What Is Pharmacy?
Pharmacy is the practice and science of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing, and monitoring medication, aiming to ensure safe, effective, affordable, and equitable use of medications. It is a hybrid discipline that links health sciences with pharmaceutical and natural science, and it is an important part of the health care industry.
It is a profession that is concerned with the preparation, storage, preservation and distribution of medicines, including herbal remedies and vitamins. It is also concerned with the evaluation of new drugs and the monitoring of existing drug treatments, and with educating patients about the proper use of their medicines.
People have been using herbs and other natural substances as medicines for thousands of years, but professional pharmacy as a distinct health care discipline became established in the mid-nineteenth century. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings, including pharmacies, medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and research laboratories. Pharmacists are trained to recommend the right medicine for any condition, and they can explain how to take and store medications properly. They can also answer questions about other health issues, and they are responsible for filling prescriptions that have been written by doctors or other healthcare professionals.
In addition, pharmacists are trained to advise patients about preventive health care, such as vaccinations. They can help patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, and they can provide counseling on adherence to medication treatment regimens. Moreover, they are trained to make sure that drugs are not harmful in combination with other medicines or with certain foods or activities.
The five-year curriculum at a pharmacy school typically includes courses in the biological and physical sciences, such as chemistry, biology, physics, bacteriology, and physiology. In addition to these core subjects, pharmacy students often take courses in business and merchandising, and they learn the fundamentals of computer techniques and pharmaceutical law.
Some pharmacies offer a wide range of goods, including confectionery and cosmetics, and even some grocery items. Some also sell magazines and newspapers. Some pharmacies, especially those in the United States and Canada, offer prescription services and are licensed by government agencies to fill certain types of prescriptions.
Depending on the state, there are different requirements for pharmacy licensure. In general, a license to practice pharmacy requires at least a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology or a related field, a period of clinical experience, and passing an exam. The state of Washington, for example, requires pharmacy students to complete a minimum of four clinical training rotations in order to be eligible to apply for their license.
Pharmacy is the practice and science of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing, and monitoring medication, aiming to ensure safe, effective, affordable, and equitable use of medications. It is a hybrid discipline that links health sciences with pharmaceutical and natural science, and it is an important part of the health care industry. It is a profession that is concerned with the preparation, storage, preservation and distribution of medicines, including herbal remedies and vitamins. It is also concerned with the evaluation of new drugs and the monitoring of existing drug treatments, and with educating patients about the proper use of their medicines. People have been using herbs and other natural substances as medicines for thousands of years, but professional pharmacy as a distinct health care discipline became established in the mid-nineteenth century. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings, including pharmacies, medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and research laboratories. Pharmacists are trained to recommend the right medicine for any condition, and they can explain how to take and store medications properly. They can also answer questions about other health issues, and they are responsible for filling prescriptions that have been written by doctors or other healthcare professionals. In addition, pharmacists are trained to advise patients about preventive health care, such as vaccinations. They can help patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, and they can provide counseling on adherence to medication treatment regimens. Moreover, they are trained to make sure that drugs are not harmful in combination with other medicines or with certain foods or activities. The five-year curriculum at a pharmacy school typically includes courses in the biological and physical sciences, such as chemistry, biology, physics, bacteriology, and physiology. In addition to these core subjects, pharmacy students often take courses in business and merchandising, and they learn the fundamentals of computer techniques and pharmaceutical law. Some pharmacies offer a wide range of goods, including confectionery and cosmetics, and even some grocery items. Some also sell magazines and newspapers. Some pharmacies, especially those in the United States and Canada, offer prescription services and are licensed by government agencies to fill certain types of prescriptions. Depending on the state, there are different requirements for pharmacy licensure. In general, a license to practice pharmacy requires at least a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology or a related field, a period of clinical experience, and passing an exam. The state of Washington, for example, requires pharmacy students to complete a minimum of four clinical training rotations in order to be eligible to apply for their license.