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
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