The Role of a Pharmacist

Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure their safe, effective use. It combines health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences, utilizing the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and pharmacology. It is also a service profession that requires skills in caring for patients.

A pharmacist is a healthcare professional that is a trusted and knowledgeable source for patient medication counseling, disease management, health education and product information. They are also experts in assisting physicians in the development and evaluation of new drugs and the safety and efficacy of existing ones.

The practice of pharmacy dates back to ancient times. In Greek mythology, Asclepius, god of healing, delegated to Hygieia the task of compounding his medicines. Later, the ancient Egyptians split physician-priests into two classes: those who visited sick people and those who prepared medicines in the temple. The latter were called apothecaries. The modern profession of pharmacy began with the establishment of the first college of pharmacy in Philadelphia in 1821. Similar institutions soon opened in the United States, Great Britain and continental Europe.

Today, pharmacists are a vital part of the healthcare team and have expanded their role to include patient advocacy, clinical services, drug shortage management, public health initiatives, and even entrepreneurship. A growing number of pharmacies are embracing the convenience of digital technology to provide patients with an improved user experience and to offer services like prescription delivery and curbside pickup.

In addition, the emergence of biosimilars—drugs that are almost identical to a brand-name medication but cost significantly less—has increased the importance of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry. Because of the complex nature of these products, many hospitals are now requiring that their pharmacists undergo additional training and certification to help them manage these new drugs.

Many pharmacists who work in hospital pharmacies gain more education and training after graduation through a pharmacy practice residency, sometimes followed by specialized training in advanced areas such as diabetes or infectious diseases. Some pharmacists, such as those at CO Bigelow, earn a doctorate degree and are called clinical pharmacists.

While the internet provides a convenient way for pharmacists to reach out to their customers, it’s important to still market your business through traditional means. Colorful self-mailers and postcards can help you stand out from other pharmacies and introduce your services to the community. Texting campaigns are another great way to reach your patient population and let them know about upcoming events, reminders, prescription deliveries, and more. They’re easy to set up and send from our Patient Engagement Platform, and they help you avoid the high costs of printing, mailing, and postage that can add up quickly.

Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure their safe, effective use. It combines health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences, utilizing the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and pharmacology. It is also a service profession that requires skills in caring for patients. A pharmacist is a healthcare professional that is a trusted and knowledgeable source for patient medication counseling, disease management, health education and product information. They are also experts in assisting physicians in the development and evaluation of new drugs and the safety and efficacy of existing ones. The practice of pharmacy dates back to ancient times. In Greek mythology, Asclepius, god of healing, delegated to Hygieia the task of compounding his medicines. Later, the ancient Egyptians split physician-priests into two classes: those who visited sick people and those who prepared medicines in the temple. The latter were called apothecaries. The modern profession of pharmacy began with the establishment of the first college of pharmacy in Philadelphia in 1821. Similar institutions soon opened in the United States, Great Britain and continental Europe. Today, pharmacists are a vital part of the healthcare team and have expanded their role to include patient advocacy, clinical services, drug shortage management, public health initiatives, and even entrepreneurship. A growing number of pharmacies are embracing the convenience of digital technology to provide patients with an improved user experience and to offer services like prescription delivery and curbside pickup. In addition, the emergence of biosimilars—drugs that are almost identical to a brand-name medication but cost significantly less—has increased the importance of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry. Because of the complex nature of these products, many hospitals are now requiring that their pharmacists undergo additional training and certification to help them manage these new drugs. Many pharmacists who work in hospital pharmacies gain more education and training after graduation through a pharmacy practice residency, sometimes followed by specialized training in advanced areas such as diabetes or infectious diseases. Some pharmacists, such as those at CO Bigelow, earn a doctorate degree and are called clinical pharmacists. While the internet provides a convenient way for pharmacists to reach out to their customers, it’s important to still market your business through traditional means. Colorful self-mailers and postcards can help you stand out from other pharmacies and introduce your services to the community. Texting campaigns are another great way to reach your patient population and let them know about upcoming events, reminders, prescription deliveries, and more. They’re easy to set up and send from our Patient Engagement Platform, and they help you avoid the high costs of printing, mailing, and postage that can add up quickly.