Kayla asked
What is the future of pharmacy as a career? For a high school student, would it be a good idea to go with pharmacy? I have wanted to be a pharmacist since I was in 10th grade. I work as a pharmacy intern at a Walgreens.
At a glance
- Pharmacists' job outlook is expected to undergo little or no change from 2018-2028.
- The role of the pharmacist is evolving and new jobs are emerging.
Answer
In my opinion, if you are genuinely interested in pharmacy, go for it!
The job outlook is definitely not what it used to be, so it may take a while to find a job you’re satisfied with. As with all jobs, networking is very important! I suggest you start now. Working in a pharmacy as a high-schooler is certainly a good start!
Getting a little more granular on the topic, The pharmacist’s role is absolutely changing and there are new opportunities available that are both rewarding and exciting.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists' job outlook is expected to undergo little or no change from 2018-2028.
While the job outlook for pharmacists has remained steady, the number of new graduates has grown rampantly. So, what does this mean for the future of pharmacy as a career?
The growth of traditional pharmacist jobs, such as those in community and hospital pharmacies, has slowed down a lot in recent years due to numerous factors.
Most notably is the rise of automation and the wide adoption of mail-order pharmacy. Automated dispensing robots can fill large amounts of prescriptions more efficiently and accurately than any human is capable of.
In addition, mail order pharmacy eliminates the need for patients to visit a pharmacy altogether and may help patients adhere to their medication regimens more effectively.
While the number of traditional pharmacist jobs has been negatively affected by these changes, the role of the pharmacist is evolving.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that more pharmacists will be working in ambulatory care, administration, insurance, and specialty pharmacy in the next several years.
Despite the somewhat negative job outlook for pharmacists, there are some positive factors on the horizon that may increase job opportunities for pharmacists in the coming years.
For instance, if pharmacists achieve provider status, Federal reimbursement for pharmacist services would increase and may help expand job opportunities.
Additionally, the growing elderly population may increase the demand for pharmacists to help manage medications in these individuals.
Let's not forget what the pharmacists here at Walrus do too! They can help you manage your meds, find cost savings, discuss drug interactions and so much more.
So, overall, while the days of traditional pharmacist work (e.g. simply dispensing) may be numbered, but new opportunities abound.
Thanks for writing to us! Reach back out at any time.
