Pharmacy is a profession that is primarily concerned with the formulation and distribution of drugs and medications. Pharmacists provide advice on dosages, interactions, and side effects of drugs, and help instruct patients on safe and correct usage of their medications. Many pharmacists also give information to patients about diet, health, and management of common conditions from poison ivy to diabetes. Most pharmacists work in a retail pharmacy setting or in a healthcare facility such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. Retail pharmacists may work for a larger chain of drugstores or may start their own independent pharmacy business. Many pharmacists are directly involved in the management and business aspects of their pharmacy practice.

There are areas of specialization within the field of pharmacy, such as intravenous therapy, oncologic pharmacy (cancer drugs), geriatric pharmacy, nuclear pharmacy, and psychiatric pharmacy. Specialization is optional. There are also job opportunities with the government, public health organizations, military, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. For pharmacists interested in research and/or teaching, it is possible to do graduate work after pharmacy school and obtain a master’s or even PhD degree.

In order to practice pharmacy, a state license is required. In order to obtain a license, the prospective student must first graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The next step towards licensure is to successfully pass both a national pharmacist board exam and a national (or state) jurisprudence exam (test of pharmacy law). Individual states may have additional requirements for receiving a license.

There is an increasing demand for pharmacists, due in part to the aging of the U.S. population, and to the scientific advances in drug development. There is approximately 97% employment of new graduates, and starting salaries may reach ~ $107,000.

There are 3 accredited schools of pharmacy in North Carolina:

• Campbell University School of Pharmacy
• UNC Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy
• Wingate University School of Pharmacy

High Point University  has announced plans to offer a PharmD program beginning in 2014.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST of accredited schools of pharmacy in the US, click here: Pharmacy Schools.