during their pre-professional schooling.

Professional courses, i.e., those taken in pharmacy school include:

• Pharmacognosy - the study of the biology and biochemistry of naturally-occurring drug products, such as herbs and those derived from plants and animals.
• Pharmacology - the study of the action and uses if drugs.
• Pharmaceutical chemistry - the application of basic organic and inorganic chemistry to medicines
• Pharmaceutics - a broad range of subjects, including introductory pharmacy, pharmaceutical calculations, preparations, techniques, dispensing pharmacy, biopharmaceutics (the effects of the dosage form on a medication's therapeutic activity).
• Clinical pharmacy - the study of patient care with special emphasis on drug products. During part of this area of their education, many pharmacy students actually have hands-on experience with patients in a variety of health care settings.
• Drug information - the study of how to convey information about drugs to patients and other health care professionals.
• Pharmacy administration - principles and practices of business and law as they apply to pharmacy practice.

Some pharmacy schools offer dual degree programs. After graduating from pharmacy school an increasing number of students are seeking residency training in pharmacy practice, which adds another year or so to their total education. Over three hundred pharmacy residency programs are offered in hospitals, community pharmacies, and some specialized facilities.

Pharmacists Licensure and Pharmacy Laws

Requirements for Pharmacist Licensure

The practice of pharmacy within each state is regulated by the laws of the state, including the regulation of licensure for pharmacy practice.

To practice pharmacy in any state, a pharmacist must become a registered pharmacist (RPh), also known as a licensed pharmacist.

Pharmacists are licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy. Requirements vary somewhat from state to state, but in general, to be licensed a pharmacist must:

• Graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy
• Participate in residency or internship programs to acquire direct, "hands-on" patient care experience
• Pass a rigorous examination, known as the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination )

Education after Licensure

The pharmacist's educational experience does not end upon being licensed. Most states require licensed pharmacists to take continuing education courses every year in order to maintain their licenses to practice. Pharmacists obtain this additional education through correspondence courses, attending professional meetings and seminars presented by pharmacy associations, or participating in courses provided by the schools and colleges of pharmacy.

Pharmacy Laws

It has been said that pharmacists are the most regulated of all professions. The State Board of Pharmacy issues regulations which pharmacists must follow to assure the public health, safety and welfare.

In addition to state regulations, however, pharmacists are also subject to regulations of Federal agencies. The Food and Drug Administration has the responsibility of assuring the safety and effectiveness of prescription medications and other products, and the Drug Enforcement Administration controls distribution of controlled substances, i.e., narcotics and other drugs that have the potential for abuse and misuse.

Besides the laws and regulations directly affecting pharmacy practice, pharmacists must also abide by laws and regulations related to the implementation of federal and state programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

Facts About Pharmacists and Pharmacies

In the last quarter century, pharmacy has expanded its role within the health care delivery system from a profession focusing on preparation and dispensing of medications to patients to one in which pharmacists provide a range of patient-oriented services to maximize the medicine's effectiveness.

Pharmacy is practiced in a wide range of settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, long term care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, mail service, managed care, and government (Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service, Public Health Service). A survey identified 112,000 pharmacists in community pharmacy (66,000 in chain pharmacies; 46,000 in independent pharmacies), 40,000 in hospitals, and 21,000 in consulting, government, academic, industry and other settings.

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree is the only professional degree in pharmacy offered by the nation’s schools and colleges of Pharmacy. This extensive training makes the pharmacist the most knowledgeable health care professional when it comes to medicines and their use.

The pharmacist is the most accessible and most trusted health professional. In 1998 -- for the 10th consecutive year -- America’s pharmacists topped the Gallup Poll list of businessmen and professionals for their "honesty and ethical standards."

Medicines today have great power to heal and to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. But medicines also may do serious harm if not taken correctly. This is where the role of the pharmacist is most important. You should choose your pharmacist as carefully as you choose a physician. It is best to use only one pharmacy so all medication records are at one location. This way there will be less risk of duplicating medicine or having one prescription interact harmfully with another.

Pharmacists who know their patients and have their medication profiles on file will be aware of possible harmful drug interactions or allergies to certain drugs. The pharmacist also will be able to discuss possible side effects; what foods, drinks, or activities that should be avoided while on a medication; what to do if you miss a dose; and a wide range of other helpful information.

The pharmacist is a key health care professional in helping people achieve the best results from their medications. Americans should choose a pharmacist they trust and build a partnership for good health.