What Is Pharmacy?
Pharmacy is the practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, and reviewing medications to ensure they are safe and effective. It is a broad science that combines health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences.
A pharmacist is a licensed health care professional that works in a drug store. They dispense prescriptions after a doctor has written one, as well as provide advice and education on the usage of medication. Pharmacists work with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to help patients live healthier lives.
The word “pharmacy” derives from the Greek words for drug and remedy. In ancient Greece, doctors worked alongside herbalists to prepare medicines. However, as medicine developed, the roles of physician and apothecary became more distinct. By the 18th century, physicians were forbidding their staff to mix herbs and other ingredients together (an activity known as “extemporaneous compounding”).
With the development of the pharmaceutical industry after World War II, the scope of extemporaneous compounding greatly diminished. Pharmacy has since focused on filling the prescriptions of patients, ensuring the correct dosage forms and amounts are provided, and making sure the patient gets the most benefit from their medications.
A career as a pharmacist can be very rewarding. It is a very hands-on and fast-paced job. Many people choose this profession because they enjoy helping others improve their lives through their medical knowledge and skills. Many people also choose to become pharmacists because they like the ability to travel and see different parts of the country or even the world.
In addition to distributing medicine, pharmacists do a number of other important jobs that are vital to the health care system. They may check the expiration dates of medicine, inform patients on how to properly take their medication and what side effects they might expect, and offer education about healthy lifestyles including diet, exercise, and quitting smoking or using tobacco products. Pharmacists may also administer vaccinations, such as the flu shot, and help patients manage their health care costs by providing information about prescription plans and coverage.
If you are interested in becoming a pharmacist, it is a good idea to start by obtaining as much work experience as possible. This can be done by either gaining paid work experience or volunteering, such as working at a local free clinic. It is also a good idea to get a letter of recommendation from a trusted teacher or mentor, as it will help your application stand out. Any reputable school that you apply to will expect a high GPA, so it is essential that you strive for the best grades in your courses. This will show the admissions committee that you are a hard worker with excellent communication and analytical skills, which are both essential in this field. Lastly, it is a great idea to take the PCAT as this will give you a competitive edge over other applicants.
Pharmacy is the practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, and reviewing medications to ensure they are safe and effective. It is a broad science that combines health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. A pharmacist is a licensed health care professional that works in a drug store. They dispense prescriptions after a doctor has written one, as well as provide advice and education on the usage of medication. Pharmacists work with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to help patients live healthier lives. The word “pharmacy” derives from the Greek words for drug and remedy. In ancient Greece, doctors worked alongside herbalists to prepare medicines. However, as medicine developed, the roles of physician and apothecary became more distinct. By the 18th century, physicians were forbidding their staff to mix herbs and other ingredients together (an activity known as “extemporaneous compounding”). With the development of the pharmaceutical industry after World War II, the scope of extemporaneous compounding greatly diminished. Pharmacy has since focused on filling the prescriptions of patients, ensuring the correct dosage forms and amounts are provided, and making sure the patient gets the most benefit from their medications. A career as a pharmacist can be very rewarding. It is a very hands-on and fast-paced job. Many people choose this profession because they enjoy helping others improve their lives through their medical knowledge and skills. Many people also choose to become pharmacists because they like the ability to travel and see different parts of the country or even the world. In addition to distributing medicine, pharmacists do a number of other important jobs that are vital to the health care system. They may check the expiration dates of medicine, inform patients on how to properly take their medication and what side effects they might expect, and offer education about healthy lifestyles including diet, exercise, and quitting smoking or using tobacco products. Pharmacists may also administer vaccinations, such as the flu shot, and help patients manage their health care costs by providing information about prescription plans and coverage. If you are interested in becoming a pharmacist, it is a good idea to start by obtaining as much work experience as possible. This can be done by either gaining paid work experience or volunteering, such as working at a local free clinic. It is also a good idea to get a letter of recommendation from a trusted teacher or mentor, as it will help your application stand out. Any reputable school that you apply to will expect a high GPA, so it is essential that you strive for the best grades in your courses. This will show the admissions committee that you are a hard worker with excellent communication and analytical skills, which are both essential in this field. Lastly, it is a great idea to take the PCAT as this will give you a competitive edge over other applicants.