More Than You Think: The Role of a Pharmacist

By: Victoria Lam

Did you know that over 4 billion prescriptions are filled every year in the U.S. alone? Behind every one of those is a pharmacist who took great lengths into making sure the prescription is accurate, safe, and right for their patients. When people think of pharmacists, they imagine a person slapping on labels and counting pills when in reality it is so much more than that. They are professionals in their field who have been trained for many years in order to take on this job. Pharmacists play a very important role in not only our health, but also our society.

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are trained to prepare medicine based on the prescription they received from doctors. They make sure that the medicine is safe, the dosage is correct, and it won’t cause any harmful reactions when combined with other drugs. Some pharmacists may also perform health and wellness screening, offer advice on a healthy lifestyle, and help you manage your medications. Along with that, they work in various settings such as hospitals, drug stores, and even grocery stores. Their job is to ensure patients get the proper treatment needed so they can recover properly and feel better.

The day in the life of a pharmacist typically involves many duties, some which are socializing while others rely on their medical knowledge. Pharmacists usually spend a big part of their day managing medicine and giving advice to patients. Many may have questions about dosage or side-effects, and they must be familiar with the medication in order to answer these questions. They also need to update and computerize records up to date everyday. With these records, it can help pharmacists check for any potentially dangerous drug combination. It could even help them spot drug abuse in prescriptions too.

To become a pharmacist, it takes many years of hard work and intense commitment to the pathway. After receiving your high school diploma, you will go to a college to complete the pre-pharmacy coursework. It’s typically 2-4 years of undergraduate classes and core classes include: General & Organic Chemistry, Biology & Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Calculus, and English & Communication. You do not always need a full bachelor’s degree, but many applicants get one anyways since it can make them a stronger applicant when applying for pharmacy school. After that, you’ll apply to a Doctor of Pharmacy program (called a Pharm.D.), which usually takes 4 years to finish. During this time, you’ll learn about medications, how they work in the body, and how to safely give advice to patients. This step is crucial, as it will help you build a strong foundation for your future in pharmacy. After graduating, you’ll need to pass a licensing exam and possibly complete some additional training, like a residency or internship, which will take another 1 or 2 years if they plan to specialize in a certain field. It’s a long and tedious process, but it’s worth it if you truly hold a passion for making a difference in healthcare.

The role of pharmacist is crucial to healthcare because they serve as one of the most accessible and trusted sources of medical guidance. Their experience helps them prevent medical errors, reduces hospital visits, and improves patient outcomes. This job goes far beyond than just dispensing medication, it’s about helping empower patients to take control of their health.

Works Cited:

Cleveland Clinic. “Pharmacist.” Cleveland Clinic, 2 Mar. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24786-pharmacist.

‌Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. “Pharmacist.” Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 2023, college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/pharmacist/.

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WebMD Editorial Contributors. “What Is a Pharmacist?” WebMD, 29 June 2021, www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-pharmacist.

‌“What Do Pharmacists Do? Roles and Responsibilities.” Bouvé College of Health Sciences, 28 May 2023, bouve.northeastern.edu/news/what-do-pharmacists-do-roles-and-responsibilities/.