In the USA, to work as a pharmacist, one must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, known as a Pharm.D. Pharmacy programmes are usually four years long and must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). To gain admission one must have at least two years of college study with courses including maths, chemistry, biology, physics, humanities and social sciences. Applicants generally have to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test. Doctor of Pharmacy programmes include coursework in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology (effects of drugs on the body), toxicology and pharmacy administration. In the U.S., pharmacists must also pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Most states also require graduates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), a test of pharmacy law, also administered by the NABP.
In the UK, starting at high school, take on science related A Levels for example biology, physics and chemistry. If you would like to add any more, mathematics is always a good option. Many UK universities offer specific pharmacy degrees, you can do these as a sandwich course or all in one go. Once you graduate, before you can register as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to undertake one year of pre-registration training following your pharmacy degree.
In the UK, starting at high school, take on science related A Levels for example biology, physics and chemistry. If you would like to add any more, mathematics is always a good option. Many UK universities offer specific pharmacy degrees, you can do these as a sandwich course or all in one go. Once you graduate, before you can register as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to undertake one year of pre-registration training following your pharmacy degree.
