Chapter 2 : Education in Pharmacy
Topics covered in this snack-sized chapter:
Rising in prominence, and generally one of the most in-demand courses of study in modern universities
Pharmacists are medical professionals who dispense prescription drugs; they consult with doctors, patients, and other healthcare service providers to ensure that the proper prescription and dosages are given.
To join the profession, one has to get a degree from a university.
In some countries, registration with its regulatory board is a must before practicing the profession.
Another prerequisite is also a certain number of hours of experience under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
A written or oral examination is also often conducted to test the competency of the prospective pharmacist before granting him or her license.
During the year 1992, all the colleges of pharmacy in the United States voted to make the Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) the only professional pharmacy degree.
Currently in the United States, to become a licensed pharmacist, the student will have to complete a Doctor’s degree of Pharmacy which requires completion of four years at an accredited college of pharmacy.
Pharmacy students must complete a standard undergraduate program before they can be accepted into any post-graduate pharmacy program.
Since admission is highly competitive, additional requirements may include:
- PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
When the student is enrolled, usually he/she has to complete a four year pharmacy program, though some schools offer three year accelerated programs.
The curriculum is geared towards producing pharmacists who have the capacity and proficiency necessary to:
- Provide pharmaceutical care
- Provide drug information and education
- Develop and manage medication distribution and control systems
The curriculum begins with these core pharmaceutical sciences:
- Medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry
Training in the therapeutic application of pharmacologic agents begins only after students are proficient in the fundamentals of pharmacy.
Students will learn how to recognize and assess risk factors for disease, interpret clinical data and, most importantly, be able to recognize interactions between drugs and disease states.
Other essential courses throughout the program include:
Didactics (meaning to teach) are also provided to enhance the skills and competencies of students. This includes experience under the supervision of a preceptor.
If the practice experience objectives are successfully met, then the student will gain academic credits and satisfy state pharmacy board requirements for internship.
Completion of all professional curriculum and practice experience objectives will qualify a student for a degree in Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
The next step will be to take and pass the licensure examination.
The following are included in the foundational courses in pharmaceutical practices:
- Pharm.D. accreditation - students may consider Pharm.D. programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
- Pharm.D. coursework - the curricula include coursework in pharmacy law, pharmacotherapy, dosage forms and health management as well as familiarization with equipment used on the job, including filling machines and flow cabinets
- Clinical experience - this is a major segment of a Pharm.D. program
In order for a pharmacist to practice the profession in the state of his or her choice, a license from that state's pharmacy board must be acquired.
To obtain a license, the following must be complied:
- Graduation from an accredited American Association College of Pharmacy (AACP)
- Passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
NAPLEX tests applicants on pharmacotherapy, dispensing medications, and providing accurate healthcare information.
The titles one may earn are "pharmacist" or "registered pharmacist" ("R.Ph.").
All states oblige applicants to take either the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) or a state sponsored exam that tests students on the legal aspects of the pharmacy practice, licensure requirements and the regulatory laws that govern the profession.
The NAPLEX and the MPJE are administered by the National Association of Pharmacy Boards.
The license must be periodically renewed by carrying out continuing education and other requirements as prescribed by the state of licensure.
When a pharmacy student has newly graduated, he may choose to complete an optional post-graduate residency (one to three years) rather than entering directly into pharmacy practice; this way he can further sharpen his clinical skills in a structured environment.