How Can I Become a Pharmacoepidemiologist?

Writer: Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDE 

The work carried out in pharmacoepidemiologist jobs rely heavily upon experience in a lab setting, and a master’s degree tends to be the minimum education required for the job. Before you apply  to school you need to take as many math and science courses as possible in high school.

A Pharmacoepidemiologist is a healthcare researcher that works with pharmaceuticals and disease research. As a Pharmacoepidemiologist, you look at the population as a whole and investigates issues like risk factors and behavior to figure out how medicine and healthcare can help eliminate and treat diseases.

Working as a Pharmacoepidemiologist you can expect to work with a lot of numbers and look for significant statistics within a large amount of data. When you develop new medicines based on research performed by pharmacoepidemiologists, the potential to save millions of lives is real, so this work is vital to the healthcare industry and the future of mankind.

Before Enrolling in School

In addition, you can expect classes focused upon pharmacoepidemiology to be at the graduate level,  so you  will need to choose an undergraduate program wisely. There are several appropriate undergraduate degrees for you to consider as a  future pharmacoepidemiologist, and some of those bachelor’s degree programs include:

  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Public Health

Note that a degree in pharmacy is not the same as a degree in pharmaceutical studies. Pharmacy studies teach students the chemistry of existing drugs and methods of dispensing prescriptions to patients. Pharmacology teaches you the science and research behind the drugs and how they impact the body.

Choosing an Educational Path and Study

  • Master’s in Public Health: Many pharmacoepidemiologists choose to obtain a master’s degree in public health (MPH) or a related field. Following obtaining an MPH, you may want to go on to a doctoral program to complete your academic studies. There are also programs in pharmacoepidemiology, which will offer instruction in areas like vaccines, medical procedures, medical devices, and drugs.
  • Risk-benefits analyses and cost-benefit investigation: Interestingly, when you are studying to become a  pharmacoepidemiologist you will also be required to investigate the risk-benefit analyses and do cost-benefit investigation. The development of drugs isn’t guided solely on whether a medicine will help people who are suffering from a disease but whether the risks of taking the drug and its costs are appropriate.
  • Research experience: While in your graduate program you will also participate in research trials so as to obtain first-hand experience in clinical trials. By the time you obtains a graduate degree, or are granted a doctorate, you will likely have connections and experience to the research world.

After Graduation and Pharmacoepidemiologist Job Hunting

  • The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiologists (ISP): Upon receipt of a graduate degree or doctorate, you will want to join the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiologists (ISP). This association holds regular meetings and connects pharmacoepidemiologists working all over the world. In addition, ISP also offers career planning and resources for entering the profession after graduation.
  • Job outlook: Although pharmacoepidemiologist is not listed in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website, the related pharmacologist and epidemiologist are listed as having robust job outlooks.

The study of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and disease is a fascinating area of human biology, and the work of a pharmacoepidemiologist is always on the cutting edge of research and science.Some of the responsibilities of a pharmacoepidemiologist may include ensuring regulatory compliance and drug safety function and managing pharmacovigilance operations. Any student who feels mathematically inclined, loves chemistry, and would like to make a difference in the lives of millions of people should investigate how to become a pharmacoepidemiologist and take part in a fascinating field of study.

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