Some pharmacy technicians are required to complete formal education programs, while others obtain certificates by training at work. Some employers require pharmacy technicians to pass the licensure exams. In this discussion, we will focus on pharmacology technicians as a basic course required in completing pharmacy technology education.

Education Requirements

The minimum requirement for one to work as a pharmacy technician is a high school diploma, with many technicians receiving on-the-job training. However, some employers would prefer their technicians to have finished a formal education program in pharmacy technology. The program can be completed in 1-2 years.

Pharmacy technology is a biotechnological course designed to familiarize students with the practices, concepts and terminology used in work settings. Students are also taught how to package, store and label prescriptions. Students receive an associate degree, a certificate or a diploma at the end of the program.

Some of the courses you will be required to take are:
* Pharmacology
* Medical law and ethics
* Pharmacy terminology
* Biology
* Pharmacy Math

Together with lectures, the program gives supervised training to prepare students for work in a pharmacy environment.

What Is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology is a subfield in the medical study dealing with the use, effect and action of drugs. It has evolved through the years. At its primary years, it was concerned only with the effects of chemicals on the human body. At present, pharmacology explores molecular means through which drugs are able to bring about biological effects.

Pharmacology, simply put, is the science of how drugs act on biological systems like the human body. It generates knowledge on the chemical properties, therapeutic uses and biological effects of drugs. It is therefore a study that is important to medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and veterinary medicine.

When studying pharmacology, a student focuses on areas such as:

* Effects of chemicals on cellular mechanisms
* Hazards posed by herbicides and pesticides
* Prevention and treatment of diseases using drug therapy
* Understanding of cell function (through the use of molecular modeling and computerized designs)

Pharmacology Education Tools

Studying pharmacology can be one of the most difficult tasks you will face in finishing the program. However, you have tools you can use without spending a lot of money. You can take online lecture videos that are designed to provide students the basic knowledge on pharmacology.

For those who are already working as pharmacy technicians and would like to obtain the knowledge required to get accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, there are available books and workbooks. These help tools are sold online at very affordable prices. These tools are also recommended to those who are planning to take the US Pharmacy Technician Certification Board test.

These tools are prepared by experts in the field of pharmacy and pharmacology. Contributors and reviewers are composed of directors of pharmacy technology programs, instructors, pharmacy managers, pharmacy professors and pharmacotherapy experts.

Possible Careers

Getting a formal education in pharmacy technology will open up for you a lot of job opportunities in the medical and pharmaceutical field. Possible careers worth exploring are those of a nuclear pharmacy technician, institutional pharmacy technician, inventory specialist, and medical equipment specialist.