Law School After PharmD

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TMI1111

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a P4 and will be graduating with my PharmD in May of 2018. I have been spending a lot of time thinking in about my future after pharmacy school and am really interested in going to law school and obtaining my JD. In short, I have always wanted to help people and want to work in the healthcare field, and I feel like having a JD in combination with my PharmD will allow me affect a greater population.

However, I am still in the researching stages of this and cannot find much recent info about pharmacists with JDs, what careers they have, if law school is really worth it, etc. I am wondering if anyone has information about this. Any info is truly appreciated. Thank you! :)

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Mostly in IP and some in Regulatory, but there is an expectation that you have some practice knowledge before you apply. As of this time since the basic science curriculum has atrophied, pharmacists may not directly apply for patent examiner without an appeal. It's almost always granted, but it requires some practice experience.

If you did face me as an interviewer, I would be calling you out for a lack of introspection as why would law be any different? Those practices are much more demanding and stressful than retail.
 
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The law professors at my school all had a combination JD/PharmD. I haven't run into any other pharmacists with a combined JD and PharmD.

These are career paths recommend by USC for a combined JD/PharmD:
  • Corporate attorneys within the pharmaceutical industry
  • Patent law specialists
  • Managed care lawyers
  • Private practice

And Drake University:
  • Patent Law (pharmaceutical industry)
  • Product Liability (pharmaceutical industry)
  • Regulatory Agencies (government)
  • Private Law Practice focusing on Healthcare Malpractice
 
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Mostly in IP and some in Regulatory, but there is an expectation that you have some practice knowledge before you apply. As of this time since the basic science curriculum has atrophied, pharmacists may not directly apply for patent examiner without an appeal. It's almost always granted, but it requires some practice experience.

If you did face me as an interviewer, I would be calling you out for a lack of introspection as why would law be any different? Those practices are much more demanding and stressful than retail.

Do you mean as a patent agent? I have been looking into this as well. Would working first as technical specialist qualify for the practice experience needed? How does one even get that experience while completing a fellowship (thinking out loud) Thanks
 
Hello everyone,

I am currently a P4 and will be graduating with my PharmD in May of 2018. I have been spending a lot of time thinking in about my future after pharmacy school and am really interested in going to law school and obtaining my JD. In short, I have always wanted to help people and want to work in the healthcare field, and I feel like having a JD in combination with my PharmD will allow me affect a greater population.

However, I am still in the researching stages of this and cannot find much recent info about pharmacists with JDs, what careers they have, if law school is really worth it, etc. I am wondering if anyone has information about this. Any info is truly appreciated. Thank you! :)

The only two I've ever met were a professor, and a staff WalMart pharmacist.
 
Hello everyone,

I am currently a P4 and will be graduating with my PharmD in May of 2018. I have been spending a lot of time thinking in about my future after pharmacy school and am really interested in going to law school and obtaining my JD. In short, I have always wanted to help people and want to work in the healthcare field, and I feel like having a JD in combination with my PharmD will allow me affect a greater population.

However, I am still in the researching stages of this and cannot find much recent info about pharmacists with JDs, what careers they have, if law school is really worth it, etc. I am wondering if anyone has information about this. Any info is truly appreciated. Thank you! :)


I believe there are PharmD and JD combination programs in the US
 
I like how you think... If you are confident, then you should do it...
 
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