What Does a Pharmacist Do?
Pharmacy is a health profession whose goal is to produce drug therapy programs that are safe, effective, and affordable. To achieve this goal, pharmacists must be able to work in tandem with the patient and healthcare team. They must collect subjective and objective data, initiate, monitor, and adjust medications in order to deliver outcomes-oriented care.
Pharmacists are trained to perform basic health screenings, such as measuring blood pressure, temperature and cholesterol, as well as diagnose everyday ailments like colds, flu, aches and pains. They are also able to advise patients on how to live a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. They can also help you find treatments that aren’t prescription medicine, such as a sore throat or earache, and can recommend treatment for conditions that don’t need a doctor’s appointment, such as an ingrown toenail.
Most pharmacists can also help you get rid of unused or unwanted medicines. This is so they don’t fall into the wrong hands and cause harm. This is a free service offered by most pharmacies.
Pharmacists’ work is governed by state and federal laws, particularly when they deal with controlled substances. This includes licensing requirements and strict penalties for non-compliance. This is important because a single error in the dispensing of these drugs could have serious consequences.
The most common duties of a pharmacist include verifying that the correct medication is being given and that it will not interact with other medicines the person is taking. They may also help with other health related issues, such as recommending the appropriate flu vaccine, helping patients understand their insurance coverage and advising on diet and exercise. Some pharmacists specialise in particular fields, such as managed care or research. Others work in hospitals or in nursing homes.
Those who want to become a pharmacist must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam, or MPJE. They must also obtain a state license to practice in the US, which requires passing a criminal background check and having a clean driving record.
As the world continues to shift towards an online marketplace, the role of pharmacy is changing, too. For example, some people are moving their health insurance to virtual pharmacies, where a real pharmacist completes a comprehensive medication review and proactively reaches out to members before they run out of their prescribed medicines. This approach helps increase medication adherence and improves health outcomes for members.
In addition, these teams are integrating with primary care to provide high-touch activities like one-on-one medication support, behavior coaching and disease-specific education. This integration means members have access to a cohesive care team that keeps the bigger picture in mind. As a result, they can be sure their prescriptions are improving their health and wellbeing rather than wasting money on unnecessary medicines. This kind of integrated care can make all the difference.
Pharmacy is a health profession whose goal is to produce drug therapy programs that are safe, effective, and affordable. To achieve this goal, pharmacists must be able to work in tandem with the patient and healthcare team. They must collect subjective and objective data, initiate, monitor, and adjust medications in order to deliver outcomes-oriented care. Pharmacists are trained to perform basic health screenings, such as measuring blood pressure, temperature and cholesterol, as well as diagnose everyday ailments like colds, flu, aches and pains. They are also able to advise patients on how to live a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. They can also help you find treatments that aren’t prescription medicine, such as a sore throat or earache, and can recommend treatment for conditions that don’t need a doctor’s appointment, such as an ingrown toenail. Most pharmacists can also help you get rid of unused or unwanted medicines. This is so they don’t fall into the wrong hands and cause harm. This is a free service offered by most pharmacies. Pharmacists’ work is governed by state and federal laws, particularly when they deal with controlled substances. This includes licensing requirements and strict penalties for non-compliance. This is important because a single error in the dispensing of these drugs could have serious consequences. The most common duties of a pharmacist include verifying that the correct medication is being given and that it will not interact with other medicines the person is taking. They may also help with other health related issues, such as recommending the appropriate flu vaccine, helping patients understand their insurance coverage and advising on diet and exercise. Some pharmacists specialise in particular fields, such as managed care or research. Others work in hospitals or in nursing homes. Those who want to become a pharmacist must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam, or MPJE. They must also obtain a state license to practice in the US, which requires passing a criminal background check and having a clean driving record. As the world continues to shift towards an online marketplace, the role of pharmacy is changing, too. For example, some people are moving their health insurance to virtual pharmacies, where a real pharmacist completes a comprehensive medication review and proactively reaches out to members before they run out of their prescribed medicines. This approach helps increase medication adherence and improves health outcomes for members. In addition, these teams are integrating with primary care to provide high-touch activities like one-on-one medication support, behavior coaching and disease-specific education. This integration means members have access to a cohesive care team that keeps the bigger picture in mind. As a result, they can be sure their prescriptions are improving their health and wellbeing rather than wasting money on unnecessary medicines. This kind of integrated care can make all the difference.