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Community Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmacist discussing prescription medication with a patient.

Gain the skills to become an essential member of the pharmacy team. The Community Pharmacy Assistant Ontario College Certificate program combines classroom learning, labs, and community placements to prepare you for work in pharmacies, clinics, and long-term care settings.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Community Pharmacy Assistant
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
Two semesters
Start Date(s)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
International Students
Domestic Students
CIP Code
51.0805

Find your career

Pharmacy assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, supporting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to optimize patient health. The employment outlook for pharmacy assistants in Ontario is strong, driven by growth, retirements, and increasing demand for medication management in aging populations.

Graduates are prepared for roles in:

  • Community pharmacies
  • Medical clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Private medical industries
  • Consulting firms
  • Insurance companies

Is it for you? 

A career as a pharmacy assistant may be a good fit if you: 

  • Have strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. 
  • Enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team.  
  • Are adaptable and open to learning new technologies, health care regulations and pharmacy practices. 
  • Communicate effectively and excel at problem-solving.  

How you'll learn

Experiential learning

Learning combines classroom study, interactive labs, and hands-on placements in community pharmacy settings.

  • Practice dispensing, packaging, and labelling prescriptions, managing inventory, compounding non-sterile products, and using pharmacy software.
  • Placements provide real-world experience under the guidance of professionals.

Courses

Pharmacy worker checking medication at a computer.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation 

OSSD/OSSGD with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level or equivalent with the following required courses:

  • Grade 12 English level or equivalent with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 12 Mathemetics with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 11 or 12 Biology with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry with a grade of 65 percent or higher

OR

Additional requirements 

*Additional materials, trainings and certifications may be required depending on industry partner requirements connected to experiential learning. Pre-placement requirements are subject to change based on placement agency and/or legislative or regulatory changes.

Academic upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Discover how Career and College Prep at Loyalist can help you get started on your journey.

International students

Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants and how to apply.

Costs

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)*

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
  • Total: $4,317.34

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

 

*All fees are subject to change. Fees for programs shorter or longer than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. In addition to the costs listed above, some programs also have program ancillary fees based on their specific requirements. For a detailed breakdown of tuition and ancillary fees – including any program-specific charges – please visit the Tuition and fee schedule 2025–26.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)*

  • International Tuition: $15,900 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
  • Mandatory Health Insurance: $659 
  • Total: $17,254.26

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

 

*All fees are subject to change. Fees for programs shorter or longer than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. In addition to the costs listed above, some programs also have program ancillary fees based on their specific requirements. For a detailed breakdown of tuition and ancillary fees – including any program-specific charges – please visit the Tuition and fee schedule 2025–26.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.   

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned in the Community Pharmacy Assistant program by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a diploma or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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