Why Choose Pre-Pharmacy at Purdue University Calumet?
What do pharmacists do?
Pharmacy is a profession concerned with the safe, effective, and economical use of medicine to maintain health. Pharmacists are one of the most trusted professionals in the healthcare community and actively disseminate knowledge to health professionals and the general public. Pharmacists also assist healthcare professionals in developing the best therapy strategies for various disease states. Pharmacy is a growing profession that offers many diverse career avenues depending on your interests. According the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, a few of the top ten reasons to become a pharmacist include:
- the desire to help people get well,
- working directly with patients,
- and being an important member of the healthcare team ( please see AACP)
How do I prepare to become a Pharmacist?
At Purdue University Calumet, the Department of Biological Sciences offers a comprehensive plan to complete the required prerequisites for applying to the Purdue College of Pharmacy. The Purdue University College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) program is only one step, albeit a required one, in the process of becoming a registered pharmacist. You do not need to be a pre-pharmacy major to apply to pharmacy school. However, you must fulfill the prerequisite courses as identified on the Plan of Study (see link below) to apply to the Pharm. D. program, Purdue University College of Pharmacy. It is up to the individual student to make sure that his/hers program satisfies the admission requirements for any pharmacy school that he/she applies to. The other steps include preparation for college study, admission to college, completion of the pre-pharmacy requirements, and after completion of the Pharm.D., passing the licensure examination (NAPLEX) and completing the application materials and processes required for licensure. For more information on pharmacy schools and the profession, go to www.PharmCAS.org (also see link below).
What career opportunities exist for pharmacists?
Pharmacists practice or work in many diverse areas, and an individual’s career path depends on education, training, and work experience.
Pharmacists practice or work in areas such as:
- providing information about the safe and effective use of medicine to other healthcare professionals, consumers, and patients in the hospital and community settings
- disseminating information regarding the safe and effective delivery forms of various medicines
- dispensing medications while maintaining quality and ensuring appropriate medication use and checking possible drug interactions
- monitoring drug therapy to enhance patient health
Therefore, pharmacists work in diverse settings including hospitals, the community retail setting, long-term care facilities, industry, and educational institutions.
How much does a pharmacist earn?
Data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed that the “median annual wage of pharmacists was $111,570 per year. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
From http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Pharmacists.htm
What is the Job Outlook for Pharmacists?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of pharmacists is expected to increase by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Several factors are likely to contribute to this increase. Scientific advances will lead to new drug products. More people may get insurance coverage for medications. The number of older people is growing, and older people use more prescription medicines than younger people. As healthcare continues to become more complex and as more people take multiple medications, more pharmacists will be needed to counsel patients on how to use their medications safely. Demand is also likely to increase for pharmacists in physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and nursing homes.”
From http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Pharmacists.htm#tab-6
Education:
Doctor of Pharmacy program applicants must submit their application through the Pharmacy College Application Service, known as PharmCAS (www.PharmCAS.org). Applications are generally due to the school by Dec. 1st of the year BEFORE you plan on entering. PCATs are not required for PU College of Pharmacy but most other schools require the entrance exams.
Useful Links:
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for Pharmacists
- US News Best Healthcare Jobs: Pharmacist
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Student Resource Center
- Pharmacy College Admission Test
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