How Do I Become a Retail Pharmacist?

Retail pharmacists are normally employed by retail stores and are tasked with preparing and dispensing pharmaceutical drugs and various types of medication. Anyone wishing to become a retail pharmacist must successfully graduate from high school with above average grades in science related topics and enroll in an undergraduate college degree program. Since these individuals work with the public, many employers prefer to hire individuals who have prior customer service related work experience.

Someone wishing to become a retail pharmacist must complete an undergraduate course in pharmacology, chemistry or a related topic. In some nations, licensing regulations may require a pharmacist to also possess either a masters or doctorate degree in pharmacology or a similar subject. Additionally, some countries contain specialized pharmacy schools in which students who have completed undergraduate or postgraduate programs must enroll before they can apply to become licensed. Having finished college, people wishing to work in this field may have to attend a series of certification classes that are coordinated by a medical association or a regulatory board. These sessions often culminate in a licensing examination and students must achieve a minimum passing score in this test to receive a license.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses involve a mixture of classroom-based study and practical laboratory based sessions during which students are taught to mix compounds and produce certain substances. New types of drugs are launched onto the retail market on a regular basis; to gain some experience with preparing commonly used medications, many undergraduates take part in internship programs. These unpaid programs usually involve working for a pharmaceutical company or retail pharmacy store during a break between school semesters. Students shadow trained professionals as they fill prescriptions and answer patient queries although licensing laws in many nations prevent the interns from actually preparing or dispensing medicine.

Many pharmacists gain some customer service experience while working in non-pharmacy related jobs on a part-time basis. Some firms prefer to hire individuals who have previously worked in retail pharmacies. Therefore, someone wishing to become a retail pharmacist may benefit from accepting a job as a clerk or cashier at one of these facilities.

In addition to preparing medications, pharmacists can also dispense pre-packaged drugs that are produced by pharmaceutical companies. Often, these professionals are responsible for negotiating supply deals with representatives from these firms. To make the best business and professional decisions, someone wishing to become a retail pharmacist must have a broad knowledge of common ailments and remedies as well as good negotiation skills.