Fresh Advice: Pharmacy Jobs

Published on 2008-06-16

As one of the fastest growing sectors within the large and ever expanding healthcare industry, pharmaceutics is expected to be a driving force in the creation of new medical careers in the coming decade for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians alike. Though the caricature of pharmacy jobs is an eight hour (or more) day of prescription filling and medication dispensing, it`s a profession with a much more ancient history and wider range of responsibilities than you might expect. With that in mind, we take a brief look at the history and future of pharmacy careers.

The history of pharmacy jobs

The oldest known pharmaceutical prescription on record comes to us from ancient Sumeria: "Pulverize the seed of the `carpenter` plant, the gum resin of the markasi plant, [and] thyme; dissolve it in beer; let the man drink." No word on what particular condition this drug was meant to cure, though one presumes a hangover.

The word pharmacy actually derives from ancient Greek, in which pharmakon referred to a magical substance or drug. It's also related to pharmakos, which was the act of expelling or beating a human scapegoat in order to purify the community. The association of this practice with purgation or catharsis eventually led to its use as a description of how drugs purify the body.

The first pharmacist jobs, so to speak, had more to do with magic and incantation than medicine. The modern origin of pharmacists dates back to the apothecaries of the Middle Ages. Though apothecaries worked with chemistry and spices, they also gave medical advice, performed surgery and delivered babies. Yet they weren't in the same stratum as physicians. The 14th century English author Geoffrey Chaucer wrote of his doctor that "ful redy hadde he hise apothecaries to send him drogges."

The boundary between apothecary and physician jobs remained somewhat ambiguous even up to the founding of the first college of pharmacy in North America, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, in 1821. And even today, the phrase "chemist jobs" is sometimes interchangeable with "pharmacist jobs," particularly in England.

The future of pharmacy jobs

Within contemporary medicine, the various tasks of medieval apothecaries have branched off into a myriad of technologically advanced and highly specialized medical and pharmaceutical careers. The task of creating and concocting medicines has been taken over by the research and development departments of pharmaceutical companies and universities. The main responsibilities of the modern pharmacist include advising physicians on the interactions and side effects of medications, clinical medication management, and answering patients' questions. Though most pharmacists are employed in hospitals or community pharmacies, career opportunities are expanding in areas such as health insurance, sales and marketing, and managed care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 22% growth in pharmacy employment by the year 2016. The current median annual salary for pharmacists is slightly below $95,000.

To become a pharmacist, a student must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.). Two years of preliminary study must be completed, and Pharm.D. programs are typically four to five years long. A state license must also be obtained after graduation in order to practice pharmacy.

When you're looking for pharmaceutical jobs in California, New York or anywhere else in the U.S., make Fresho.com your first stop. With free search tools and useful site features, Fresho makes it easy to find or post jobs in your city or career field. Start browsing our Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical section now to locate pharmacy or pharmacy technician jobs in your state.