High school students from the pharmacy technician program toured and learned about what it takes to work in a compounding pharmacy as Manufacturing Day tours continued last week.

In partnership with the Wylie Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), local manufacturers and the school district, 17 Wylie and Wylie East students visited Quality Care Pharmacy and Compounding in Wylie Thursday, Oct. 19.

Across the country, Manufacturing Day is on the first Friday of October but the annual event that inspires the next generation to pursue careers in manufacturing lasts a month in Wylie.

The program offers student and community tours to showcase the importance of local manufacturing by offering an inside look at local industry.

“Practical and what you learn in school are two different things,” Pharmacist Shina Adejuyigbe said to the students. “It’s a little different once you are in the field, but what you learn in class is important too.”

WEDC Director of Business Retention and Expansion Angel Wygant said the students “typically have no idea that there is so much customer service involved. You have to deal with the public when they are sick and grouchy.”

Quality Care Pharmacy and Compounding owner Craig Goodson says the practical training is important for pharmacy students.

“We try to create a personalized experience for the students where we can show them the ins and outs of all the processes,” he said. “There’s a big difference between getting stuff thrown at you from a textbook and the hands-on experience. You figure out how to effectively communicate with customers. That’s hard to teach. The real-world experience is super beneficial for students.”

Most prescriptions use an insurance plan, Goodson said, and being able to navigate that realm is also beneficial to students.

Quality Care Pharmacy Technician John Gothard, a Wylie East graduate, was a student in the district’s pharmacy technician program just a few years ago. Shortly after finishing high school, he started with deliveries and now works in the compounding lab, where medications are personalized for patients. This includes putting drugs into flavored liquid, topical creams, transdermal gels, suppositories and lollipops.

Exposure to a compounding lab, which many retail pharmacies do not have, was particularly valuable to the students. Gothard put on a demonstration for the students in the lab, mixing powders and making capsules.

“I interned here at Quality Care Pharmacy for two days when I was a pharmacy tech in training,” Gothard said. “The biggest thing is taking the class seriously. I made the foolish mistake of not putting in all my effort at it. I was a terrible student to say the least. But if you actually put effort into taking the class it makes taking the [Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam] a whole lot easier. That test is no joke.”

Meredith Wiskur, who teaches pharmacy technician and medical assistant classes at Wylie High School, said, “Getting a chance to see the pharmacies in person gives the students a better idea and perspective of what the day-to-day duties are of a pharmacy tech. We teach this stuff in the classroom but being able to see it visually helps them put all the puzzle pieces together.”

Wylie High School Senior Manveer Sekhon said she wants to become a pharmacy tech after high school and ultimately be a pharmacist.

Overall, she thought the pharmacy visit “was a great experience.”

“I got to learn the processes of being a pharmacy tech and a pharmacist, their roles and jobs,” she said. “I got to see their experience and it helped me become more interested in this career.”