As of January 2008, Ontario will offer pharmacy programs from two sites – a 4-year university program at the
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto or at the new
Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo.
The focus in the University degree program is on developing therapeutic
knowledge and clinical skills to assist the health care team in
the pharmaceutical management of patient care. See the Ontario College
of Pharmacists web sites:
www.ocpinfo.com and
www.worthknowing.ca for details.
For students interested in additional
training, there are postgraduate programs. A
1-year residency program located in a hospital
or community practice setting offers continued
development of clinical skills. A 1-year
residency program in the pharmaceutical industry
offers insights into the operations and
responsibilities of the pharmaceutical
manufacturer. Formalized academic postgraduate
courses also exist, e.g. Masters in Pharmacy,
Doctor of Pharmacy. See the U of T, Leslie Dan
Faculty of Pharmacy: www.utoronto.ca/pharmacy
for more information.
How do I get licensed?
Following graduation from the University
program, there are licensure requirements that
must be met before one can practice. These
requirements include a structured practical
training component and successful completion of
a national examination by the Pharmacy Examining
Board of Canada. The license to practice within
Ontario is granted by the Ontario College of
Pharmacists. See the College web site for more
information regarding licensure and the role of
the College.
What are the career opportunities?
Pharmacists are welcomed in many settings for
their skills, knowledge, and personal qualities.
The most commonly recognized role by the public
is in the community pharmacy where the
pharmacist oversees the dispensing of
medications, assists with medication information
provision, supports wellness goals, monitors and
discusses therapy in an effort to prevent and
resolve drug-related needs. Pharmacists also
work in other settings. For example, the
hospital environment where the pharmacist works
closely with physicians and nurses in assessing
the impact of medication use and helping to meet
therapeutic goals. Within the pharmaceutical
industry there are many different types of
roles: in marketing, regulatory affairs, medical
information. Other roles exist in teaching,
government, research, Canadian Armed Forces and
associations to name a few. As you can see,
there are a great range of professional roles
available to the pharmacists. GlaxoSmithKline's
Pathway Evaluation Program can help you
evaluate your pharmacy career options.
What are the rewards?
Most roles for pharmacists involve frequent
contact with people and helping them solve
health care needs - a satisfying role for many
practitioners. Salary and benefits are good for
graduates and experienced practitioners: income
ranges widely depending on the role and the type
of practice site.
Skills of Good Pharmacists
The characteristics that help to create good
pharmacists include:
People-oriented, enjoy being in a "helping career"
Maintain high ethical standards
Enjoy preciseness/accuracy/detail in carrying out tasks
Understand people's needs/can empathize with others
Are diligent in fulfilling responsibilities
Are energetic, enthusiastic about their roles
Are interested in and develop competency in entrepreneurial skills
Have highly developed oral communication skills
Related Links
For further information contact the Ontario
Pharmacists' Association at (416) 441-0788.
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