Top Four Reasons to Study Pharmacy

It may seem like any other Monday to you, but today is cause for celebration at the intersection of health, science and medicine. Why? Because today is World Pharmacists Day! Established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to “promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health in every corner of the world,” this annual observation heralds pharmacists as “the backbone of health care in many different settings.”

Wondering whether a career in pharmacy is right for you? We can think of no better time to count down these four amazing reasons to study pharmacy than on the day designed to honor the work and contributions of this trusted profession.

1. You will help people live better, healthier lives.

If the thought of helping patients feel better sounds good to you, a pharmacy career delivers -- and then some. As medication specialists, pharmacists are an invaluable part of the health care system with the capacity to do everything from provide immunizations to improve medication adherence (and patient peace of mind, in the process).

There’s a reason why pharmacists consistently rank among the most trusted professionals -- coming in even ahead of doctors in Gallup’s annual poll. Said National Community Pharmacists Association CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, in a press release, “In the Gallup’s more than 3-decade-old survey the level of respect for pharmacists has been consistently high. We don’t rest on our laurels; instead each year we strive to become better.”

Echoed National Association of Chain Drug Stores President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, of the pivotal role of pharmacists in society, “Not only do community pharmacists dispense prescription medications, but they also provide a number of health services that help patients improve their health and also reduce health care costs.”

2. Employment prospects for pharmacists are diverse.

Pharmacists work in a large variety of settings, including pharmacies, hospitals, drug stores, the pharmaceutical industry, mail order pharmacy centers, long-term care facilities, government agencies, and managed care organizations. Not only does this amount to strong job prospects in the short-term, but also to the promise of mobility and advancement throughout your career. While pharmacists can stay in one satisfying area for their entire careers, they can also seamlessly transition to other areas of practice, as well.

And while getting a degree in pharmacy is no small commitment, it’s also one that pays off: Pharmacists earn an average of $122,230 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also enjoy appealing flexibility when it comes to finding a job that best first their desired lifestyle. Unlike doctors who are often on call, pharmacists often work Monday through Friday, nine to five jobs.

Perhaps even more noteworthy than the high pay and other perks? The field of pharmacy is uniquely egalitarian. Wrote one pharmacist of her pride in the profession, “A recent study found that the disparity in pay between pharmacists at opposite ends of the earnings spectrum is the smallest seen in any healthcare profession. In addition, the pay ratio between female pharmacists and male pharmacists is currently around 0.92, which represents the lowest gender-based wage gap to be found in any healthcare profession.”

3. You’ll be on the cutting edge of innovation.

From robotics for central prescription processing to the role of pharmacogenomics in advancing medication therapy, the field of pharmacy is continually pushing boundaries to cure and even prevent diseases, promote patient safety, and improve efficiency.

Want to position yourself at the forefront of the pharmacy industry before you even get your degree? CHeck out the Pharmacy is Right for Me educational campaign’s Innovation Challenge, a competition in which high school students and student pharmacists partner together to take on medication or health-related problems in their communities and work together toward solutions.

4. You might just help save the world.

Interested in potentially playing a major role in the event of a major biological attack, meanwhile? Trained to recognize signs and symptoms of epidemics and bioterror situations, pharmacists are on the front lines when it comes to stopping the spread of disease and distributing safe antidotes.

According to “Expanding the Pharmacist’s Role in Public Health,” published in the Universal Journal of Public Health, “In many instances pharmacists have served as the first source for assistance in regards to bioterrorism. During the September 11 attacks and anthrax exposure in 2001, pharmacists helped to distribute medications, counsel patients, and assist other healthcare professionals.”

Chosen to “reflect the numerous contributions the pharmacy profession makes to health,” according to FIP President Dr. Carmen Peña, the theme of 2017’s World Pharmacists Day is, “From research to health care: Your pharmacist is at your service.” If you’re ready to become an essential part of the healthcare system -- and to reap some pretty satisfying professional and personal rewards in return -- a degree in pharmacy may be just what you’ve been looking for.