An in-depth understanding of the use, effects, and interactions of thousands of drugs is critical to success as a pharmicist. Pharmacists need communication and organizations skills, patience, and the ability to pay attention to detail.

Pharmacists are becoming more involved in drug therapy decisionmaking and patient counseling. A license is required; one must serve an internship under a licensed pharmacist, graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy, and pass a State examination. Very good employment opportunities are expected. Earnings are very high, but some pharmacists work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor)

Drug costs continue to plague seniors
Whether or not new legislation adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, signed into law by President Bush last month, will help the majority of the nation´s seniors with their drug costs still is an open question.

Internet prescribing is out of control
Possessing 30 OxyContin pills bought on a street corner in Daytona Beach could land you in jail for years. But why bother? You can get the same pills over the Internet – cheaper, safer and without the inconvenient hassle of a felony prosecution.

Career Advice: Prospective drug reps need dose of reality
What would be the best way to go about getting a pharmaceutical sales rep job? What should I major in? And should I get a bachelor´s or master´s degree?

1. Go to the career section. Then, explore one or more of the web links related to this job. Make copies of web pages you find interesting and organize them into a reference file or notebook to share with others.

2. Search recent copies of The Daytona Beach News-Journal for evidence of this occupaion. Clip examples from display ads, classified ads, news articles, features, editorials, and the comics.

3. From the pages of The News-Journal, identify people and organizations that can be contacted for more information about this occupation. Investigate one or more and organize your findings into a scrapbook to share with your class. Please feel free to add useful ones to the Resource List for this occupation in the Job Center.

4. Clip words from The Daytona Beach News-Journal that describe, or are used in, this occupation. Define each and then, using Puzzlemaker, create a crossword puzzle to challenge friends or classmates.

5. Visit NewsVoyages.com and search for information about this job in online papers from other parts of the U.S. Print out pages that you find interesting and share them with your class or family.

Career Options and Opportunities: What’s in Your Future?
Just a few decades ago, after a person graduated from high school or college, he or she probably chose a job and settled into it-and stuck with it! Changing careers was not a thing most people considered. Nowadays, however, it´s not uncommon for people to change careers one or more times between graduation and retirement.

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
National organization representing the interests of pharmaceutical education and educators.
http://www.aacp.org/

Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences
There are many things you may wish to consider when exploring the possibility of becoming a pharmacist. Typically, one should consider both the steps involved in the process of becoming a pharmacist as well as the career options available to Pharmacists. Even more importantly, you must consider the responsibilities and qualifications of a Pharmacist relative to your own abilities.
http://www.pharmacy.purdue.edu/students/prospective/

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
The American Pharmacists Association, Improving medication use. Advancing patient care. - a leader in providing professional information and education for pharmacists and an advocate for improved health of the American public through the provision of comprehensive pharmaceutical care.
http://www.aphanet.org/

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
ASHP is the national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care, and other components of health care systems.
http://www.ashp.org/

Pharmacists - Occupational Outlook Handbook
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use; clinical effects; and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

Discovery School´s Puzzlemaker
Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists. (www.puzzlemaker.com)

The Job Center » On Course for College » Food For Thought » Meet Me At The Mall »