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 (PharmD) degree.
Pharmacy Practice & Specialties
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
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
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
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
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Career Pathways
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
What to Learn More About Pharmacy Career Pathways?
As you can see, there are endless opportunities for careers in pharmacy! If you’re interested in learning more about some of pharmacy career pathways from the list above, check out the following pages on our website:
