PHARMACY-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY

WHAT IS PHARMACY AND WHO IS A PHARMACIST?

Pharmacy is the health science that links medical science with chemistry and it is responsible for the discovery, production, control, disposal, safe as well as the effective use of drugs. Its primary concern is the preparation and standardization of drugs.

Pharmacists are responsible for the preparation of the dosage forms of drugs, such as tablets, capsules, and injections. They prescribe drugs to patients as well as educate them on both the old and new medications in order to ensure safety. Pharmacists can also be defined as medication experts who use their detailed knowledge of medicines to help patients get well.

It is also very important to note that pharmacists work hand in hand with other health personnel such as doctors, dentists and physicians in their will to provide suitable medications to various patients, minimizing on the side effects while optimizing the effectiveness of a drug.

WHERE DO PHARMACISTS WORK?

Pharmacists can work in various public and private organisations; one can work in a clinic/hospital under the pharmacy department as well as in the prisons and military under the same department.  A pharmacist can also work in community pharmacies (also known as drug stores or chemists in Zambia), in pharmaceutical production or sales in the pharmaceutical industry and universities/colleges as a lecturer or a researcher. Pharmacists can also work for non-governmental organizations especially those interested in the primary health care.

WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?

Pharmacists have a lot of tasks in as far as drugs and the health of patients are concerned. The tasks, however, differs depending on the place of work as well as the job descriptions. Generally, pharmacists are involved in all aspects of medicine delivery to patients, they prepare and package medication that a doctor has prescribed and also sell medication over the counter (the case of those running their own pharmacy). Pharmacists explain what the medicine is for, how it works, what to expect when taking the medication and what to look out for. If a patient or customer don’t understand any aspects of a given health condition, a pharmacist is well placed to help him or her.

Pharmacists might also offer advice on nutrition, exercise, stress management and other general health issues, sometimes (in the case of clinics/hospitals) direct patients to over-the-counter medications that might treat their symptoms.

Pharmacists are also tasked for:

  • Ensuring that the supply of medicines is within the law
  • Ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable
  • Supervising the medicines supply chain and ensure pharmacy premises and systems are fit for purpose
  • Advising other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medicines use, and safe and secure supply of medicines
  • responding to patients’ symptoms and advise on medicines for sale in pharmacies
  • Providing services to patients, such as smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement and cholesterol management
  • Supervising the production and preparation of medicines and assessments of quality of medicines before they are supplied to patients from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
  • Partnering with consumers and patients to provide education and advice on the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team to provide expertise on drug decisions and improve patient outcomes
  • Providing knowledge about the composition of drugs based upon their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use
  • Safeguarding drug purity and strength

WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A PHARMACIST?

Pharmacists are faced with different work schedules in Zambia, all of which to a great extent depends on the institution as well as the terms of contract. Fulltime pharmacists in the Zambian public and private hospitals work from Monday to Friday from 08hrs to 17hrs and while those in community pharmacies may work even on weekends. They profession is very much prone to long working hours and may at multiple times involve working on weekends especially for those running researches in various institutions such as at times of emergency pandemics. Other pharmacists work on part time, especially those working with the non-profit organisations.

WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?

The job market for pharmacists is very good in Zambia, the interesting part is that while other health professions may solely rely on employment from some organisations, a pharmacist can easily run his/her own pharmacy. The government is the major employer of pharmacists in Zambia but yet still, a reasonable number of pharmacists work in pharmaceutical industries and in universities/colleges as lecturers or a researchers. Others work for non-governmental organizations dealing with health matters.

 

 

 

SALARY RANGES AND WHAT CONTROLS IT

Just like every other professional, the salary for pharmacists varies, depending on the organization, academic qualifications and skills as well as the geographical locations. The average salary for pharmacists in Zambia is around k7300 per month with the range of between k3900 to k11000. Note that the salary may be slightly lower/higher than the lowest average and also lower/higher than the highest range as economies evolve every day.

WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?

Pharmacy is a very dynamic health science as it is ever evolving; new diseases are being discovered just as much as new drugs. A pharmacist should be a lover of dynamic science and even more, a lover of people’s wellbeing. Other important attributes that a pharmacist should be in possession of include: Good memory, ability to accurately interpret prescriptions, detail-oriented, serve as a front-line educator, knowledgeable, Kind, empathy and humility.

WHERE CAN I STUDY PHARMACY, FOR HOW LONG, TO EARN WHAT QUALIFICATION?

Pharmacy is offered at almost every recognisable institution, providing health science programs in Zambia. One can do a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, Levy Mwanawasa University, Lusaka Apex University, University of Lusaka, Mulungushi University and Rusangu University or a diploma from Evelyn Hone College. The degree program varies between 4 to 5 years depending on the institution and while the diploma is 3 years.

WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?

In order to do Pharmacy from the University of Zambia, one will have to enrol in the school of Natural Sciences and in the first year, he/she will take the A levels in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology and from these, points will have to be made, allowing him/her to major in pharmacy. From Evelyn Hone College, one will take courses in the first year such as dispensing, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmaceutics, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and communication skills.

WHAT MODES OF STUDY ARE AVAILABLE?

Pharmacy is available on fulltime, part-time as well distance basis in a number of universities in Zambia. It is a very flexible program. One can enrol on full time as well  as distance at the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and  Evelyn Hone College, just to mention but a few. It is also very likely that more mechanisms of learning will be put in place especially considering the time error we are living in.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

It is very important to note that the entry requirements are very much dependant on the institution of interest as well as whether your application is for a diploma or degree program. In Zambia, diploma programs attract relatively higher points as compared to the degree ones. Also institutions such as the University Of Zambia and Copperbelt Universities have lower cut-off points than other universities for the same program which is mostly attributed to the number of applicants they receive in a particular academic year. On average you need to have 10 points (or less) in five subjects including Mathematics, Science, and English with two other subjects for a degree. At Evelyn Hone College the average cut off point for a diploma in pharmacy is 15 points (or less).

WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A PHARMACIST?

At the time of this writing, only those who study pharmacy can be become pharmacists.

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?

Once one studies pharmacy, the available advanced qualifications are unlimited. From the initial diploma, one can attain a BA degree, master’s degree or even a PhD in pharmacy. The master’s degree will expand one’s chances of getting a jobs from institutions where a diploma or BA degree would not get him/her as it will also help one compete at a global level in as far as job opportunities are concerned. The advancement will further increase the level of salary and benefits.

The advancement in the qualifications will not only attract huge salaries for those in formal employment but will also raise the knowledge as well as the level of expertise for those running their own organizations such as the chemists, drug stores or pharmacies.