Mark Said:

Should a pharmacist be able to refuse to stock emergency contraception? What are your thoughts?

We Answered:

Each person, regardless of his or her profession, should be able to follow his conscience. If a person believes that emergency contraception can cause a fertilized egg to not be implanted in the womb, thus killing the baby, and if they believe this is wrong, they should not be forced to sell it just because someone else wants it.

A pharmacist is not a government employee.

There have been multiple times when I've gone to a pharmacy to look for something that I really needed, only to find that they don't stock it. I don't immediately complain and get angry about why that pharmacy doesn't sell it, I simply go to another pharmacy that does - or I call around first to find out ahead of time. This is a much more reasonable solution.

People need to quit feeling like they are entitled to force other people to do something they believe is morally and/or ethically wrong.

Kim Said:

what classes are required to become a pharmacist?

We Answered:

I think the what is suggested by another person was good. You start by going to the pharmacy schools of interest and ask them for the prerequisite requirements. Usually they have a sheet with tables listing all the science, social science and humanity classes needed.

Then you look them over and look at your community college's catalog/schedule. Some classes are in sequence such that you have to take the first one in the Fall quarter/semester. So watch out for that. Sometimes the schedule and catalog are a bit confusing. In that case speak with your college's counselors. They are very helpful.

I cannot speak for all pharmacy schools. In general, you need physics, chemistry (general and organic), calculus, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry and others for the science groups.

One may ask why you need calculus for pharmacy. Don't they just count by five? You do not need it on the job. However, when you study pharmacokinetic in your second year, the knowlege of calculus can help you to understand better how certain drugs are metabolized and eliminated from the body's different compartments.

Physiology and microbiology are important as consultant pharmacists and hospital pharmacists are asked from times to times to recommend a drug based on patients' parameters (e.g. kidney function, size, liver functions) and the infectious agents's sensitivity to the drugs tested. So pay close attention to those classes. In retail pharmacy, you will be asked a lot about recommendation and the properties of drugs a lot. So having a good grasp of physiology, therapeutics and pharmaceutical chemistry help you to explain information better to patients and providers. Also, it helps you to weed out some prescriptions there are written erroneously and those that do not make sense. The knowledge help you to protect your patients from unnecessary injuries and, in the worst case, death. Remember, to err is human. Catching others' and your own mistakes will be your daily living as a pharmacist.

Pharmacy admission committee usually wants to see some real life experience. For your benefit, I recommend you to volunteer in retail and in long-term care pharmacy. You probably end up just doing a lot of filing in hospital pharmacy as a volunteer. That may not be fun.

Hope that help and best wishes.

Anne Said:

What is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacist tech?

We Answered:

Pharmacist requires PharmD - 6 years at a minimum and you may need separate bachelors degree. Pharmacists do all drug monitoring - appropriateness/drug interactions/pt counseling, etc. They also make certain compounded medications. There is a lot of other things that Pharmacists are involved in depending on area or practice.
Pay - Avg about $50-65/hr

Pharmacy Tech requires high school degree - maybe associates degree. They basically assist the Pharmacist - count pills, some make up IV's depending, inventory, etc. Many areas now require certification, but there is still wide variation in the quality of techs.
Pay-Avg about $10-15/hr

If you are thinking about becoming a Pharmacist or tech, apply for a tech job where you think you would like to work before getting into the field. You could work in retail environment, hospital, drug companies and some governmental agencies. As a Pharmacist myself, I would strongly recommend that you have a true understanding of the job and work environment before undertaking the very long and expensive educational process of becoming a Pharmacist.

April Said:

pharmacist???????!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!…

We Answered:

Y'know, you could have put your question in the actual field where you're supposed to ask the question, instead of throwing in a bunch of frenzied punctuation marks. It would make it easier for people to find your question and help you.

With that said, here's what you do:

1. Finish high school. Do well because you're going to need to be good at math and science.

2. Go to college. You have your choice of community college or university. Do the pharmacy pre-reqs. These include:
1 year calculus
1 year English
1 year general chemistry w/ lab
1 year organic chemistry w/ lab
1 year general biology w/ lab
1 year physics w/ lab
1 semester microbiology w/ lab
1 semester physiology w/ lab
1 semester anatomy w/ lab
1 semester public speaking
1 semester psychology or sociology

3a. If you choose CC, then you must complete your pharmacy pre-reqs, then apply to pharmacy school.

3b. If you choose university, you can either apply to pharmacy school after you complete your pre-reqs (after year 2). Or you can finish your degree and then apply to pharmacy school. The latter is good because pharmacy school is competitive, and having a degree gives you an edge over the applicants who don't.

4. Spend some time working in a pharmacy. Or do some other medically-relevnt extracurricular activity.

5. Pharmacy school itself is 4 years of study, including rotations through various types of pharmacy work. It is set up similarly to medical school in this regard.

6. Once you finish your 4 years, you will be awarded the PharmD. But you will need to pass the boards to earn licensure to practice.

Virginia Said:

What is the qualification required for a pharmacist in Toronto?

We Answered:

http://www.biznuss.friendsmela.com
check for that
i hope it will be beneficial for you

keep using answers.yahoo.com

Karen Said:

Has anyone shadowed a pharmacist? How did you go about doing that and what was the experience like?

We Answered:

No, I never did that.
I would imagine that you would have to make friends with a Pharmacist first.

Joann Said:

What is the salary of a pharmacist specialising in a certain field?

We Answered:

It depends on the specialty be generally you will hit six figures, but not until after a lot of school and some lowerpaying hours in the beginning doing clincal work or interning.