Preparation for the Certified Pharmacy Technician exam can be completed in 3-10 months, and programs leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree last 2 to 4 years. Under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy technicians dispense prescription and over-the-counter medication to patients, and they supply patients and health care professionals with a variety of information. Licensed pharmacists advise other health professionals on the constraints for the effective usage of prescription medication, including availability, proper dosages, and side effects.
A bachelor’s degree is not a pre-requisite for admission into pharmacy school. Therefore, the length of the undergraduate phase preceding enrollment in pharmacy school depends on the degree program -– associate or bachelor’s –- a student chooses to attend.
The specific courses required for the undergraduate degree vary from school to school, and these typically include a wide range of courses in the hard sciences. However, completing the required core courses matters more to admissions boards than choosing the “right” undergraduate major.