Pharmacy is the clinical health science that links medical science with chemistry. It is charged with the discovery, production, disposal, safe and effective use, and control of medication and drugs.
The pharmacy programs in the Caribbean are designed to provide you with the requisite skills and competencies to enable them to provide effective pharmaceutical care.
They also intend to provide you with the knowledge you need for a successful career in Pharmacy.
Graduates of pharmacy schools will be able to practice in various settings, including Community Pharmacy, Hospital/Institutional Pharmacy, Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Care, Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing, Industrial Pharmacy, Academia, Compounding Pharmacy, Regulatory Affairs, and a myriad of other health care-related settings.
Do you want to pursue a career in pharmacy? Are you considering studying in any pharmacy schools in the Caribbean? I have provided the 15 best pharmacy schools in the Caribbean for you to pick from.will practice
Table of contents
- Why attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
- What should I consider before going to a Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
- What does it cost to attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
- How long does it take to attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
- 10 Best Pharmacy Schools in the Caribbean
- 1. American University of Antigua (AUA)
- 2. American University of the Caribbean (AUC)
- 3. Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
- 4. Ross University
- 5. Saba University
- 6. St. George’s University (SGU)
- 7. St. Matthew’s University (SMU)
- 8. Trinity School of Medicine (TSOM)
- 9. University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)
- 10. Xavier University
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
Why attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
Pharmacy schools in the Caribbean are designed with built-in Internships. In the Caribbean, it is believed that as you are being taught, you are actually seen practicalizing these methods which you are taught. It makes the learning process beautiful.
There is an enhanced career option through hands-on training. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialize in using, storing, and preserving medicine correctly. Going to pharmacy schools in the Caribbean would give you an in-depth knowledge on how to do this.
There exists a curriculum of Global Standards. Pharmacy schools in the Caribbean do not settle for less. They run a curriculum that is recognized and accepted globally. This means that you can easily work anywhere worldwide after attending pharmacy schools in the Caribbean.
Hi-Tech Laboratories with Smart Class Rooms. This is a feature that most schools in the state do not have. For pharmacy schools in the Caribbean, you would be learning in the most comfortable ways. Access to air-conditioned rooms, smart machines, and even free Wi-Fi exists.
Experienced Faculties with Industry Exposure. The teachers employed to teach you in the Caribbean are 100% skilled. They are professionals recognized in the field of pharmacy.
Fully Air-Conditioned Hostels with cuisines of various countries. In attending a pharmacy school in the Caribbean, you do not have to worry about ill-structured accommodation.
The best pharmacy schools in the Caribbean has fully air-conditioned hostels for you to live in and at a very fair price.
Affordable and flexible payment options. Most payments and registrations concerning pharmacy schools in the Caribbean involves doing it online. This eliminates the stress of walking up and down on campus looking to finish up a registration.
There are also more enticing catches from attending pharmacy schools in the Caribbean. These ones are the ones that readily come to mind.
What should I consider before going to a Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
One of the most important things to consider before considering applying to school in the Caribbean is if they have good schools for Pharmacy.
You should also find out whether you would actually become a pharmacist by enrolling in a particular Caribbean school.
If a school doesn’t have accreditation, you can enroll and study but you would not be giving the license to practice pharmacy.
You should look out for the admission requirements. You must have all the documents necessary to apply to a pharmacy school in the Caribbean.
Check for the accreditation status of the pharmacy school. If you attend a school that is not accredited odds are that it is not recognized and in the end, you would find that the years you have spent in school studying Pharmacy has gone to waste.
You must also ensure the program meets the requirements for state licensing and professional certificates. Pharmacy is a professional course. I bet you do not want a situation whereby you are done studying and then you are denied a license. Make these inquiries first before you apply.
Find out the school’s graduation rate, pass rates, percentage of current graduates working in a pharmacy, and ranking among other state programs. This would show you the ranking of the school worldwide.
What does it cost to attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
The premed tuition is $4995 per semester, basic science tuition is $6995 and clinical science tuition is $8495 per semester.
Pharmacy school is expensive. There are however options for grants and scholarships for people with really good grades and those who have the NEEDS factor.
If your tuition is too high, you could always scout for these scholarship schemes.
How long does it take to attend Pharmacy School in the Caribbean?
The curriculum is designed to be completed in five years on a full-time basis. However, if you intend to be a part-time student, completing a Pharmacy degree may take you as long as 8 years.
Requirements for enrolling in a Pharmacy School in the Caribbean
The academic admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program is based on your having documents like your-
- Official transcript of records (grade list)
- GPA scores
- A resume with relevant experience in Nursing
- Letters of recommendation from past teachers or employers
- A letter of motivation or personal essay
- Proof that you paid the application fee
10 Best Pharmacy Schools in the Caribbean
1. American University of Antigua (AUA)
American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUA) is one of the top pharmacy schools in the Caribbean dedicated to providing a learner-centric education of the highest quality, fostering a diverse academic community, and ensuring that everyone who attends this school develops the skills and attitudes of lifelong learning, compassion, and professionalism.
Pharmacy programs at the American University of Antigua would provide you with an education that enables them to become competent and caring pharmacists.
It has innovative facilities that stand out, distinguished faculty, and excellent clinical experiences prepare you to practice pharmacy after you have graduated. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
2. American University of the Caribbean (AUC)
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, is another really good school to study pharmacy in the Caribbean. They have set a goal to train you so well to ensure you could render service to your communities and your patients in the best way you know how.
International learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement enhance the prestige of the school.
In addition, it is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine. Due to this accreditation, it earns approvals from respected agencies and organizations worldwide.
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is committed to providing medical students with information to help them fund their education through student loan programs and medical school financial aid. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
3. Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
At MUA, in maintaining the prestige they have as being one of the best pharmacy schools in the Caribbean, they ensured to combine a systems-based U.S. curriculum with the time-tested belief that students learn best in small classes, where they can interact one-on-one with their professors.
Those small classes also help create a strong feeling of community and collaboration; it also ensures that the students follow up with everything that’s being taught and everyone gets carried along.
MUA can offer a level of oversight and guidance that isn’t possible at bigger schools and it’s a key reason graduates achieve top residencies. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
4. Ross University
At Ross University School of Medicine, it is believed accessible medicine starts with accessible medical education.
The mission is to educate and empower a truly diverse and dedicated population of students who are determined to make an undeniable impact on the communities they serve.
Caribbean Accreditation Authority accredits Ross for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).
At Ross medical school in the Caribbean, medical science, clinical training, pharmaceutical skills and soft skills support in a state-of-the-art educational environment that keeps learning relevant, contemporary and competitive are included.
With the deep network of healthcare institutions, on graduating from Ross, it can be ensured that you get employed almost immediately.
The school is accredited and as such, you could work in any state in the U.S. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
5. Saba University
Saba University School of Medicine is one of the world’s leading international medical schools, with nearly a 30-year history of educating outstanding physicians. They have a reputation of pushing the world’s best pharmacists.
Located just 28 miles from St. Maarten, the island nation of Saba is small, quiet and extremely safe with something for everyone to enjoy: from quaint villages and mountain hiking trails to pristine scuba diving and well-regarded inns and restaurants.
Its beautiful climate and sightseeing spots mostly gives it an edge over most other pharmacy schools in the Caribbean.
Saba is a perfect place to study hard and, when time allows, enjoy the best of what the Caribbean offers. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
6. St. George’s University (SGU)
Founded as an independent School of Medicine in 1976, St. George’s University, the premier choice in Caribbean Medical Schools, has evolved into a top center of international medical education, drawing med school and MD program students, alumni and faculty from over 150 countries to the island of Grenada.
The University’s over 22,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals worldwide. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
7. St. Matthew’s University (SMU)
St. Matthew’s University is a medical school focused at providing quality and affordable medical courses aiming at the success of students.
At St Matthew’s university, pharmacy students are given special treatment. They have the best professors and the best-studying facilities. It offers programs in pharmacy that you would most likely not find even amongst the best pharmacy schools in the Caribbean.
More than 2000 students have obtained their degrees in pharmacy from SMU. SMU students achieve exceptional scholastic success, with U.S. licensing examination pass rates comparable to US schools and well above the average of other non-US schools.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (average 3.6), minimum MCAT of 498 (average 509) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 7.2%.
The tuition fees at St. Matthews University for pharmacy schools range from $37,736 to $58,410. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
8. Trinity School of Medicine (TSOM)
Trinity School of Medicine is a highly accredited, international medical school located on the beautiful island of St. Vincent. Trinity holds a special responsibility to train highly skilled physicians and instill in them a passion and dedication to the health and welfare of the communities they will serve.
Studying pharmacy at Trinity School of Medicine allows you to learn in settings they wouldn’t have access to elsewhere.
Coupled with two years of clinical training in U.S. hospitals, the students graduate with differentiated and adaptable pharmacy skills to compete for big company contracts in the long run.
This is a rigorous Caribbean pharmacy school for students who value personal attention and faculty support within a smaller, focused learning environment. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
9. University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)
The University of Medicine and Health Sciences is one of the few schools in the Caribbean that is bent on making you an exceptional pharmacist. With their proven track record, you can be sure it would do everything to help you graduate, pass your licensing exams.
The University of Medicine and Health Science has small class and lab sizes; world-class medical teaching facilities, and outstanding and highly credentialed Faculty that care about your education. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
10. Xavier University
Xavier University, School of Medicine, is a private not-for-profit offshore medical school in Oranjestad, Aruba. The Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM) was founded in 2000. The school is in Oranjestad, the capital and largest city in Aruba.
The campus has a facility with over 125,000 square feet of space. Additional premedical campuses are in Jordan, Jenin, India, and Ghana. It is one of the best schools to study pharmacy in the Caribbean.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the evenings, they usually study for 4 hours, an average of 6-7 hours daily.
Biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics have been said to be the toughest pharmacy courses.
Yes. This is because in studying pharmacy after you graduate, you would be free to pick a career path. There is also a huge demand for pharmacists in society.
An average pharmacist earns around $128,000 a year according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Pharmaceutical Industry/ Clinical trials
To ensure success, take good notes, stay organized, study with others, avoid distractions, use resources, and don’t cram.
Conclusion
If you have been here up to this point, you are probably considering attending a pharmacy school in the Caribbean and that’s great.
You must own up to your mistakes, take lunch, befriend the right people, and study. Remember to check the costs and accreditations in picking any of these schools.
