Becoming a pharmacist requires extensive higher education, including completing specific college courses and passing licensure exams. Pharmacy programs typically take four years to complete and include classroom instruction and working with licensed pharmacists. Continuing education is also important for pharmacists.
The term “pharmacist” is the historical title of a person who prepares and sells medicines. It is also the name of a style of furniture designed with many small drawers, as would be found in a pharmaceutical company to store medicinal compounds. In modern times, a person who prepares and sells medicines is often called a pharmacist. To become a pharmacist or pharmacist, you will need extensive higher education, including a medical or pharmaceutical degree. Licensure and licensure exams are also typically required to become a pharmacist.
To qualify for admission to a pharmacy program, you will need to complete specific college courses before pharmacy, which typically take two to three years. Courses do not need to be completed at the same school as the PharmD program. Course requirements may vary between programs; therefore, check the programs you are interested in applying to for specific requirements. Pre-pharmacy courses often include studies in basic sciences such as chemistry, biology, and anatomy. Humanities, English-language composition, and social and behavioral science classes are also often part of pre-pharmacy courses.
Along with pre-pharmacy courses, entrance tests are often required to enter pharmacy programs. Some graduate schools have pre-pharmacy clubs that help prepare students for admission to pharmacy programs. If the school where you plan to complete your undergraduate degree has a club, applying may be helpful if you want to become a pharmacist.
Pharmacy programs are typically designed to produce well-rounded pharmacists with strong experience in drug therapies as well as good communication skills and business management knowledge. The PharmD program typically takes four years to complete. It includes classroom instruction and time working with licensed pharmacists. Upon completion of the course, graduates must pass licensing exams in pharmaceutical knowledge, pharmaceutical law and other areas. Criminal background checks are sometimes required before licensing, depending on where you live.
Some pharmacy program graduates undertake residencies or fellowships to gain experience working in clinical settings or as researchers. To enhance their research qualifications, prospective pharmaceutical researchers can also earn a doctorate. Pharmacy graduates planning to open their own pharmacies can pursue advanced degrees in business administration or a related field.
Continuing education is important for pharmacists. To renew their licenses each year, they need to take courses to stay current on new drugs, drug therapies, and drug interactions. In addition to educational requirements, some of the important traits to become an apothecary are a highly ethical personality, a detailed orientation, and strong people skills.
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