The Pharmacy Services Program is an associate degree program offered within the Department of Pharmacy Services. The program aims to educate qualified intermediate healthcare personnel required by the pharmaceutical sector, particularly community pharmacies, through modern techniques and scientific approaches.
The curriculum includes courses designed to establish a fundamental background in healthcare services during the first semester, followed by theoretical courses and practical applications related to pharmacy services starting from the second semester. In order to ensure that students gain hands-on experience and apply the knowledge acquired during their studies, a compulsory internship of 20 working days is among the graduation requirements.
The primary aim of the program is to train qualified intermediate healthcare professionals for pharmacy services who possess a sense of responsibility for research and lifelong learning, adopt a scientific perspective, have strong communication skills, and are capable of working effectively in teams. Graduates are expected to take active roles in drug preparation, dispensing, and regulatory processes.
In this context, the specific competencies intended to be acquired by students include:
Gaining a strong theoretical foundation in healthcare and pharmacy services and transferring this knowledge into practical applications,
Accessing up-to-date information required in the field of healthcare, particularly pharmacy services, and developing skills in analysis, synthesis, and the use of new technologies,
Playing an active and problem-solving role in communication processes with patients, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare institutions,
Having comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical procedures and processes, including drug preparation, usage, storage conditions, sales, and patient counseling,
Ensuring the general organization of the pharmacy and providing support in procurement processes, billing procedures, and institutional relations when necessary.
Applicants must meet the conditions determined by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), be graduates of secondary education, and obtain a sufficient score in the University Entrance Examination. These admission requirements also apply to candidates applying through horizontal transfer.
Students who successfully complete 120 ECTS credits, achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 out of 4.00, and fulfill the compulsory internship requirement are entitled to graduate. Graduates are awarded an Associate Degree Diploma in Pharmacy Services.
Graduates are awarded the title of Pharmacy Technician and may be employed in community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, drug warehouses, laboratories, and hospital pharmacies. Employment opportunities are available in both public and private sectors.
In Türkiye, investments in healthcare continue to increase steadily. The expansion of integrated healthcare campuses, private hospitals, and medical centers, along with efforts to modernize public hospitals, has led to a growing demand for pharmacy services and the need for modernization in this field. Accordingly, public and university hospitals frequently recruit healthcare technicians, including pharmacy technicians. Private hospitals also prefer employing healthcare technicians in their in-house pharmacies.
According to the 2018 DGS Guide, graduates of the Pharmacy Services Program may apply to the following undergraduate programs after graduation:
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
