Eunice pharmacists help launch LSUE pharmacy program

LSU Eunice has launched its inaugural pharmacy technician class with five students on its campus and eight others at LSU Alexandria.
The class instructors are Eunice pharmacists Aurdie Bellard and Charles Feucht.
On a recent Thursday morning, Bellard was in front of the LSUE students and to his side was a video screen showing the eight students in Alexandria.
Bellard said the pharmacy technician is in response to new rules that move the training from pharmacies to certified programs.
The program also offers its successful students a path to that may pay more than double the minimum wage or more, he said.
The course and stiffer requirements recognize the growing complexity of the pharmacy business, he said.
Bellard, who owns Bellard’s Family Pharmacy in Eunice, said he suggested starting the program to LSUE Chancellor Kimberly Russell. A program already existed at LSUA, but its director had resigned.
Bellard and Feucht ended up as co-directors of the program, he said.
Feucht owns Acadiana Consultant Pharmacy Services in Eunice.
“Pharmacy is really unique,” Bellard said. There are specialities such as retail, hospital, consulting and compound, he said.
The students also gain experience by working in pharmacies as part of the course work.
“It is not just a hum drum one job all the time,” he said.
Bellard believes once students successfully complete the two-semester course and their national certification test they will have an advantage in the job market.
The course is a win-win for the universities and the students, he said.
Bellard forsees the course eventually including an associate degree.
In announcing the program, an LSUE news release stated Louisiana Department of Labor data indicated 252 job openings for pharmacy technicians statewide and 46 current job openings in the LSUA/LSUE service areas.
A pharmacy technician student laboratory will be set up on the campus of LSUE so that students will not have to travel to the LSUA campus for laboratory classes, the news release stated.
Students interested in pursuing the Certificate in Pharmacy Technology should contact:
Department of Allied Health
LSU of Alexandria
8100 Hwy 71 S
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-6466
LSUA Program Page
or
Division of Health Sciences and Business Technology
LSU Eunice
2048 Johnson Hwy
Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: (337) 550-1357