Pharmacy In Trinity?

Oween

Hi, I'm in 6th year at the moment and went to the TCD Open Day in the December pretty intent on doing Medicine. Ended up going to the Pharmacy lecture to fill in time basically, but came out completely sold on it. Did a bit of research on it ie. read it on the TCD prospectus and website, and it sounded like something I'd love. So I put it on my CAO alongside Medicine and felt indifferent to both ie. if I got either of them at the end of my Leaving Cert I would be happy. However, after reading a bit on this about Pharmacy as well as elsewhere I'm having second thoughts. I'd hate to work in a shop and it seems in Trinity that's the main thing that they promote, what does Pharmacy consist of outside of working in a shop, like in industry and in a hospital? How do people who are currently doing, or have done Pharmacy find it and the course? One recent Pharmacy graduate pretty much told me to do Medicine instead, my Aunt's also a Pharmacist and she isn't too enthusiastic about it... What do you think? What's the advantage of doing Pharmacy over Medicine? Also, is the Pharmacy course in TCD better than elsewhere? I heard they do more in the Trinity course and employers prefer Trinity graduates over others? I really did fancy doing this course before but am having second thoughts now, I would love to hear what you have to say, anything would be greatly appreciated, thanks a million whoever who managed to read through this all haha ...

pharmer14

I'm in pharmacy in Trinity and although about 80 percent of graduates end up working in the community sector, you spend a fair amount of the course doing lab work, so as to encourage you to end up in research. I've heard that the hospital pre-reg placements are very difficult and competitive to get into, and that you need to have done your pre-reg placement in a hospital to become a hospital pharmacist. I think industry is somewhat easier to get into, and seems really interesting. There's also roles in regulatory boards like the Irish Medicines Board, but from what I gather you tend to be at PhD level for progression there. Its a tough course , expect 9 to 5 most days and to fail exams for the first time in your life. Some of the lecturers are very helpful though, and because it's a small enough course you end up making really good friends!

partyatmygaff

As a first year i'd have to say the course is quite balanced. There's no real focus on any particular branch of Pharmacy.

Have a read of my post here for an idea of what you'll cover in first year:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76658471&postcount=224

As for the difference between Industrial, Community and Hospital Pharmacists it's a bit more complicated:
http://www.pjonline.com/tomorrows-pharmacist/career_options/hospital/move_from_community