Careers in the Field of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is a health care profession that is concerned with the safe use, storage, preservation and distribution of medicine. Pharmacists help people understand how to use their medication, inform them about the side effects, and fill prescriptions issued by doctors and other health care professionals. They also work in hospitals, medical clinics and universities and contribute to research in the development of new medicines.
In addition to providing information and recommending the right medicine for patients, pharmacists play an essential role in the process of creating new medications. The drug discovery process is lengthy and requires a great deal of experimentation. Ultimately, the goal of the pharmaceutical industry is to make medicines that improve and save lives.
Those who have a passion for health, wellness and caring can find an exciting career in the field of pharmacy. With a growing need for trained healthcare workers, it’s a field that offers a wide range of opportunities. There are many different specializations that can be pursued in the profession, from long-term care and geriatric pharmacy to pediatric and retail pharmacy.
The aging population is increasing the need for specialized pharmacy services, particularly for seniors who typically have more complex medication regimens than younger individuals. Pharmacists who specialize in long-term care, geriatric and home healthcare can help ensure that their patients are getting the right medication at the correct time, while optimizing treatment outcomes.
A growing area of study within pharmacy is known as pharmacogenomics, which looks at how variations in specific genes can affect an individual’s response to certain drugs. The discipline is expected to revolutionize the way that pharmaceuticals are developed and used in the future.
Another important role that pharmacists play is promoting adherence to prescribed medication. Non-adherence has been associated with a number of negative effects, including the waste of drug resources, poor patient health outcomes, increased hospital admissions and progression of disease. Pharmacists can help educate and motivate patients to adhere to their treatment regimens, as well as identify strategies that can be implemented to improve adherence.
Pharmacists can also be involved in the administration of vaccines, such as the flu and shingles, which are easily accessible to patients at their local pharmacies. Another common service provided by pharmacy is compounding, which involves preparing customized medications that work with various allergies, dosage requirements or other unique patient needs.
The advent of virtual pharmacies has opened up a new realm of possibilities for healthcare providers to offer their patients and members the convenience of ordering and receiving their prescriptions from home, skipping the need to travel to the nearest brick-and-mortar pharmacy. These turnkey solutions are ideal for capturing second fills, extending the reach of a health system’s “meds to bed” program and simplifying inventory management. By partnering with a virtual pharmacy provider that provides a holistic solution, providers can maximize the value of their medication programs by engaging patients in high-touch activities that go beyond robotic refills.
Pharmacy is a health care profession that is concerned with the safe use, storage, preservation and distribution of medicine. Pharmacists help people understand how to use their medication, inform them about the side effects, and fill prescriptions issued by doctors and other health care professionals. They also work in hospitals, medical clinics and universities and contribute to research in the development of new medicines. In addition to providing information and recommending the right medicine for patients, pharmacists play an essential role in the process of creating new medications. The drug discovery process is lengthy and requires a great deal of experimentation. Ultimately, the goal of the pharmaceutical industry is to make medicines that improve and save lives. Those who have a passion for health, wellness and caring can find an exciting career in the field of pharmacy. With a growing need for trained healthcare workers, it’s a field that offers a wide range of opportunities. There are many different specializations that can be pursued in the profession, from long-term care and geriatric pharmacy to pediatric and retail pharmacy. The aging population is increasing the need for specialized pharmacy services, particularly for seniors who typically have more complex medication regimens than younger individuals. Pharmacists who specialize in long-term care, geriatric and home healthcare can help ensure that their patients are getting the right medication at the correct time, while optimizing treatment outcomes. A growing area of study within pharmacy is known as pharmacogenomics, which looks at how variations in specific genes can affect an individual’s response to certain drugs. The discipline is expected to revolutionize the way that pharmaceuticals are developed and used in the future. Another important role that pharmacists play is promoting adherence to prescribed medication. Non-adherence has been associated with a number of negative effects, including the waste of drug resources, poor patient health outcomes, increased hospital admissions and progression of disease. Pharmacists can help educate and motivate patients to adhere to their treatment regimens, as well as identify strategies that can be implemented to improve adherence. Pharmacists can also be involved in the administration of vaccines, such as the flu and shingles, which are easily accessible to patients at their local pharmacies. Another common service provided by pharmacy is compounding, which involves preparing customized medications that work with various allergies, dosage requirements or other unique patient needs. The advent of virtual pharmacies has opened up a new realm of possibilities for healthcare providers to offer their patients and members the convenience of ordering and receiving their prescriptions from home, skipping the need to travel to the nearest brick-and-mortar pharmacy. These turnkey solutions are ideal for capturing second fills, extending the reach of a health system’s “meds to bed” program and simplifying inventory management. By partnering with a virtual pharmacy provider that provides a holistic solution, providers can maximize the value of their medication programs by engaging patients in high-touch activities that go beyond robotic refills.