Education of pharmaconomists

The Education of Pharmaconomists (formerly Pharmacy Assistants) is a three-year education, which takes place partly in a pharmacy and partly at Pharmakon (being the only education institution in this field in Denmark). The entry requirement to the education is a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary schooling.

The education is financed through a fee paid by all community pharmacies. 20 teachers are allocated full-time and draw on secretariat, IT, e learning, Conference Centre.

During the 3 years of study, students will attend 8 courses at Pharmakon (in total 23 weeks) with examinations following the first, second and third year. During the periods of apprenticeship the students have a weekly study day, planned and developed by Pharmakon. The students are provided with a laptop at the beginning of the education and work with electronic portfolio, exercises, videoconferences, e learning programmes, etc.

At the pharmacy, a coach, trained by Pharmakon, supports the students in the training of their skills. Furthermore, pharmacy tutors and supervisors help the students acquire sufficient professional knowledge.

The Danish Ministry of Education regulates the Education of Pharmaconomists. In 2007, the Ministry of Education approved a new Executive Order and a new Curriculum for the Education of Pharmaconomists, beginning 1 September 2007.

According to legislation, Pharmaconomists may handle the dispensing of prescriptions and may give advice to customers.

Pharmakon is very active in relation to market the education both in well-known, effective, and in new ways that affect younger potential students, e.g. videos at YouTube, Face book, and other services.

To ensure that the students complete the education, Pharmakon offers conversations with a trained student adviser or a mentor (other student) and follows up on the students' reasons for possibly dropping out.