31120

Pharmacists

TEER 1 — Usually require a university degree

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: Yes

Classification

Health

3 › 31 › 311 › 3112

Definition

Community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists compound and dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals and provide consultative services to both clients and health care providers. They are employed in retail pharmacies and health center pharmacies, or they may be self-employed. Industrial pharmacists participate in the research, development, promotion and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. They are employed in pharmaceutical companies and government departments and agencies.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists
Check prescriptions for proper dosage
Compound prescribed pharmaceutical products by calculating, measuring and mixing the quantities of drugs and other ingredients required and filling appropriate containers with correct quantity
Dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals to customers or to other health care professionals and advise them on indications, contra-indications, adverse effects, drug interactions and dosage
Maintain medication profiles of customers including registry of poisons and narcotic and controlled drugs
Ensure proper preparation, packaging, distribution and storage of vaccines, serums, biologicals and other drugs and pharmaceuticals
Order and maintain stock of pharmaceutical supplies
Advise customers on selection and use of non-prescription medication
Renew existing prescriptions in limited circumstances
May adapt the formulation, regimen, duration or route of administration of medication
May supervise and coordinate the activities of other pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians and other staff.
Industrial pharmacists
Participate in research for the development of new drugs
Formulate new drug products developed by medical researchers
Test new drug products for stability and to determine absorption and elimination patterns
Coordinate clinical investigations of new drugs
Control the quality of drug products during production to ensure that they meet standards of potency, purity, uniformity, stability and safety
Develop information materials concerning the uses, properties and risks of particular drugs
Evaluate labelling, packaging and advertising of drug products
Promote pharmaceutical products to health professionals.

Example job titles

•clinical pharmacist
•community pharmacist
•hospital pharmacist
•industrial pharmacist
•pharmacist
•retail pharmacist

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Pharmacists are classified under code 31120, which is designated as a TEER 1 occupation. This classification includes both community and hospital pharmacists who compound and dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals, advise health care providers on drug interactions, and counsel patients on medication use. To practice as a pharmacist in Canada, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, complete a period of supervised practical training, and successfully obtain licensure from the pharmacy regulatory authority in their respective province or territory.

For immigration, qualified foreign pharmacists can utilize pathways managed by the Express Entry system, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Because healthcare professionals are in high demand across Canada, candidates under NOC 31120 may benefit from Category-Based Selection draws targeting healthcare occupations, as well as various stream-specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Successfully immigrating requires meeting the education, language, and work experience criteria defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. Please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a licensed immigration professional for official guidance.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.