pharmaceutical companies in standard dosages and drug delivery forms. Most pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a retail drugstore, or in a health- care facility, such as a hospital. Pharmacists in community pharmacies
dispense medications, counsel patients on the use of prescription and over-the-coun- ter medications, and advise physicians about medication therapy. They also ad- vise patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, and stress manage- ment, and provide information on prod- ucts, such as durable medical equipment or home healthcare supplies. In addition, they often complete third-party insurance forms and other paperwork. Those who own or manage community pharmacies may sell non-health-related merchandise, hire and supervise personnel, and oversee the general operation of the pharmacy. Some community pharmacists provide specialized services to help patients with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pres- sure. Some pharmacists are trained to ad- minister vaccinations. Pharmacists in healthcare facilities dis-
pense medications and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs. They may make sterile solutions to be ad- ministered intravenously. They also plan, monitor, and evaluate drug programs or regimens. They may counsel hospitalized patients on the use of drugs before the pa- tients are discharged. Some pharmacists specialize in specif-
ic drug therapy areas, such as intravenous nutrition support, oncology (cancer), nu- clear pharmacy (used for chemotherapy), geriatric pharmacy, and psychiatric phar- macy (the use of drugs to treat mental dis- orders). Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of patients’ drug therapies to prevent harmful drug interac- tions. Pharmacists are responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, but they often rely upon pharmacy technicians to assist them in the dispens- ing medications. (Pharmacy technicians are covered elsewhere in the Handbook.) Thus, the pharmacist may delegate pre- scription-filling and administrative tasks
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and supervise their completion. Pharma- cists also frequently oversee pharmacy students serving as interns. Some pharmacists are involved in re-
search for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and testing their ef- fects. Others work in marketing or sales, providing clients with expertise on the use, effectiveness, and possible side ef- fects of drugs. Some pharmacists work for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefit packages and carrying out cost-benefit analyses on certain drugs. Other pharmacists work for the govern- ment, managed care organizations, public healthcare services, or the armed services. Finally, some pharmacists are employed full time or part time as college faculty, teaching classes and performing research in a wide range of areas.
Work environment. Pharmacists work in clean, well-light-
ed, and well-ventilated areas. Many phar- macists spend most of their workday on their feet. When working with sterile or dangerous pharmaceutical products, phar- macists wear gloves, masks, and other protective equipment. Most pharmacists work about 40 hours
a week, but about 12 percent worked more than 50 hours per week in 2008. In addi- tion, about 19 percent of pharmacists worked part-time. Many community and hospital pharmacies are open for extended hours, so pharmacists may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Consultant pharmacists may travel to healthcare facilities to monitor patients’ drug therapies.
Education and training. Pharmacists who are trained in the
United States must earn a Pharm.D. de- gree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. The Pharm.D. degree has re- placed the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which is no longer being awarded. To be admitted to a Pharm.D. program, an ap- plicant must have completed at least 2 years of specific professional study. This requirement generally includes courses in
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mathematics and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sci- ences. In addition, most applicants have completed 3 or more years at a college or university before moving on to a Pharm.D. program, although this is not specifically required.
Pharm.D. programs generally take 4
years to complete. The courses offered are designed to teach students about all as- pects of drug therapy. In addition, students learn how to communicate with patients and other healthcare providers about drug information and patient care. Students also learn professional ethics, concepts of public health, and business management. In addition to receiving classroom instruc- tion, students in Pharm.D. programs spend time working with licensed pharmacists in a variety of practice settings. Employment is expected to increase
faster than the average. As a result of job growth, the need to replace workers who leave the occupation, and the limited ca- pacity of training programs, job prospects should be excellent.
Employment change. Employment of pharmacists is expect-
ed to grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing num- bers of middle-aged and elderly people— who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will continue to spur demand for pharmacists throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances lead to new drug products, and as an increasing number of people obtain prescription drug coverage, the need for these workers will continue to expand. Median annual wages of wage and sal-
ary pharmacists in May 2008 were $106,410. The middle 50 percent earned between $92,670 and $121,310 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $77,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $131,440 a year.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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