The Profession of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is a profession that focuses on the right way to use, store, and deliver medicine. Pharmacists fill prescriptions issued by physicians and work at medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and government institutions. Historically, pharmacists have also been the health professionals who can best explain and clarify the proper usage of medication.
The scope of modern pharmacy has evolved from more traditional duties such as compounding and dispensing medication to more clinical services related to drug therapy. Today, pharmacists have a vital role in the healthcare industry and are often the primary health professional to provide patients with information on their medications. This knowledge is essential for ensuring that patients are taking their medication properly and safely, as well as knowing any possible side effects that they may experience.
In ancient times, the apothecary was considered one of the most important members of a health care team, providing doctors with herbs and other raw materials from which to make their medicines. However, by the middle of the 14th century, European apothecaries began to separate their duties from those of the physician. This shift was largely due to the influence of Islam, which encouraged separate roles and the separation of professions in many European countries. In America, Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in establishing the profession of pharmacy by creating the first hospital apothecary and separating the responsibilities of the pharmacist from those of the physician.
While the apothecary symbol remains popular worldwide, a mortar and pestle is no longer required to do the job. In fact, most pharmacies now use electronic prescriptions, centralized pharmacy automation for dispensing, and nationwide pharmacy monitoring programs to improve efficiency. These digital innovations help pharmacists spend more time with patients and focus on their patient-centered duties.
For those looking to enter the field of pharmacy, it is important to get paid or volunteer experience to gain the necessary hard and soft skills that are needed for the job. It is also important to be passionate about helping people, as this is a large part of what pharmacists do.
When applying to pharmacy school, applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to healthcare by showing a strong interest in the field and a solid background in the sciences. This can be done by obtaining paid work experience at local pharmacies, volunteering with community organizations, or shadowing doctors and pharmacists to learn more about the profession.
Whether you are a patient or just interested in learning more about pharmacy, this blog is here to help you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact us for further assistance. We look forward to hearing from you! UT Austin College of Pharmacy | 2020 U.S. Pharmacy Study
Pharmacy is a profession that focuses on the right way to use, store, and deliver medicine. Pharmacists fill prescriptions issued by physicians and work at medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and government institutions. Historically, pharmacists have also been the health professionals who can best explain and clarify the proper usage of medication. The scope of modern pharmacy has evolved from more traditional duties such as compounding and dispensing medication to more clinical services related to drug therapy. Today, pharmacists have a vital role in the healthcare industry and are often the primary health professional to provide patients with information on their medications. This knowledge is essential for ensuring that patients are taking their medication properly and safely, as well as knowing any possible side effects that they may experience. In ancient times, the apothecary was considered one of the most important members of a health care team, providing doctors with herbs and other raw materials from which to make their medicines. However, by the middle of the 14th century, European apothecaries began to separate their duties from those of the physician. This shift was largely due to the influence of Islam, which encouraged separate roles and the separation of professions in many European countries. In America, Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in establishing the profession of pharmacy by creating the first hospital apothecary and separating the responsibilities of the pharmacist from those of the physician. While the apothecary symbol remains popular worldwide, a mortar and pestle is no longer required to do the job. In fact, most pharmacies now use electronic prescriptions, centralized pharmacy automation for dispensing, and nationwide pharmacy monitoring programs to improve efficiency. These digital innovations help pharmacists spend more time with patients and focus on their patient-centered duties. For those looking to enter the field of pharmacy, it is important to get paid or volunteer experience to gain the necessary hard and soft skills that are needed for the job. It is also important to be passionate about helping people, as this is a large part of what pharmacists do. When applying to pharmacy school, applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to healthcare by showing a strong interest in the field and a solid background in the sciences. This can be done by obtaining paid work experience at local pharmacies, volunteering with community organizations, or shadowing doctors and pharmacists to learn more about the profession. Whether you are a patient or just interested in learning more about pharmacy, this blog is here to help you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact us for further assistance. We look forward to hearing from you! UT Austin College of Pharmacy | 2020 U.S. Pharmacy Study