Pharmacists practicing in the hospital environment are also involved in all aspects of drug therapy monitoring, and also consult with physicians and nurses as part of the facility's health care team. Pharmaceutical services to long-term care facilities have evolved into sophisticated, specialized areas of practice which offer today's consultant pharmacist an opportunity to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services ranging from drug distribution to direct patient care. The pharmaceutical industry offers diverse career opportunities in sales, marketing, basic science and clinical research, and professional services. Nuclear pharmacy offers the practitioner the opportunity to develop and dispense radioactive isotopes as diagnostic agents. Postgraduate residencies, fellowships, and graduate programs offer advanced education and specialization in many areas of pharmacy practice.
Opportunities exist for pharmacists in virtually all geographic areas in the state of Texas.
This fact, combined with an increasing demand for pharmacists in virtually all areas of pharmacy practice, points to a wealth of opportunities in terms of numbers and types of careers available. All indicators forecast exciting prospects for future pharmacy graduates well into the next century. D. and Ph.D. offer higher salaries and increased career opportunities beyond the two traditional practice environments mentioned above. Geographic differences were also noted. More information on careers and salaries is provided to professional sequence pharmacy students during the first-year course PHR 249 Introduction to Pharmacy.