A career in pharmacy can have many modalities. Many pharmacists work in community settings, providing care to patients who require both prescription and non-prescription drugs. Pharmacists also need to be familiar with medical equipment a doctor may prescribe. In addition, they function as educators and counselors who provide drug information and education. Many other pharmacists work in institutional settings, such as hospitals, where they dispense medications to patients. They also provide support to specialty practices like oncology and psychiatry.

There also are opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, including drug research and development, quality assurance, and professional services. Graduates can choose to work in academia, where research and teaching are important. Some pharmacists serve in government agencies such as the DEA and FDA. Others choose public service in agencies like the Veteran’s Administration and National Institutes of Health. For those looking for a non-traditional niche, positions are available in pharmaceutical journalism and pharmacy law.

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy prepares students to become licensed professionals. The program entails 4 years. The first 3 consist mainly of didactic course work that covers the principles and practice of pharmaceutical science. The final year is full-time experiential practice.

The program also has a strong general education component. Admission to the college is competitive and depends on a number of factors, such as GPA in math and science courses, performance on prerequisite course work and PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) score. Foreign students have a further requirement of a score of 577 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or a score of 84 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery.

Students with a strong desire to help people or communities in a healthcare setting who have an interest or background in science and mathematics are good candidates for a career in pharmacy.

http://pharmacy.osu.edu/academics/pharmd/entrylevel.cfm

http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/schoolohiostatepage.htm