Research

[cure4cancer]

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Hi I recently read the FAQ section and I decided to look up some opportunities in the pharmacy industry, and I noticed "RESEARCH".

My life dream is to help contribute to finding a cure for cancer, if not find the actual cure itself. I thought that only pharmacologists deal with the research part of drugs, but now I'm curious, what roles do pharmacists play in this?

Thanks for any advice in advance 🙂

*edited spelling

 

[cure4cancer]

bumpity bump!

 

[OoShimmeroO]

If you're really genuinely concerned about helping people through pharmacological research the best route is to get your Ph.D. in pharmacology or a related field. People say that pharmacy offers a lot of options and that if you really wanted to you could pursue research. However, in actuality, it's not that easy obtaining a high end research position with only a PharmD. You would probably need 2 or 3 extra years of residency/experience and even then I doubt it'll be enough.

 

[Lexian]

If you're really genuinely concerned about helping people through pharmacological research the best route is to get your Ph.D. in pharmacology or a related field. People say that pharmacy offers a lot of options and that if you really wanted to you could pursue research. However, in actuality, it's not that easy obtaining a high end research position with only a PharmD. You would probably need 2 or 3 extra years of residency/experience and even then I doubt it'll be enough.

I think it's very difficult for a trained pharmacists to aid in the development of a drug, especially when they don't have the hardcore benchtop research that a PhD student would have. But PharmD.'s, trained with a fellowship and clinical residency, could definitely help in the second half of the development which I think are the clinical trials and analyzing factors such as bioavailability of a drug, ways to increase bioavailability while minimizing possible toxic effects, optimizing the dosage form and conducting pharmacokinetic studies.

 

[Caverject]

If your interested in cancer research, I would suggest you apply to LECOM. Their dean has done cancer research for over 20 years.

*I can't believe I told someone to apply to LECOM!*

 

[Glycerin]

*I can't believe I told someone to apply to LECOM!*

Are you ill?!?!

 

[bananaface]

The OP said in another thread that he/she was getting a BSci in from UBC soon. I don't know what point he/she would have to start from. I know that the Canadian degree is not recognized by the WA board of pharmacy. Here, the foreign graduate process would have to be undertaken to demonstrate competency. I'm not sure about other states. I did have a professer at WWU that went to UBC for Biology and the school recognized her degree. So, it may be that potential employers in research facilities would honor the academic degree. It would depend on the individual company

I feel sexually disoriented... see signature box. 😉

 

[Science_Guy]

Hi I recently read the FAQ section and I decided to look up some opportunities in the pharmacy industry, and I noticed "RESEARCH".

My life dream is to help contribute to finding a cure for cancer, if not find the actual cure itself. I thought that only pharmacologists deal with the research part of drugs, but now I'm curious, what roles do pharmacists play in this?

Thanks for any advice in advance 🙂

*edited spelling

Many of the positions held by pharmacists in research can also be found in clinical centers where clinical trials are conducted. You would work under or with a principal investigator. But I do agree that you primarily find MDs and PhDs on clinical teams that are involved in trials with new antineoplastics.

At the basic research levels, you primarily find the PhDs doing this research since the scientific focus is quite extensive. However, if you really want to get your feet wet in research, you could always find an investigator and do a post-doc, or work on your PhD.

 

[bananaface]

https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szLocationID=88

From this link, you can search for jobs at UW Medical Center, the school, and affiliated sites like Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. You do have to provide personal information prior to using the search function. Although I know you have a few years to go before you will actually be looking, it will give you an idea of what positions may be open, and the pay scale.