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, there are 100+ career pathways that pharmacists can pursue, according to International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). 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