Pharmacists

By: Vy Lam

Did you know that most people in the U.S. live just a few miles away from a pharmacy? That means pharmacists are some of the most accessible healthcare professionals we have. Every day, millions of prescriptions are filled, and behind each one is a pharmacist making sure it’s safe, accurate, and right fit for the patient. A lot of people imagine pharmacists just putting labels on bottles and counting pills, but in reality, their job is so much more than people may think.

To become a pharmacist, it requires countless years of commitment towards the pathway. After high school, you start off with getting your degree (must be at least a bachelor’s degree) from a college or university. It’s usually 2-4 years of undergraduate classes that include STEM topics such as: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Calculus, Communication, and Organic Chemistry. This is the pre-pharmacy coursework that helps you build a solid foundation of knowledge for the rest of your journey. After this, many will apply to a Doctor of Pharmacy program (called a Pharm. D.), which takes around 4 years to complete. You’ll learn about medications and how to safely prescribe them, how they work in the body, and how to apply your knowledge. This step is necessary since it will help you start to understand what the pharmacy field is really like. Once you graduate, aspiring pharmacists will then study to pass their licensing exam to be legally allowed to handle prescriptions. They also have the opportunity to complete additional training to specialize in a certain field.

Pharmacists are Healthcare professionals who specialize in medication management and educate patients on their prescription. Although some may not consider them doctors, they still hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree which allows them to prescribe medicine. Some pharmacists may also perform health and wellness screening, offer advice on a balanced lifestyle, and help you manage your medication. They typically work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, drug stores and even in some supermarkets. Their job is to make sure people have access to the proper treatment needed so they can recover.

The average day of a pharmacist involves many tasks, some which may require socializing while others rely on their medical knowledge. They typically spend the majority of their day managing medicine, updating records, and checking for any errors in computers. Patients may have questions about their medicine, so pharmacists must be well-educated in order to answer their concerns.

At the end of the day, pharmacists play a role that goes far beyond the counter. They are the health professionals who make sure medicine is safe, prevent errors that could harm patients, and guide people on how to take care of their health the right way. What may look like a simple job from the outside is actually a career built on knowledge, responsibilities, and a commitment to keeping people healthy in life.

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/.

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/.