Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration, Other

Adults seeking an education in medicine and health care may want to work in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and administration. Pharmaceutical scientists develop and create medication that can prevent and fight disease. To become a pharmaceutical scientist, training is necessary. This training may be obtained through a school, college, or university from a program which may result in either a diploma or certification. Employment opportunities should be good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), employment in pharmaceutical sciences is expected to grow due to the increasing pharmaceutical needs of an aging population and its increased use of medications.

Related articles to Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration, Other article contains education and career information for those pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sciences and administration. The article includes a list of universities offering pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration programs.

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Administration The Bachelor's Degree of Pharmaceutical Administration arose in response to the recent boom in the pharmaceutical industry and the subsequent need for confident, decisive individuals who can manage large bureaucracies. Graduates will likely find career positions in a commercial pharmaceutical company at a managerial level. In these careers, Pharmaceutical Administrators' primary tasks will include decision making, problem solving and coordinating various departments of a pharmaceutical business such as Pharmacology, Research and Development and Marketing.

Career Information for a Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration and similar degree programs are designed to help students understand important concepts in pharmaceutical practice and research, including chemistry, toxicology and pharmacology. Graduates of these degree programs might work as pharmacists, pharmaceutical sales representatives or postsecondary teachers, depending on the type of degree earned.

Pharmacist School

What is the Most Common Pharmacist School Program?

Doctor of Pharmacy
Pharmacists dispense medicine and provide information to patients regarding drug side effects, interactions and proper dosage. Due to the high level of responsibility associated with the profession, there is a standard Pharmacist school degree program that qualifies candidates who wish to pursue a career in the pharmacy field. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is not a graduate degree, but is considered a professional degree. To earn this degree, one must first complete a 2-year pre-pharmacy program before moving into a 4-year Doctor of Pharmacy professional program. The pre-pharmacy program includes general education courses as well as pharmacy related courses in college level chemistry, biology and physics. The curriculum in the professional program involves advanced courses in pharmacology, biometrics, chemistry and therapeutics, as well as an intensive final year that includes six to eight different clinical rotations in various specialties and settings. Many schools of pharmacy allow students to concurrently earn a master's or Ph.D. along with the Pharm.D., providing students the opportunity to perform pharmaceutical research; typically, it takes two or three more years to earn this extra degree. Students often have the option of completing all 6 years required for earning this doctorate degree at the same college or university; students may also complete the pre-pharmacy program at a different school than the 4-year program. Candidates who have already completed equivalent courses while earning a bachelor's degree may apply directly to the professional Pharm.D. program. Pharmacist school programs frequently consider letters of recommendation, grade point average and Pharmacy College Admissions Test scores in choosing candidates for admission. Upon earning the Doctor of Pharmacy, graduates must obtain licensure before beginning work in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and in home health. In most states, candidates are required to pass The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam, which test pharmacy knowledge and law, respectively.

Pharmacist Trainings

Students searching for pharmacist training found the following resources, articles, links, and information helpful.

Those who have an interest in medical and health professions may choose to enter the pharmaceutical sciences and administration field. Pharmacists prescribe medication. They must understand several aspects of drugs such as their uses, properties, and effects in order to counsel physicians, nurse practitioners, and patients about prescriptions. In order to pursue this career, training is required. Training can be obtained through a school, college, or university. Depending on the program, a student may receive a diploma or certification. One must also pass an examination to be able to receive a license. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment opportunities are expected to be good through 2012 because the numbers of degrees granted through pharmacy programs are expected to be less than the number of job openings

Pharmacist Degree

A pharmacist degree program prepares students to dispense prescription medications, counsel patients regarding drugs and consult with physicians with regard to patients' drug treatment plans. In order to become a licensed pharmacist, students must graduate from a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, complete an internship and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam. Some states also require pharmacist degree program graduates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam. Before enrolling in the Pharm.D. program, students must complete an undergraduate pre-pharmacy program and pass the entrance exam. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) expects excellent job opportunities for pharmacists in the coming years.

Typical Curriculum for a Pharmacist Degree Program:

• Medical Biochemistry
• General Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical Formulation
• Pharmacy Calculations
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Clinical Pharmacokinetics
• Chemical Dependency
• Pharmacy Laws and Ethics

Pharmacist Assistant Certifications

Pharmacist Assistant Certification and Diploma Program Information

Prospective students searching for pharmacist assistant certification found the following resources, articles, links, and information helpful.

Occupation: Pharmacy Technician

Adults pursuing an education in medicine or health may choose to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians provide patients with medicine and healthcare products while working alongside with a certified pharmacist.

Few states regulate pharmacy technicians, so many are trained on site. Those who want formal training may participate in a program at a school, college, or university. These programs may result in a diploma or certification.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook is extremely good, especially for those with certification or formal training. For further information, try the National Pharmacy Technician Association's website at www.pharmacytechnician.org.

Pharmacist Certifications

Pharmacist Certification and Diploma Programs

People searching for pharmacist certification found the following information relevant and useful.
Those who have an interest in medical and health professions may choose to enter the pharmaceutical sciences and administration field. Pharmacists prescribe medication. They must understand several aspects of drugs such as their uses, properties, and effects in order to counsel physicians, nurse practitioners, and patients about prescriptions. In order to pursue this career, training is required. Training can be obtained through a school, college, or university. Depending on the program, a student may receive a diploma or certification. One must also pass an examination to be able to receive a license. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), employment opportunities are expected to be good through 2012 because the numbers of degrees granted through pharmacy programs are expected to be less than the number of job openings.

Pediatric Pharmacists

Job Description and Requirements for Becoming a Pediatric Pharmacist

Pediatric Pharmacists must possess a license and a Pharm.D. degree in order to find a job. Careers related to Pediatric Pharmacy include pharmacy technology, chemistry, medical science, pharmacy science and nursing.

Pediatric Pharmacist Career Definition
Pediatric Pharmacists counsel children and their parents about medication and write prescriptions as needed. They track their patients' medical progress and make sure that there are no harmful drug interactions or unexpected side effects. Pediatric Pharmacists often work in medical facilities like doctor's offices, pharmacies and hospitals.

How to Become a Pediatric Pharmacist
Education Required for a Career in Pediatric Pharmacy
Pediatric Pharmacists must have a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited school and hold a state license to legally work in the field. The requirements for the license can vary by state, but they usually involve passing a number of written tests. Most Pharm.D. programs admit students who have already completed two or three years of college-level courses and the programs themselves often take several additional years, often including a period of residency. Students who want to become Pediatric Pharmacists should take classes like biology, chemistry, pharmacology and research techniques.

Necessary Skills for a Career as a Pediatric Pharmacist
Pediatric Pharmacists need to have excellent communication skills and should be good with children. They need an eye for detail and should have a firm understanding of medications' effects on the human body.

Career and Economic Outlook for a Pediatric Pharmacy
While there isn't much data related directly to Pediatric Pharmacy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) does predict job growth of about 22% over the next several years for pharmacy as a whole while new medications are developed to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual salary for a pharmacist at about $95,000.

Pharmacist Education

Career Degrees to Become a Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Training

What are the Education Requirements to Become a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs and advise patients on the dosages, side-effects and selection of medicines. Before practicing, a Pharmacist is required to earn a Pharm.D. degree and pass a state licensure exam. Pharmacist education requirements in a Pharm.D. program include both coursework and clinical preparation. Pharmacy students are educated in understanding diagnosis, treatment of diseases and the use and cost-effectiveness of medical drugs. Students in a Pharmacist education program also acquire basic skills in the emotional and physiological implications of illness and disease and learn how to speak professionally with doctors and patients. Pharmacist education programs usually include 2-years of pre-pharmacy study and 4-years of additional pharmacy courses, which include pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, medical chemistry, physiology, statistics, pharmacology, human anatomy, non-prescription drugs, therapeutic patient monitoring and pharmacy administration. The clinical portion of the Pharmacist degree program varies at each university or college. Advanced education options for pharmacy students include residency programs or Master of Science and Ph.D. programs in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacy administration or pharmaceutical chemistry.