<p>Does anyone know if pharmacy school is harder than med school?</p>
<p>Somebody with a PhD, MD, or JD is called Doctor. Shouldn't a pharmacist which requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree be called 'Doctor'?</p>
<p>Pharmacists do more than fill medicine. Don't they have to compound and mix the medicines too which requires an extensive knowledge of chemistry?</p>
<p>In these days of the retail giant pharmacies, compounding pharmacists are few and far between. The few I know in my area own their own shops.</p>
<p>I don't know of any JDs who are called "doctor" unless they're professors.</p>
<p>I think JD's have a "esq" in their name. And legally, anybody with a doctorate degree can be called "Doctor".</p>
<p>"And legally, anybody with a doctorate degree can be called "Doctor"."</p>
<p>.....uh.....i didnt know that there were laws about this kind of stuff.</p>
<p>yes there is, otherwise anybody could call themself a "doctor"</p>
<p>We will keep the discussions here civil and totally devoid of any personal insults or the offending posters will vanish.</p>
<p>Having worked in medicine for years, I can assure you that the pharmacist has more of a role than counting tablets - shame on him for not knowing how to avail himself of the typical pharmacist's incredible knowledge of drugs, including drug metabolism, absorption, bioavailability, drug interactions, etc. for patients of varying ages, conditions and disorders. Think about making chemotherapy preps, radioactive preps for injections, never mind educational responsibilities to patients and consulting to MDs (you know it!). Shamefor not respecting the incredible amount of preparation, training, and competency required for this valuable profession. If you have a question about drug interactions, side effects, use with certain conditions - the standard line is to ask your doctor - but I would consult a pharmacist as well. In the hospital, pharmacists are key members of a patients' team. Just like anything else, there is too much knowledge for one person to be the sole provider of healthcare information. The title doctor reflects the mastery of massive amounts of clinical and academic information and does not imply a medical degree. We have many people working in healthcare who have PhDs - very, very common in the academic training institutions. </p>
<p>Mastery of a subject area is the reason for a doctoral designation. Consider the clinical doctorates that are primary profession degrees (four years of college followed by four years of clinically focused training) - I can think of Doctor of Psychology (Psych D), Optometry (O.D) for a start. There are numerous PhDs running around hospitals who are not confused as MDs. The good MDs know how to use the resources available to them and are not threatened by those who have worked hard to acquire specialized knowledge. Being aware that there IS more knowledge out there is required first, however.</p>
<p>Very fair and informative post!</p>
<p>But you just proved the moderator's point.</p>
<p>Pharmacists are great resources.
They are not real doctors.</p>
<p>The answer then, is still no. Pharmacists are not real doctors. Real doctors are real doctors.</p>
<p>But a doctoral degree is mastery of subject. And the last time I check pharmacist need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) to practice pharmacy. So are they considered "Doctors"? Anybody call their pharmacist "Doctor"?</p>
<p>I don't. I tell him to give me the pills and do it quickly.</p>
<p>What about when you need medicine advice on drug interactions, side effects, etc.? Theres no better person to ask to ask than a pharmacist.</p>
<p>A pharmacist does not have get a MD degree. I call anyone" Dr." who wants that title whether he is a PHD or any other program. I do not ask for an explanation or a diploma. </p>
<p>I know some very good students who want to be pharmacists. I think there is a difference between dispensing medications at a CVS and working in research. From what I gather, the programs are competitive. I know one young lady who had competitive stats for many selective colleges who only got int the U of WV for the specific pharmacy program. The advantage of these type of pre professional programs is that there are generally jobs waiting for graduates. And it seems to me that the early years of the program have enough flexibility to switch to some other science or healthcare based field if you decide you really don't want to do continue this training. </p>
<p>When you read about the research and events leading to the more optimistic stats for children's leukemia, several key pharmacists names do arise. I believe that all fields of study can lead to excellence and can be interesting and challenging.</p>
<p>" I think there is a difference between dispensing medications at a CVS and working in research. "</p>
<p>Working in research requires a PhD and many more years of school but a pharmacist working at CVS still makes a higher salary.</p>
<p>Hmm...what would I rather do with my life?</p>
<p>Do research with my PhD and teach at a college? Or work at CVS?</p>
<p>This is a toughie.</p>
<p>Hmm... go to school for many more years and work for research/teach or work for CVS and make TWICE as much?</p>
<p>The answer for most is obvious. Just ask where most pharmD grads are going.</p>
<p>Being a pharmacist can be a lucrative job with flexible hours. I know several moms who can bring in some serious money and still spend a lot of time with their kids who are in this field.</p>
<p>true but sadly medical doctors make more.</p>
<p>Sadly? Medical doctors SHOULD make more.</p>
<p>They don't always make more these days, depending on where they work and the managed care plans in the area and if they are gps or specialty.</p>