What Does a Pharmacist Do?
A pharmacy is a store that sells drugs and related health care products, such as medical supplies, devices, and cosmetics. It is the most common place to purchase prescription medicines and over-the-counter medication, but some pharmacies also offer a range of other healthcare services such as immunizations or minor injury treatments. Pharmacists are licensed and regulated health professionals who use their expertise to ensure that medications are safe and effective.
Historically, pharmacists have played an important role in the development of medicine. During the Ancient Egyptian period, for example, a number of papyri that contain pharmacological instructions have been discovered, including the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BC and the Edwin Smith Papyrus from 1650 AD. Similarly, in China, the earliest known written pharmacy manual, the Shennong Bencao Jing, dates from 168 BC.
Nowadays, there is a greater selection of medicinal drugs available to treat a wide range of conditions than ever before. As a result, the pharmacist’s job has changed from dispensing drugs and selling front-end items to helping patients manage their conditions, interacting with prescribers to discuss their treatment and offering advice on the proper way to take medication.
There are several different pharmacy career paths, depending on the qualifications and experience of the individual. A pharmacist can study a five-year degree course in pharmacy at university level or train as an assistant to the pharmacist, gaining practical experience and knowledge through training. Regardless of their route into the profession, all pharmacists must complete a series of clinical placements to develop their skills and gain valuable work experience before they can be fully qualified.
Pharmacists are experts in drug therapy and the interaction between medications, supplements, vitamins, foods, and other factors that may affect a person’s health. They must be able to identify and prevent drug interactions between prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal products, and other natural remedies. They must also be able to advise patients on how to safely select OTC medications and other health care products.
In addition to their clinical duties, some pharmacists can be found working in retail stores, such as department stores or supermarkets, or running independent pharmacies. Some are also employed by pharmaceutical companies as researchers or managers. In some countries, pharmacists are required to work under the supervision of a physician.
The most recognized symbol of a pharmacy is the mortar and pestle, which is used as a trademark for pharmaceutical companies in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Other well-known symbols include the green Greek cross, which is commonly used in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain; the bowl of hygieia in the Netherlands; and the show globe in Germany.
For pharmacy professionals, it’s essential to be able to spot and report suspicious activity such as fake online pharmacies that sell drugs without a prescription or counterfeit products that can be dangerous for their customers. As such, pharmacies should be open to the scrutiny of their local pharmacy board and the public.
A pharmacy is a store that sells drugs and related health care products, such as medical supplies, devices, and cosmetics. It is the most common place to purchase prescription medicines and over-the-counter medication, but some pharmacies also offer a range of other healthcare services such as immunizations or minor injury treatments. Pharmacists are licensed and regulated health professionals who use their expertise to ensure that medications are safe and effective. Historically, pharmacists have played an important role in the development of medicine. During the Ancient Egyptian period, for example, a number of papyri that contain pharmacological instructions have been discovered, including the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BC and the Edwin Smith Papyrus from 1650 AD. Similarly, in China, the earliest known written pharmacy manual, the Shennong Bencao Jing, dates from 168 BC. Nowadays, there is a greater selection of medicinal drugs available to treat a wide range of conditions than ever before. As a result, the pharmacist’s job has changed from dispensing drugs and selling front-end items to helping patients manage their conditions, interacting with prescribers to discuss their treatment and offering advice on the proper way to take medication. There are several different pharmacy career paths, depending on the qualifications and experience of the individual. A pharmacist can study a five-year degree course in pharmacy at university level or train as an assistant to the pharmacist, gaining practical experience and knowledge through training. Regardless of their route into the profession, all pharmacists must complete a series of clinical placements to develop their skills and gain valuable work experience before they can be fully qualified. Pharmacists are experts in drug therapy and the interaction between medications, supplements, vitamins, foods, and other factors that may affect a person’s health. They must be able to identify and prevent drug interactions between prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal products, and other natural remedies. They must also be able to advise patients on how to safely select OTC medications and other health care products. In addition to their clinical duties, some pharmacists can be found working in retail stores, such as department stores or supermarkets, or running independent pharmacies. Some are also employed by pharmaceutical companies as researchers or managers. In some countries, pharmacists are required to work under the supervision of a physician. The most recognized symbol of a pharmacy is the mortar and pestle, which is used as a trademark for pharmaceutical companies in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Other well-known symbols include the green Greek cross, which is commonly used in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain; the bowl of hygieia in the Netherlands; and the show globe in Germany. For pharmacy professionals, it’s essential to be able to spot and report suspicious activity such as fake online pharmacies that sell drugs without a prescription or counterfeit products that can be dangerous for their customers. As such, pharmacies should be open to the scrutiny of their local pharmacy board and the public.