The Science of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is a science and a profession that focuses on the discovery, production, preparation, dispensing, review, and monitoring of drugs. It also involves ensuring that medicines are safe, effective and affordable for their intended use. The science of pharmacy includes the natural and pharmaceutical sciences, as well as the social and administrative sciences.
Pharmacists are drug specialists who help people understand and manage their health by providing medications and other treatments. They can also educate you on how to take your medicine correctly and how to avoid harmful side effects.
They can also work with other health care providers to help patients get the best medical care possible. For example, they may help you manage your high blood pressure by recommending ways to control your diet and exercise, as well as helping you to monitor and track your blood pressure.
The pharmacist can also offer education on how to use medical equipment, such as a blood glucose monitor or an inhaler for asthma. They can also provide immunizations and other preventative medicine for you or your children, such as yearly flu shots.
Some pharmacists specialize in a particular medication or treatment area, such as diabetes or HIV. These pharmacists have a higher level of training and experience than the generalist pharmacist. They may have a doctorate in pharmacy, or other related discipline, or a postgraduate degree in another field of study.
Depending on their specialty, pharmacists also may have other responsibilities such as training students in their field and managing the finances of the pharmacy. They can also advise on public policy issues and participate in research initiatives that seek to improve the quality of pharmacy practice.
Clinical Services
In the United States, a pharmacist’s scope of practice has been expanded beyond the preparing and dispensing of medications to include consulting with physicians about the appropriate use of drugs and assisting them in making prescribing decisions. This has been especially important in areas where there is a shortage of physicians or other qualified health care professionals.
As a result, pharmacists now play an increasingly important role in hospitals, home care, long-term care or community pharmacy. Many jurisdictions also allow pharmacists to prescribe medicines, which would be a significant step toward increased patient access and participation in health care.
Compounding
The process of compounding a drug can include altering its strength, ingredients or dosage form to meet specific needs. This is often done to accommodate a patient who has an allergy, difficulty swallowing or cannot use the standard prescription drug form.
For some patients, this can make a big difference in how they receive their medications and can improve the effectiveness of the treatment. This is particularly true for people who are elderly, whose bodies have changed or who suffer from chronic conditions.
However, online pharmacies are still emerging and some consumers are hesitant about using them. The Food and Drug Administration is currently attempting to increase awareness of the risks associated with online sales of prescription medicines. They are also working to educate the general public about the dangers of counterfeit drugs and fraudulent pharmacies.
Pharmacy is a science and a profession that focuses on the discovery, production, preparation, dispensing, review, and monitoring of drugs. It also involves ensuring that medicines are safe, effective and affordable for their intended use. The science of pharmacy includes the natural and pharmaceutical sciences, as well as the social and administrative sciences. Pharmacists are drug specialists who help people understand and manage their health by providing medications and other treatments. They can also educate you on how to take your medicine correctly and how to avoid harmful side effects. They can also work with other health care providers to help patients get the best medical care possible. For example, they may help you manage your high blood pressure by recommending ways to control your diet and exercise, as well as helping you to monitor and track your blood pressure. The pharmacist can also offer education on how to use medical equipment, such as a blood glucose monitor or an inhaler for asthma. They can also provide immunizations and other preventative medicine for you or your children, such as yearly flu shots. Some pharmacists specialize in a particular medication or treatment area, such as diabetes or HIV. These pharmacists have a higher level of training and experience than the generalist pharmacist. They may have a doctorate in pharmacy, or other related discipline, or a postgraduate degree in another field of study. Depending on their specialty, pharmacists also may have other responsibilities such as training students in their field and managing the finances of the pharmacy. They can also advise on public policy issues and participate in research initiatives that seek to improve the quality of pharmacy practice. Clinical Services In the United States, a pharmacist’s scope of practice has been expanded beyond the preparing and dispensing of medications to include consulting with physicians about the appropriate use of drugs and assisting them in making prescribing decisions. This has been especially important in areas where there is a shortage of physicians or other qualified health care professionals. As a result, pharmacists now play an increasingly important role in hospitals, home care, long-term care or community pharmacy. Many jurisdictions also allow pharmacists to prescribe medicines, which would be a significant step toward increased patient access and participation in health care. Compounding The process of compounding a drug can include altering its strength, ingredients or dosage form to meet specific needs. This is often done to accommodate a patient who has an allergy, difficulty swallowing or cannot use the standard prescription drug form. For some patients, this can make a big difference in how they receive their medications and can improve the effectiveness of the treatment. This is particularly true for people who are elderly, whose bodies have changed or who suffer from chronic conditions. However, online pharmacies are still emerging and some consumers are hesitant about using them. The Food and Drug Administration is currently attempting to increase awareness of the risks associated with online sales of prescription medicines. They are also working to educate the general public about the dangers of counterfeit drugs and fraudulent pharmacies.