Shall I Study Pharmacy?
If you are thinking about taking up pharmacy as a career, this is
a question that you must answer for yourself. In doing so, you are
really asking a series of questions:
- What are the responsibilities of the pharmacist?
- What personal qualifications should I have to become a
pharmacist?
- What are the educational requirements and what would I
study?
- Where would I work and what would I do?
- What is the job outlook for pharmacists?
Once you have answers to these, and any other questions you may
have, you will be better prepared to give a well-educated answer to the
larger question - "Shall I Study Pharmacy?"
If you have questions that cannot be answered by the information
on this Web site, please write to: American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy, Office of Student Affairs, 1426 Prince Street, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314-2841 or to the dean of the college of your choice. A list
of schools and colleges of pharmacy is available on the American
Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Web site, http://www.aacp.org.
Professional Commitment
The principal goal of pharmaceutical care is to achieve positive
outcomes from the use of medication that improves patients' quality of
life. These outcomes include: 1) cure of a disease; 2) elimination or
reduction of symptoms; 3) arresting or slowing a disease process; 4)
prevention of disease; 5) diagnosis of disease; and 6) desired
alterations in physiological processes, all with minimum risk to
patients. Pharmacists are professionals, uniquely prepared and
available, committed to public service and to the achievement of this
goal.
Professional Prospects
The practice of pharmacy is a vital part of a complete health care
system.
The number of people requiring health care services has steadily
increased,
and this trend will likely continue. Due to many of society's
changing social
and health issues, men and women in pharmacy will face new
challenges, expanded
responsibilities, and an ever-increasing growth in opportunities.
Some of
these issues include increases in average life span and the
increased incidence
of chronic diseases; the increased complexity, number, and
sophistication
of medications and related products and devices; increased emphasis
on primary
and preventive health services, home health care, and long term
care; and
concerns about improving patients' access to health care,
controlling its
cost, and assuring its quality. Because of the large role that
medications
and their proper use play throughout these issues, pharmacists will
play
an important part in the future of health care. In a recent study
conducted
by the Pharmacy Manpower Project (PMP), it was discovered that the
shortage
of Pharmacists is expected to worsen over the next 10 years.
In addition, Money
Magazine included Pharmacists in their report of the
nation’s
top 10 jobs based on growth, pay, stress-levels and other factors,
citing
a 25% growth for the profession over the next 10 years.
Community Pharmacy and Consultant Pharmacists
Nearly everyone is familiar with community pharmacists and the
pharmacy in which they practice. Six out of every ten pharmacists
provide care to patients in a community setting. You probably visit the
community pharmacist more often than you do any other member of the
health team. Pharmacists talk to people when they are healthy and when
they are sick, when they are "just browsing" or when they are
concerned with an emergency; when they have specific needs as well as
when they are seeking advice or information.
Pharmacists are playing an increasing role in the
"wellness" movement,
especially through counseling about preventive medicine. According
to
one estimate, pharmacists get more than two billion inquiries a
year
from their patrons. Pharmacists serve patients and the community
and
refer patients to other sources of help and care, such as
physicians,
when necessary. Likewise, advances in the use of computers in
pharmacy practice
now allow pharmacists to spend more time educating patients and
maintaining
and monitoring patient records. As a result, patients have come to
depend
on the pharmacist as a health care and information resource of the
highest
caliber.
Pharmacists, in addition to the variety of tasks performed in and
out of the community pharmacy, are specialists in the science and
clinical use of medications. They must be knowledgeable about the
composition of drugs, their chemical and physical properties, and their
manufacture and uses, as well as how to test for purity and strength.
Additionally, a pharmacist needs to understand the activity of a drug
and how it will work within the body. More and more prescribers rely on
pharmacists for information about various drugs, their availability and
their activity just as patrons do when they ask about nonprescription
medications.
If a pharmacist develops a desire to combine his or her
professional talents with the challenge of the fast-moving retail
pharmacy business, they will often consider a management position within
a chain pharmacy practice or ownership of their own pharmacy. In chain
practice, career paths usually begin at the store level with possible
subsequent advancement to a position at the district, regional, and
corporate level. Many chain companies have management development
programs in marketing operations, legal affairs, third party programs,
computerization, and pharmacy affairs.
Independent retail practice offers the opportunity for pharmacists
to be "their own boss." The
spirit of entrepreneurship and motivation has enabled many
pharmacists to
successfully own their own pharmacy or, through establishing
consultation
services, own their own pharmacy practice.
Hospitals and Other Institutional Settings
As society's health care needs have changed and expanded, there
has been an increased emphasis on provision of that care through
organized health care settings. As a result, an increased number of
pharmacists now practice in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care
facilities, neighborhood health centers, and health maintenance
organizations.
As members of the health care team composed of physicians and
nurses, among others, hospital pharmacists have a unique opportunity for
direct involvement with patient care. The knowledge and clinical skills
that the contemporary pharmacist possesses make this individual an
authoritative source of drug information for physicians, nurses, and
patients.
In addition to direct, patient care involvement, pharmacists in
hospitals are responsible for systems which control drug distribution
and are designed to assure that each patient receives the appropriate
medication, in the correct form and dosage, at the correct time.
Hospital pharmacists maintain records on each patient, using them not
only to fill medication orders but also to screen for drug allergies and
adverse drug effects.
Contemporary hospital pharmacy practice is composed of a number of
highly specialized areas, including nuclear pharmacy, drug and poison
information, and intravenous therapy. In addition, pharmacists provide
specialized services in adult medicine, pediatrics, oncology, ambulatory
care, and psychiatry. The nature and size of the hospital helps to
determine the extent to which these specialized services are needed.
Because of the diversity of activities involved in pharmacy departments,
there is also an increasing demand for management expertise, including
finance and budgeting, personnel administration, systems development,
and planning.
Approximately 38,000 registered pharmacists work on a full- or
part-time basis in hospitals or nursing homes. As hospital pharmacists
continue to become more involved in providing patient-oriented services,
the demand for practitioners in this area of pharmacy continues to grow.
Recent years have also seen dramatic growth in pharmacy services in
health maintenance organizations (HMO's) and related organizations that
offer coordinated ambulatory care by a multidisciplinary staff of health
professionals, including pharmacists. In this setting, pharmacists
provide primary leadership in the development of both clinical and
administrative systems which manage and improve the use of medications.
Managed Care Pharmacy
Increasingly, pharmacists are employed in various capacities
within managed care organizations (MCOs). Managed care is a system
designed to optimize patient care and outcomes and foster quality
through greater coordination of medical services. MCOs incorporate
pharmaceutical care which strives to improve access to primary and
preventive care, and ensure the most appropriate and effective use of
medical services in the most cost-effective manner.
The number of individuals enrolled in managed care programs has
risen dramatically in recent years. At the end of 1995, it was estimated
that more than 130 million individuals received health care services
through some form of managed care. As managed care continues to assume a
larger role in our health care system, opportunities for pharmacists
practicing in these types of settings are expected to grow.
Areas in which managed care pharmacists can play a role include:
Practice Guideline and Protocol Development. Managed care
pharmacists often
work directly with physicians and other care givers to determine
which
medical treatments, including which drug therapies, are most
effective
in enhancing patient outcomes. This can involve regularly reviewing
medical
literature to determine which medications are the safest and most
effective
for treating certain diseases and gathering data from the plan's
patient
population and performing analyses based on that research.
Drug utilization review/drug use evaluation. Managed care
pharmacists perform these functions to determine which patients and
prescribers are using particular medications. This allows the pharmacist
to determine whether some patients and/or prescribers may be
inappropriately prescribing or using prescription drugs. With this
knowledge in hand, the pharmacist and other care providers can then
actively intervene in the patient's care process to assure better
outcomes.
Care management programs. Often called "disease management
programs," these programs involve having pharmacists, physicians,
case managers and other care givers work together to effectively manage
and coordinate the overall care of patients who are at high risk of
serious complications because of certain disease states. For example, a
care management program might identify all diabetic patients within a
certain plan population, then place special emphasis on making sure
those patients receive regular education and counseling about their
disease, including how and when to take their medications. Pharmacists
might then interact with the patient and the patient's treating
physicians on a regular basis to try to keep the patient as healthy as
possible.
These are just a few of the many roles pharmacists can assume in
the managed care environment. Other responsibilities can include
contracting with local pharmacies (to develop networks to serve plan
members); contracting with pharmaceutical manufacturers (to receive
rebates on prescription drug products and other value-added services);
claims processing (so patient-prescriber data can be transmitted
electronically to assure accurate claims payment and provide information
to assist with clinical functions such as drug utilization review); and
developing and managing the plan's formulary.
The Pharmaceutical Industry
Another area for a career in pharmacy is represented by the
pharmaceutical industry which produces chemicals, prescription and
nonprescription drugs, and other health products. Pharmacists do such
things as marketing, research and product development, quality control,
sales, and administration. Many pharmacists have gone on to obtain
postgraduate degrees in order to meet the technical demands and
scientific duties required in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Pharmacists with an interest in sales and administration can
combine this with their technical background in pharmacy by serving as a
medical service representative. These representatives call on
physicians, dentists, and veterinarians, as well as on other pharmacists
to explain the uses and merits of the products their firms produce.
Experienced and successful medical service representatives with
administrative abilities often rise to supervisory or executive posts in
the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacists are also employed as sales
representatives, supervisors, and administrators in wholesale drug
firms.
Academic Pharmacy
Over 3,000 4,200 full-time faculty members work in the nation's 79
92 colleges
and schools of pharmacy, involved with teaching, research, and
public
service, as well as participating in patient care in some cases.
Others
serve as consultants for local, state, national, and international
agencies'
organizations. Becoming a member of the faculty at a college of
pharmacy
usually requires a postgraduate degree and/or training (e.g., Ph.D.
degree,
or residency
or fellowship training following
the professional degree program).
While most pharmacists who complete graduate school exercise the
option to teach, there currently exists a shortage of faculty, creating
an array of excellent professional opportunities. Clinical pharmacy
faculty have significant responsibility for patient care, in addition to
their work in teaching and research. These academicians often are called
educator/practitioners, and they serve as role models for pharmacy
students and residents in many practice settings.
Faculty in disciplines other than clinical pharmacy usually are
not directly involved in patient care or clinical research. Instead, the
basic sciences are mainly concerned with "bench" research that
includes sophisticated instrumentation, analytical methods, and animal
models. Pharmacy administration research often uses survey methods and
statistical analyses to solve complex problems of drug utilization
management, health care delivery, marketing, management, and other
practice issues.
To paraphrase one current pharmacy faculty member, "perhaps
no other job in pharmacy has such far-reaching effects on the profession
as that of an educator. It is in academia that one can excite
individuals about pharmacy and lay the groundwork for continuing
advances in the field."
Other Specialized Fields in Pharmacy
Pharmacists use their basic educational backgrounds in a host of
federal and state positions. At the federal level, pharmacists hold
staff and supervisory posts in the United States Public Health Service,
the Veterans Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and in
all branches of the armed services. Some of these posts provide
commissioned officer status; others come under civil service.
At the state level there are agencies charged with regulating the
practice of pharmacy to preserve and protect the public health. These
legal boards governing pharmacy practice usually have pharmacists
employed as full-time executive officers. Also, one or more inspectors,
frequently pharmacists, are employed by each state pharmacy board. As
more state health agencies consolidate their purchases, a pharmacist is
often engaged as a purchaser of medical and pharmaceutical supplies for
the entire state.
Nearly every state has an active pharmaceutical association which
employs a full-time executive officer, usually a graduate of a college
of pharmacy. Several national professional associations are also guided
by pharmacists with interest and special talents in organizational
work.
You may know other pharmacists who are engaged in highly
specialized tasks. There are pharmacists in advertising, packaging,
technical writing, magazine editing, and science reporting. There are
pharmacists with legal training serving as patent lawyers or as experts
in pharmaceutical law. There are pharmacists in America's space
laboratories and aboard ships such as S.S. Hope; others direct large
manufacturing firms or specialize in medicinal plant cultivation.
By now, it should be clear to you that this diversity of pharmacy
is one of its chief strengths. And, in diversity lies your opportunity.
In the United States, over 175,000 pharmacists practice in community or
hospital pharmacies, or long-term and ambulatory care facilities. The
remainder follow one or another of the special fields you have just
reviewed. The prospects for immediate employment and for long-term
career growth have never been better. The opportunity for success in any
of these fields is wide open for men and women with ability, education,
and imagination.
Working Environment
As we said earlier, pharmacy has a special appeal to those who
want to serve their community and society. And, as an important member
of the health care profession, pharmacists must be prepared to render
services at any time they are needed. Your own experience tells you that
emergencies do not wait; pharmaceutical service may be required at 2:00
A.M. as well as 2:00 P.M. As a result, pharmacists expect to make their
services available to the public at hours other than those which you
might think of as "normal" for professional people. Except for
the true emergency where time isn't measured for time's sake, the
pharmacist's workweek probably averages around forty-eight hours. In
hospitals and long-term care facilities, pharmacists average forty to
forty-four hours a week.
There is great potential for advancement and competitive salaries
within the career of pharmacy. Most owners of pharmacies started their
careers as a pharmacist working for someone else. Staff pharmacists
within a hospital or nursing home, for example, have the potential to
become directors of pharmacy services. Medical service representatives
have risen within their organization to lead their firms. Distinguished
scientists move to major roles in research administration. Civil
servants and commissioned officers rise to policy and command
positions.
Salaries vary throughout the country, as well as within individual
communities. Better prepared, better informed, more skillful, and more
experienced pharmacists will naturally command better salaries than
those that are not. However, surveys have shown that two years after
college the pharmacist has among the highest starting salaries of
college graduates in the United States. Future salary progress, of
course, depends on ability and experience.
Personal Qualifications
As you think about your place in pharmacy, you must also think
about your qualifications to meet pharmacy's demands for judgment,
dependability, and conscientious performance. You must be good at detail
and willing to check and double check your own work. As with others on
the health care team, your decisions and actions involve human life and
well-being. Your need for careful attention to your work, your
decisions, and the results of your actions cannot be
over-emphasized.
Since pharmacists, by law, are entrusted with the proper storage,
handling, and dispensing of dangerous and habit-forming drug substances,
they must be absolutely scrupulous in handling them. Their ethical
standards must be high, and they must use fact and good judgment in
answering the questions people ask them.
As experts in drugs and chemicals, it follows that pharmacists
need a good education with an emphasis on science and should possess a
curiosity and a desire and willingness to learn. The pharmacist needs
some background in the principles of management and the ability to
maintain the records, legal and otherwise, required for pharmacy
practice. Most importantly, pharmacists must enjoy working with people,
be comfortable meeting them and be willing to serve them in a variety of
circumstances.
Preparation for Study
A doctor of pharmacy degree requires four years of professional
study following a minimum of two years of preprofessional study.
A balanced and comprehensive high school education is an important
first step in your pursuit of a professional degree in pharmacy. You
should discuss your courses carefully with your guidance counselor to
assure appropriate preparation for college study.
If you are considering a career in pharmacy, you should write to
the pharmacy colleges of your choice and ask for details about entrance
requirements. These vary from college to college, so the best way to
avoid disappointment is to make sure that high school and
preprofessional college courses are carefully planned.
A sound education in math and science is an essential part of
preparation for the study of pharmacy. Also, good written and verbal
communication skills are important in both the study and practice of
pharmacy. Pharmacy curriculum does not concentrate highly on literature,
history, government, or social studies so it would be to your benefit to
build a strong background in these subjects while you are in high school
or during your preprofessional schooling. Foreign languages are not
generally required for admission but may be needed later by students who
pursue graduate studies. Contrary to popular opinion, the study of Latin
in high school, while helpful in many aspects of life, is not essential
for admission to pharmacy school.
High school science courses are helpful in preparing students for
the many science courses studied in Pharmacy College. Biology,
chemistry, physics, and mathematics are especially desirable. Beyond
this, a good student with a strong background in nonscientific college
preparatory subjects will be in a favorable position for succeeding in
the study of pharmacy. Of course, if you have completed high school and
are now enrolled in a community or liberal arts college, you will have
credits in, and exposure to, many of the courses discussed above. It is
important that preprofessional students arrange their course work to
meet the requirements of the college of pharmacy in which they plan to
enroll. Early consultation with the dean or admissions officer is
important. If your decision to study pharmacy is not yet firm, you can
still have your program checked by the pharmacy school; this advice can
be helpful when you do apply for admission.
Colleges of pharmacy, in considering applicants for admission,
often give attention to the relative position of a student within their
class-near the top, in the middle group, or near the bottom. Although
colleges of pharmacy are interested in enrolling students who have
demonstrated the ability to do good work in school; they are also
interested in students who demonstrate potential for good academic work
and contribution to the profession.
Many colleges, both pre-professional and professional, require
education tests for admission including the Pharmacy College Admission
Test (PCAT) and/or various college entrance exam scores (i.e. SAT or
ACT) as criteria for entrance. The PCAT can be taken either in high
school or college. The results are one of several factors usually
considered in the admission of each student.
Due to the variations in admission requirements and procedures
among the colleges of pharmacy, it is important that you obtain the
information which applies to the college you wish to enter. In some
cases your high school counselor or college advisor may have the
necessary information. Inquiries may be sent directly to the dean of the
Pharmacy College which you have selected. The schools will be pleased to
supply you with details concerning admission, or any other information
in which you may be interested.
Pharmaceutical Education
In the fall of 2005, 46,527 men and women were enrolled in the
nation’s
92 schools and colleges of pharmacy in pursuit of their initial
professional
pharmacy degree. Of this total, 65.5% were women, and over
12.3% were
minority students. Over 49% of the applications for the 2005
entry
class were submitted by individuals holding a post-secondary degree
(associate
degree, 3.4 percent; baccalaureate, 43.4 percent; masters degree,
2.2 percent;
doctorate, 0.6 percent). Enrollment has increased steadily
since 1984.
All colleges of pharmacy operate under one of two plans: (1) two
years
of preprofessional education followed by professional studies;
(2) an
integrated curriculum with all years of study in the professional
college. Where preprofessional
education is required for admission, the first two years of study
may be taken
in any approved junior college or university.
On June 14, 1997, the transition to the Doctor of Pharmacy
(Pharm.D.)
degree as the sole professional practice degree in pharmacy was
initiated
when the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
adopted
its Accreditation Standards
and Guidelines for the Professional Program in Pharmacy Leading
to the Doctor
of Pharmacy Degree. This transition was completed with
the graduation
of the last B.S. in Pharmacy degree candidates of the 2004-2005
academic year. Current
guidelines can be found on the ACPE
official site. The
Pharm.D. degree requires 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. The B.S. in Pharmacy degree is no longer offered
by the nation’s
schools and colleges of pharmacy.
Both the B.S. in Pharmacy and The Pharm.D. curriculum are is
designed
to produce a scientifically and technically competent pharmacist
who
can apply this training in such a manner as to provide maximum
health
care services to patients. Students are provided with the
opportunity
to gain greater experience in patient centered learning
experiences and
in working in close cooperative relationships with health
practitioners.
It is the goal of all pharmacy schools to prepare pharmacists who
can
assume expanded responsibilities in the care of patients and
assure the
provision of rational drug therapy.
After graduating from pharmacy school an increasing number of
students
are seeking residency training in pharmacy practice. Over six
hundred pharmacy
residency programs are offered in hospitals, community pharmacies
and some
specialized facilities. These residency programs may be taken in
general
pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy practice, or other specialty
areas
depending upon personal interests and specific career requirements.
Completion
of a pharmacy residency is sometimes a requirement for employment
in hospital
pharmacy practice or in clinical faculty at pharmacy schools.
Students also have the opportunity to complete advanced study
(graduate
work) at many colleges of pharmacy. Graduate study in one of the
specialized
areas of pharmacy may qualify the student for a master of science
(M.S.),
or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. These advanced degree
programs
require an undergraduate degree at least at the bachelors level
prior
to enrollment; however, the undergraduate degree need not be in
pharmacy.
The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are research degrees and do not qualify
the student
to be a licensed pharmacy practitioner unless the student has also
earned
a Pharm.D.
If you examine several pharmacy college catalogs you will notice
that courses are similar but not identical. There are no rigid rules on
curricula enforced on colleges, but a common core of subjects is found
in every college of pharmacy. You will find that certain colleges
emphasize certain subjects, and thus place less emphasis on others.
Since you will certainly be examining catalogs of colleges that interest
you, the following discussion will touch largely on the core of subjects
common to most colleges of pharmacy.
Our earlier descriptions of community pharmacy and of the various
specialties should have conveyed the idea that the profession of
pharmacy blends science, technical art, and human relationships in a
unique fashion. Basic to the science in pharmacy are contributions from
three broad fields-biology, chemistry, and mathematics, so courses in
these basic sciences are required in pharmacy curricula.
Mathematics is an important tool in most scientific courses, so
two or more semesters of college mathematics are usually required. In
addition, a pharmacist uses math a great deal in dispensing
prescriptions, in determining proper drug dosage levels, in preparing
formulas of many types, in management procedures, and in certain
chemical calculations. Hence, additional instruction is given in the
various kinds of weights and measures used in pharmacy, in calculating
doses of drugs given to persons of different ages and weights, in
figuring the amount of material to use for a solution, and in many other
operations including pharmaceutical calculations.
Instruction in physics is usually given because the principles are
basic to many pharmaceutical practices. In addition, physics has a close
relationship to chemistry; both sciences are needed in order to
understand the behavior and properties of matter. The fineness of
powdered drugs, the transfer of heat, the behavior of gases, the
formation and decay of radioactive isotope - these and other phenomena
of pharmacy can be well understood only through knowledge of the
principles of physics.
Many medical substances are pure chemicals, so it is easy see why
a thorough knowledge of chemistry is important. From simple table salt,
to substances so complex that their formulas are not completely known,
pharmacists are continually dealing with chemicals. They must know how
to handle and store them, as some are dangerous; how to analyze them to
determine their purity; and how to dissolve them, combine them, package
them, and preserve them-as well as many additional factors involving
chemicals. Small wonder then that pharmacy students study the principles
of the common divisions of chemistry and finish off this study with
several courses in pharmaceutical chemistry, where the principles of
basic chemistry are applied in the study of medicinal products.
In addition to chemical medicines, many drugs come from plants and
animals. Moreover, the practical use of nearly all medicinal substances
is within, or upon, the bodies of humans or animals. Hence, the study of
biological sciences, including anatomy, physiology, zoology and
biochemistry among others, is important for building a strong foundation
of knowledge of natural drugs and their actions within the body.
Courses in English, psychology, and sociology are usually given in
the pre-professional years, but some may be scheduled throughout the
curriculum. These social sciences provide the student with a better
ability to understand people, thereby enabling them to practice more
effectively within society.
Professional Courses
The professional curriculum is composed of courses in six major
areas of instruction.
Pharmaceutical chemistry, which we have already mentioned,
emphasizes the application of chemical sciences to pharmacy. Some of the
courses deal with chemicals used as medicines-their use, nature,
preparation and preservation. In other courses, attention is given to
the processes and tests used to determine the purity and strength of a
chemical or its pharmaceutical form. The pharmacy student learns, for
example, how to find out if aspirin is pure, or how to determine how
much vitamin C is contained in a particular solution or tablet.
Pharmacognosy deals with the nature and sources of "natural
drugs"-those obtained from plants or animals, either directly or
indirectly. For example, with a drug such as quinine, this study
involves the source, the commercial production, the marketing, the chief
pure chemicals contained in the drug, and the uses made of the drug and
its derivatives.
Pharmacology is concerned with understanding the action of drugs
in the body. Attention is given to the effects of various doses of each
medicinal substance and to the different ways in which medicine can be
introduced into the body. The effects of poisons and the means to
overcome them are studied in toxicology. Generally, animal tests are
required to learn the strength of drugs. Physicians know a great deal
about pharmacology and toxicology; yet, as the expert about drugs, the
pharmacist must have this knowledge to an even greater extent.
Education in modern business management is important for graduates
who plan to enter community pharmacy and some institution practices.
This area is commonly designated pharmacy administration. Instruction
frequently includes principles of basic economics, accounting,
management, computer applications, marketing, merchandising, and legal
phases of the profession of pharmacy. Courses in pharmacy administration
are especially helpful to pharmacists who become executives in
pharmacies, hospitals, service wholesale houses, or manufacturing.
All colleges of pharmacy offer a variety of courses in pharmacy
practice. These courses are designed to give an appreciation of the
background and nature of the profession, to familiarize students with
the many skilled processes used in pharmacy, to introduce the various
forms of medicines, and to teach them how to dispense medication
accurately and skillfully. Instruction in pharmacy practice again
emphasizes the fact that pharmacy blends science and technology, and
that throughout the professional services of the pharmacist there is a
continuous responsibility both to the patient and the physician.
Instruction in the basic sciences and in the professional areas
(except for most of the administration courses) includes some laboratory
work. This laboratory work is both traditional and clinical. Laboratory
instruction explores various scientific phenomena, as well as studies
the clinical application of the principles of pharmaceutical
sciences.
Clinical pharmacy is that area within the pharmacy curriculum
which deals with patient care, placing an emphasis on drug therapy.
Clinical pharmacy seeks to develop a patient-oriented attitude in the
student. The education of pharmacists who are able to meet the needs of
society can be attained only through a careful blending of theoretical
course work and clinical experiences.
The clinical component of the pharmacy curriculum varies from
school to school, however, the basic objectives are the same. Some of
these objectives are (1) to help students become more aware of the
general methods of diagnosis and patient care specifically related to
drug therapy, (2) to develop students' communication skills for
effective interaction with patients and with practitioners of other
health professions, (3) to help students develop a patient awareness in
the practice of pharmacy, (4) to enable students to integrate the
knowledge acquired in course work prior to clinical exposure, and to
apply it to the solution of real problems, and (5) to develop students'
awareness of their responsibility for monitoring the drugs taken by
patients.
Choice of School
No country in the world has more colleges of pharmacy than the
United States, nor does any country have as many different kinds of
pharmacy colleges. Some of them are in our largest cities, others are in
small towns. A few colleges are independent institutions, while the vast
majority are parts of universities, state colleges, municipal
institutions of higher education, or of denominational universities.
Almost every state has at least one college of pharmacy.
Students who are considering pharmacy frequently ask, "Where
can I study pharmacy?" Some also want an answer to, "Which
college is the best one?" The
first question is answered easily. A list of the 92 schools and
colleges
of pharmacy may be found on the American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy
Web site, http://www.aacp.org. The American Council on
Pharmaceutical Education periodically examines these colleges to
accredit the pharmacy program.
A non-accredited pharmacy program may be legally recognized by the
board of pharmacy in the state in which it is located, but graduates of
the college who wish to practice pharmacy in any other state will
probably be denied permission to do so.
There is no satisfactory answer to the question, "Which
college is the best one?" Due to institutional policy and faculty
strength, one college may be unusually strong in administration courses,
a second one in chemistry, a third in pharmacology. Or, a college may be
good in almost all of the basic and professional fields. One college may
offer the student advantages in extracurricular activities, and another
may be especially strong in emphasis on ethical values. College A may
have a brand new building, but College B in the old building may have
superior equipment. College C may have a faculty with an outstanding
research or public service reputation.
A better question from the thoughtful prospective pharmacy student
is, "Everything considered, what is the best college of pharmacy
for me?" You will want to investigate several possible college
choices. A visit to one or more colleges of pharmacy is a valuable means
for learning, first hand, more about the college as well as more about
tuition and other costs involved. As a pharmacy student you will spend a
considerable amount of money, and at least three years, at the college
of pharmacy. Since education is an investment for a lifetime, visits to
colleges in which you are interested are very important.
A visit with the dean, admissions officer or faculty members at
the college(s) of pharmacy you are considering will be particularly
helpful. If you are currently enrolled in a two or four-year college and
are just beginning to explore career options, you should make it a point
to talk with the health professions advisor at your campus. These
individuals are excellent sources of information.
Alumni and practicing pharmacists who have attended various
colleges also can be helpful in giving their impressions of the
institutions. Frequently high school counselors, science teachers, and
principals can give information about one or more specific colleges.
All colleges publish catalogs and frequently additional literature
which will gladly be furnished upon request. It would be to your
advantage to request catalogs from the schools in which you are
interested to study and compare.
Expenses
"What is all of this going to cost?" is certainly an
important question. How much it will cost depends on where you enroll,
how far it is from your hometown, and the extent to which public dollars
are used to support the institution.
One thing should be stressed. Every dollar you spend on your
education is a dollar well invested. The returns in direct salary
benefits and in other less tangible gains will be far in excess of your
initial investment. You should know, also, that it is possible today for
nearly every student who meets academic and personal qualifications to
get as much education as they desire.
Sources of Financial Aid
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, itself, does not
administer any student assistance programs. Most loan and scholarship
programs are administered by the financial aid office on each college
campus. The aid officers, therefore, are the most reliable sources of
current and complete information regarding financial assistance
available for students interested in studying pharmacy. The following
outline of sources of financial aid only generally discusses the types
of programs available. You are advised to write directly to the
financial aid office identified in the pharmacy school's catalog for
specific information and application forms.
Federal Scholarships and Loans
- Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunities
Grants-federal scholarships available for the neediest undergraduate
students.
- College Work Study Program-a combination of federal and
local school funds used to pay salaries for students who work on campus.
- National Direct Student Loan Program-a campus-based,
low-interest bearing loan program for undergraduate students.
- Stafford Loan Program and Parent Loans for Undergraduate
Student Educational loan programs administered by local banking
institutions.
- Health Professions Student loans federal loan programs for
which pharmacy students are currently eligible.
State Scholarships and Loans
Consult your high school counselor, college advisor, or write the
state department of education to find out what financial assistance may
be available from your state.
College Scholarships and Loans
Pharmacy colleges also administer student financial assistance
funds provided by local or state pharmaceutical associations and their
auxiliaries, practicing pharmacists, drug manufacturers and wholesalers,
memorial funds and foundations, alumni associations, local chapters of
pharmaceutical organizations and fraternities, as well as general
university funds allocated for this purpose. For further information
about aid which may be available, write to the college of pharmacy of
your choice. Preprofessional students may be eligible to receive similar
assistance from the community colleges or universities they plan to
attend before entering professional schools.
Other Sources of Assistance
We recommend working closely with your high school or college
advisors. They can sometimes be the best source of information about
grants or scholarships which go beyond federal and state programs. You
should also look outside of the health professions for support which you
may be able to compete successfully for on an economic basis, or
investigate private groups and associations which may provide
academically awarded scholarships.
The Next Step
The "Shall I Study Pharmacy" information on this Web
site was developed to help you answer the question for yourself, to
provide you with general information so that you may begin to make an
informed decision about your future. You will note that some areas, such
as school specific information and legal issues, were not touched upon.
You may obtain information about the legal requirements for practice
from the board of pharmacy in the state which you have an interest in
practicing. We did not discuss dormitory living or other housing, social
activities, honorary or professional sororities or fraternities,
athletics or other extracurricular activities, or professional societies
or other interest groups because these will differ from school to
school.
As you evaluate your financial and educational options it is
important to remember that pharmacy graduates are among the most sought
after of health professionals. The career options are numerous, salaries
outstanding and commitment rewarding. Any investment in a pharmaceutical
education will guarantee you an excellent future.
Contact one or more of the colleges or schools listed on the
following pages. You will find the admissions personnel and other
faculty members anxious to answer your questions about pharmacy and
about their institution's programs. Likewise, if you desire more
information or have further questions which have not been addressed in
this booklet, you may want to consider reading one or more of the
publications in the list which follows.
Publications which may be of assistance
Pharmacy School Admission Requirements (PSAR)
Published yearly by:
American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy
Price: $25.00 each + $3.00 shipping and handling (Payment must
accompany order)
Price subject to change.
Opportunities in Pharmacy Careers
by Fred B. Gable
Published by:
National Textbook Co.
4255 W. Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60646
Price: $6.95 pprbk.; $9.95 hdbk.
Employment Outlook for Pharmacists
From Occupational outlook Handbook
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
Price: $8.50
Pharmacy: Career Planning and Professional
Opportunities
Edited by T. Donald Rucker
Published by:
Health Administration Press
School of Public Health
The University of Michigan
102 E. Horan St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Price $24.00
The Pfizer Guide: Pharmacy Career Opportunities
Published by:
Merritt Communications inc.
142 Ferry Road, Suite 13
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Available free. |
