Pharmacy vs Medicine HELP

Mldj

Okay so I'm doing my leaving cert this year and as the title of the thread suggests I'm absolutely torn between medicine and pharmacy (both at UCC). I was originally set on studying pharmacy (because of my love of all things chemistry) with the hope of one day becoming a hospital pharmacist (never ever ever working in a community pharmacy after work experience there). I was put off doing medicine due to the long working hours and level of patient contact, but then I realised that I could later specialise in an area of medicine with less facetime with patients. I also talked with a pharmacist who advised against me doing pharmacy and now, I'm seriously reconsidering my original plan. Hand on heart, I think pharmacy is more interesting but t medicine would lead to a better career and more respect (petty, I know).

I was hoping somebody would be able to help me with the following questions so I can (fingers crossed) make the right decision.

How much chemistry is involved in a medicine/pharmacy degree?
If I did later decide to do graduate medicine after doing pharmacy, wpuld that be any advantage?
Is it very difficult to get a job as a hospital phaacist and what is the pay like?
Would I have to do on-call work as a pharmacist (not necessarily a negative tbh)?
What would you recommend?

Merci beaucoup

Flange/Flanders

If you're not one for patient contact, I wouldn't think medicine is the one for you. One way or another you're going to have patient contact for at least 3 years (clinical years in college and intern year). Personally, it's my favourite part but it is each to their own. There's plenty of people in my course who wouldn't be the best people persons (great english there!). Maybe try do a couple of days more experience over midterm if you can, even a day in each tho I know that wont be easy when you're actually studying for your Lc.

Water John

The third leg of Pharma work is with the Pharma R & D.

Nonoperational

It depends what you find interesting, but being a pharmacist and a doctor, medicine is, in my opinion, is far far more interesting.

Billiethepup

Zero advantage to doing pharmacy and then graduate medicine btw. You cannot be licenced for both in Ireland so pharmacists have to give up their pharmacy registration to join the medical register. There are plenty of pharmacists that do go on and do this but as far as I can see its pointless to do it by choice the first time round. It only makes sense if someone changes their mind.

echo beach

Billiethepup wrote: »

You cannot be licenced for both in Ireland so pharmacists have to give up their pharmacy registration to join the medical register..

Are you sure?
There is no prohibition on doctors being on the pharmacy register and i don't see why the medical register would exclude somebody on the basis of having another qualification.