Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who ensure the safe and effective use of
medications. They work in community pharmacies, hospitals, research, industry, public
health, and more.
A pharmacist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacists ensure patients receive the correct prescriptions, understand how to
use them, and are aware of potential side effects or drug interactions. Pharmacists
are medication experts, but their role has expanded significantly to include: patient counseling, immunizations, chronic disease management, health screenings,
and collaborating with healthcare teams.
They can work in a variety of environments:
Community pharmacy: Retail pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, independents), providing medications, immunizations,
and counseling
Hospital/Clinical Pharmacy: Working within healthcare teams to manage patient medications, especially in ICUs
and inpatient settings
Ambulatory Care: Managing chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension) in outpatient clinics
Industry/Pharmaceutical Companies: Involved in drug development, clinical trials, medical affairs, and regulatory affairs
Academia: Teaching, research, and training future pharmacists
Government/Public Health: FDA, CDC, or health departments, monitoring drug safety, writing policy, and ensuring
public access
Specialty Pharmacy: Handling high-cost, complex therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc.
Many students complete a Bachelor’s degree, although it's not always required
Take the PCAT if required. The Pharmacy College Admission Test is no longer required by many programs, but some may still recommend or accept it
Apply via PharmCAS, the centralized application service. Submit transcripts, personal statement, letters
of recommendation, and experience
Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree (4 years). Coursework includes pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pathophysiology,
pharmacy law, and therapeutics. Students complete clinical rotations in different pharmacy settings during the final year
Pass Licensing Exams: NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) assesses knowledge of general practice;
MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam) covers pharmacy law (varies by state). Some
states may have additional requirements
Apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. May include background
checks, fees, and continuing education
Optional post-graduate training: Residency (PGY-1 and PGY-2) – 1–2 years of structured, paid training in clinical settings (needed for clinical,
hospital, and specialty roles); or Fellowship – Research-focused post-grad training, often in the pharmaceutical industry or academia
A successful pharmacist should have:
Strong communication skills (especially patient education)
Attention to detail (avoiding medication errors)
Scientific and mathematical aptitude
Compassion and empathy
Ethical decision-making
Interdisciplinary teamwork and adaptability (as roles continue to expand)
Median Salary (2023): $129,000–$145,000/year Job Growth: 2–3% projected (slower than average) Demand Areas: Clinical pharmacy, ambulatory care, rural pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy. While
retail pharmacy job growth is stabilizing, clinical, ambulatory care, and specialty roles are expanding as healthcare teams rely more on pharmacists for chronic disease management and preventive
care.
Volunteer or paid experience in hospital/retail pharmacies
Other Experiences:
Community service (non-medical counts too)
Undergraduate research (especially in pharmaceutical sciences)
Leadership in clubs (Pre-Pharmacy Club, student government, etc.)
Keep a journal or spreadsheet of your experiences and hours. Be proactive about forming relationships with professors and pharmacists—they’ll write your letters. Join professional organizations like:
