Study to become a pharmacy technician

Supporting the pharmacist's role, the prescriber is an essential link in the drug chain. They distribute and sell prescription and over-the-counter products in pharmacies. This role brings them into direct contact with the vast majority of the population. However, the studies that lead to this profession are different from those of a pharmacist. It's this path that we're going to detail in this fact sheet.

Pharmacist training path

Since 2022, students wishing to become pharmacy assistants no longer take the Brevet Professionnel de Préparateur en Pharmacie (BP). The latter has been replaced by the Diplôme d'Études Universitaires Scientifiques et Techniques de Préparateur en Pharmacie (DEUST). This change has enabled pharmacy assistants to receive better training, in addition to obtaining a Bac +2 level (compared with +1 previously).

This DEUST is accessible after a Baccalaureate, BEP, DAEU or CAP depending on the orientations selected. In addition, some training organizations require apprentices to take a preliminary test if they do not have a scientific baccalaureate. The test covers three subjects (chemistry, biology and mathematics), and verifies the candidate's level of basic knowledge, which is essential for further study.

Once the application has been accepted and admission granted, the course lasts two years. It combines a variety of courses including: 

• Technical courses
• Scientific courses
• Practical courses 

The combination of these three areas trains students in all aspects of their future profession. Depending on the age of the student (under or over 30), the course will be carried out under an apprenticeship contract or a professionalization contract, all supervised by an apprenticeship master.

Printing the pharmacy technician diploma

The training of pharmacy assistants is demanding, and will enable the apprentice to acquire a number of technical and human skills that will enable him or her to work with confidence and apply for the best pharmacy assistant job offers : 

• Technical skills

• Prescribing drugs: interpreting medical prescriptions and prescribing prescribed drugs.
• Advice and information :advice to patients on the correct use of médicaments, their potential side effects, and drug interactions.
• Inventory management: procurement of pharmaceutical products, controlling péremption dates, placing orders and réception of deliveries.
• Prègrales : setting up personalized medications for specific patients, according to doctors' prescriptions, following procedures.

• Human qualities

• Rigor and précision
• Écoute
• Discrétion
• Esprit déquipe

Career opportunities and developments for pharmacy prescribers

Employment opportunities after training

On completion of the DEUST, pharmacy graduates can work in a wide range of professional environments, including dispensing pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry, medical biology laboratories and healthcare establishments. The diversity of these environments allows for a variety of missions and collaborative encounters, bringing professional épanoument à a déjà exciting career.

Becoming a pharmacist

Pharmacists can become pharmacists more easily thanks to a gateway system. With a few years' experience, the pharmacy preceptor will be able to resume studies in pharmaceutical sciences by entering directly into the 2ᵉ or 3ᵉ year. This system is subject to an application file justifying the candidate's motivations and experience.

To find out more, browse our pharmacist study sheet!

En résumé; les études permettant de devenir préparateur en pharmacie s sont courtes, mais exigeantes. They enable students to become seasoned professionals from the moment they enter the job market, where they will support pharmacists and other specialists in the field of medicine.

If you want to learn more, check out our pharmacist salary fact sheet or our pharmacist studies fact sheet!