As recently as the 1960s, only about 10% of pharmacists in the United States were women. Today, that number is closer to 68%. There are many reasons for the sharp uptick in women working as pharmacists. These range from greater access to education to women wishing to pursue a career instead of or alongside motherhood. But what does it take to become a pharmacist?
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, pharmacists are essential members of the healthcare community, and they play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the right medication at the right dosage at the right time. These individuals are responsible for dispensing medications, counseling patients on proper drug usage, and helping to monitor for side effects. Pharmacists also provide education and counseling on many different health topics, including disease prevention and medication management.
To become a pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you have to earn a degree of pharmacy from an accredited pharmacy school. The Pharm.D. program is a four-year program that usually requires two years of pre-pharmacy coursework followed by four years of professional pharmacy study.
