| Pharmacists in Canada are now moving over and | | | | possession of good communication skills. The |
| going beyond routine duties like sitting | | | | curriculum followed by Canadian pharmacy |
| behind the counter, collecting drugs and | | | | schools has evolved well in the last few |
| counting them. In fact, the industry is now | | | | years to cover these emerging areas and to |
| witnessing a paradigm shift and pharmacists | | | | provide students with the edge needed to |
| are at the centre of this new development in | | | | obtain employment after obtaining their |
| that country.Canada is now grooming a new | | | | degrees.Drug manufacturers have been roped in |
| generation of pharmacists who are now even | | | | by many reputed pharmacy schools to aid |
| counseling patients and giving them advice on | | | | pharmacy students in choosing their streams |
| the best and cost effective drugs. This new | | | | from a wide range of options. Pharmacists are |
| dimension to the career of a Canadian | | | | also being guided to grow into the excellent |
| pharmacist has been attributed to the | | | | community pharmacists who go on to become the |
| developments in the industry as a whole and | | | | first link in the health care system. They |
| the need to adapt to new market trends. | | | | are expected to play a significant role in |
| Pharmacists are now being trained to adopt a | | | | ensuring that the patients receive the best |
| patient centric approach, which also includes | | | | drug therapy. Pharmacists can also specialize |
| taking over some of the duties, hitherto | | | | in fields like oncology, infectious disease, |
| performed by doctors.Budding Canadian | | | | psychiatry, etc. Specializations help them in |
| pharmacists are also being taught to | | | | playing their role in various health care |
| identify, mitigate and prevent problems | | | | teams.The industry also wants pharmacists in |
| related to medication. While the field of | | | | areas like clinical research, marketing and |
| pharmacy is ever changing and evolving, | | | | public relations. They are also being |
| pharmacists are now required to be on their | | | | involved in preparing information materials |
| toes all the time and adapt to changes in all | | | | related to drugs and in educating |
| the three modes of drug sale including | | | | pharmacists, physicians and patients.As of |
| online, mail order and conventional methods. | | | | now, 9 universities in Canada are having |
| Pharmacy schools are now giving special | | | | pharmacy schools. The admission requirements |
| training in these aspects. A pharmacist | | | | usually vary from one university to another. |
| should learn to cope with the bulk of | | | | After obtaining a Bachelors degree in |
| information flowing in or he could be | | | | pharmacy, one has to pass a national board |
| overwhelmed just by the number of new drugs | | | | examination through the Pharmacy Examining |
| that are hitting the market every | | | | Board of Canada. After this, one can also get |
| year.Special emphasis is also placed on | | | | some practical experience through an |
| learning about the laws and regulations that | | | | internship program. Different provinces in |
| are in place in Canada and the prevalent | | | | Canada have put forth different requirements |
| public health policy at the provincial or | | | | for becoming a licensed pharmacist.In 2002, |
| national government levels. Pharmacists are | | | | the American Council on Pharmaceutical |
| also required to liaise with community | | | | Education (ACPE) began recognizing the |
| support groups and with ailment related | | | | accreditations awarded by the Canadian |
| groups like the local associations like the | | | | Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy |
| local lung association and local diabetics | | | | Programs (CCAPP) for programs leading to a |
| association. This mandates the knowledge of | | | | baccalaureate degree in pharmacy. |
| public relations work not to mention | | | | |