Top Pharmacy Organizations for Students

Getting involved in extracurriculars while in pharmacy school can seem like a daunting task. Between balancing school, work, and a personal life, time management can feel like an impossibility. However, getting involved in pharmacy organizations can provide invaluable resources and help to differentiate your resume from your peers. Listed below are several of the major pharmacy organizations.

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

AMCP is dedicated to the practice of pharmaceutical care in managed health care environments. Within the managed care field, pharmacists have the opportunity to participate in formulary management, health care cost containment, outcomes research, and patient education. Benefits of AMCP student registration includes educational newsletters, Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy subscription, discounted conference registration rates, and the opportunity to participate in a national clinical skills competition.

Membership cost: $45/year

More Info: http://www.amcp.org/studentcenter/

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)

ACCP aims to advance the field of clinical pharmacy through promoting leadership, professional development, and advocacy of the profession. Clinical pharmacists work directly with doctors, other health care professionals, and patients to optimize health outcomes. Included in an ACCP student registration are career development resources, Pharmacotherapy subscription, curriculum vitae (CV) review, scholarship opportunities, and the chance to participate in a national clinical pharmacy challenge.

Membership cost: $35/year

More Info: http://www.accp.com/stunet/

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

APhA represents the nation’s oldest and largest pharmacy organization and is dedicated to improving the public's health through education and advocacy of the pharmacy profession. Student benefits include bookstore discounts, scholarship opportunities, conference registration discounts, and subscriptions to the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association and magazine Pharmacy Today.

Membership cost: $45/year

More Info: http://www.pharmacist.com/apha-asp

American Society of Health'System Pharmacists (ASHP)

ASHP represents pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in acute and ambulatory settings. Responsibilities of institutional pharmacists may include dispensing medications, collaborating with prescribers, influencing the selection of drugs and dosage regimens, monitoring patient therapeutic responses to drugs, and counseling patients regarding their medication use. Student benefits include career tool advice, scholarship opportunities, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy subscription, conference registration discounts, and the potential to present a poster at one of ASHP’s biannual conferences.

Membership cost: $45/year

More Info: http://www.ashp.org/students

National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)

NCPA focuses on independent pharmacy and business entrepreneurship. Student registration includes bookstore discounts, America's Pharmacist magazine subscription, scholarship opportunities, discounted conference registration rates, and the ability to participate in the Pruitt-Schutte student business plan competition, health and wellness challenge, and legislative advocacy challenge.

Membership cost: $35/year

More Info: http://www.ncpanet.org/students/student-resources

Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO)

IPhO is dedicated exclusively to advancing the careers of industry-based pharmacists. Within industry, pharmacists can engage in research and development, quality assurance, drug information, and clinical trials. Student benefits include fellowship information, video highlights from experienced industry pharmacists and fellows, publications and posters on industry pathway awareness, and live networking and informational programs.

Membership cost: $100/year

More Info: http://www.industrypharmacist.org/index.php