What Should My Major Be?
Biology and Chemistry are popular pre-pharmacy majors because they typically fulfill pharmacy school prerequisites courses as part of the major. However, you can major in anything and still gain acceptance to pharmacy school, as long as you take the prerequisite courses and perform well.
Affiliations with Colleges of Pharmacy
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program requires at least 2-years of specific undergraduate college study followed by 4-academic years (or 3-calendar years) of professional pharmacy study.
The majority of programs accept students into the professional pharmacy degree program after the completion of the college course prerequisites. The majority of students enter a pharmacy program with 3 or more years of college experience. Some pharmacy admission offices require or give preference to applicants who have previously earned a baccalaureate (B.S./B.A.) degree. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree must still complete the full 4-academic years (or 3-calendar) years of pharmacy study.
Broad Array of Sciences
Understanding that pharmacists need a broad understanding of science, business, and communication, pharmacy schools look for students with diverse educational experiences. For consideration for admission to most pharmacy schools, you will need at least one year of general biology with labs, one year of general or inorganic chemistry with labs, one year of organic chemistry with labs, one year of general physics with labs, one semester of statistics, one semester of microbiology, and calculus. Be sure and check with the pharmacy school you want to attend to find out their individual requirements for admission.
- Retail Pharmacist: Retail pharmacists work directly with patients in pharmacies, dispensing medications, providing medication counseling, and answering questions about medications. They also work with insurance companies to process prescriptions and ensure patients are receiving the correct medications at the right dosage.
- Clinical Pharmacist: Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to provide medication expertise to patients and healthcare providers. They review patients’ medications, identify potential drug interactions, and make recommendations to optimize patient outcomes. Clinical pharmacists also play an important role in educating patients and healthcare providers about medication safety and efficacy.
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D) Pharmacist: Pharmaceutical R&D pharmacists work in the pharmaceutical industry to develop new drugs and therapies. They may work in laboratories conducting research, designing clinical trials, or analyzing data. They may also work in regulatory affairs, ensuring that new drugs meet safety and efficacy standards.
- Managed Care Pharmacist: Managed care pharmacists work for insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to review drug formularies, negotiate drug prices and develop medication policies. They also may work with patients and healthcare providers to ensure that patients are receiving the most appropriate and cost-effective medications.
- Pharmacy Informatics Specialist: Pharmacy informatics specialists use their knowledge of pharmacy and technology to develop and implement new systems for managing medications. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings to develop and maintain electronic prescribing systems, medication dispensing systems, and other pharmacy-related software.
These are just a few of the many career opportunities available to graduates of pre-pharmacy programs. With a strong foundation in science, healthcare principles, and problem-solving skills, pre-pharmacy graduates are well-positioned for a variety of rewarding careers in the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare field.
