Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use; clinical effects; and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Compounding—the actual mixing of ingredients to form powders, tablets, capsules, ointments, and solutions—is only a small part of a pharmacist's practice, because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in a standard dosage and drug delivery form. Most pharmacists work either in a community setting, such as a retail drug store where they answer questions about prescription drugs, or in a hospital or clinic where they dispense medications and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs.
Admission Requirements for Graduate-Level Programs
The Pharmacy College Admission Test is required to entry into Pharmacy school. For more information, visit our PCAT FAQ Sheet.
Undergraduate pre-requisites for graduate-level training in Pharmacy vary by academic institution, and students interested in the field of Pharmacy are encouraged to research individual requirements for programs of interest. As of 2006, the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree will be required for persons wishing to be licensed as pharmacists. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program requires at least 2‑years of specific pre‑professional (undergraduate) coursework followed by 4‑academic years (or 3‑calendar years) of professional study. Please note: While two years of undergraduate preparation are required, most Pharm.D. program applicants have three or four years of undergraduate coursework.
Examination of several pharmacy programs reveal that courses are similar but NOT identical. There are no rigid rules on curricula enforced in programs, but a common core of subjects is found in virtually every college of pharmacy curriculum. certain colleges emphasize certain subjects, and thus place less emphasis on others. In general, the following courses are generally required of pharmacy school applicants:
Introductory chemistry - 8 credits
Organic chemistry - 8 credits
Introductory physics - 8 credits
General biology - 8 credits
Math - 4 credits
Schools may also require prerequisite courses in English, economics, or other core disciplines and potential applicants are advised to research the specific programs to which they may want to apply. Additional information on this topic may be found at: http://www.aacp.org
An Overview of Graduate-Level Training in the Field of Pharmacy
Pharmacy programs grant the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) which requires at least 6 years of post secondary study and the passing of the licensure examination of a State board of pharmacy. This degree has replaced the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, which will cease to be awarded after 2005.
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program requires at least 2‑years of specific pre‑professional (undergraduate) coursework followed by 4‑academic years (or 3‑calendar years) of professional study. Pharmacy colleges and schools may accept students directly from high school for both the pre‑pharmacy and pharmacy curriculum,or after completion of the college course prerequisites. The majority of students enter a pharmacy program with 3 or more years of college experience. College graduates who enroll in a pharmacy program must complete the full 4‑academic years (or 3‑calendar) years of professional study to earn the Pharm.D. degree.
While there is a great deal of variety in the design of graduate-level pharmacy programs, a sample curriculum for the Doctor of Pharmacy Program from The Mylan School of Pharmacy at Duquesne University is included for your review. For additional information on this program see http://www.pharmacy.duq.edu/programs/pharmd/courselist.html
First Professional Year
Semester I
Biochemistry--Peptides and Metabolism (4 cr.)
Human Physiology and Pathology I (4 cr.)
Human Physiology/Biochemistry Lab
Pharmaceutical Principles & Drug Delivery Systems I (3 cr.)
Pharmaceutical Principles Lab (1 cr.)
Pharmaceutical Principles Recitation
Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics (2 cr.)
Professional Communications (2 cr.)
Semester II
Biochemistry--Nucleic Acids and Biotechnology (2 cr.)
Human Physiology and Pathology II (5 cr.)
Human Physiology/Biochemistry/Microbiology Lab
Immunology and Clinical Microbiology (3 cr.)
Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems II (3 cr.)
Pharmaceutical Principles Lab II (1 cr.)
Pharmaceutical Principles Recitation
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Statistics (2 cr.)
Clinical & Drug Information Skills (1 cr.)
Experiential Education (1 cr.)
Second Professional Year
Semester I
Autonomic and Neuropharmacology (4 cr.)
Medicinal Chemistry (4 cr.)
Biopharmaceutics (4 cr.)
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis (3 cr.)
Clinical Skills I (1 cr.) Drug Literature Evaluation (2 cr.)
Semester II
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics I (CNS/Psych/Neuro/Drug Abuse, including Behavioral Aspects) (4 cr.)
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics V (Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases) (4 cr.)
Pharmacokinetics (4 cr.)
American Health Care System (2 cr.)
Clinical Skills II (2 cr.)
Experiential Education II (1 cr.)
Pharmacy Service Learning Experience (1 cr.)
Third Professional Year
Semester I
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics III (Cardiovascular/Renal) (5 cr.)
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics IV (Endocrinology/Nutrition) (4 cr.)
Physical Assessment (incl. Integration w/ Health Care Screening) (2 cr.)
Self Care (3 cr.)
Pharmacy Management Concepts (2 cr.)
Therapeutics Case Studies (1 cr.)
Semester II
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics II (Inflammation/Pain/
