Objectives 1 Recall licensure requirements of a registered pharmacist 2 Explain the changes occurring in supply and demand of pharma 3 Explain what has happened to the academic growth in pharmacy and how that effects the job market for pharmacists 4 Compare the common types of positions in pharmacy work set 5 Identify ways to gain experience during pharmacy school to pre pare yourself for your professional career in the future 6 Discuss some of the future developments for the pharmacy profes cists tings sion g 11 29 as drug therapy becomes imperative to treat or manage medical conditions pharmacists who are specialized in safe and effective medication use are more indispensable than ever professional practice in some health professions requires only an undergrad associate s or bachelor s degree others many years of study completion of graduate level degree continuous change in the pharmacy profession is reflected in the basic continuing educa tion of pharmacists pharmacists trained in the US must earn a PharmD degree 1990s PharmD degree replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree change required extensive coursework full year of hands on practice experience stu dents can take on more complex clinical roles counseling patients advising other health professionals on drug use issues participating in disease management several pathways for PharmD degree 2 3 years of college level prerequisites prior to being admitted to a 4 year pharmacy program students complete bachelor s degree prior to starting a 4 year program accept students after they complete high school 6 year pharmacy curriculum minimum of 2 years of college level prerequisites and offer a 3 year pharmacy curricu lum without summer breaks entering the PharmD program students are required to complete 2 years of preprofessional course requirements before common path for pharmacy education is approx 6 years physicians have the longest path of education 4 year undergrad 4 year medical 3 8 years of internship and residency three typical educational paths for registered nursing associate s degree bachelor s de gree and a diploma from an approved nursing program nurses generally enter their profession by getting an associate s or bachelor s degree advanced practice nurses nurse midwives anesthetists etc need master s degree after obtaining PharmD degree pharmacy student must pass a series of exams including the required North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam NAPLEX 44 states District of Columbia also require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam MPLE which tests pharmacy law knowledge National Association of Boards of Pharmacy administers both of these exams all physicians and surgeons practicing in the US must pass the United States Medical Li censing Exam USMLE or for osteopathic physicians the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medi cal Licensing Exam COMLEX nurses must complete a national licensing exam in order to obtain a nursing license the National Council Licensure Exam or NCLEX RN greater importance being placed on health wellness changing demographics and key ad vances in health care the need for health professionals with advanced degrees is at an all time high use of prescription drugs other pharmaceutical care services has grown significantly in the US for both physicians nurses job prospects over the 2008 2018 period are expected to be 17 for pharmacists and 22 most pharmacists are employed and practice in pharmacies or drug stores hospitals medi cal centers other retail stores with pharmacists grocery stores mass merchandising stores and other institutional settings hospital pharmacists have unique opportunity for direct involvement in patient care members of healthcare team composed of physicians nurses knowledge clinical skills that the contemporary pharmacist possesses make this individ ual an authoritative source of drug info for physicians nurses and patients US healthcare costs have been rising for a number of years 2008 US health care costs surpassed 2 3 trillion 1990 714 billion 1980 253 billion US healthcare system faces high cost of care financing and challenged by quality and ef ficiency of care total spending on medicine in the US in 2010 was 307 billion increase in spending on medicine pharmacists are taking roles in combination with the dispensing process contribute to appropriate cost effective use of meds scope of job opportunities for pharmacists is broadening from dispensing medicines to patient centered managing of healthcare costs disease states as well as patient counseling 2008 pharmacists held about 269 900 jobs this number is projected to rise by 17 be tween 2008 2018 noted a shortage in the US 65 of pharmacists worked in retail and 22 worked in hospitals federal gov t 2000 National Pharmacist Workforce Survey of the S D for pharmacists excess demand because of increase in prescription volume increase in competition among retail pharmacists expansions in pharmacy practice changes in workforce increase in surance coverage for prescription drugs shortage moderated by declines in ambulatory prescription growth rate changes in phar macy practice wider use of pharmacy technicians technology pharmacists appear to be staying in workforce longer but part time numbers have been rising aging male pharmacist population more female pharmacists pharmacy workforce will be increasingly dominated by females 62 of pharmacists will be comprised of women in 2020 that will become 4 years younger predicted a trend of more part time work reducing effective pharmacist workforce by as baby boomers move into senior years ratio of pharmacists to over 65 population will 15 decline work environment stand for extended periods of time preparation of sterile pharmaceuti cals or dispensing of medication in a retail setting extended hours at a computer typical work week 40 hours 12 work 50 hours week 19 work part time consultant pharmacists meet patients in their home facilities to provide medication dis pensing or review Community Pharmacy 2009 there were 23 117 independent community pharmacies independent community pharmacies pharmacist owned privately held businesses 27 of pharmacy owners have ownership in two or more pharmacists and average number of pharmacists has ownership 1 69 Hospital Pharmacy dispensing patient oriented pharmacists have more clinical training care on patient floors rounds with doctors etc hospital pharmacists often teach are engaged in research adult medicine pediatrics oncology ambulatory care