About The Pharmacy
Pharmacy; It is an academic discipline that includes the science and technique of preparing, distributing and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services. Since many of the drugs used in the health sector are produced by pharmaceutical companies, professional practices are clinically directed. According to the current situation, pharmacies are classified as community pharmacy or institutional pharmacy. Providing direct patient care in the community of institutional pharmacies is considered clinical pharmacy.
Career Paths for Pharmacy Degree Majors
Career opportunities for newly graduated pharmacists are;
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Personal Pharmacy,
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Hospital Pharmacy and Clinics,
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Pharmaceutical Industry,
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In cosmetics companies,
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In Forensic Medicine Institutions,
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In Pharmaceutical Warehouses,
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Industrial Pharmacy Institutions (Production, Testing, R&D, Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology),
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In Clinical Research Laboratories,
Can find employment opportunities. Continuing an academic life is also an option for those studying pharmacy and they can work at universities as instructors.
People who receive an average of 5 years of education around the world have the opportunity to start their careers when they graduate from the faculty of pharmacy. For those who want to specialize in a field, graduate programs are required. Those who want to become a pharmacist must graduate from a 5-year pharmacy undergraduate program and complete their compulsory internship. Those who do not complete their 6-month compulsory internship cannot open a pharmacy and work as pharmacy technicians in hospitals, even after they graduate.
What Skills Do I Need to Become a Pharmacy?
When we look at the skills that pharmacists should have, it is necessary to look at the duties of pharmacists. The main duties of pharmacists are as follows:
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To inform patients in detail about the prescribed drugs.
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Suggesting and selling medicines according to the complaints of the patients. (Only over-the-counter drugs)
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To measure blood pressure. It is to perform first aid to people with low or high blood pressure.
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Preparing weekly and monthly pharmacy files.
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Processing controlled drug prescriptions on the computer.
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Informing patients about medical equipment.
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To act in accordance with the patient's right to privacy.
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Preparing chemotherapy drugs and solutions
In addition, pharmacists together with this whole process
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To maintain order in the pharmacy.
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Instruct both patients and nurses on the use of drugs and medical equipment.
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To determine the days off and working hours of the employees in the pharmacy.
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Checking that medicines are properly stored.
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Changing expired drugs. Dispose of expired drugs in accordance with the procedure.
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To classify green and red prescription drugs.
It has duties such as preparing a tender list and following up the work.
Considering all duties and responsibilities, it can be said that people who are careful, hardworking, have good human relations, enjoy their job and are interested in pharmacology and chemistry can be successful as pharmacists.
Is the Pharmacy Department Right for Me?
Pharmacy vocational education strives to prepare future professionals for the business life they will work in and to gain the ability to do things for the benefit of the society they live in. A university graduate is expected to be ready for professional life with his knowledge and skills and to always lead the society. Universities have the most important mission of trying to provide education and training that is as close to the sectoral elements of current life as possible and that provides information that is suitable for their needs. In this context, they need to adapt to faculties that aim to equip young people who prefer the profession of pharmacy with up-to-date medicine and health information by using theoretical and practical applications, and to train them as pharmacists who contribute to the society they live in. It is important to ensure that the graduates are at a level to be able to undertake the duties expected from a pharmacist at the national and global level, and to be able to apply them during their graduation.
It is important for idealists to read the pharmacy department for the future of the profession and for the education process not to be difficult. The prestige of the profession is in a position where idealistic people are successful. At the same time, it is known that people with strong human relations are more successful in this profession. People who want it for monetary gain will not be able to achieve the success they want in the pharmacy department, as in every profession. When the idea of helping people is prioritized here, the profit will increase. The pharmacy department, which covers an average of 5 years of education in the world, means a difficult education life when the details such as plant and drug names in Latin are considered. Pharmacy will not be a suitable profession for people who are not interested in these.
Study Pharmacy Abroad in Canada
Canada's success in medicine and health sciences is highly attractive to international students. Many students in Canada choose this place for their pharmacy education every year, with the fact that many universities providing pharmacy education are public universities and there are scholarship opportunities they offer to international students. Canada offers many students who dream and aim to live and work in Canada after graduation, as well as high living standards, opportunities to do research in many fields. Each pharmacy school in Canada has different entry requirements, but a high GPA and a good IELTS score are minimum criteria. In addition, most schools may require you to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test called PCAT. Pharmacists who complete their pharmacy education and start working in Canada earn approximately CAD$80,000 per year. Pharmacy training is around CAD$19,000 per semester.
Advantages of Studying Pharmacy Abroad in Canada
Life sciences educations encompasses a multidisciplinary understanding dealing with living organisms, science and ecosystems. There are many fields within life sciences programs, from biology to zoology, from botany to biochemistry, from physiology to genetics. Applications to these departments are made in the same way as other undergraduate departments. Of course, life sciences departments are not just a stepping stone for pharmacy and medicine departments. These departments are among the departments that will guide the near future in areas such as cancer, food safety, biomedicine, and environmental sciences.
For this reason, pharmacy education in Canada is at a very advantageous point. Students studying pharmacy in Canada have the opportunity to receive an international education with students from many different cultures. It is possible to speak more than one language in Canada, where French and English are actively used. In addition to all these, it is a great opportunity for students to study pharmacy in Canada with its comprehensive academic education and its diploma that is considered equivalent in many countries of the world.
How Long Does It Take to Study Pharmacy in Canada?
To study pharmacy in Canada, it is necessary to graduate from one of the life sciences departments with a good average. After that; It is necessary to obtain a good score from the health proficiency exam called the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). In the exam, besides knowledge in fields such as biology, physics, chemistry; Skills such as problem solving and critical thinking are also measured. At the same time; It is also necessary to take an exam called CASPer, which analyzes characters with imaginary scenarios and takes place in a computer environment. In addition to these; More than one reference letter from extracurricular activities, social responsibility projects and university professors is also needed.
Although it is officially called an undergraduate program; Pharmacy education in Canada includes a 3–4-year undergraduate program followed by a 2-year major education.
The Best Universities to Study Pharmacy in Canada
The University of Toronto is among the best universities to teach pharmacy in Canada. It is possible to get the best education in the field of life sciences at this university. McGill University, University of British Columbia, McMaster University and University of Montreal are among the best universities you can choose in the field of medicine.
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University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is known as Canada's leading university. The University of Toronto, which has 3 different campuses, has a total of 90,000 students, 20,390 of whom are international. The University of Toronto, one of the world's leading universities in education and research, provides education in 980 different fields and between 2017-2018, the University of Toronto collected $1.1 billion in donations for university research. It has more than 500,000 graduates all over the world. Despite the high number of students, the University of Toronto directs students to clubs, volunteer work, sports and music with the wide range of opportunities they offer on campuses. It has become one of Canada's leading schools by constantly developing an understanding of education in accordance with the time on solid foundations.
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McGill University
Established in 1821, McGill University is one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Canada and the world, consisting of 11 faculties and 11 specialty schools. One of only two universities outside the United States to become members of the Association of American Universities (the other member university is the University of Toronto), the university is also the only Canadian member of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) at the World Economic Forum. McGill University, one of Canada's oldest and most recognized higher education institutions and one of the world's leading universities, is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country, with the highest admission requirements of any Canadian university.
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University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is located in western Canada, in the Province of British Columbia. The university is recognized as a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. The university, also known as UBC for short, was founded in 1908. It is known to be the oldest university in British Columbia. The university is ranked among Canada's top universities in ranking tables each year. According to Times Higher Education; The university is among the top 50 universities in the world. It is ranked as the second best university in Canada. The university is also among the top 50 universities in the world according to the QS and ARWU rankings. QS ranks UBC as the third best Canadian university. According to ARWU, the University of British Columbia is recognized as the second best university in Canada.
Pharmacy Admission Requirement in Canada
University education in Canada takes 4 years. When the necessary conditions for Canadian universities are met, education can start from the first year. Students who want to apply to top schools such as McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia must have an IB diploma, AP or A Level. In addition to a good grade point average, proof of English level with TOEFL or IELTS exams is required.
In addition to these, written letters of intent and references are also important. Ordinary high school graduation diploma holders can start different universities and colleges in Canada from their first year, provided that they provide a sufficient TOEFL or IELTS score. For high school graduates, there are programs called pathways offered within Canadian universities. Thanks to Canadian Universities pathway programs, they can start their university education from the first year without wasting time. The entry requirements of pathway programs are more flexible, for example, you can start a pathway program with lower scores than exams such as IELTS or TOEFL without an SAT score document.