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Can you give me any tips to guide me in the pharmaceutical path? ?
I want to stick to the medical/pharmaceutical field, but I have questions about it. What majors and/or classes would be best to take a for a pharmaceutical pathway? How do pharmacists identify the medication someone has to take? What tips can you give me that may help me out in the future? I'm currently taking classes such as AP chemistry and biotech 1, but are there any other classes I should take before something like medical school? I don't know anyone who is a pharmacists, and I'm looking for someone who can help me answer my questions and give me tips along the way.
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margaret mchenney
Research Scientist, molecular biology; veterinary technology
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Updated
margaret’s Answer
The suggestions that I have revolve around what type of medical/pharmaceutical working environment you might be comfortable in. Physicians, EMTs, nurses interface with the public, while associate scientists and PhD scientists working in a lab generally have more limited people interaction. Pharmacists spend some of their time doing tasks that involve person interaction, and some of their time logging documentation: filling prescriptions (verify the dosage, check drug drug interactions), managing the pharmacy (personnel, patient records, and stock), educating clients (how to take medication, alert to potential side effects, alert to proper storage, educate on general health advice), administering of vaccinations, consulting with other health care professionals, research and teaching.
I will tell you how I stumbled onto becoming an associate scientist (B. S.). My mother wanted me to be a doctor, so in high school I studied college prep courses, especially science and math. I took an EMT course as a junior in high school and volunteered for a hospital ambulance service. I also had a part time job as a nursing aide as a junior, so I learned what it was like to work in the healthcare industry. when I was in college I studied premed curriculum. I did not excel in physics, and so I decided not to pursue a chemistry degree in order to avoid physical chemistry. I decided to major in microbiology and had to take physical chemistry for biologists (biophysical chemistry). I volunteered in two labs at my school getting biotech experience. After all of these experiences I came to the conclusion that interacting with people for extended periods would be a poor choice for me. I enjoyed labs, problem solving, spending time alone and making observations, so I applied to pharmaceutical companies for research positions. You may have a general sense of the subject that you are interested in, but experiences can guide you to make a specific choice. even though I worked in the pharmaceutical industry, the one thing that I had no clue about, and could not have predicted was the political nature of working for a corporation and how competitive scientific research is. Know yourself and you will make your best decision.
I will tell you how I stumbled onto becoming an associate scientist (B. S.). My mother wanted me to be a doctor, so in high school I studied college prep courses, especially science and math. I took an EMT course as a junior in high school and volunteered for a hospital ambulance service. I also had a part time job as a nursing aide as a junior, so I learned what it was like to work in the healthcare industry. when I was in college I studied premed curriculum. I did not excel in physics, and so I decided not to pursue a chemistry degree in order to avoid physical chemistry. I decided to major in microbiology and had to take physical chemistry for biologists (biophysical chemistry). I volunteered in two labs at my school getting biotech experience. After all of these experiences I came to the conclusion that interacting with people for extended periods would be a poor choice for me. I enjoyed labs, problem solving, spending time alone and making observations, so I applied to pharmaceutical companies for research positions. You may have a general sense of the subject that you are interested in, but experiences can guide you to make a specific choice. even though I worked in the pharmaceutical industry, the one thing that I had no clue about, and could not have predicted was the political nature of working for a corporation and how competitive scientific research is. Know yourself and you will make your best decision.
Updated
George’s Answer
Hi Samuel. The answers you received so far are great. I will add one thing that happened to me and it may be an option you have not thought of. I completed a Pre-Medical program at a large University with the intention of becoming a doctor in some area I would enjoy. In my fourth year of University study I saw that a large Pharmaceutical company was interviewing students on campus for jobs they offered. I scheduled an appointment for an interview to get some experience talking to possible future employers. Sure enough, the District Manager that interviewed me appeared to like me and, in summary, he scheduled an interview for me with the Sales Manager for all of New England. I was offered a job as a Pharmaceutical Representative. Due to my limited financial resources then, I decided to postpone applying to Medical Professional schools I had in mind. The company I began to work for was the 3rd largest Pharmaceutical Company in the world at that time and had products to treat many different diseases. I was trained for 13 straight weeks, 8 hours per day, five days per week. I found that very interesting and learned a great deal. I was given a territory in a beautiful rural state and stayed with this company for three years. I enjoyed the job and became financially stable. This company was very family-oriented and very fair to work for. There was room to advance to other positions and I met people that had been with this company for 30 or more years, even rising to be Vice-Presidents in their organization. I left that career because an opportunity presented to me to become a doctor (I had not given up on that dream). If you find the Pharmaceutical world interesting, you may want to research opportunities that exist within some of these Companies.
Updated
abbas’s Answer
It's great that you're interested in pursuing a pathway in the pharmaceutical field! Here's some guidance on your questions:
### Recommended Majors and Classes
1. **Majors:**
- **Pharmacy:** Offers a direct pathway to becoming a pharmacist.
- **Pharmaceutical Sciences:** Focuses on drug development and therapies.
- **Biochemistry:** Provides a strong foundation in the chemical processes of living organisms.
- **Chemistry or Biology:** Both are excellent choices that prepare you for pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
2. **Recommended Classes:**
- **Advanced Biology (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology)**
- **Organic Chemistry:** Crucial for understanding drug interactions and synthesis.
- **Pharmacology:** Focuses on how drugs interact with biological systems.
- **Microbiology:** Important for understanding infections and treatments.
- **Statistics:** Useful for understanding clinical trials and research studies.
- **Health Sciences or Public Health:** Provides context on healthcare systems and patient care.
### How Pharmacists Identify Medications
Pharmacists identify medications through:
- **Patient History:** Reviewing the patient's medical history and current medications.
- **Clinical Guidelines:** Following established protocols and guidelines for various conditions.
- **Drug Interaction Databases:** Utilizing software and resources to check for potential interactions.
- **Consultation with Physicians:** Collaborating with healthcare providers for complex cases.
- **Pharmacogenomics:** Considering genetic factors that affect drug metabolism.
### Tips for Future Success
1. **Gain Experience:**
- Volunteer or intern at pharmacies, hospitals, or research labs to gain hands-on experience and insights into the field.
2. **Network:**
- Attend healthcare-related events, seminars, or workshops to meet professionals and learn about different pathways.
3. **Stay Informed:**
- Follow pharmaceutical news and advancements. Understanding current trends can help you in your studies and future career.
4. **Develop Soft Skills:**
- Communication, empathy, and teamwork are crucial in healthcare. Work on these skills through group projects and community service.
5. **Prepare for Graduate School:**
- If you're considering medical school or a PharmD program, familiarize yourself with the application process and prerequisites.
6. **Consider Research Opportunities:**
- Engage in research projects related to pharmacology or drug development to enhance your understanding and resume.
### Additional Classes to Consider
- **Ethics in Healthcare:** Important for understanding the moral implications of pharmaceutical practices.
- **Health Economics:** Useful for understanding the financial aspects of drug development and distribution.
- **Clinical Trials Management:** If available, this class can provide insights into the research process.
### Finding Mentors
Since you're looking for someone to help you:
- **Reach out to local pharmacists:** They often appreciate the interest and may be willing to share their experiences.
- **Join professional organizations:** Groups like the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) often have mentorship programs.
By taking the right classes and gaining experience, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career in the pharmaceutical field. Good luck!
### Recommended Majors and Classes
1. **Majors:**
- **Pharmacy:** Offers a direct pathway to becoming a pharmacist.
- **Pharmaceutical Sciences:** Focuses on drug development and therapies.
- **Biochemistry:** Provides a strong foundation in the chemical processes of living organisms.
- **Chemistry or Biology:** Both are excellent choices that prepare you for pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
2. **Recommended Classes:**
- **Advanced Biology (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology)**
- **Organic Chemistry:** Crucial for understanding drug interactions and synthesis.
- **Pharmacology:** Focuses on how drugs interact with biological systems.
- **Microbiology:** Important for understanding infections and treatments.
- **Statistics:** Useful for understanding clinical trials and research studies.
- **Health Sciences or Public Health:** Provides context on healthcare systems and patient care.
### How Pharmacists Identify Medications
Pharmacists identify medications through:
- **Patient History:** Reviewing the patient's medical history and current medications.
- **Clinical Guidelines:** Following established protocols and guidelines for various conditions.
- **Drug Interaction Databases:** Utilizing software and resources to check for potential interactions.
- **Consultation with Physicians:** Collaborating with healthcare providers for complex cases.
- **Pharmacogenomics:** Considering genetic factors that affect drug metabolism.
### Tips for Future Success
1. **Gain Experience:**
- Volunteer or intern at pharmacies, hospitals, or research labs to gain hands-on experience and insights into the field.
2. **Network:**
- Attend healthcare-related events, seminars, or workshops to meet professionals and learn about different pathways.
3. **Stay Informed:**
- Follow pharmaceutical news and advancements. Understanding current trends can help you in your studies and future career.
4. **Develop Soft Skills:**
- Communication, empathy, and teamwork are crucial in healthcare. Work on these skills through group projects and community service.
5. **Prepare for Graduate School:**
- If you're considering medical school or a PharmD program, familiarize yourself with the application process and prerequisites.
6. **Consider Research Opportunities:**
- Engage in research projects related to pharmacology or drug development to enhance your understanding and resume.
### Additional Classes to Consider
- **Ethics in Healthcare:** Important for understanding the moral implications of pharmaceutical practices.
- **Health Economics:** Useful for understanding the financial aspects of drug development and distribution.
- **Clinical Trials Management:** If available, this class can provide insights into the research process.
### Finding Mentors
Since you're looking for someone to help you:
- **Reach out to local pharmacists:** They often appreciate the interest and may be willing to share their experiences.
- **Join professional organizations:** Groups like the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) often have mentorship programs.
By taking the right classes and gaining experience, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career in the pharmaceutical field. Good luck!
Updated
Jami’s Answer
Hello Samuel,
It's great to hear that you're interested in pursuing a path in the pharmaceutical field! Here are some tips to guide you in your journey, as well as answers to your specific questions.
Choosing the Right Major and Classes
1. Relevant Majors:
- Pharmacy: If your goal is to become a pharmacist, consider a pharmacy program. In many places, this will require a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
- Chemistry/Biochemistry: These majors will provide a solid foundation in the sciences, which is important for understanding drug interactions and formulations.
- Biology/Pharmaceutical Sciences: These fields also align well with pharmaceutical studies and offer insights into drug development.
- Health Sciences: This major can provide a broad understanding of healthcare, including pharmacology.
2. Recommended Classes:
- Organic Chemistry: This is vital for understanding the structure and behavior of drugs.
- Biology: A strong foundation in biology will help you grasp how drugs interact with biological systems.
- Pharmacology: If available, a class in pharmacology would be extremely helpful as it specifically focuses on how drugs work.
- Math/Statistics: These skills are often utilized in drug dosage calculations and data analysis in research.
- Microbiology: Understanding pathogens is crucial, especially in fields like pharmaceutical research and vaccine development.
- Ethics in Healthcare: This is important for making informed and ethical decisions in pharmaceuticals.
Understanding Pharmacists' Role in Medication Identification
- Patient History: Pharmacists review patient histories for allergies, previous medications, and current health conditions.
- Medication Management: Often, they use databases or references to cross-check medications for interactions.
- Clinical Guidelines: They follow clinical guidelines based on symptoms, lab results, and FDA-approved indications for each drug.
- Consultation: They may collaborate with physicians and utilize decision-support tools to determine appropriate therapies.
Additional Tips
1. Seek Mentorship: Try to find a mentor in the field. This could be through networking (e.g., joining student organizations related to healthcare, attending career fairs, or volunteering at healthcare facilities).
2. Internships/Volunteering: Gain experience by interning at pharmacies, hospitals, or research labs. This exposure can help clarify your interests and strengthen your application for future studies.
3. Research: If you’re interested in the research aspect of pharmaceuticals, consider seeking opportunities to participate in research projects or laboratories at local universities.
4. Stay Current: Follow pharmaceutical news through journals, blogs, and podcasts to stay updated on advancements in drug development and regulations.
5. Prepare for Exams: If aiming for pharmacy school, you will likely need to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Consider preparatory courses when the time comes.
6. Communication Skills: Develop strong communication skills, as pharmacists must explain complex information in understandable terms to patients and healthcare providers.
7. Networking: Join organizations such as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) or local student chapters. Networking can provide guidance and exposure to the profession.
8. Plan for Medical School: If you also consider medical school, familiarize yourself with the prerequisites. This could include courses like psychology, sociology, and humanities.
In conclusion, your current classes, like AP Chemistry and biotech, are excellent choices, and pursuing additional science courses will set a good foundation for the future.
You are already on-track so keep exploring, gaining experience, and asking questions. The pharmaceutical field is vast and offers many opportunities.
Best of luck on your journey!
It's great to hear that you're interested in pursuing a path in the pharmaceutical field! Here are some tips to guide you in your journey, as well as answers to your specific questions.
Choosing the Right Major and Classes
1. Relevant Majors:
- Pharmacy: If your goal is to become a pharmacist, consider a pharmacy program. In many places, this will require a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
- Chemistry/Biochemistry: These majors will provide a solid foundation in the sciences, which is important for understanding drug interactions and formulations.
- Biology/Pharmaceutical Sciences: These fields also align well with pharmaceutical studies and offer insights into drug development.
- Health Sciences: This major can provide a broad understanding of healthcare, including pharmacology.
2. Recommended Classes:
- Organic Chemistry: This is vital for understanding the structure and behavior of drugs.
- Biology: A strong foundation in biology will help you grasp how drugs interact with biological systems.
- Pharmacology: If available, a class in pharmacology would be extremely helpful as it specifically focuses on how drugs work.
- Math/Statistics: These skills are often utilized in drug dosage calculations and data analysis in research.
- Microbiology: Understanding pathogens is crucial, especially in fields like pharmaceutical research and vaccine development.
- Ethics in Healthcare: This is important for making informed and ethical decisions in pharmaceuticals.
Understanding Pharmacists' Role in Medication Identification
- Patient History: Pharmacists review patient histories for allergies, previous medications, and current health conditions.
- Medication Management: Often, they use databases or references to cross-check medications for interactions.
- Clinical Guidelines: They follow clinical guidelines based on symptoms, lab results, and FDA-approved indications for each drug.
- Consultation: They may collaborate with physicians and utilize decision-support tools to determine appropriate therapies.
Additional Tips
1. Seek Mentorship: Try to find a mentor in the field. This could be through networking (e.g., joining student organizations related to healthcare, attending career fairs, or volunteering at healthcare facilities).
2. Internships/Volunteering: Gain experience by interning at pharmacies, hospitals, or research labs. This exposure can help clarify your interests and strengthen your application for future studies.
3. Research: If you’re interested in the research aspect of pharmaceuticals, consider seeking opportunities to participate in research projects or laboratories at local universities.
4. Stay Current: Follow pharmaceutical news through journals, blogs, and podcasts to stay updated on advancements in drug development and regulations.
5. Prepare for Exams: If aiming for pharmacy school, you will likely need to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Consider preparatory courses when the time comes.
6. Communication Skills: Develop strong communication skills, as pharmacists must explain complex information in understandable terms to patients and healthcare providers.
7. Networking: Join organizations such as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) or local student chapters. Networking can provide guidance and exposure to the profession.
8. Plan for Medical School: If you also consider medical school, familiarize yourself with the prerequisites. This could include courses like psychology, sociology, and humanities.
In conclusion, your current classes, like AP Chemistry and biotech, are excellent choices, and pursuing additional science courses will set a good foundation for the future.
You are already on-track so keep exploring, gaining experience, and asking questions. The pharmaceutical field is vast and offers many opportunities.
Best of luck on your journey!
Updated
Michael’s Answer
The previous answers are very good
The only additions I would suggest are there are several engineering majors that are valuable in the pharmaceuticals industry
Chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering etc
The other I would like to correct is that in the USA pharmacists do not identify medicines for people only physicians can prescribe medicine. The only exception is pharmacists may recommend over the counter cold medicines and other minor over the counter remedies.
The only additions I would suggest are there are several engineering majors that are valuable in the pharmaceuticals industry
Chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering etc
The other I would like to correct is that in the USA pharmacists do not identify medicines for people only physicians can prescribe medicine. The only exception is pharmacists may recommend over the counter cold medicines and other minor over the counter remedies.
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Samuel,
My best advice for a pharmacy pathway would be to research pharmacy schools that you may be interested in attending. On their websites, they usually have a list of prerequisite requirements for classes. Some schools differ in their program requirements, but most of them tend to overlap. This will help you decide which major/ which classes to complete in college as prerequisites to their courses. When you are ready to apply for pharmacy school, you will have to make an account with PharmCAS, which is a central application system for schools in the U.S. You will upload all of your documents and transcripts here, and there is a verification process to make sure that you meet the class requirements for the pharmacy school(s) you are applying to.
The PCAT has been discontinued this year so there are no entrance exams required anymore at this time, but be up to date if requirements change by the time you are ready to apply.
Please note, that there are two degrees that you can complete and still be a pharmacist: a PharmD, which is a doctor of pharmacy (doctorate degree), and a BPharm, which is a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. More schools are doing the PharmD program because in the curriculum you do rotations (unpaid internships) to get different experiences while you are still in school. But both are still recognized as pharmacy programs.
Pharmacy is a lot of biochemistry and general/organic chemistry, biology, microbiology, math and physics, etc. However, there are other important classes that will help you. Psychology, sociology, humanities and economics are usually required courses, with public speaking and English/writing. They will help you learn how to communicate and think outside the box, which are skills that are very important when you start to learn about pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than just knowing what a drug is, there is more involved with patient health and how to work with other members of a healthcare team and even regular people. A lot of problem solving. I think you will have good judgement on classes that your school/college/university may offer that could benefit in your future. For example, my university had only masters level course for pathogenic microbiology one time that was offered to a small amount of bachelors students. I'm glad I took it because it helped me think ahead of my classes in pharmacy school now.
AP chem is a good start. You can also look for paid experiences like trying to get a job as a pharmacy technician at a retail pharmacy when you are in college, or reach out to local hospitals to ask if they can create an opportunity for you to shadow a pharmacist for a day. When you start college, get to know your science professors early on and let them know you are interested in pursuing pharmacy. They may know someone who they can connect you with, and sometimes they keep in touch with students who graduated and are in pharmacy school who they can connect you with for more opportunities and guidance.
I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Best of luck!
My best advice for a pharmacy pathway would be to research pharmacy schools that you may be interested in attending. On their websites, they usually have a list of prerequisite requirements for classes. Some schools differ in their program requirements, but most of them tend to overlap. This will help you decide which major/ which classes to complete in college as prerequisites to their courses. When you are ready to apply for pharmacy school, you will have to make an account with PharmCAS, which is a central application system for schools in the U.S. You will upload all of your documents and transcripts here, and there is a verification process to make sure that you meet the class requirements for the pharmacy school(s) you are applying to.
The PCAT has been discontinued this year so there are no entrance exams required anymore at this time, but be up to date if requirements change by the time you are ready to apply.
Please note, that there are two degrees that you can complete and still be a pharmacist: a PharmD, which is a doctor of pharmacy (doctorate degree), and a BPharm, which is a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. More schools are doing the PharmD program because in the curriculum you do rotations (unpaid internships) to get different experiences while you are still in school. But both are still recognized as pharmacy programs.
Pharmacy is a lot of biochemistry and general/organic chemistry, biology, microbiology, math and physics, etc. However, there are other important classes that will help you. Psychology, sociology, humanities and economics are usually required courses, with public speaking and English/writing. They will help you learn how to communicate and think outside the box, which are skills that are very important when you start to learn about pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than just knowing what a drug is, there is more involved with patient health and how to work with other members of a healthcare team and even regular people. A lot of problem solving. I think you will have good judgement on classes that your school/college/university may offer that could benefit in your future. For example, my university had only masters level course for pathogenic microbiology one time that was offered to a small amount of bachelors students. I'm glad I took it because it helped me think ahead of my classes in pharmacy school now.
AP chem is a good start. You can also look for paid experiences like trying to get a job as a pharmacy technician at a retail pharmacy when you are in college, or reach out to local hospitals to ask if they can create an opportunity for you to shadow a pharmacist for a day. When you start college, get to know your science professors early on and let them know you are interested in pursuing pharmacy. They may know someone who they can connect you with, and sometimes they keep in touch with students who graduated and are in pharmacy school who they can connect you with for more opportunities and guidance.
I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Best of luck!