Are you considering to be a Pharmacist?
My journey started off in a small community pharmacy setting near a polyclinic. I was fortunate to move to a gated community pharmacy in the capital two years later. During this time, I learnt a lot about different cosmeceutical products, in contrast to the medication that I had focused on earlier. I was promoted to a warehouse pharmacist in a central purchasing store, where I am currently working in. This new role entails, analysis and distribution of required pharmaceutical products across 14 branches. When I started, did I know what I was doing? The answer is No. I took it as a challenge to learn about an area that I was unfamiliar with – procurement and purchasing. My advice to young girls who wish to take a pharmaceutical career or any other career is that remember limitations are only in our minds, if we use our imagination our possibilities become endless. Take every opportunity to learn and improve yourself. The sky is the limit.
What makes you a successful future pharmacist?
- Skilled in Mathematics and Science
- Adaptability
- Diligence and attention to detail
- Critical thinking skills
- Good communication skills
- Multi-tasking capabilities
What career options do I have as a Pharmacist?
COMMUNITY/ RETAIL PHARMACIST
- Filling prescriptions and educating customers on basic health care matters.
ONCOLOGY PHARMACIST
- Compound and dispense chemotherapy drug, conduct research treatments and review drugs the hospital uses for cancer patients
HOSPITAL PHARMACIST
- Hospital pharmacists work directly with doctors and nurses to ensure patients receive the correct medication in the right dosage and at the right time.
NUCLEAR PHARMACIST
- Nuclear pharmacists specialize in radioactive drugs and treatments for diseases such as cancer.
VETERINARY PHARMACIST
- Compounding medications to meet the specific needs of pets, their owners and veterinarians.
ACADEMIA
- Academic pharmacists play a key role in educating the pharmacists of tomorrow, including training future pharmacists and conducting research.
INDUSTRY PHARMACIST
- Develop new drugs , conduct clinical drug trials, manage drug safety reports, respond to medical information requests, or work on quality control in a drug production department.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS PHARMACIST
- Help ensure that drugs and medical products meet the required regulations before they are put on the market.
How do you become a Pharmacist?
- 5 ‘O’ subjects, including English Language at ‘O’ level.
- At least 2 ‘A’ Level passes including Chemistry or equivalent.
- Some universities accept a Diploma in Applied Sciences.
- Attain your degree in Pharmacy.
- Register to be a licensed Pharmacist with the Medical Board of that country you wish to work in.
The pharmacy industry is always evolving, we have to come up with new health technologies to improve existing pharmaceutical devices and medication delivery. Since this sector is data and technology driven, a pharmacist can grow simultaneously.
