100 Careers in Pharmacy

The following information was compiled and shared with us by partner organization Pharmacy is Right for Me at Pharm4Me.org.

 When people consider a career in pharmacy, they may think of their local community pharmacist dispensing medications and providing healthcare advice. While community pharmacy is a common and rewarding career pathway, it isn’t the only option for pharmacists!

In fact, according to a recent resource published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), there are 100+ career pathways that pharmacists can pursue. Here’s a look at their expansive list broken down by category. Some pharmacy career pathways may require additional work experience, education, or training beyond a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

Pharmacy Practice & Specialty Roles

 The career pathways in this category are among the most common career options for pharmacists. They generally offer opportunities for direct patient care in a variety of clinical settings.

Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

Aseptic Infusion & IV Manufacturing Pharmacist

Bariatrics Pharmacist

Biologics & Biosimilars Pharmacist

Chief Clinical / Medical Officer

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Clinical Director

Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical Programs Leader

Community Pharmacist

Compounding Pharmacist

Cosmeceuticals / Cosmetics Pharmacist

Critical Care Pharmacist

Director of Clinical Solutions

Emergency Care Pharmacist

Functional Medicine Pharmacist

General Practice Pharmacist

Geriatrics Pharmacist

Home Care Pharmacist

Home Health Equipment

Hormone Medicine Pharmacist

Hospital Pharmacist

Immunization Pharmacist

Infectious Disease Pharmacy / Antimicrobial Steward

Infectious Disease Testing Pharmacist Management Roles

Internal Medicine / General Medicine Pharmacist

Long-Term Care Operations Pharmacist

Managed Care Pharmacist

Mental Health & Addictions Pharmacist

Natural Supplements & Herbal Medicine Pharmacist

Nutraceutical Pharmacist

Oncology Pharmacist

Outpatient Pharmacist

Pain Management / Opioid Steward

Pediatric Pharmacist

Pharmacy Manager / Pharmacy Operations Manager

Regulatory Health Project Leader

Sexual Health Pharmacist

Surgical Care Pharmacist

Systemic Therapy Pharmacist

Travel Medicine Pharmacist

Veterinary Pharmacist

Pharmaceutical Industry Roles

 Pharmacy careers in this category are great for those with medication expertise and a strong interest in business or research.

Biomedical Researcher

Clinical Research Associate

Digital Diagnostics Researcher

Digital Therapeutics Researcher

Drug Safety Associate

Forensic Scientist

Industrial Manufacturing

Marketing & Medical Strategy

Medical / Drug Information Associate

Medical Science Liaison

Medicinal Chemist

Pharmaceutical Modeler (Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetics, & Quantitative System Pharmacology Modelling)

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Pharmaceutical Study / Research Lead

Pharmacist Clinical Pathologist

Pharmacologist

Pharmacovigilance Specialist

Product Development

Quality Assurance

Quality Control Chemist

Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Research Scientist

Toxicology Pharmacist

 

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Technology & Health Informatics Pharmacy Roles

Those with an interest in healthcare records, data or systems may be interested in pharmacy roles in the technology and health informatics category.

Automation Pharmacist

Clinical Applications Pharmacist

Clinical Data Analyst

Clinical Software Development Specialist

Clinical Software Integration Specialist

Clinical Solutions Pharmacist

Digital Health Specialist

Electronic Health Record Training Pharmacist

Health Informatics Specialist

Information Technology Pharmacist

Pharmacy Informatics Specialist

Social Media Engagement / Communication Specialist

Telehealth Service Provider

Virtual Clinical Pharmacist

Government & Regulatory Roles

Those in government and regulatory pharmacy roles may use their medication expertise to inform government regulations, develop policies and protocols, ensure patient safety, and more.

Clinical Inspection Pharmacist

Consumer Safety Officer

Correctional Facility Pharmacist

Drug Advertising Reviewer

Drug Pricing Reviewer

Drug Reimbursement Expert

Drug Safety Data Reviewer

Medicines Advisor

Military Pharmacist

Nuclear Pharmacist

Patient Advocacy Board Member

Pharmaceutical Services Commissioner / Negotiator or Drug Reimbursement Reviewer

Pharmacoeconomics Specialist

Pharmacy Advocacy Member

Pharmacy Education Accreditation Reviewer

Poison Control Pharmacist

Public Health Service Pharmacist

Regulatory Board Member

Specialist Pharmaceutical Advisor to Local, Regional, or National Government

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Career Roles

It’s amazing the number of industries in which pharmacists play an active role. Here’s a list of other non-traditional pharmacy career pathways.

Academic Detailer

Aerospace / Space Health Pharmacist

Business Adviser / Investor

Career Development Coach

Central Fill Pharmacist

Continuing Education Provider

Digital Therapeutics Specialist

Drug Information Pharmacist

Estate & Tax Planning Consultant

Geospatial Pharmacist

Health / Life Coach

Medical Writer / Editor (In Medical Communications Agencies)

Medication Safety Management Specialist

Pharmacogenomics Specialist

Pharmacy Financial Consultant

Pharmacy Programs Coordinator

Pharmacy Research Coordinator

Pharmacy Strategy Consultant

Start-Up Developer / Innovator

Supply Chain Pharmacist / Warehouse Manager / Distribution Manager / Wholesaling Manager

Academic Pharmacy Roles

Pharmacy careers in academia are typically focused on the teaching and training of future pharmacists. These roles require both pharmacy knowledge and a passion for education.

Clinical Rotations Preceptor

Education & Training Pharmacist

Lecturer / Professor

Licensing Exam Preceptor / Moderator

Pharmaceutics Professor

Pharmacodynamics Researcher / Professor

Pharmacokinetics Researcher / Professor

Pharmacology Researcher / Professor

Pharmacy Practice Researcher / Professor

Pharmacy Student Mentor / Preceptor

Research & Development Pharmacist

Residency / Fellowship Coordinator

Teacher Practitioner

Teaching Assistant / Lab Assistant

Teaching Fellow

Therapeutics Professor