Pharmacists from Europe in the U.S.

[Wilma]

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Hi everyone!

I´m new to the SDN forums and maybe someone has already asked this question. I´m a pharmacy student from Germany and I always wanted to work in the United States one day.
Are there many differences between pharmacy schools in the US and abroad?
How about pharmacists who work as scientists?

Lots of greetings!!
and sorry for my bad English.

 

[PittUG2011]

Welcome to student doctor forums.

Wow you're the exact opposite of me. I want to be able to practice one day in Germany. I wouldn't want to live there forever but I feel the experience would be nice.
Maybe someone else can chime in because don't really know that much. I'm only going to be starting pharm school next year.

Viele Grüße

 

[megandupe]

I looked into pharmacy schools abroad (mostly just to Canada) and from my understanding it is a different type of degree. In the States, its a PharmD, but in Canada (and the UK, Australia, and NZ) it is a Masters degree in Pharmacy. Additionally, these Masters programs require you to have completed a bachelor's in pharmacy (none of this pre-requisite stuff you have to complete in the States).

I've been through both the European/British school system and American school system, and it can be difficult to shift gears between the different educational systems. Its a matter of commitment and the obstacles you will encounter, like a language barrier. You'd be required to write the TOEFL for an American and Canadian school, and from my understanding, its not easy (but not a reason to not try of course!). You'd likely have to write the PCAT like we all did, and you'd have to talk to the administration from the schools you choose to apply to regarding what courses you will be able to count towards your prerequisites (only IF you have started taking college courses).

Ultimately, you would have quite a few hoops to go through, but if you're up for the challenge and are committed, it can be done.

 

[Wilma]

Thank you for your answers!!!!

I already have my TOEFL (93 points on the internet based test) .

Do many pharmacists work in the field of science in the USA?because pharmacy (at least where I live , but I guess there is no much difference from any other country) is taught at the same institution at the university like chemistry.

I mean what about pharmaceutical chemistry,biology etc.?

greetings to all of you my fellow pharmacists!!!

Wilma

 

[IndustryPharmD]

Thank you for your answers!!!!

I already have my TOEFL (93 points on the internet based test) .

Do many pharmacists work in the field of science in the USA?because pharmacy (at least where I live , but I guess there is no much difference from any other country) is taught at the same institution at the university like chemistry.

I mean what about pharmaceutical chemistry,biology etc.?

greetings to all of you my fellow pharmacists!!!

Wilma

Pharmacy education is very different in the US and in Germany. In Germany, a lot more time is devoted to scientific, in particular laboratory synthesis and analysis, components. Also, there is greater time devoted to pharmacognosy, herbal and alternative medicine. On the other hand, in the United States there is more time devoted to patient communication, overall healthcare system overview, and study of the diseases. I have done an exchange experience in Germany, and I was surprised by how vastly different both the education and the practice of pharmacy are.

As far as science, there are pharmacists working in bench (non-clinical) research, there are a few, but it requires either post-doctoral experience or an additional degree (a Master's or a PhD) to get into and succeed in.

 

[Wilma]

Pharmacy education is very different in the US and in Germany. In Germany, a lot more time is devoted to scientific, in particular laboratory synthesis and analysis, components. Also, there is greater time devoted to pharmacognosy, herbal and alternative medicine. On the other hand, in the United States there is more time devoted to patient communication, overall healthcare system overview, and study of the diseases. I have done an exchange experience in Germany, and I was surprised by how vastly different both the education and the practice of pharmacy are.

As far as science, there are pharmacists working in bench (non-clinical) research, there are a few, but it requires either post-doctoral experience or an additional degree (a Master's or a PhD) to get into and succeed in.

I´ve sent you a pm.🙂

 

[Hope1974]

Hi everyone!

I´m new to the SDN forums and maybe someone has already asked this question. I´m a pharmacy student from Germany and I always wanted to work in the United States one day.
Are there many differences between pharmacy schools in the US and abroad?
How about pharmacists who work as scientists?

Lots of greetings!!
and sorry for my bad English.

Hey. I grew up in Berlin, Germany. I lived there until I was 17 years old. Being a pharmacist here is very different from what I know because, for starters, your education in Germany is free, whereas here we have to take out loans. The amount of loans many students take out here affects where they will work after they graduate, because after we graduate, we really need to get paid! I think most German students would faint if they knew that many students in pharmacy had loans approaching 150k or more. Besides loans another difference between German and American education in pharmacy is that there really is no coursework in herbal medications. The Germans are much stronger in the herbal medication. And, you also sell more. I missed the Heumanns bronchial tea the last time I was sick.

If you are looking for a scientific position you'd need a Ph.d, or you could use your pharmacy degree and apply to some of the pharmaceutical companies for research positions.

But, life here is very different than in Germany, it might take some getting used to. The cities are very different-you'll definately need a car.

Also, if you are a foreign graduate and want to practice pharmacy here, you have to get your American license, which would require you to go to school here for at least 2 years. And, its not cheap.