Conduct research with a PharmD?

[timbutt2]

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Are there very many pharmacists (with only a PharmD) out there making drugs-I don't mean compounding, but actually testing and inventing new drugs for pharmaceutical companies or universities?

I am interested in being a pharmacist, but I'm not completely sold on retail. I'm much more interested in research. Is this something a PharmD would allow? Or would I require further education?

 

[azPharmD2B]

PharmD is a professional degree, not a research degree. You want a PhD. You can either get a BS in chem and move into a MS or PhD program, or go PharmD first, then work on a PhD. A lot of state schools with pharmacy colleges also offers MS and PhD programs in various pharmacy related fields.

There is also sooooo much more to pharmacy than retail. Seriously, if that's all you think pharmacists do, you need to do a lot more research on the profession. You don't need a PhD to do cool stuff in the field of pharmacy. Search for the Pfizer pharmacy career guide. They don't host it any more but I'm sure someone else on the boards has it.

 

[timbutt2]

"Seriously, if that's all you think pharmacists do, you need to do a lot more research on the profession."

Um, yeah. That's why I'm on this board...asking questions...

Thanks for the Pfizer Pharmacy Career Guide info, though. I will look into it.

 

[parabolic]

Search for the Pfizer pharmacy career guide. They don't host it any more but I'm sure someone else on the boards has it.

Here ya go: http://hsc.unm.edu/pharmacy/docs/Pfizerpharmacyguide.pdf

 

[Jack555]

"Seriously, if that's all you think pharmacists do, you need to do a lot more research on the profession."

Um, yeah. That's why I'm on this board...asking questions...

Thanks for the Pfizer Pharmacy Career Guide info, though. I will look into it.

Owned

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

PharmD is a professional degree, not a research degree. You want a PhD. You can either get a BS in chem and move into a MS or PhD program, or go PharmD first, then work on a PhD. A lot of state schools with pharmacy colleges also offers MS and PhD programs in various pharmacy related fields.

There is also sooooo much more to pharmacy than retail. Seriously, if that's all you think pharmacists do, you need to do a lot more research on the profession. You don't need a PhD to do cool stuff in the field of pharmacy. Search for the Pfizer pharmacy career guide. They don't host it any more but I'm sure someone else on the boards has it.

Actually, phd is a professional degree too. I think the term you are looking for is clinical.
In answer to the op's question, even though a pharmd is more clinical oriented, you can get into research with it. In fact, there are a few pfizer postings for research jobs that states in the requirement, either a phd or a pharm d is needed.

PS, many founders of popular drugs like viagra are pharmacists. Just something I thought you would be interested in knowing.

 

[confettiflyer]

good to know pharmacists are responsible for bringing thousands of hours of sex to the world 👍

 

[azPharmD2B]

Actually, phd is a professional degree too. I think the term you are looking for is clinical.

No, no I'm not. JD, MD, PharmD, etc etc are all professional degrees. They are in no way comparable to a Masters or Doctorate in Philosophy which deal with research. Talk to a PhD in chemistry and a PharmD and ask them to compare their schooling. The experience is night and day.

"Sildenafil (compound UK-92,480) was synthesized by a group of pharmaceutical chemists working at Pfizer's Sandwich, Kent research facility in England."

Pharmacists may work along people developing drugs, but you're kidding yourself if you think they are the ones that make the break through. Drug companies need PharmDs after the drug has been made to help with trials and such. It's PhDs in a number of fields who do the real discoveries.