How to become a community pharmacist

How to become a Community Pharmacist

Becoming a community pharmacist typically entails education, training, and licensure requirements. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Complete Prerequisite Education
Finish high school with strong grades in science and math. Take pre-pharmacy courses at a college or university – subjects commonly include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and mathematics. The number of credits of transferable postsecondary coursework, specific prerequisite courses, and the minimum overall average on credits may vary from program to program.

Earn a Pharmacy Degree
Enroll in an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which typically takes four years to complete. In some countries (like the UK, Australia, or parts of Europe), this may be a Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy (BPharm or MPharm).

The PharmD curriculum covers pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, and patient care.

Gain Clinical Experience
In addition to classroom instruction, PharmD programs have a clinical/practical component, during which students complete internships or clinical placements/rotations to gain hands-on experience in retail or community pharmacy settings.

Pass Licensing Exams
In most countries, you must pass national or regional licensing exams.

• US – Pass the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and a state-specific law exam (often the MPJE – Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination).
• Canada – Pass the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) exams.
• UK – Complete a pre-registration training year and pass the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registration assessment.

Register with the Appropriate Regulatory Body
Apply for licensure or registration with the national or regional pharmacy board in your country or state/province.

Continuing Education
Continuous professional development (CPD) is often required to maintain licensure and stay up to date with medical advancements.

Consider Optional Certifications
Community pharmacists can enhance their skills and expand their scope of practice through certifications in a variety of domains:

• Immunization Certification – Various government boards and pharma schools offer immunization administration training, certifying pharmacists to administer vaccines like flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and travel immunizations.
• Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certification – MTM training focuses on optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes through comprehensive medication reviews. In the US it is primarily offered through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and specific programs accredited by them. Additionally, individual pharmacists or other healthcare professionals may obtain MTM certification through various professional organizations and institutions.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) – This certification, administered by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, equips pharmacists to help patients manage their condition effectively.
• Smoking Cessation Certification – This certification is commonly administered by state, provincial, or national government bodies or health departments, and is designed to enable pharmacists to counsel and support patients in quitting smoking.
• Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Certifications – BPS was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of the Board is to improve patient care and increase awareness of the need for BPS Board Certified Pharmacists. These are the fifteen specialty certifications administered by BPS: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Cardiology, Compound Sterile Preparations Pharmacy, Critical Care Pharmacy, Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Geriatric Pharmacy, Infectious Disease Pharmacy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pain Management Pharmacy, Pediatric Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, Psychiatric Pharmacy, Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy.
• Certified Medication Safety Professional (CMSP) – The Medication Safety Training Program, accredited by the American Institute for Medical Sciences and Management (AIMSM), is a specialized course concentrating on improving medication safety and reducing medication errors.

In general, earning these credentials requires additional coursework, training, and passing exams.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also help community pharmacists stay updated on best practices, influence healthcare policy, and connect with peers:

• American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – This is the largest association of pharmacists in the US, offering resources and training programs.
• National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) – This US-based association focuses specifically on independent community pharmacy owners and pharmacists.
• Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) – This association represents pharmacists across Canada and provides professional development and policy support.
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) – This is the professional body for pharmacists in Great Britain, supporting all areas of pharmacy practice including community pharmacy.
• Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) – The PGA represents community pharmacy owners and pharmacists in Australia, promoting professional standards and community health initiatives.
• International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) – This is a global organization that supports pharmacists worldwide, including those in community settings.