Rx Jr.: 'Pharmacy is Right for Me' spurs youth to pursue pharmacy careers

WASHINGTON — With the aging population and the rise in the numbers of people with chronic disease states, the country has a huge need for more pharmacists, so what better place is there to look for them than the nation's middle and high schools?

The American Pharmacists Association and OptumRx announced Thursday the launch of Pharmacy is Right for Me, an educational initiative designed to encourage students in grades 8 through 12 to pursue careers in pharmacy.

The program is designed to provide students, their families and educators with information and resources about the career opportunities available in the pharmacy field and includes materials on the history of pharmacy, groundbreaking discoveries and the challenges ahead. The centerpiece is an interactive website that includes a self-assessment test, fun facts, career profiles, video testimonials and educational requirements.

"The Pharmacy is Right for Me program is helping to increase young people's understanding and appreciation of the broad career opportunities that exist within the pharmacy profession," APhA EVP and CEO Thomas Menighan said. "Now more than ever, pharmacists play a vital role in working alongside patients and their healthcare providers to help people better manage their health conditions. Students across the country will require access to needed tools and resource if we wish to continue meeting our nation's needs and inspire youth to pursue careers as pharmacists."

The website for the program is at Pharmacyforme.org.