Pharmacists have a wide knowledge of drugs and pharmaceuticals,
which they use in preparing and dispensing medications for administration
to patients. In hospitals, pharmacists play a critical role
in patient safety. They monitor medication orders for potential
harmful effects on patients and advise physicians on medication
choices. Unfortunately, pharmacists are increasingly finding
employment outside the hospital setting in drug stores and in
the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields.
The role of pharmacists is certain to expand even further.
It is becoming evident that pharmaceuticals will play a major
role in the future of health care treatment. More and more
conditions and diseases can be effectively treated and managed
by medication, decreasing the need for surgery and hospitalization.
Nationwide trends indicate the number of prescriptions written
and dispensed has increased significantly, creating greater
demand for pharmacists.
Numbers
In Washington state, a serious shortage of pharmacists
exists. If left unchecked, it promises to worsen. In 1998
there were about 3,800 pharmacists in the state. Ninety-six
percent of Washington state hospitals responding to a recent
survey reported that it was “somewhat or very difficult”
to recruit pharmacists. The figure was 100 percent for urban
hospitals. The shortage is due in part to the unprecedented
growth in new types of employment opportunities. There has
been a rapid growth of 24-hour community and retail chain
pharmacies. The growing biotechnology industry in the greater
Seattle area requires pharmacists’ knowledge base.
Additionally, two warehouse pharmacies are based in our
state: Drugstore.com in Bellevue and Merck-Medco in Spokane.
Between 1990 and 1999, the number of prescriptions dispensed
in ambulatory settings nationwide increased by 44 percent,
from 1.9 billion to 2.8 billion.63 Pharmaceutical manufacturers’
prescription drug sales to retail pharmacies and institutions
were $102 billion in 1998, a 16 percent increase from 1997.
In 2000, drug sales rose again to $132 billion.
The increase in pharmaceutical use means more pharmacists
are needed. In 1998, there were nearly 3,900 positions for
pharmacists in Washington. The projected number of employment
positions for pharmacists is expected to grow by 23 percent.
The American Hospital Association is reporting a 21 percent
nationwide vacancy rate for pharmacists.
Pipeline
The educational requirements for pharmacists are extensive.
They must have a bachelor’s degree and an advanced
degree. In Washington state, changes in pharmacist education
have added to the shortage. There were few graduates in
1999 because all programs changed to a six-year Pharmacy
Doctorate curriculum, rather than a four-year professional
curriculum.
The change to a longer curriculum has been a source of
frustration for some hospitals, particularly those in rural
areas. Doctoral level training is not required for the types
of pharmacy work in those areas. Hospitals worry that pharmacists
with doctoral training will only be interested in positions
at large urban medical centers where they are able to conduct
doctoral level work.
An estimated 120 students graduate from pharmacy programs
each year in Washington state. Two educational programs
for pharmacists operate in the state — one at the
University of Washington and the other at Washington State
University.
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