What Is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacy is an area of healthcare that deals with dispensing medication and advising patients on how to take their prescriptions. Pharmacists also develop and maintain pharmacy procedures, protocols, and inventory management. They monitor a patient’s response to their prescribed medications and provide counseling, identifying the most affordable options based on the patient’s insurance or health care plan. Some pharmacists also administer immunizations, including flu shots, and perform wellness services, such as blood pressure monitoring or smoking cessation.
Pharmaceuticals are compounds derived from natural products, such as plants or animals, that have medicinal properties. Historically, pharmacies were part of hospitals, although some have been independent establishments that serve the general public. There are some ancient pharmacies still in existence, such as the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy in Florence, Italy, which has been operating since 1221. Modern pharmacy is a complex discipline that incorporates clinical practice, pharmaceutical research and development, and pharmacotherapy. In some countries, pharmacists are called chemists; however, the terms are distinct: Pharmacy is not a basic or biomedical science, whereas pharmacology is.
The pharmacy is an essential component of the health care system and plays a key role in disease prevention, health promotion, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The pharmacist must be able to communicate effectively with the patient in order to promote a comprehensive approach to the care of the sick. This includes explaining how the medication works, its potential side effects and how to properly use the medication. The pharmacist must also be able to answer questions about the medication and explain the relationship between different medications.
Many people who work in pharmacy have advanced degrees in chemistry or another related field, though a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for some positions. The pharmacist must then obtain a license to practice, which requires graduation from a recognized college of pharmacy and passing an exam. This is a rigorous process, which is often accelerated by working as an assistant or technician.
Some pharmacies specialize in certain fields or offer unique services. For example, the CO Bigelow Pharmacy in New York offers a wide range of products, including herbal remedies and other supplements, over-the-counter medications, and specialty self-care items. This pharmacy is rated highly by customers and has an extremely friendly staff. It is even open on Saturdays!
There are many arguments both for and against combining the disciplines of pharmacy and pharmacology. Those who advocate for separation point to evidence that separating the two disciplines reduces conflicts of interest, unnecessary health care, and medical errors. Those who argue for combining suggest that the overlapping skills of both pharmacists and pharmacologists can be used to improve patient outcomes and lower costs. Regardless of the model chosen, there is a need for increased dialogue and a drive toward consistency in definitions across the globe. A good place to start is a standardized model that outlines the four aspects of pharmacy. It may be impossible to achieve a universally agreed upon model, but a common language could help to unify the sector.
Pharmacy is an area of healthcare that deals with dispensing medication and advising patients on how to take their prescriptions. Pharmacists also develop and maintain pharmacy procedures, protocols, and inventory management. They monitor a patient’s response to their prescribed medications and provide counseling, identifying the most affordable options based on the patient’s insurance or health care plan. Some pharmacists also administer immunizations, including flu shots, and perform wellness services, such as blood pressure monitoring or smoking cessation. Pharmaceuticals are compounds derived from natural products, such as plants or animals, that have medicinal properties. Historically, pharmacies were part of hospitals, although some have been independent establishments that serve the general public. There are some ancient pharmacies still in existence, such as the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy in Florence, Italy, which has been operating since 1221. Modern pharmacy is a complex discipline that incorporates clinical practice, pharmaceutical research and development, and pharmacotherapy. In some countries, pharmacists are called chemists; however, the terms are distinct: Pharmacy is not a basic or biomedical science, whereas pharmacology is. The pharmacy is an essential component of the health care system and plays a key role in disease prevention, health promotion, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The pharmacist must be able to communicate effectively with the patient in order to promote a comprehensive approach to the care of the sick. This includes explaining how the medication works, its potential side effects and how to properly use the medication. The pharmacist must also be able to answer questions about the medication and explain the relationship between different medications. Many people who work in pharmacy have advanced degrees in chemistry or another related field, though a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for some positions. The pharmacist must then obtain a license to practice, which requires graduation from a recognized college of pharmacy and passing an exam. This is a rigorous process, which is often accelerated by working as an assistant or technician. Some pharmacies specialize in certain fields or offer unique services. For example, the CO Bigelow Pharmacy in New York offers a wide range of products, including herbal remedies and other supplements, over-the-counter medications, and specialty self-care items. This pharmacy is rated highly by customers and has an extremely friendly staff. It is even open on Saturdays! There are many arguments both for and against combining the disciplines of pharmacy and pharmacology. Those who advocate for separation point to evidence that separating the two disciplines reduces conflicts of interest, unnecessary health care, and medical errors. Those who argue for combining suggest that the overlapping skills of both pharmacists and pharmacologists can be used to improve patient outcomes and lower costs. Regardless of the model chosen, there is a need for increased dialogue and a drive toward consistency in definitions across the globe. A good place to start is a standardized model that outlines the four aspects of pharmacy. It may be impossible to achieve a universally agreed upon model, but a common language could help to unify the sector.