The Role of the Pharmacist
Pharmacy is a profession concerned with the preparation and dispensing of drugs. It also includes the cultivation of plants that are used as drugs and the synthesis of chemical compounds of medicinal value. Pharmacists are also concerned with the mode of action of drugs and their pharmacodynamic properties.
Although pharmacists have extensive knowledge about the physiological and biochemical effects of medications on the body, they also rely heavily on their practical skills in their daily work. Although these skills can be analyzed and distinguished from the formal knowledge that pharmacists have, it is not possible to separate them completely. It is argued that a good pharmacist is not just a person who knows about a particular drug and its mechanisms of action but is someone who can apply this knowledge to the real world in a meaningful way.
Traditionally, pharmacy has been regarded as an art and a science. The art part of the pharmacy is reflected in the apothecary’s tools of the trade, such as the mortar and pestle (used in North America), the syringe and bottle used in France, Argentina, Belgium, and the Netherlands; and the bowl of hygieia, or water jug, as used in Germany. This aspect of the profession is still very much in evidence today, with many a modern pharmacy being housed in an old building that was formerly an apothecary.
The scientific part of pharmacy is reflected in the chemistry labs and the sophisticated equipment that is utilized by professional pharmacists. It is the underlying knowledge that enables pharmacists to prepare and dispense prescriptions in a manner that is consistent with the physician’s intention. It is this knowledge that gives the pharmacist a unique position in the healthcare system and enables them to contribute to the overall health of the community.
Pharmacists are also trained to assess a patient’s needs and can prescribe or recommend certain products and services, such as vitamins and supplements. They can even help patients with basic healthcare procedures like taking blood pressure and assessing temperature, cholesterol and glucose levels. In addition, they can advise on the best way to dispose of unused or expired medicine so it does not end up in the wrong hands.
In some countries, the role of the pharmacist is further defined through specialization and accreditation. This can include the certification of a specific therapeutic area such as geriatrics, critical care, compounded sterile preparations or vaccines. This allows the pharmacist to provide more specialized services and to be considered an expert in their chosen field of pharmacy. These specializations are important in creating a more cohesive and streamlined approach to the delivery of patient care in the healthcare system. It is hoped that these changes will also lead to a better quality of life for the general population as they are more educated about their health and how to care for themselves and their families. The more that pharmacists are able to improve the healthcare system, the better it will be for everyone.
Pharmacy is a profession concerned with the preparation and dispensing of drugs. It also includes the cultivation of plants that are used as drugs and the synthesis of chemical compounds of medicinal value. Pharmacists are also concerned with the mode of action of drugs and their pharmacodynamic properties. Although pharmacists have extensive knowledge about the physiological and biochemical effects of medications on the body, they also rely heavily on their practical skills in their daily work. Although these skills can be analyzed and distinguished from the formal knowledge that pharmacists have, it is not possible to separate them completely. It is argued that a good pharmacist is not just a person who knows about a particular drug and its mechanisms of action but is someone who can apply this knowledge to the real world in a meaningful way. Traditionally, pharmacy has been regarded as an art and a science. The art part of the pharmacy is reflected in the apothecary’s tools of the trade, such as the mortar and pestle (used in North America), the syringe and bottle used in France, Argentina, Belgium, and the Netherlands; and the bowl of hygieia, or water jug, as used in Germany. This aspect of the profession is still very much in evidence today, with many a modern pharmacy being housed in an old building that was formerly an apothecary. The scientific part of pharmacy is reflected in the chemistry labs and the sophisticated equipment that is utilized by professional pharmacists. It is the underlying knowledge that enables pharmacists to prepare and dispense prescriptions in a manner that is consistent with the physician’s intention. It is this knowledge that gives the pharmacist a unique position in the healthcare system and enables them to contribute to the overall health of the community. Pharmacists are also trained to assess a patient’s needs and can prescribe or recommend certain products and services, such as vitamins and supplements. They can even help patients with basic healthcare procedures like taking blood pressure and assessing temperature, cholesterol and glucose levels. In addition, they can advise on the best way to dispose of unused or expired medicine so it does not end up in the wrong hands. In some countries, the role of the pharmacist is further defined through specialization and accreditation. This can include the certification of a specific therapeutic area such as geriatrics, critical care, compounded sterile preparations or vaccines. This allows the pharmacist to provide more specialized services and to be considered an expert in their chosen field of pharmacy. These specializations are important in creating a more cohesive and streamlined approach to the delivery of patient care in the healthcare system. It is hoped that these changes will also lead to a better quality of life for the general population as they are more educated about their health and how to care for themselves and their families. The more that pharmacists are able to improve the healthcare system, the better it will be for everyone.