The primary work of pharmacists is dispensing prescription medications. A pharmacist provides crucial information to both consumers and other medical practitioners about the use and interaction of medications, advising on dosages and potential side effects. The majority of pharmacists work in retail pharmacy outlets, many of them as independent owners. Others work for hospitals or clinics, the armed forces, pharmaceutical companies or schools training new pharmacists. There are also areas of specialization for pharmacists such as oncological, geriatric or psychiatric pharmacy.
All pharmacists in the U.S. are required to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited school or college. Applicants to the doctoral program have completed at least two and preferably three years of general science courses. The program itself generally requires four years of instruction, and includes a practical component. Some graduates also seek out an internship or residency, which may be required for some career paths. The Doctor of Pharmacy degree replaces the former Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which is no longer recognized.
All American schools of pharmacy must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The ACPE was founded in 1932 to administer accreditation for the industry, and in 1975 its mandate was broadened to include continuing education programs in pharmacy. Accreditation standards have evolved over the life of the organization. The revision in 2000 was especially significant, removing the Bachelor of Pharmacy program and leaving the Doctor of Pharmacy as the only entry-level degree in the field. The 2007 revision of ACPE standards was still current in 2011.
Pharmacists must licensing examinations before they are permitted to practice their profession. All states require a pharmacist to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam, which tests professional knowledge. A second examination tests the graduate's knowledge of pharmacy-related legal issues. In most states, this is the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam. Other states and some specialized areas of practice require further tests and licensing. Criminal record checks are not unusual.