The Role of a Pharmacist
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and is charged with ensuring optimal drug use to improve patient outcomes. The profession encompasses more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications on the orders of physicians, but it also includes more modern services such as clinical services, drug information, and consulting with patients to optimize medication therapy.
The practice of pharmacy has a long history of collaboration with medicine and chemistry. Its roots extend to ancient Greece and Rome, where herbalists supplied physicians with the raw materials needed to make medicines. Under Arabian influence in Europe, the separation of duties between physician and pharmacist began to develop as a distinct practice. In America, Benjamin Franklin took the first steps to keep the two fields separate by establishing the apothecary system of his Philadelphia hospital.
Today, pharmacy is a multidisciplinary field with many different career options. Pharmacy graduates have the option to pursue a wide range of scientific research and development, in addition to more clinically focused careers such as pharmacy resident or management positions. Many pharmacists are also small business owners and may own their own pharmacies.
Pharmacists are experts in drug therapy. They are primarily responsible for optimizing drug treatment and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care and safety. They are educated in the science of drug therapy and have in-depth knowledge of drug properties, action, metabolism and physiology. In addition, they have expertise in the administration of drugs and vaccines.
In a patient-oriented role, pharmacists counsel patients and educate the public on the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical products and drug therapies. They are also involved in drug discovery and drug development by working collaboratively with medical researchers, pharmacologists, biochemists, biologists, chemical engineers, geneticists, chemists and other scientists.
Pharmacies are a critical part of the healthcare system. They are the primary source of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication, as well as medical supplies and equipment. In addition, pharmacies are often the only locations where the general public can obtain vaccinations against common illnesses like the flu and shingles.
Pharmacy also enables new advancements in healthcare through discovery-based research. Using the principles of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and chemical engineering, scientists seek to combat disease through the creation of novel medicines and delivery systems.
Pharmacy is a growing and dynamic field with numerous opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfillment. For students who want to further their education, the University of Texas School of Pharmacy offers a PharmD program that leads to licensure as a pharmacist in all 50 states and several territories. A PharmD degree provides a solid foundation for careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories. For those interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career, the school also offers a Health Systems MBA. The combination of both degrees equips graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in business and advance healthcare in a complex world.
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and is charged with ensuring optimal drug use to improve patient outcomes. The profession encompasses more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications on the orders of physicians, but it also includes more modern services such as clinical services, drug information, and consulting with patients to optimize medication therapy. The practice of pharmacy has a long history of collaboration with medicine and chemistry. Its roots extend to ancient Greece and Rome, where herbalists supplied physicians with the raw materials needed to make medicines. Under Arabian influence in Europe, the separation of duties between physician and pharmacist began to develop as a distinct practice. In America, Benjamin Franklin took the first steps to keep the two fields separate by establishing the apothecary system of his Philadelphia hospital. Today, pharmacy is a multidisciplinary field with many different career options. Pharmacy graduates have the option to pursue a wide range of scientific research and development, in addition to more clinically focused careers such as pharmacy resident or management positions. Many pharmacists are also small business owners and may own their own pharmacies. Pharmacists are experts in drug therapy. They are primarily responsible for optimizing drug treatment and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care and safety. They are educated in the science of drug therapy and have in-depth knowledge of drug properties, action, metabolism and physiology. In addition, they have expertise in the administration of drugs and vaccines. In a patient-oriented role, pharmacists counsel patients and educate the public on the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical products and drug therapies. They are also involved in drug discovery and drug development by working collaboratively with medical researchers, pharmacologists, biochemists, biologists, chemical engineers, geneticists, chemists and other scientists. Pharmacies are a critical part of the healthcare system. They are the primary source of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication, as well as medical supplies and equipment. In addition, pharmacies are often the only locations where the general public can obtain vaccinations against common illnesses like the flu and shingles. Pharmacy also enables new advancements in healthcare through discovery-based research. Using the principles of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and chemical engineering, scientists seek to combat disease through the creation of novel medicines and delivery systems. Pharmacy is a growing and dynamic field with numerous opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfillment. For students who want to further their education, the University of Texas School of Pharmacy offers a PharmD program that leads to licensure as a pharmacist in all 50 states and several territories. A PharmD degree provides a solid foundation for careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories. For those interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career, the school also offers a Health Systems MBA. The combination of both degrees equips graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in business and advance healthcare in a complex world.