The Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) strongly urges health care institutions to establish and support the pharmacist’s role in pediatric emergency department (ED) settings. Adult patient–centric guidelines have firmly established the general role of the pharmacist and pharmacy services in emergency medicine; however, pediatric pharmacy presence is often considered in case-based scenarios, such as pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation events. PPA recommends supporting the pharmacist’s role in all pediatric ED settings and scenarios including, but not limited to, participation in direct patient care activities, education, safety, improvement initiatives, and transitions of care. Further, PPA advocates for the provision of appropriate training, credentialing, and ongoing mentorship and competency in these areas.

Background: The rigor of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula is reflected in its math- and science-heavy prerequisite requirements. As such, it is critical to evaluate whether students perceive high school coursework and experiences as adequate preparation for PharmD programs. Methods: Pre-professional and professional PharmD students from three institutions completed a survey assessing satisfaction with high school preparation, including math and science education, skill development, and exposure to pharmacy-related experiences. Results: A total of 148 responses were analyzed; 72% identified as female and 81% as White (non-Hispanic/Latino). Most respondents reported satisfaction with their high school math (80.4%) and science (82.4%) education, and 73.7% felt academically prepared for pharmacy school. Additionally, 79.8% were satisfied with skills gained in high school. Experiences such as attending pharmacy-related events (81.1%), contact with healthcare professionals (87.8%), and prior employment (85.2%) were widely viewed as beneficial. Students highlighted communication, problem-solving, and time management as key skills developed. However, gaps were noted in study strategies, presentation abilities, and time management. Conclusions: Students generally felt well-prepared academically and skill-wise for PharmD programs. Expanding pharmacy-related exposure and targeted skill development opportunities in high school may further enhance readiness for future pharmacy students.