Six-Month Pharmacy Technician Program Begins at HCC

Houston, along with the entire nation, faces a shortage of pharmacy technicians, as well as registered pharmacists, says Liz Wilroy, chair of the nationally accredited Pharmacy Technician program at Houston Community College-Southeast's Health Science Center.

She contends that the rise in consumer demand for pharmacy products and the increasing number of pharmacies opening over the past three years are primary factors causing the shortage.

"To meet this demand, the length of our training, beginning this fall, is being cut from 12 months to six," she states.

"The six-month program addresses the same skills and practices taught in the year-long program - it is very intense."

Students attend lectures in classrooms, apply their skills in a lab designed like a pharmacy and gain hands-on clinical experience in local pharmacies.

"For the first time in 10 years, we also are offering individuals the option to enroll as part-time students on weekdays or evenings," Wilroy says.

- DON FAUGHT

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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