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This information has been developed to help prospective pharmacy students make an appropriate decision about a career in pharmacy. The answers to questions in this area should form a starting point for your decision - but they are not a substitute for your own research. Spending some time with pharmacists in your community will give you additional insight as will information available from your guidance counsellor or local school of pharmacy. Good luck in making this critical decision!
What Do Pharmacists Do?
If you are considering a career in pharmacy, the answer to this first question is very important. Many of you believe that in general, pharmacists spend their days behind a counter in a pharmacy, counting tablets and capsules and giving advice to their customers. You may be surprised to learn that today and over the past few years, the practice of pharmacy has shifted its focus dramatically to activities which have everything to do with the patient.
Today's pharmacists strive to work with their patients to determine what the patient's needs are and what care should be provided in order to best meet these needs. This is called "pharmaceutical care", and it is all about identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems.
In other words, pharmacists serve society as professionals who are responsible for the optimal use of drugs. This means that the pharmacist's primary responsibility is to individual patients. The ultimate goal of pharmaceutical care is to improve an individual patient's quality of life. This is achieved by working with the patient to determine if any drug-related needs exist which are preventing the patient from attaining their desired quality of life and then meeting those needs.
But There's More!
Pharmacists have a professional commitment to their continuing professional growth and to the growth of the pharmacy profession. Education doesn't stop once you've left university - being a pharmacist means making a life-long commitment to continuing your education and contributing to your existing knowledge base.
The number of new drug therapies and the information on new and existing drugs is literally exploding. It takes hard work and dedication to keep up with the constant changes in this field.
And pharmacists also have a societal commitment to ensure that on a larger scale, Canadians receive the best possible drug therapy. This may be achieved through healthy public policy at the provincial or national government levels or through community support like speaking to patients about their medications through local support groups such as the lung association or the diabetes association.
Where Do Pharmacists Work?
Another common misconception about pharmacists is that they all work in pharmacies! While many do, there are numerous practice sites to choose from, once you are a licensed pharmacist. The list below will identify some of the most common areas of practice, the variety of opportunities is endless! In fact, once you are in pharmacy school, a special program is available to help you to sort out the bewildering array of options and make the best choice for your career. It's called the Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program and is sponsored by Glaxo Canada, a pharmaceutical manufacturer committed to partnership with the pharmacy profession.
Community
Community pharmacists work in a variety of locations including neighbourhood pharmacies, medical buildings, chain pharmacies and in large department stores. These pharmacists are frequently the first contact in the health care system and as such, are critical to ensuring that patients receive optimal drug therapy. Community practice also entails management of a business, which many pharmacists find challenging and rewarding. An independent community pharmacy owner put it this way: "I enjoy giving very personalized service to our patients, I know most of them as well as their doctors do. I also enjoy the business aspects of being an owner."
Community practice offers endless opportunities to interact with patients and help them to achieve their desired quality of life. These pharmacists are frequently considered to be important members of their communities and are involved in local health-related activities through public speaking and local politics.
Hospitals and Other Institutions
Many Canadian pharmacists are employed in hospitals and related health institutions. Their role is critical to ensuring that patients in hospitals, frequently on complicated and potentially toxic medications, receive safe and effective therapy. This practice area offers opportunities to interact with other health professionals, the potential for significant intervention in patient care and the chance to be involved in research and education. Pharmacists who work in hospitals are effective members of the health care team and are actively involved in upgrading their education and knowledge base. Many of them specialize in fields such as oncology, infectious disease, psychiatry, etc.
Industry
The Pharmaceutical Industry in Canada works to discover, develop, manufacture and market prescription and nonprescription medicines, providing challenging environments where pharmacists can utilize their skills and education and make valuable contributions to society. Positions range from sales and marketing to clinical research to professional relations opportunities. Frequently, pharmacists in industry are involved in development of drug information materials used to educate other pharmacists, physicians and patients.
Government
Pharmacists in government deal with the laws affecting drug products and pharmacy practice. They work for the federal or provincial governments or for the provincial licensing bodies responsible for ensuring that pharmacists practice according to the law. These licensing bodies exist to protect the public.
Education and Research
Careers in the Pharmacy Schools at Canadian universities provide emphasis in three main areas - teaching, research and community service. Pharmacy professors have the satisfaction of developing the pharmacists of tomorrow, of contributing to the profession through work with pharmacy associations and continuing education. Pharmacists in this field usually have advanced degrees such as a Master's Degree, Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Pharmacy.
Other Opportunities
Pharmacists apply their education and knowledge in many, many different ways - the list is limited only by your imagination! Pharmacists may become specialized lawyers, journalists or consultants or they may work in the military to name a few. As well, pharmacists may pursue clinical specialty practices such as infectious diseases, pediatrics, psychiatry, intensive care, and cardiology.
What Characteristics Make a Good Pharmacist?
Students who are considering a career in pharmacy must be, first and foremost, interested in helping people.
- You need excellent communication skills and you must have the ability to solve problems in creative and effective ways.
- You must be willing to accept responsibility for your actions - the health of the public depends on you!
- Your dedication to your patients means that you don't have a "nine-to-five" attitude - you have a professional attitude that means that the patient comes first.
What Are the Rewards of Being a Pharmacist?
Pharmacy is a people-oriented profession, and its primary reward comes from the knowledge that you have helped someone, frequently someone who is in pain or who may be in danger through the inappropriate use of medication. Other rewards come from the interaction with other health professionals and, for some pharmacists, the opportunity to manage a business or pharmacy department.
What Education Do I Need to Be a Pharmacist?
Currently there are nine universities in Canada with Pharmacy Schools. Admission requirements and policies vary - we suggest that you contact the universities directly for specific information and details.
How Do I Obtain My Pharmacy Licence?
In order to practice pharmacy in Canada you need:
Requirements vary from province to province. Your local pharmacy school can provide specific information.
This material was developed for the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy by the Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program Advisory Board, and is sponsored by Glaxo Canada Inc.
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