What Does a Pharmacist Do?
Pharmacy is a diverse discipline that incorporates many fields of study, including the cultivation of plants used for drugs and the synthesis of chemical compounds with medicinal properties. Pharmacists also compound drugs into a variety of dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, or sterile solutions for injection. They are often called upon to advise patients and physicians on how to use medications properly, safely, and effectively.
In addition, pharmacists are qualified to perform simple health care procedures like taking blood pressure and temperatures or testing cholesterol levels. They can also diagnose a range of common ailments, such as colds, flu, aches and pains, and some skin problems. If a patient has more serious health concerns, they may refer them to a physician.
Because of the wide range of medications available, it is important for pharmacists to have a solid understanding of each drug and how it works. This helps ensure that the prescriptions they dispense will work as intended and do not interact with each other negatively.
Pharmacists can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practice, long-term care facilities and even supermarkets. Some of the most common duties include verifying that a patient’s new prescription is correct, explaining how to take it and advising on possible side effects. They can also help patients select over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal products and dietary supplements.
Other services that pharmacists provide to patients include counseling on topics such as healthy eating, stress management and exercise. They can also be a resource to help people with questions about their health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. Pharmacists can help make sure that patients understand the costs and benefits of their medication, how to store it, and how to dispose of unused or expired medications in a safe manner.
An aging population has led to an increase in the number of elderly patients with chronic illnesses, complex drug regimens and other unique needs. This has increased the demand for long-term care and geriatric pharmacists as well as consultant pharmacists who specialize in helping seniors navigate their healthcare system.
A clearer definition of the pharmacy profession is needed to ensure that educational and policy-making is based on consistent terms. The authors have proposed a conceptual model that is designed to help achieve this. While it is difficult to reach absolute consensus on this model, the framework should be able to facilitate dialogue and enable intercountry comparisons. In this way, the model could serve as a basis for more effective education and policy-making in the future.
Pharmacy is a diverse discipline that incorporates many fields of study, including the cultivation of plants used for drugs and the synthesis of chemical compounds with medicinal properties. Pharmacists also compound drugs into a variety of dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, or sterile solutions for injection. They are often called upon to advise patients and physicians on how to use medications properly, safely, and effectively. In addition, pharmacists are qualified to perform simple health care procedures like taking blood pressure and temperatures or testing cholesterol levels. They can also diagnose a range of common ailments, such as colds, flu, aches and pains, and some skin problems. If a patient has more serious health concerns, they may refer them to a physician. Because of the wide range of medications available, it is important for pharmacists to have a solid understanding of each drug and how it works. This helps ensure that the prescriptions they dispense will work as intended and do not interact with each other negatively. Pharmacists can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practice, long-term care facilities and even supermarkets. Some of the most common duties include verifying that a patient’s new prescription is correct, explaining how to take it and advising on possible side effects. They can also help patients select over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal products and dietary supplements. Other services that pharmacists provide to patients include counseling on topics such as healthy eating, stress management and exercise. They can also be a resource to help people with questions about their health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. Pharmacists can help make sure that patients understand the costs and benefits of their medication, how to store it, and how to dispose of unused or expired medications in a safe manner. An aging population has led to an increase in the number of elderly patients with chronic illnesses, complex drug regimens and other unique needs. This has increased the demand for long-term care and geriatric pharmacists as well as consultant pharmacists who specialize in helping seniors navigate their healthcare system. A clearer definition of the pharmacy profession is needed to ensure that educational and policy-making is based on consistent terms. The authors have proposed a conceptual model that is designed to help achieve this. While it is difficult to reach absolute consensus on this model, the framework should be able to facilitate dialogue and enable intercountry comparisons. In this way, the model could serve as a basis for more effective education and policy-making in the future.