How to Become a Pharmacist

In the medical profession, the role of a pharmacist is very crucial especially in the administering of the medicines and drugs to patients. A pharmacist’s job entails the proper dispensing of drugs and medicines to patients according to a physician’s ordered prescription. Pharmacists must have in-depth knowledge on the components of drugs that people take as medicines, the reactions of these drugs to humans, and how these drugs interact with each other inside the human body.

They also carry out the proper measurement and packaging of medicines, as well as the correct dosage for a person’s medicine intake. The job of a pharmacist does not require him to select or prescribe the medication of a patient, however, he must be able to educate the patient on how to take the medication properly and warn him of the possible side effects of these medications.


In one’s attempt to have a medical profession, it is always required to have a college degree in the related field. For cases regarding one’s inclination to become a pharmacist, he must obtain a college degree in pharmacy. You must pass the PCAT, or Pharmacy College Admissions Test, and decide on a pharmacy-related course and subjects. Prior to the college degree, one can have his early preparation in high school by obtaining high grades in math and science subjects.

This proves to be a good start for anyone who wishes to have a medical profession. After obtaining a college degree in pharmacy, most companies and hospitals require pharmacist applicants to have a PharmD, or a doctorate of Pharmacy degree. If one has already decided on becoming a pharmacist way before he enters college, he can have a PharmD in just six years of studying and training. After earning a PharmD, one can prefer to complete 1- or 2-year residency programs or fellowships. If you intend to work in a clinical setting, you may be required to take residency programs, and for specific areas of specialization in pharmacy, fellowship programs are available, as well. These programs may take 2 or more years to complete depending on the area of specialization.

While pharmacy is high-paying job, it can also prove to be stressful. Not only do you have to be very coherent in your day to day activities as a pharmacist but you also have to be very aware of your surroundings. While trying to accurately dispense the right medicines at the right dosage, you must very well be articulate in focusing on your other tasks, as well. Excellent communication skills are also necessary as a pharmacist’s job entails him to work with other medical professionals.