Pharmacists are medication experts who specialize in the safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. If your doctor has ever prescribed you a medication, there’s a good chance you met a community pharmacist during pick-up at your hospital or local drugstore. But what we really want to dive into is how to become a pharmacist.
Pharmacists’ roles have expanded beyond simply counting and dispensing pills. If you desire to work as part of a healthcare team, are interested in learning about medications, and enjoy educating others about leading a healthier life, becoming a pharmacist might be an excellent career for you.
This article will cover everything you need to know about becoming a pharmacist, including what they do, how to become one, career outlook, salary information, and everything else you need to get started in an exciting career as a pharmacist!
Pharmacists are highly respected members of the public health community with expertise in preparing, dispensing, storing, and using medications.
Pharmacists also educate patients on all aspects of their prescriptions, including:
To become a pharmacist, you need to complete the following steps:
Pharmacy students must complete a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field or at least two years of undergraduate pre-pharmacy preparatory classes.
Check with your desired pharmacy program to see what requirements you will need for entry. Pharmacy schools also usually require a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an emphasis on biology, physics, and chemistry courses.
Take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Most pharmacy schools currently require the PCAT as part of their admissions process.
The PCAT has sections that test verbal ability, chemistry, biology, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, and writing skills.
Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, or Pharm.D, from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). These programs usually take four years to complete, though some schools offer expedited programs that take three years.
Pharmacy school will include training in a healthcare setting and include coursework in several topics, including:
In general, you will need to obtain your undergraduate degree, which will take two to four years. At this time, you only need to have a two-year degree in order to apply and be accepted to pharmacy school. Then, you'll complete a pharmacist degree, which takes four years.
So, how long does it take to become a pharmacist? It can take anywhere from six to eight years to become a pharmacist.
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who safely dispense medications to patients with the help of pharmacy technicians. They perform several tasks regularly, such as:
Most pharmacists work in hospitals or community pharmacies. But you will also find pharmacists working in a variety of areas that require medication dispensing, including:
Pharmacists’ specific duties depend on the type of pharmacy practice they perform and their work environment. For example, hospital pharmacists ensure safe medication distribution for inpatient use. Hospital pharmacists will also meet with patients to review medications, interactions, side effects, and correct usage instructions upon discharge.
Some pharmacists work in the pharmaceutical industry or for government agencies. In this role, they assist with developing and improving new medications while ensuring safety and effectiveness.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for pharmacists is $132,750, or $63.82 per hour.
The top-paying states for pharmacists are:
Where a pharmacist works also impacts salary potential. The BLS states that in 2022 the top median wages for pharmacists per workplace were:
Many additional factors impact annual income, including years of experience, education level, geographical area, and if a pharmacist works full-time or part-time. Also, some pharmacists own their own pharmacy and work for themselves, while others work as employees.
Many pharmacists also receive paid time off, sick leave, personal days, health insurance, tuition reimbursement, bonuses, and more.
Once the pharmacy school curriculum is complete, students will need to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) or an exam specific to the state in which they will work.
Though pharmacists are essential workers in the healthcare setting, the BLS anticipates a 3% increase in the need for pharmacists between 2022 and 2032.
Several reasons for this include a low number of anticipated pharmacist retirements, an 85% increase in pharmacy graduates, and increases in pharmaceutical automation.
However, until 2032, there will still be a need for 13,400 pharmacists each year to work in hospitals, ambulatory care centers, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare settings.
Every U.S. state requires pharmacists to complete continuing education. However, each state has its own specific requirements for the number of credit hours, the frequency of renewal, and specific course requirements.
Standard continuing education topic requirements include pharmacy and drug law, medication errors, patient safety, HIV/AIDS, and opioid abuse.
There are professional resources available, including:
