Despite economy, pharmacy grads are in high demand

BALTIMORE Supply and demand for careers fluctuates every year, but the “in” field this year is health care, with pharmacy in the lead.

Pharmacists are in huge demand, with pharmacy students in some states receiving up to six job offers before graduation, while demand for nurses and doctors has also increased. The increases come from baby boomers getting older, and the need for more pharmacists stems from the growing number of retail outlets that have pharmacies.

There are 112,000 pharmacists working in community pharmacy, 40,000 in hospitals and 21,000 in other areas, according to the American Pharmaceutical Association. As of 2000, according to APhA, most pharmacy schools offer only six-year doctor of pharmacy degrees.