Specialist pharmacist

About this occupation

Specialist pharmacists provide specialist services for companies in the pharmacy industry and in hospital pharmacies.  The role of the specialist pharmacist varies throughout Europe, subject to national rules and training.  

A specialisation of pharmacist.

• Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
• Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.
• Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
• Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
• Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.

Typical education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Investigative, Social, Conventional

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Monitoring

US median pay: US$140,910 a year (2025), 321,970 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
• BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.4)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.2)
• ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (4.1)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.5)
• PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.