Pharmacists are responsible for filling patients’ prescriptions with the correct medicines. They tell them about the medicines and how to use them. Pharmacists work with doctors on choosing the right medicines, making sure they will work with other medications taken by the patient and explaining side effects.

Pre-pharmacy students must complete at least two years of college to be eligible for pharmacy school, though most complete 3-4 years of a bachelor’s degree program.  While bachelor’s degrees in pharmacy were once the requirement for entry-level positions, pharmacists are now required to hold Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) professional degrees. Pharm.D. programs take four years to complete and prepare students for the technical, scientific and patient-care aspects of the profession.