Pharmacy Personal Statement 1

Pharmacy Personal Statement 1

The healthcare system is extensive and dynamic. Every one of the significant jobs it contains is necessary for the system to function as intended. It's a framework built around the patient. I gained this knowledge and have wanted to be involved in it ever since. I was able to understand the significant consequences that pharmaceutical companies have by withholding certain trial information in order to profit from having their product on the market. Although they claim to desire to enhance people's health, the fact remains that they are a business that depends on the sales of their product to remain operational. Through reading a book by a well-known author, I was able to see an example of how this issue had an impact: a medication was prescribed to a patient for whom no other medications had proven effective, but only one trial had shown that it had a significant impact on patient outcomes. When information from six additional trials became available, it was clear that the medication performed no better than a placebo. This demonstrates the bias of these companies and puts patients at risk because they are more likely to experience side effects than with other medications that accomplish the same job. In addition, despite being less effective than alternatives, the drug is still available because no laws were broken. This spurred a desire to learn more about the pharmaceutical sector.

While studying drug treatment in my science classes, I made the decision to learn more about the impacts of medicines. I attended a seminar about the legal use of cannabis and its misuse. I discovered how well it treated conditions like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. This provided me with a new perspective, focusing on its therapeutic potential rather than its misuse. Since the lecturer was a pharmacist who specialised in reducing drug misuse and illicit drug use, I learned about another pharmaceutical specialty. This made me realise that pharmacy is about more than just filling prescriptions; it is also about understanding the role of medicines in people's lives and having an obligation to the general public.

I was fortunate enough to travel abroad through a volunteer program to gain a better understanding of global citizenship. I had the opportunity to teach English to children during my two-week visit. Although there was an initial language barrier, I overcame it by creating simple drawings of the words we were teaching in English. I saw how powerful it was as their interest grew day by day. Some of the current issues were visible to me. Every day on my way to the school, I could see a particular clinic that never seemed to be closed; there was always a line that never seemed to end. I decided to ask our local guide about it, and she said it was perfectly normal. What I heard astounded me. I decided to conduct some research into the extent of healthcare in developing countries. I discovered that this was a major issue, which resulted in hundreds of deaths that could have been avoided if the proper system had been in place.

I was able to shadow a community pharmacist in order to gain a better understanding of what pharmacy is all about. I observed how the pharmacist fit into the multidisciplinary team. I learned about the different services they offer, including the flu vaccine service. I saw her empathise with patients as well as consult with GPs and care homes to determine the best course of action for patients. I assisted in the dispensing of prescriptions and the preparation of dosette trays. While performing these tasks, I observed the methodological approach and attention to detail required to ensure the amount of medication is correct. I learned about both the marketing and health care aspects of pharmacy through this experience, as well as the legal and ethical responsibilities I had to every patient I came into contact with. In addition to providing patients with standard self-administered household medications.

By pursuing a degree in pharmacy, I hope to gain a better understanding of the chemistry of drugs as well as how they are metabolised. Despite the fact that it can be a demanding career, I have seen the future impact that I can have on the pharmaceutical industry and the patients that I may encounter.

Analysis of Personal Statement Using Key Points

Introduction:

• The introduction provides a clear reason for being drawn to pharmacy through a healthcare perspective. The writer describes gaining knowledge about the healthcare system and its dynamics early on and developing a desire to be involved in it.

Key Point 1: Why Pharmacy Specifically?

• The statement effectively answers why pharmacy specifically by highlighting a critical issue within the pharmaceutical industry: the withholding of trial information for profit. The writer uses a specific example from a book to illustrate this point, demonstrating an early interest in and understanding of the ethical complexities in pharmacy.

• The writer’s attendance at a seminar on cannabis use also shows a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of medicines and the role of pharmacists beyond dispensing medications. This further reinforces the choice of pharmacy as a field.

Key Point 2: Relevant Work Experience:

• The personal statement includes several examples of relevant work experience:

• The seminar on cannabis provided insights into a specific pharmaceutical specialty, showing an effort to learn more about different aspects of pharmacy.

• The volunteer program abroad, where the author observed healthcare issues in developing countries, demonstrates an understanding of global healthcare challenges and an interest in improving patient care.

• Shadowing a community pharmacist provided hands-on experience in a pharmacy setting, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of the profession and the various services offered by pharmacists.

Key Point 3: Unique Experiences:

• The volunteer program abroad is a unique experience that sets the author apart. Overcoming a language barrier while teaching English shows adaptability and communication skills. Observing the local clinic's constant activity and researching healthcare in developing countries demonstrates a proactive approach to understanding global healthcare issues.

Key Point 4: Relevant Skills:

• The writer highlights several relevant skills:

• Empathy and communication skills are demonstrated through the observation of the pharmacist's interactions with patients, GPs, and care homes.

• Precision and attention to detail are emphasised through tasks such as dispensing prescriptions and preparing dosette trays.

• Understanding of the marketing and healthcare aspects of pharmacy, as well as the legal and ethical responsibilities, is also mentioned.

Content (Paragraphs 2-4):

• These paragraphs provide detailed descriptions of the author's experiences and insights gained from various activities related to pharmacy. The author effectively links these experiences to the qualities and skills needed in the profession.

• The mention of A-level science classes and the decision to learn more about drug impacts ties academic interests to the choice of studying pharmacy.

• The personal story of discovering healthcare issues abroad adds depth and a personal touch to the statement.

Conclusion:

• The conclusion restates the author’s goal of pursuing a degree in pharmacy to understand drug chemistry and metabolism better. It acknowledges the demanding nature of the career while emphasising the potential impact on the pharmaceutical industry and patient care.

• The statement ends on a positive note, showing the author's commitment to making a difference in the field.

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