Discouraging threads...true?

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I 've been reading a lot of critical comments on a few of these threads regarding pharmacy, particularly retail. I'm new so I 'm paying attention.

Someone said there are only 1-2% of pharmacists working in clinical applications, and implied that much of the training is unneccessary if you work in retail. Its discouraging to hear when you are studying your neck off in pre-pharm but if it is true, I 'd like to know.

In addition, I read something that implied that Pharmacists might be "phased out" to a degree? Is the retail pharmacist being replaced by machine?

I didnt enter the field because of salary, but are pharmacists expected to be taking paycuts?

Also, are the other branches of pharmacy comparable to retail with respect to job opportunity and placement?

Thanks

 

[patmcd]

Pharmacy isn't going anywhere but up anytime soon. Automation my take over some of the dispensing role, but pharmacy is growing rapidly elsewhere.

 

[sdn1977]

Nope - pharmacy is not going anywhere. In fact, it is only becoming more of a necessity in the health care system. Medical disease management is now a recognized entity and will be eventually become a required part of the job.

Your income won't go down!!! Automation may become more pervasive, but thats not a threat - your existence does not hinge on counting by fives. There are lots and lots of practice settings to work - read one of Kwizards posts - he has done a great job of reviewing them.

You'll always be well respected & valued. IMO - pharmacists are all clinical - thats part of all our jobs!

 

[pharmforme]

I 've been reading a lot of critical comments on a few of these threads regarding pharmacy, particularly retail. I'm new so I 'm paying attention.

Someone said there are only 1-2% of pharmacists working in clinical applications, and implied that much of the training is unneccessary if you work in retail. Its discouraging to hear when you are studying your neck off in pre-pharm but if it is true, I 'd like to know.

In addition, I read something that implied that Pharmacists might be "phased out" to a degree? Is the retail pharmacist being replaced by machine?

I didnt enter the field because of salary, but are pharmacists expected to be taking paycuts?

Also, are the other branches of pharmacy comparable to retail with respect to job opportunity and placement?

Thanks

I preface this comment by saying I don't know how valid this info is, but thought I'd let you know...I met up with a recruiter for Pharm positions (clinical and retail) who has been doing it for a while. I did not intend to meet him, it was a complete coincidence. But he said he thought by the time I graduate (2009) that he thinks salaries for retail pharm will be up towards almost 60$/hr. He does NOT foresee paycuts or job cuts, due to the future shortage and the increased need for pharmacists.

 

[DownonthePharm]

Well, everything will be more expensive by 2009. But I see your point. I think pharmacists will on average make upwards of $100K over the next decade. However, a lot of that will be due to greater responsibility.

If you are frustrated with the idea of going into retail, then dont go into retail. Or pick a company or chain with ideals a little closer to your own. But if you are flexible there are plenty of other jobs out there.

Pharmacy isnt going anywhere. A "robot" may be able to fill a script, but a human still needs to error check, fill the machine, counsel patients, look for interactions..... And most of the patients of retail pharmacys are older patients, many of whom would NOT be happy with computers over people.

 

[Poland]

The only elaborate retail pharmacy plans that I have for myself are upon graduation where I could work full time for the retail money to pay off on student loans. You're right that a lot of pharmacists may have certain plans but end up in the retail setting. I have heard alot of jokes about that and us pre-pharm students being over-ambitious given that circumstance.

My dream job in pharmacy currently speaking is to work in a Children's Research/Hospital location, also pyschiatric work is a big interest of mine. Overall, the retail jobs haven't seemed as appealing to me on a long term basis. But I could understand the desire to do that for alot of reasons.

 

[museabuse]

Pharmacy isn't going anywhere but up anytime soon. Automation my take over some of the dispensing role, but pharmacy is growing rapidly elsewhere.

With electronic medical records soon it will be mandatory to electronically send the RX to the pharmacy. There are pharmacists and PBMs working on systems that before the rx is sent to the pharmacy to be filled the doctor's office submits the claim, handles DUR rejections and interactions, and also handle prior auths.
By pushing this part of pharmacy up stream aren't we in a way handing over our interlectual property... i.e. drug experts? If doctors are having to deal with drug interactions and PBMS what does that leave us with in a retail setting? If doctors are stuck with this part of our job then our scope in the health profession decreases, leaving us with what counseling? Why not just have the doctors counsel the patient on the med before they leave the office, since they are already handling DUR reviews. Then what about retail pharmacists. Can we become exstinct? Or is this scenario not even a reality?

I am just opening this up for discusion to see what your opinions are...