The Role of a Pharmacist
The role of a pharmacist in patient care has evolved over the years. Today, a pharmacist works with doctors and other health care providers to develop, evaluate, and modify patient-centered treatment plans. As the expert on the effects of drugs, pharmacists must analyze the chemistry of drug entities, determine the appropriate dosage form, and monitor a patient’s progress to ensure safety and efficacy. They must also consider the social systems that influence the use of medications.
Today, more medicines are available on the market, including prescription drugs and OTC medications. The plethora of medicines available allows physicians to prescribe a multitude of different drugs to treat a single condition. By applying their knowledge about drug interactions, pharmacists are able to tailor medications based on the unique genetic makeup of a patient. The profession of a pharmacist also provides opportunities to counsel other health care professionals and develop policies that affect a patient population.
The role of a pharmacist is highly varied, and can range from dispensing drugs to performing research. Some pharmacists participate in patient rounds at a hospital or university, while others focus on research or a specific disease state. The role of a pharmacist is incredibly versatile, and most people live within 2 miles of a pharmacy. As a result, pharmacists are trusted health care experts who can answer patients’ questions. They can also perform research and develop specialized knowledge on medicines, including their composition, manufacturing processes, and physical properties.
There is also an increasing number of high-paying careers in the field of pharmacy. In the Boston area, the median salary for a pharmacist is $128,090, though the jobs are more common in other parts of the U.S. Despite these high salaries, approximately 10 percent of pharmacy students choose to pursue alternative career paths. Some choose to become pharmaceutical company sales representatives, while others become regulatory affairs specialists. Still others work in the pharmaceutical industry as sales representatives or explain the effects of drugs to hospitals.
Continuing education is an important component of any pharmacist’s job. In order to stay on top of the latest developments in the field of pharmacy, pharmacists must be able to effectively communicate with patients. They must be able to communicate clearly the purpose of a medication, the timing of its use, and the delivery method. This communication must be appropriate for the patient’s level of understanding. In addition, pharmacists must be able to communicate with patients and make informed decisions about their healthcare.
For those who do not want to take the MJPE, there are several alternative exams that they can take to obtain their license. In addition to NAPLEX, pharmacy law exams are available. In addition, pharmacists in many jurisdictions must have a specified number of hours of practice experience. Typically, these hours can be fulfilled while pursuing a Pharm.D. Applicants are also required to undergo a criminal background check. While applying for a pharmacy license, pharmacists should carefully review the requirements for each jurisdiction.
The role of a pharmacist in patient care has evolved over the years. Today, a pharmacist works with doctors and other health care providers to develop, evaluate, and modify patient-centered treatment plans. As the expert on the effects of drugs, pharmacists must analyze the chemistry of drug entities, determine the appropriate dosage form, and monitor a patient’s progress to ensure safety and efficacy. They must also consider the social systems that influence the use of medications. Today, more medicines are available on the market, including prescription drugs and OTC medications. The plethora of medicines available allows physicians to prescribe a multitude of different drugs to treat a single condition. By applying their knowledge about drug interactions, pharmacists are able to tailor medications based on the unique genetic makeup of a patient. The profession of a pharmacist also provides opportunities to counsel other health care professionals and develop policies that affect a patient population. The role of a pharmacist is highly varied, and can range from dispensing drugs to performing research. Some pharmacists participate in patient rounds at a hospital or university, while others focus on research or a specific disease state. The role of a pharmacist is incredibly versatile, and most people live within 2 miles of a pharmacy. As a result, pharmacists are trusted health care experts who can answer patients’ questions. They can also perform research and develop specialized knowledge on medicines, including their composition, manufacturing processes, and physical properties. There is also an increasing number of high-paying careers in the field of pharmacy. In the Boston area, the median salary for a pharmacist is $128,090, though the jobs are more common in other parts of the U.S. Despite these high salaries, approximately 10 percent of pharmacy students choose to pursue alternative career paths. Some choose to become pharmaceutical company sales representatives, while others become regulatory affairs specialists. Still others work in the pharmaceutical industry as sales representatives or explain the effects of drugs to hospitals. Continuing education is an important component of any pharmacist’s job. In order to stay on top of the latest developments in the field of pharmacy, pharmacists must be able to effectively communicate with patients. They must be able to communicate clearly the purpose of a medication, the timing of its use, and the delivery method. This communication must be appropriate for the patient’s level of understanding. In addition, pharmacists must be able to communicate with patients and make informed decisions about their healthcare. For those who do not want to take the MJPE, there are several alternative exams that they can take to obtain their license. In addition to NAPLEX, pharmacy law exams are available. In addition, pharmacists in many jurisdictions must have a specified number of hours of practice experience. Typically, these hours can be fulfilled while pursuing a Pharm.D. Applicants are also required to undergo a criminal background check. While applying for a pharmacy license, pharmacists should carefully review the requirements for each jurisdiction.