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 Pharmacists
distribute prescription drugs to individuals. They also advise their patients,
physicians, and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages,
interactions, and side effects of medications, as well as monitor the
health and progress of those patients to ensure that they are using their
medications safely and effectively. Compounding -- the actual mixing of
ingredients to form medications -- is a small part of a pharmacist's
practice, because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies
in standard dosages and drug delivery forms. Most pharmacists work in a community
setting, such as a retail drugstore, or in a healthcare facility, such as a
hospital.
Pharmacists
in community pharmacies dispense medications, counsel patients on the use
of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and advise physicians
about medication therapy. They also advise patients about general health
topics, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, and provide
information on products, such as durable medical equipment or home healthcare
supplies. In addition, they often complete third-party insurance forms and
other paperwork. Those who own or manage community pharmacies may sell
non-health-related merchandise, hire and supervise personnel, and oversee
the general operation of the pharmacy. Some community pharmacists provide
specialized services to help patients with conditions such as diabetes,
asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure. Some pharmacists are
trained to administer vaccinations.
Pharmacists in healthcare facilities dispense medications
and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs. They
may make sterile solutions to be administered intravenously. They also
plan, monitor, and evaluate drug programs or regimens. They may counsel
hospitalized patients on the use of drugs before the patients are
discharged.
Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapy areas,
such as intravenous nutrition support, oncology (cancer), nuclear pharmacy
(used for chemotherapy), geriatric pharmacy, and psychiatric pharmacy (the
use of drugs to treat mental disorders).
Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of
patients' drug therapies to prevent harmful drug interactions. Pharmacists
are responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, but
they often rely upon pharmacy
technicians to assist them in the dispensing medications. Thus, the
pharmacist may delegate prescription-filling and administrative tasks and
supervise their completion. Pharmacists also frequently oversee pharmacy
students serving as interns.
Some pharmacists are involved in research for pharmaceutical
manufacturers, developing new drugs and testing their effects. Others work
in marketing or sales, providing clients with expertise on the use,
effectiveness, and possible side effects of drugs. Some pharmacists work
for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefit packages and
carrying out cost-benefit analyses on certain drugs. Other pharmacists work
for the government, managed care organizations, public healthcare services,
or the armed services. Finally, some pharmacists are employed full time or
part time as college faculty, teaching classes and performing research in a
wide range of areas.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
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