Pharmacist Or Pharmacy Students!?

Question

I am currently a junior in high school but an extremely ambicious student. I want to fulfill my dream of becoming a pharmacist and I would like to be informed on the basics.

My main question is where and how do you complete the Pre-pharmacy courses?

I do understand that it is 2 years in various scientific courses.

Can it be done in a community college?

Where it is done will affect the chances of being accepted into a school of pharmacy?

All answers please only by Pharmacist or Pharmacy Students.

Thank You.

Answer 1

My main question is where and how do you complete the Pre-pharmacy courses?


You can complete your prereqs anywhere, even at JC, but I would not recommend this.

I do understand that it is 2 years in various scientific courses.

Can it be done in a community college? YES

Where it is done will affect the chances of being accepted into a school of pharmacy?

It can, however, if you have aced all of your classes, it is hard to not accept you.

For more info about getting into pharmacy school visit http://www.getintopharmacyschool.com

Answer 2

It can be done at a CC in theory, but in reality, it is not recommended. The chances of acceptance are slim if you do that. The majority of students now have a bachelors.

Answer 3

Maybe you should do a bit more research first.

Major: Pharmacology

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Pharmacology as “the science of drugs, including their composition, uses, and effects.” Falling within the realm of pharmaceutical sciences, Pharmacology focuses on exactly how drugs work and what kinds of reactions certain drugs cause in our bodies. As a Pharmacology major you’ll gain a solid foundation in biology and chemistry. Most students then choose to pursue further education in graduate or medical school.

Your studies in Pharmacology should expose you to the molecular mechanics of a medication and the design and testing of new drugs. You might choose to focus on the clinical side of pharmacology, in which you’ll study drug dosage regimens and ways to improve treatment and minimize risk. You’ll learn about how different drugs interact, and which drugs treat certain diseases most effectively. With all of this knowledge, you could one day change the way medicine is practiced by inventing the drug that cures AIDS or the common cold.

Major: Pharmacy

Maybe it’s the long white coats or the curiosity of what goes on behind that big counter. Or perhaps you’ve already figured out that the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most rapidly developing fields in medicine today. It seems as if we’re able to go to our local pharmacist for just about everything, from headaches to foot pains to cures for high blood pressure.

At the heart of pharmaceuticals is the Pharmacy major. Pharmacy is sometimes listed within a broader pharmaceutical science major, which provides its students with the opportunity to pick a concentration in several different areas, such as medicinal chemistry or pharmacology. A major in Pharmacy prepares students to create new drugs that can fight cancer and administer prescription drugs to those who need them.

The science behind pharmaceuticals is expanding at an incredible rate, ushering in numerous advances in medicine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pharmacist

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

A license to practice pharmacy is required in all States, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. To obtain a license, the prospective pharmacist must graduate from a college of pharmacy that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and pass an examination. All States require the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), which tests pharmacy skills and knowledge, and 43 states and the District of Columbia require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), which tests pharmacy law. Both exams are administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Pharmacists in the eight states that do not require the MJPE must pass a state-specific exam that is similar to the MJPE. In addition to the NAPLEX and MPJE, some States require additional exams unique to their State. All States except California currently grant a license without extensive reexamination to qualified pharmacists who already are licensed by another State. In Florida, reexamination is not required if a pharmacist has passed the NAPLEX and MPJE within 12 years of his or her application for a license transfer. Many pharmacists are licensed to practice in more than one State. Most States require continuing education for license renewal. Persons interested in a career as a pharmacist should check with individual State boards of pharmacy for details on examination requirements, license renewal requirements, and license transfer procedures.

In 2004, 89 colleges of pharmacy were accredited to confer degrees by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Pharmacy programs grant the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), which requires at least 6 years of postsecondary study and the passing of a State board of pharmacy’s licensure examination. Courses offered at colleges of pharmacy are designed to teach students about all aspects of drug therapy. In addition, schools teach students how to communicate with patients and other health care providers about drug information and patient care. Students also learn professional ethics, how to develop and manage medication distribution systems, and concepts of public health. In addition to receiving classroom instruction, students in Pharm.D. programs spend about one-forth of their time learning in a variety of pharmacy practice settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. The Pharm.D. degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) degree, which is no longer being awarded.

The Pharm.D. is a 4-year program that requires at least 2 years of college study prior to admittance, although most applicants have completed 3 years. Entry requirements usually include courses in mathematics and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences. Approximately two-thirds of all colleges require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).

In 2003, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) launched the Pharmacy College Application Service, known as PharmCAS, for students who are interested in applying to schools and colleges of pharmacy. This centralized service allows applicants to use a single Web-based application and one set of transcripts to apply to multiple schools of pharmacy. A total of 43 schools participated in 2003.

In the 2003–04 academic year, 67 colleges of pharmacy awarded the master-of-science degree or the Ph.D. degree. Both degrees are awarded after the completion of a Pharm.D. degree and are designed for those who want more laboratory and research experience. Many master’s and Ph.D. degree holders do research for a drug company or teach at a university. Other options for pharmacy graduates who are interested in further training include 1-year or 2-year residency programs or fellowships. Pharmacy residencies are postgraduate training programs in pharmacy practice and usually require the completion of a research study. There currently are more than 700 residency training programs nationwide. Pharmacy fellowships are highly individualized programs that are designed to prepare participants to work in a specialized area of pharmacy, such clinical practice or research laboratories. Some pharmacists who run their own pharmacy obtain a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). Others may obtain a degree in public administration or public health.

Areas of graduate study include pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry (physical and chemical properties of drugs and dosage forms), pharmacology (effects of drugs on the body), toxicology and pharmacy administration.

Prospective pharmacists should have scientific aptitude, good communication skills, and a desire to help others. They also must be conscientious and pay close attention to detail, because the decisions they make affect human lives.

In community pharmacies, pharmacists usually begin at the staff level. In independent pharmacies, after they gain experience and secure the necessary capital, some become owners or part owners of pharmacies. Pharmacists in chain drugstores may be promoted to pharmacy supervisor or manager at the store level, then to manager at the district or regional level, and later to an executive position within the chain’s headquarters.

Hospital pharmacists may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry may advance in marketing, sales, research, quality control, production, packaging, or other areas.