Health Careers

Pharmacy

NATURE OF THE PROFESSION

Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use, composition, and effects of drugs.

Pharmacists in community (retail) pharmacies answer customers' questions about prescription drugs and give advice about durable medical equipment and home health care supplies.

Pharmacists in hospitals and clinics dispense medications and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs, in some cases making rounds with them. They may make sterile solutions and buy medical supplies. They also monitor drug regimens, advise patients on the use of drugs when they are discharged from the hospital, and evaluate drug use patterns in the hospital.

APTITUDES

•   Be able to learn chemical properties and compounding of drugs.
•   Have good numerical ability and verbal ability to read technical materials and advise others.

• Be able to understand space and form relationships, make decisions based on data, and measure accurately within precise standards.

•   Be able to work quickly and accurately.
•   Have good record keeping ability, finger dexterity, and sense of color.

HELPFUL HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECTS

Math up to calculus, science including physics, chemistry, and biology.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN IOWA

•   Drake University
•   University of Iowa

JOB OUTLOOK and SALARY

Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow slower than average for all occupations through the year 2008, despite the increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population, and greater use of medication. Retail pharmacies are taking steps to increase their prescription volume to make up for declining dispensing fees. Automation of drug dispensing and greater use of pharmacy technicians will help them to dispense more prescriptions. The number of community pharmacists needed in the future will depend on the expansion rate of chain drug stores and the willingness of insurers to reimburse pharmacists for providing clinical services to patients taking prescription medications.

Approximate starting average annual salary for pharmacists in Iowa is $54,000.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

American Pharmaceutical Association
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037-2985
(800) 237-AphA
Web

Iowa Pharmacy Association
8515 Douglas Ave., Ste 16
Des Moines, IA 50322
(515)270-0713 - Phone
(515)270-2979 - Fax
Web