Career insight - Pharmacy
Australia’s pharmaceutical industry is growing and the broadening job market requires graduates with a strong skill set in the pharmaceutical sciences. The scientific disciplines that underpin the discovery, development, formulation, approval, evaluation, marketing and use of medicines form the basis of the new, three-year Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences program offered at UniSA.
Throughout the degree there is an emphasis on the development of laboratory techniques, experimental design and data interpretation. Students with initiative, good problem solving skills and the ability to work in teams should consider this program, which was developed in consultation with local, national and international representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.
UniSA also offers a four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy program. In recent years the opportunities for pharmacists have also expanded dramatically as Australia has developed and implemented its medicines policy framework. While most graduates work in professional practice settings (community or hospital pharmacies), employment options have also emerged in new professional roles where graduate pharmacists become accredited to undertake medicines reviews in community or aged care environments. The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Council of Australian Registering Authorities, which ensures our graduates are trained to meet the expectations of the community and the profession.
In the last five years pharmacy professional education at UniSA has moved to a stronger clinical training focus. With the majority of graduates heading into clinical environments, much more emphasis is now focusing on applied pharmacotherapeutics training, patient care and communication skills, and an understanding of professional ethics.
In the future pharmacy education will continue to broaden the scope of applied clinical science knowledge while also maintaining key aspects of fundamental science theory. It is imperative that pharmacists continue to be educated to understand better their role in the health care system and the delivery of health services.
Professor Andrew Gilbert is Director of the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.