Pre-Pharmacy

Pharmacists play a critical role in modern health care, dispensing drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and providing information to patients about medications. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications. Pharmacists also monitor the health and progress of patients in response to drug therapy to ensure the safe and effective use of medication.Pre-Pharmacy is a two-year pre-professional track that consists of courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics that are required for application to a four-year doctor of pharmacy degree program. This pre-pharmacy non-degree program is specifically designed for students planning to apply to the PharmD program at the UC James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. Additional coursework may be required for students planning to apply to PharmD programs at other institutions.Pre-pharmacy students attending the UC Blue Ash campus are encouraged to work with their major advisor and the Pre-Professional Advising Center to be sure you are the most prepared applicant.CareerYou must complete your doctorate (PharmD) to become a pharmacist. The profession of pharmacy offers excellent opportunities to those interested in science.Registered pharmacists find careers in the areas of communityretail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, wholesaling of drug products, pharmaceutical manufacturing, scientific research, government work and teaching. Community pharmacy affords pharmacists an opportunity to become owners of their own businesses. Positions are also available in drug product wholesaling, which has become an important part of the industry's distribution method.The manufacturing of drug products is one of the largest industries in the US, requiring astute attention, accuracy and scientific skill. Every manufactured drug product must be carefully compounded, tested and analyzed before it is offered to the public. Manufacturers also employ pharmacists as medical service representatives who provide drug, clinical and other information to health professions.