What Is Pharmacy?
Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences.
In ancient times in Greece and Rome, the art of healing separated the duties of the herbalist, who supplied the physician with herbs, from those of the pharmacist, who prepared the medicines. In the 16th century in Europe, the separation of these roles was further strengthened by a law enacted by the city council of Bruges forbidding physicians to prepare their own medicines. Benjamin Franklin is often credited with furthering the separation of these two professions in America when he appointed an apothecary to his Philadelphia hospital.
Today, pharmacies continue to play a vital role in healthcare. They provide advice to both patients and medical staff, and promote drug adherence. This is particularly important in areas like high blood pressure management, where pharmacists can help patients understand their condition and encourage them to take their medication as prescribed. In addition, pharmacy technicians work to ensure that prescriptions are properly filled and that patients have the correct dosages.
Pharmacists also contribute to healthcare innovation by conducting research to improve the effectiveness and safety of medications. Their work includes testing the effectiveness of new drugs and evaluating the impact of existing ones. It also involves the cultivation of medicinal plants, the synthesis of chemical compounds with therapeutic value and the analysis of existing medicines.
A growing field of pharmacy is pharmacogenomics, which aims to determine how genetic variations can influence the body’s response to drugs. This may allow pharmacists to select the most appropriate medicine for a patient and potentially prevent or treat diseases earlier than currently possible.
The first steps in a career as a pharmacist are earning an undergraduate degree and then getting licensed by your state’s pharmacy board. A bachelor’s in pharmacy usually takes four years of study and combines general education with science courses, like chemistry, biology, math, and physics. Some colleges also offer graduate programs leading to a master’s or doctoral degree in pharmacy, pharmacology, or a related subject.
The next step is obtaining the necessary business insurance. Most states require pharmacists to have liability insurance before they can open their doors, and some even mandate specific coverage amounts. If you are unsure of what insurance options are available to you, contact your local small business association or visit the Small Business Administration’s reference to local business resources. In addition, you will need to meet any other licensing or permit requirements in your area, and this will vary by state. You may also want to consider purchasing business interruption insurance. This type of policy pays your costs if your pharmacy must close due to an unforeseen event, such as a fire or flood. This type of policy is an excellent investment in the financial security of your pharmacy.
Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. In ancient times in Greece and Rome, the art of healing separated the duties of the herbalist, who supplied the physician with herbs, from those of the pharmacist, who prepared the medicines. In the 16th century in Europe, the separation of these roles was further strengthened by a law enacted by the city council of Bruges forbidding physicians to prepare their own medicines. Benjamin Franklin is often credited with furthering the separation of these two professions in America when he appointed an apothecary to his Philadelphia hospital. Today, pharmacies continue to play a vital role in healthcare. They provide advice to both patients and medical staff, and promote drug adherence. This is particularly important in areas like high blood pressure management, where pharmacists can help patients understand their condition and encourage them to take their medication as prescribed. In addition, pharmacy technicians work to ensure that prescriptions are properly filled and that patients have the correct dosages. Pharmacists also contribute to healthcare innovation by conducting research to improve the effectiveness and safety of medications. Their work includes testing the effectiveness of new drugs and evaluating the impact of existing ones. It also involves the cultivation of medicinal plants, the synthesis of chemical compounds with therapeutic value and the analysis of existing medicines. A growing field of pharmacy is pharmacogenomics, which aims to determine how genetic variations can influence the body’s response to drugs. This may allow pharmacists to select the most appropriate medicine for a patient and potentially prevent or treat diseases earlier than currently possible. The first steps in a career as a pharmacist are earning an undergraduate degree and then getting licensed by your state’s pharmacy board. A bachelor’s in pharmacy usually takes four years of study and combines general education with science courses, like chemistry, biology, math, and physics. Some colleges also offer graduate programs leading to a master’s or doctoral degree in pharmacy, pharmacology, or a related subject. The next step is obtaining the necessary business insurance. Most states require pharmacists to have liability insurance before they can open their doors, and some even mandate specific coverage amounts. If you are unsure of what insurance options are available to you, contact your local small business association or visit the Small Business Administration’s reference to local business resources. In addition, you will need to meet any other licensing or permit requirements in your area, and this will vary by state. You may also want to consider purchasing business interruption insurance. This type of policy pays your costs if your pharmacy must close due to an unforeseen event, such as a fire or flood. This type of policy is an excellent investment in the financial security of your pharmacy.