With ample pay and a pleasant work environment, a career in pharmacy is much sought-after. Pharmacists are integral to the healthcare system – more patients consult with their pharmacist than with any other type of healthcare provider.
But if you’re willing to put in the years of study that it takes to become a pharmacist, there is something you should know – things are changing.
But don’t let this rapidly developing technological landscape scare you. You can embrace and master the skills that come with emerging technologies. When you display these abilities in your resume and pharmacist cover letter, you will enjoy a leg up against the competition.
Below, we’ll discuss the general pharmacist job outlook in the U.S., pandemic-accelerated changes including virtual consultations and mail-order prescriptions, and a few core principles that will hopefully never change.
Pharmacy Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for pharmacists is projected to be slower than the overall job market during the next decade.
Does this mean you shouldn’t choose a pharmacy career path? No. Slower job growth simply means that getting hired may be more competitive than in other fields. Being ready for the digital changes described below can give you an edge.
The Digital Shift
The pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated several trends already emerging in education and the medical industry. Classes, even those traditionally conducted in person, shifted online. More patients turned to telehealth options, in which they could consult with a medical professional via phone or video conference. Mail-order prescription fulfillment increased in popularity, and doctor shortages prompted legislative changes allowing pharmacists to prescribe some medications in certain places.
This shift has allowed some pharmacy employees to pivot to a work from home schedule, especially in relation to mail-order pharmacies.
Shifting needs have also caused a proliferation of non-dispensing pharmacies. Instead of distributing prescription medications, non-dispensing pharmacies provide “services such as medication therapy management (MTM), drug therapy assessment and monitoring, drug regimen review, disease management, coordination of patient care with other healthcare providers, and other related patient care services,” according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s Innovations magazine.
This model of providing services rather than retailing products opens up a whole new career path for pharmacists. Such services are often provided through virtual consultations.
An Evolving Role
The role of the pharmacist has also shifted in the case of certain drugs. Traditionally, both mail-order and brick-and-mortar pharmacies required patients to present a prescription from their medical provider.
Now, U.S. pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19. This expands upon the existing eligibility of pharmacists in some states to prescribe some medications or adjust dosages. These include Naloxone for opioid overdoses, smoking cessation products, HIV preventatives, and birth control.
Some states also allow pharmacists to treat common infections and conditions. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy continues to encourage this type of direct patient care.
In the near future, it may become commonplace for pharmacists to serve the role currently occupied by urgent care and walk-in clinics. Others may perform telehealth visits virtually, prescribing remedies that are then delivered by mail-order pharmacies.
Some mail-order providers already exemplify this model. Nurx and The Pill Club, for example, offer prescription reproductive and skin care medications without a previous prescription. Patients fill out a survey on their medical history and current medications, which is reviewed by a medical professional who may prescribe the requested medication. In the future, pharmacists may fill this role.
Indeed, international mail-order providers are also in demand, proving that much work of the pharmacist can be accomplished remotely.
Become a Pharmacist in Charge
While most pharmacies have a pharmacist in charge in practice—often the head pharmacist fills this role—the pharmacist in charge position is especially relevant to direct-to-patient pharmacies. Rather than handling the daily tasks of filling prescriptions, they take responsibility for the entire operation. Often, they focus on legal compliance, which is especially important in an ever-changing legal landscape. They also enforce safety standards, such as keeping detailed patient health records.
What Won’t Change
“Despite industry changes, the pharmacist will always act as a patient advocate,” according to Medvantx, a direct-to-patient pharmaceutical platform. “This includes prioritizing patient safety and working with insurance companies to find the best prices.”
Key Takeaways
Careers in pharmacy have always been competitive and will likely become more so. Current and future job candidates should strive to master emerging technologies. In this way, they may be comfortable with the software and hardware necessary for conducting virtual consultations.
As time goes on, pharmacists are assuming a more direct and hands-on role in patient care, including prescribing certain medications. Some roles also involve keeping up with changing laws and ensuring compliance.
About Post Author
