I do not believe that the Pharmacist job market is going to remain
strong very long.  There are signs already that the market is coming
close to saturation point in the large metropolitan areas throughout
the country. The schools of Pharmacy fueled by money from chain
pharmacies have managed once again to flood the country w new
graduates.  The schools point out that the growing elderly population,
the demand for pharmacist counseling, new medications, etc. will
greatly increase the market demand.  I think not.   Licensing of
technicians, creating a new class of well educated "super technicians"
who may be allowed to perform most pharmacist functions will have a
profound effect.  Having been a pharmacist for over 30 years, I have
seen all this before.  The bottom line is that the vast majority of
pharmacist jobs are basically rote and mechanical, and can be
delegated to others.  In hospitals RNs and PA's are already doing much
of this, and since their education is more holistic, they can be more
versatile.
Let's let these "pharmacist educators" who are clamoring for more
bodies in their schools point to 2007 numbers.  See how many jobs are
listed for "consultant pharmacists" or any type of non-dispensing
position. They are few and far between, and when they are available
pay much less than for the rote "lick and stick" pharmacists. Let's
get honest, you pharmacist educators, how long would you last in a
busy Rite-Aid store?  Would you want that career for your
children?     Ed, Rph