Pharmacy Careers: A Prescription for Success
by Gina Garrison, Pharm.D.
Associate Professor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
One of the most trusted and accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are the
medication experts. But few understand the educational background and diverse opportunities
available in pharmacy, or how the profession is evolving in many exciting ways.
A pharmacist’s 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. Today’s pharmacists can take a patient’s 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 pharmacy’s 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 that’s 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
person’s 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,
imagine a pharmacist there as well. Beyond direct patient care, pharmaceutical opportunities
exist in health maintenance organizations (HMO’s), insurance companies, or the government.
Others may choose academia, helping educate the next generation of pharmacists.
While it’s 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 master’s 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 people—something 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
The pharm school admission process
In addition to academic achievement, admission counselors need to see students have a
fundamental understanding of the pharmacist’s role and can articulate why they would like to join
the profession. Admission counselors place a high value on students with work or volunteer
experience in a pharmacy or health care setting, though this is not required. They also want to
see students in leadership positions, including extracurricular organizations or sports, which
often develop the ability to think on one’s feet and manage difficult situations.
To practice pharmacy in the United States, you must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
(Pharm.D.). Students who enter pharmacy programs directly from high school can complete the
degree in six years. Those who are not prepared to make such a commitment can pursue the
Pharm.D. after receiving an associate or bachelor’s degree. (For these students, it’s usually six
to eight years from the time they graduate from high school.)
For those entering directly from high school, the first two years of the curriculum—the pre
pharmacy program—combine traditional liberal arts course work (e.g., writing, public speaking)
with a strong emphasis on math and science (e.g., organic chemistry, microbiology, calculus).
The professional pharmacy program then begins the third year of college and typically lasts four
years.
Depending on the school, students who complete the pre-pharmacy program may have to
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.
The career ahead
It can be a challenging road, but the rewards are substantial. Once you identify your path in
pharmacy, you will find a profession with above-average employment prospects and salaries.
Several short- and long-term trends indicate the future for pharmacists will remain bright for
years to come. As new and more complex drugs come to market, patients will increasingly
depend on pharmacists to help them understand and manage these medications. And the
passage of the 2010 health care reform bill (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) will
expand health care coverage to many more Americans, which is expected to spur the need for
more pharmacists and other health professionals.
Accordingly, the job outlook for pharmacists continues to be very strong. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reports the demand for pharmacists is expected to grow 17% between 2008 and
2018—faster than the average for all occupations. This is, in part, why they earn excellent
salaries. As of May 2009, the median annual salary for pharmacists was $109,180, according to
the BLS. The middle 50% earned between $95,780 and $123,330 a year. Salaries increase
based on longevity, achievement, and moving into management or executive positions.
Pharmacists play a key role in keeping people healthy. From counseling patients on proper use
of their medications to developing proactive health programs, pharmacists make a difference in