What Does a Pharmacist Do?
The pharmacy, a vital part of the healthcare industry, is where patients can receive advice and information about their medications. Pharmacists can help them manage their conditions, and provide them with vaccines to prevent illness. A pharmacist can also advise on diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes that will improve overall health.
A pharmacist has a unique role in providing outcomes-oriented care that ensures effective drug therapy, while minimizing adverse events and economic burdens to the patient. To achieve this goal, a pharmacist must carefully review subjective and objective data in regard to the patient’s underlying health, diet, exercise, medication history, present illness and other medical conditions. The pharmacist must also evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the selected medication, its side effects and contraindications.
Pharmacy has evolved from a purely transactional role to a more clinical practice setting. Many pharmacy professionals now work directly with physicians in hospital clinics, physician offices and specialty care settings (e.g., oncology centers). Pharmacists can also be found in ambulatory care and long-term care facilities, as well as the public sector and the military.
Today, there is a much greater selection of prescription and over-the-counter medications available than in the past. With the ever-increasing number of medications, it is imperative that prescribers and patients work closely with pharmacists to select the most appropriate medication to treat a particular disease or condition. This will improve adherence to the medication regimen and enhance the patient’s outcome, while decreasing cost and complications.
Pharmacists are trained to administer vaccinations, which can prevent diseases such as the flu and shingles. They are also qualified to perform basic health screenings, such as measuring blood pressure and heart rate, testing glucose levels and assessing cholesterol levels. In addition, they are able to assist with other health related issues such as smoking cessation programs and diabetes management.
One of the most important things that a pharmacist can do is to help people dispose of unwanted or expired medicines. This is important because unused or expired medicine can fall into the wrong hands and harm a person, so taking them to the pharmacy is an excellent way to get rid of them. Pharmacists are also highly trained in preparing drugs in new dosage forms. This is called compounding and it can be used for patients who have specific allergies or can’t take certain types of medications as a pill. For example, if a patient has trouble swallowing pills, a compounding pharmacist can make them into a medicated lollipop. They can even prepare custom-made creams and ointments for various ailments.
The pharmacy, a vital part of the healthcare industry, is where patients can receive advice and information about their medications. Pharmacists can help them manage their conditions, and provide them with vaccines to prevent illness. A pharmacist can also advise on diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes that will improve overall health. A pharmacist has a unique role in providing outcomes-oriented care that ensures effective drug therapy, while minimizing adverse events and economic burdens to the patient. To achieve this goal, a pharmacist must carefully review subjective and objective data in regard to the patient’s underlying health, diet, exercise, medication history, present illness and other medical conditions. The pharmacist must also evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the selected medication, its side effects and contraindications. Pharmacy has evolved from a purely transactional role to a more clinical practice setting. Many pharmacy professionals now work directly with physicians in hospital clinics, physician offices and specialty care settings (e.g., oncology centers). Pharmacists can also be found in ambulatory care and long-term care facilities, as well as the public sector and the military. Today, there is a much greater selection of prescription and over-the-counter medications available than in the past. With the ever-increasing number of medications, it is imperative that prescribers and patients work closely with pharmacists to select the most appropriate medication to treat a particular disease or condition. This will improve adherence to the medication regimen and enhance the patient’s outcome, while decreasing cost and complications. Pharmacists are trained to administer vaccinations, which can prevent diseases such as the flu and shingles. They are also qualified to perform basic health screenings, such as measuring blood pressure and heart rate, testing glucose levels and assessing cholesterol levels. In addition, they are able to assist with other health related issues such as smoking cessation programs and diabetes management. One of the most important things that a pharmacist can do is to help people dispose of unwanted or expired medicines. This is important because unused or expired medicine can fall into the wrong hands and harm a person, so taking them to the pharmacy is an excellent way to get rid of them. Pharmacists are also highly trained in preparing drugs in new dosage forms. This is called compounding and it can be used for patients who have specific allergies or can’t take certain types of medications as a pill. For example, if a patient has trouble swallowing pills, a compounding pharmacist can make them into a medicated lollipop. They can even prepare custom-made creams and ointments for various ailments.