So Why Are You a Pharmacist?

Fred M. Eckel, RPh, MS; Pharmacy Times Editor-in-Chief

Published Online: October 26, 2009 - 12:00:01 AM (CDT)

I have opportunities to interview students applying for admission to pharmacy school, and when asked why they want to become a pharmacist, most include the desire to help others. Pharmacy is indeed a “helping” profession that offers job variety with a good income.  Part-time work is readily available, and jobs are generally available anywhere in the country. Will that continue to be the case after health care reform?
 
On occasion I talk to a pharmacist who has been working for a while and doesn’t feel good about being a pharmacist.  He expresses disappointment about choosing pharmacy as a career, wouldn’t do it again, and doesn’t want his children to be pharmacists. Because I personally have really enjoyed being a pharmacist, I wonder whether those disappointed in pharmacy would be disappointed in most jobs. Is the problem more in their attitude rather than in the pharmacy profession?

Fortunately for our profession, most pharmacists are glad they chose the profession and would do it again. That does not mean that we never feel overwhelmed by our workload, are frustrated by some customer, or are unsure about some recommendation we offered.  When that occurs, I like to look back at why I went into pharmacy and how many people I have been able to help throughout my career. I admit that when I entered pharmacy school or even when I graduated and got my pharmacy license, I had no idea I would have the opportunities that pharmacy offered me. Nor did I think I would have practiced pharmacy in the places I did. Change has been a part of my career. By embracing change and taking some risks I feel as if I got a lot more out of pharmacy than I put into it. 

I share this personal reflection on my own career in pharmacy because I feel as if our profession is on the threshold of great opportunity. But we have to embrace change and take some risks to take advantage of that opportunity. The days of count and pour, lick and stick pharmacy are going away.  Pharmacists who delegate this role to technology or others so that they can help patients make the best use of their medications will be what society needs from their pharmacist. And if that is not why you wanted to become a pharmacist, then maybe you need to rethink why you are a pharmacist.

Medication misadventures, cost of drug therapy, and poor medication adherence are problems for too many patients.  Pharmacists can be the profession most available to improve these situations. It will require us to take some risks in our practice model, but it will help people—and that is why most of us went into pharmacy.

We invite you to share your stories with us.  Feel free to leave a comment in the box below.

Mr. Eckel is professor at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bosco Huiyn9wz

- October 28, 2009 - 8:31:00 (CDT)

am a pharmacist enjoying all aspects of pharmacy times keep up the good work

Azra

- October 30, 2009 - 6:05:59 (CDT)

I'm still studyng pharmacy and I am satisfied, I love it.

Suleman Atique Gondal

- October 30, 2009 - 8:06:43 (CDT)

I am student of final year in Pharm-D.I am from Pakistan.I hope best from my profession

ayman ramadan kamal el-nahas

- November 2, 2009 - 6:55:12 (CST)

Realy i feel great with this profession , becouse the main core message was HELPING others

quynh

- November 3, 2009 - 11:19:42 (CST)

I find it difficult to learn pharmacy,I am not sure whether I love it.But I really want to help patient better

Corrinne

- November 4, 2009 - 11:33:04 (CST)

am still in the pre-professional years of Pharmacy and at the moment it seems very dry and unrelated, but I know once I am accepted into the professional division in the Spring, it will be a whole new world. Not only did I choose Pharmacy because I love helping people, but also because my entire life I have been around doctors and pharmacists due to my asthma and I cannot wait to put effort forth in order to help improve the lives of people with this respiratory disease.

Brenda

- November 4, 2009 - 6:31:28 (CST)

I absolutely LOVE what I do! Sure, not every moment of every day, but pharmacy is a passion for me--it is rare that a person is able to combine a career with a passion. I learn more every day, and I teach every day--co-workers and patients and other health care providers, not in a class room. I work in retail in a local chain, been a pharmacist since '86 and still have a good 20 years to go! I encourage anyone who is interested in the profession to go for it--you get much more back than you put in!

Ruth Aduamoah-Addo

- November 11, 2009 - 5:38:43 (CST)

ruaa

- November 14, 2009 - 12:32:13 (CST)

rmaas85@yahoo.com

GernBlanston

- November 19, 2009 - 9:37:53 (CST)

Third generation pharmacist. Said I did not want to go into pharmacy to do something different. Ultimately I still went into pharmacy and glad I did. I agree with the Editor, Mr Eckel. You should change your practice setting about every 10 years to stay fresh. You have that option as a pharmacist, take advantage of it.

Wendell Au

- November 19, 2009 - 11:55:56 (CST)

Pharmacy stretches the mind. There are always scenarios not addressed by book learning. I have to apply my knowledge to solve problems, especially those my patients present me with.