The Importance of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure safe and effective use of medicines. It is a multidisciplinary science linking health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences.
The history of pharmacy stretches back to ancient times, when people would collect herbs and other natural items from the wild for medicinal purposes. Later, as the art of healing grew in popularity and recognition, people began to separate the duties of the herbalists who prepared medicines and the physicians who prescribed them. Benjamin Franklin is credited with helping to create this separation when he appointed an apothecary to Pennsylvania’s first hospital.
Today, there is a greater selection of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines than ever before. With so many choices, pharmacists are essential to help patients and providers make decisions that will improve outcomes and reduce costs. Pharmacists are trained to understand the chemical, physical, and biological properties of drugs, their production and preparation, how they work on the body, and their effectiveness in treating illness. They also have in-depth knowledge of the safe and proper use of medications and are experts at recommending the right medicine for the right patient.
In addition to educating patients about their medications and answering questions, pharmacists have a variety of other important duties. They are responsible for verifying prescriptions, ensuring that patients are receiving the correct doses and confirming that new medications won’t interact with existing prescriptions. They can also provide advice on leading a healthy lifestyle, such as how to exercise and manage stress. They are also responsible for the safe storage and inventory of medicines.
A pharmacist’s responsibilities are governed by the food and drug laws of each country, which set forth regulations for the production and sale of drugs. In some countries, these laws include the national pharmacopoeia that defines drugs, their purity, and dosages. Pharmacists must adhere to these laws in order to ensure the safety and efficacy of their services.
As the demand for their skills grows, pharmacists are working more closely with other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the best care possible. This includes collaborating with physician groups, such as primary care practices and urgent care clinics, to increase medication adherence. They are also providing valuable education to patients about their medications and are addressing the increasing number of complex health conditions that require multiple medications and medical devices.
Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure safe and effective use of medicines. It is a multidisciplinary science linking health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. The history of pharmacy stretches back to ancient times, when people would collect herbs and other natural items from the wild for medicinal purposes. Later, as the art of healing grew in popularity and recognition, people began to separate the duties of the herbalists who prepared medicines and the physicians who prescribed them. Benjamin Franklin is credited with helping to create this separation when he appointed an apothecary to Pennsylvania’s first hospital. Today, there is a greater selection of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines than ever before. With so many choices, pharmacists are essential to help patients and providers make decisions that will improve outcomes and reduce costs. Pharmacists are trained to understand the chemical, physical, and biological properties of drugs, their production and preparation, how they work on the body, and their effectiveness in treating illness. They also have in-depth knowledge of the safe and proper use of medications and are experts at recommending the right medicine for the right patient. In addition to educating patients about their medications and answering questions, pharmacists have a variety of other important duties. They are responsible for verifying prescriptions, ensuring that patients are receiving the correct doses and confirming that new medications won’t interact with existing prescriptions. They can also provide advice on leading a healthy lifestyle, such as how to exercise and manage stress. They are also responsible for the safe storage and inventory of medicines. A pharmacist’s responsibilities are governed by the food and drug laws of each country, which set forth regulations for the production and sale of drugs. In some countries, these laws include the national pharmacopoeia that defines drugs, their purity, and dosages. Pharmacists must adhere to these laws in order to ensure the safety and efficacy of their services. As the demand for their skills grows, pharmacists are working more closely with other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the best care possible. This includes collaborating with physician groups, such as primary care practices and urgent care clinics, to increase medication adherence. They are also providing valuable education to patients about their medications and are addressing the increasing number of complex health conditions that require multiple medications and medical devices.