Who Are Pharmacists And What Do They Do? – Becoming a pharmacist can be a rewarding and profitable career. Many people think that doctors and nurses are at the forefront of medical care, but pharmacists are just as important in helping patients treat illnesses and other health problems.
Pharmacists research dangerous interactions with other drugs and discuss these with patients about these drugs. Some pharmacists go the extra mile to offer health and wellness advice.
Have you ever asked yourself who is a pharmacist and what they do? This article will answer your question.
Who Are Pharmacists And What Do They Do?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are experts in the proper use, storage, and distribution of medications. Most pharmacists are community pharmacists working in pharmacies, departmental stores, supermarkets, and specialty pharmacies, including mail-order dispensers. Community pharmacists are specialists in charge of medications recommendation, advise patients on how to use prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as advising physicians on drug therapy.
They can provide you with instructions on how to use the medicine and tell you about the possible side effects of what you are taking. They fill prescriptions given by doctors and other health professionals.
In addition to helping patients take their medications, pharmacists also answer questions and assist educate patients and other healthcare professionals about certain drug interactions or side effects they may be experiencing on the body or mind.
They also advise patients on general health topics, such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management, and give information on products, such as durable medical equipment or household supplies. Additionally, they often fill out third-party insurance forms and other documents.
The pharmacist usually works in a pharmacy (chemist, UK) and is responsible for dispensing prescription drugs. They advise customers on the best way to write their recipes and answer any questions they may have. They can also help clients choose over-the-counter medications that can be purchased for minor or non-serious ailments.
Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of patients’ medications to prevent adverse drug interactions. They can delegate the task of filling and managing prescriptions and monitoring their compliance. Pharmacists also supervise pharmacy students, who often work as interns.
Why Is Pharmacist A Good Career?
1. Improve patient outcomes
Medication compliance and adherence are one of the many patient outcomes on which pharmacists have a significant impact. Pharmacists play an essential role in achieving positive health outcomes such as fewer hospitalizations, less disease progression, and less comorbidity by being easily accessible and engaging with patients. Research pharmacists also use retrospective data to identify and assess target patients who are noncompliant with their medications.
2. Career diversity
Becoming a pharmacist can be a rewarding career that offers opportunities for patient care, research, and innovation. In this professional field, you can guide patients on how to manage their health using medication. You can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care organizations. There are also many related careers such as pharmaceutical scientists, clinical researchers, and pharmacologists.
3. The career is growing
Pharmacists can grow and move throughout their pharmacy careers. The common belief is that pharmacists only work in prescription centers for their entire careers. The reality of the situation is that as pharmacists are assigned more jobs or new responsibilities as part of their education and skill development, pharmacists are no longer locked into one position for their entire careers.
4. If you don’t like blood or surgery, studying pharmacy is ideal
Not everyone wants to deal with life-and-death situations, emergencies, and bloodshed. Essentially, pharmacists allow you to help people, save lives, and make a difference without doing any of it. You can be a hero if you prescribe legal drugs. Maybe even give the right advice or research and create a medicine to cure someone.
How To Become A Pharmacist
Step 1: Complete a related degree program
Trainee pharmacists have two different ways to complete their educational requirements. The first option involves completing undergraduate courses before moving on to graduate studies, while the second option is a blended option that combines all courses into one program.
- Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
Pre-Pharmacy courses are offered in two-year or four-year degrees, so students should have an idea of the degree program they will be pursuing before earning their undergraduate degree. Four-year degrees include more general education and social science courses, while two-year programs focus on courses related to the field. To meet the prerequisites for advanced study, students must complete courses in general and organic chemistry; human anatomy and physiology; molecular and cell biology; microbiology; Statistics; calculations; and English. Some programs may require several semesters for this subject. After graduation, students apply for a four-year Ph.D. in Pharmacy.
- Graduate
Combined degrees are offered in a variety of formats and allow students to complete all required courses in less time. The most common are six- and seven-year programs leading to bachelor and doctoral degrees in pharmacy. These programs are ideal for students who have a solid understanding of their future career goals and those who want to complete their education early.
Step 2: Pass license requirements
Licensing requirements for pharmacists are mandated at the state level, which means graduates should check with their local board for specific requirements. Some states may have requirements and others may not, but most of these composents include:
Graduation from a doctoral program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Take 3 parts of the pharmacist licensing exam series, such as the North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam, the Multi-State Pharmacy Law Exam, and the Written and Practical Exam.
Step 3: Complete Doctoral Training
Pharmacists planning to work in pharmacy typically complete a one to a two-year residency program. Whether you are interested in psychopharmacology or pharmacoepidemiology, the postdoctoral training will provide new pharmacists with the specialized knowledge they need to enter the field. It is also a good option for those who plan to do research.
Step 4: Stay up to date with continuing education
As of 2016, all states need pharmacists to enroll in continuing education classes to maintain their licenses. Most require 15 to 30 hours between each license renewal period, which is typically two years. Pharmacists should check their country’s requirements before starting any course or training. Some areas require that CEUs be obtained only from an approved provider, while others need approval from the Pharmacy Accreditation Board. Countries may require particular courses based on trends in the field, such as pharmacology or mental health and pharmacy law.
Conclusion
Pharmacists are professionals in the medical industry who dispense medications and educate patients on how to take them. If you enjoy working with other people and want to help them maintain their health, this may be the career for you.
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Can a pharmacist become a doctor?
Yes, a pharmacist can become a doctor, but they must still complete additional training and education that goes beyond what they received during the completion of their initial degree in pharmacy.
Can a pharmacist work in a hospital?
Pharmacists also work in urgent and emergency medicine departments, quality assurance, clinical trials, and in medicines information departments. You will have opportunities to progress into management or teaching roles within the hospital and work closer with the wider healthcare team (e.g. doctors, nurses).
What do pharmacists study?
If you study pharmacy at university, you will typically take modules focusing on chemistry, human biology and physiology, pharmaceutics (how medicines are made) and pharmacology (how drugs interact with the body).
Which course is best for pharmacist?
Bachelor of Pharmacy is one of the best Professional degrees among students. Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Program in pharmacy is an integrated Postgraduate degree.
What is the difference between pharmacy and pharmacist?
The primary distinction between both professions is the pharmacist is legally allowed to advise patients on using specific medications. In contrast, pharmacy technicians prepare and give medications with the guidance of a pharmacist.
Reference(s)
- webmd.com – What Is a Pharmacist?
- cousera.org – What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, and More
- careerexplorer.com – What does a pharmacist do?
- howtobecome.org – How to Become a Pharmacist
- studentscholarships.com – What do Pharmacists Do
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