Pharmacy courses can help you learn medication management, pharmaceutical calculations, drug interactions, and patient counseling techniques. You can build skills in clinical assessment, effective communication with healthcare teams, and understanding regulatory standards. Many courses introduce tools like electronic health records (EHR) systems and software for drug information retrieval, that support ensuring accurate medication dispensing and enhancing patient care.

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Medical Terminology, Pharmacy Experience, Medication Dispensation, Pharmacist Assistance, Medical Prescription, Pharmacology, Conflict Management, Pharmacy Operations, Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacy Information System, Cultural Responsiveness, Patient Safety, Patient Education And Counseling, Patient-centered Care, Pharmacy, Professionalism, Medication Administration, Medical Records, Physiology
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Pharmacology, Pharmaceuticals, Patient Safety, Clinical Research, Medical Prescription, Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Regulatory Compliance, Health Policy, Continuous Monitoring, Public Health, Event Monitoring, Risk Analysis
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Pharmacy Experience, Pharmacology, Pharmacist Assistance, Pharmacy Information System, Medical Prescription, Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacy, Medication Dispensation, Drug Development, Medication Administration, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Medical Terminology
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Glasgow
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Healthcare Ethics, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Pharmacology, Regulatory Affairs, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Emerging Technologies, Good Manufacturing Practices, Pre-Clinical Development, Regulatory Compliance, Precision Medicine, Biotechnology, Pharmacotherapy, Informed Consent
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Drug Development, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical Research, Commercialization, Pre-Clinical Development, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacology, Regulatory Affairs, Intellectual Property, Sales Strategy, Biotechnology, Portfolio Management, Bioinformatics, Precision Medicine, Strategic Partnership, Regulatory Compliance, Marketing, Marketing Strategies
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Medication Dispensation, Pharmacist Assistance, Medical Prescription, Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacology, Patient Safety, Pharmacy, Medication Administration, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Pediatrics, Intravenous Therapy, Systems Of Measurement
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Medication Therapy Management, Medical Privacy, Pharmacology, Asepsis, Pharmacy, Drug Interaction, Medication Administration, Patient-centered Care, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacist Assistance, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Patient Communication, Patient Education And Counseling, Intravenous Therapy, Healthcare Ethics, Sterile Procedure, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Pharmacy Operations, Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, Infectious Diseases
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Stanford University
Skills you'll gain: Pharmacology, Infection Control, Pharmacotherapy, Medical Prescription, Hospital Medicine, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Clinical Practices, Public Health, Long Term Care
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Medication Therapy Management, Drug Development, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacology, Medical Prescription, Patient Education And Counseling, Clinical Research, Pre-Clinical Development, Drug Interaction, Patient Safety, Medical Devices, Statistical Analysis, Value-Based Care, Epidemiology, Utilization Management, Program Evaluation, Public Health, Data Analysis
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Novartis
Skills you'll gain: Drug Interaction, Pharmacology, Pharmaceuticals, Pre-Clinical Development, Drug Development, Medication Administration, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Clinical Research, Laboratory Research
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Medication Therapy Management, Asepsis, Drug Interaction, Medication Administration, Pharmacology, Patient-centered Care, Pharmacist Assistance, Pharmacy, Intravenous Therapy, Sterile Procedure, Personal protective equipment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Pre-Clinical Development, Drug Interaction, Clinical Trials, Pharmacology, Drug Development, Pharmaceuticals, Patient Safety, Clinical Research, Competitive Intelligence, Safety Standards, Laboratory Testing, Biochemical Assays, Medication Administration, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Safety Assurance, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Laboratory Research, Chemistry
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Pharmacy is the science and practice of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services. It plays a crucial role in healthcare by ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacists are essential in managing patient health, providing medication therapy management, and educating patients about their prescriptions. The importance of pharmacy extends beyond just dispensing medications; it encompasses patient safety, public health, and the overall effectiveness of healthcare systems.
A career in pharmacy offers a variety of job opportunities. Pharmacists can work in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and even in research and academia. Common job titles include community pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and pharmaceutical researcher. Each role contributes to patient care, medication management, and health education, making pharmacy a vital field in the healthcare industry.
To succeed in pharmacy, you need a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. Key skills include a strong understanding of pharmacology, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals. Additionally, problem-solving skills and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential, as the field of pharmacy is constantly evolving with new medications and technologies.
There are several excellent online pharmacy courses available that cater to different aspects of the field. For foundational knowledge, consider the Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals Specialization. For those looking to enhance their skills, the Pharmacy Technician Intermediate Specialization offers advanced training. Additionally, courses like Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials provide practical knowledge crucial for daily pharmacy operations.
Yes. You can start learning pharmacy on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in pharmacy, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Learning pharmacy involves a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Start by exploring online courses that cover essential topics in pharmacy. Engage with interactive content, participate in discussions, and apply what you learn through practical exercises. Additionally, consider seeking internships or volunteer opportunities in local pharmacies to gain hands-on experience and enhance your understanding of the field.
Pharmacy courses typically cover a range of topics, including pharmacology, drug interactions, medication safety, and patient care. You may also study pharmacy law, compounding medications, and the ethical considerations in pharmacy practice. These subjects provide a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by pharmacists in their daily work.
For training and upskilling employees in the pharmacy sector, courses like the Pharmacy Technician Essentials and Pharmacy Medication and Safety are particularly beneficial. These courses equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in pharmacy roles, enhancing their professional development and contributing to better patient care.