Path to Become a Pharmacist

by Jeffrey Joyner, Demand Media

The path to becoming a pharmacist is neither short nor easy. Pharmacists must complete an extensive education and pass a series of exams before practicing in their profession. However, those who complete the journey typically receive multiple offers of employment in an occupation that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will grow approximately 25 percent between 2010 and 2020. The median salary for pharmacists as of 2011 was $113,390 per year, the BLS reports.

Pharmacists do more than count out pills and affix labels to bottles. They must also verify that a new prescription can be safely taken with any other drugs already prescribed for the patient. They counsel patients on the potential side effects of the medication; any foods or activities to avoid; and other aspects related to the drugs being dispensed. Pharmacists who work in retail settings frequently assist customers in selecting over-the-counter medications or supplies. In retail, hospital and research settings, pharmacists may compound medicines, a process of creating customized drugs by mixing individual ingredients. Pharmacists must also know and obey all laws controlling prescription drugs, from filling a doctor’s prescription to maintaining the proper inventory records.

Training to become a pharmacist begins with undergraduate work. Some pharmacy school programs require applicants to have bachelor’s degrees, while others accept students who have completed two to three years of college courses. Undergraduate courses that are typically required include physics, general chemistry, biology and chemistry, along with the labs corresponding to each course. Calculus and English composition are typically required as well. Undergraduate courses in microbiology, anatomy, economics, public speaking and physiology are helpful.

A pharmacist must obtain a doctorate degree from an accredited pharmacy school. Most programs require applicants to successfully complete the Pharmacy College Admissions Test, commonly referred to as the PCAT, for admission. The exact score required varies by school, but the maximum achievable PCAT score is 600. Accepted students normally score in the top 30 percent. According to Florida Atlantic University, most pharmacy colleges require prospective students to submit their applications online through the Pharmacy College Application Service’s website. Students must also meet the minimum grade point average required by the school to which they are applying, typically between 3.0 and 3.5.

Completing pharmacy school requires between three and four years, depending on the program. The primary focus is on pharmacology, which is the study of how the body reacts to drugs; pharmaceutical chemistry, which applies the principles of chemistry to understanding drugs; and pharmacognosy, which is the study of natural or herbal supplements and drugs. Programs often include courses in managing a business, as well as pharmacy controls and practices. Students must also complete their clinical requirements by working in a retail or hospital pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Once a student obtains a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree, he must obtain a license. Two tests are required for licensure. The first is the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam, which is mandatory in every state and covers general pharmacy knowledge and skills. The second covers the laws related to pharmacy operations that are specific to the state in which the pharmacist will be working. As an example, aspiring pharmacists in New Jersey must pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam.

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