Students working toward a four-year pharmacy degree learn human biology and ways the body's chemicals interact with the medication. Pharmacists must be well versed in human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and have a solid background in mathematics and physics. A major part of pharmacy education is learning about drugs created from plants and animals and determining how medications interact with different people. A pharmacist must know how chemicals can be used as life-saving medication and the hazards they pose when misused. Pharmacy students may have the opportunity to work with doctors and researchers on studies of a new medications. Beyond pharmaceutical education, students are usually prepared with fundamental business practices in order to successfully operate a pharmacy.
All 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories require the pharmacists to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam that assesses pharmacy abilities and knowledge. Additionally, all of the states require future pharmacists to take pharmacy law exams, either the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam or one devised by the state. Individual states may require further examinations unique to their jurisdiction and a specific number of on-the-job hours in a pharmacy before granting a license.
Working closely with a pharmacist, the pharmacy technician reads and verifies prescriptions, mixes or otherwise prepares some medications and labels prescriptions. Consequently, accuracy and attention to detail are paramount for the pharmacy tech. The pharmacy tech is often the face of the business and should be well-groomed, friendly and articulate. Additionally, the tech handles much of the pharmacy's daily operation and may be required to maintain records and reports. In most states, pharmacy techs are certified by the state board of pharmacy.
A pharmacy technician degree gives the graduate greater flexibility in future education, but doesn't necessarily offer more extensive pharmacy background than a certificate provides. Piedmont Technical College in South Carolina offers a diploma in applied science in pharmacy technician that takes three semesters to complete. There are some prerequisite courses students must take before applying. The program covers all facets of pharmacy operation from preparing and labeling medicines to understanding their uses and side effects. California's Foothill College has a two-year Associate of Science pharmacy technician program that enables the student to transfer to a four-year school after graduation.
Arapahoe Community College in Colorado offers a 23-week fast-track pharmacy technician certificate that is accredited the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The program includes a pair of four-week internships, hybrid classes that are taught online and in the classroom and twice weekly labs with hands-on experiences. Roane State Community College in Tennessee offers a one-year, 28-credit certificate program that prepares students to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam for certification.