Pharmacy is the science and technique of preparing as well as dispensing drugs and medicines. It is a health profession that links health sciences with chemical sciences and aims to ensure the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs. The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications, and it also includes more modern services related to health care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists, therefore, are the experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize use of medication for the benefit of the patients. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals with specialized education and training who perform various roles to ensure optimal health outcomes for their patients through proper medication use. Pharmacists may also be small-business proprietors, owning the pharmacy in which they practice. Since pharmacists know about the mode of action of a particular drug, and its metabolism and physiological effects on the human body in great detail, they play an important role in optimization of a drug treatment for an individual. Pharmacists are represented internationally by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
Prepares medications by reviewing and interpreting physician orders; detecting therapeutic incompatibilities.
Dispenses medications by compounding, packaging, and labeling pharmaceuticals.
Controls medications by monitoring drug therapies; advising interventions.
Completes pharmacy operational requirements by organizing and directing technicians' work flow; verifying their preparation and labeling of pharmaceuticals; verifying order entries, charges, and inspections.
Provides pharmacological information by answering questions and requests of health care professionals; counseling patients on drug therapies.
Develops hospital staff's pharmacological knowledge by participating in clinical programs; training pharmacy staff, students, interns, externs, residents, and health care professionals.
Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the state board of pharmacy, the drug enforcement administration, and the food and drug administration by monitoring nursing unit inspections; maintaining records for controlled substances; removing outdated and damaged drugs from the pharmacy inventory; supervising the work results of support personnel; maintaining current registration; studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; advising management on needed actions.
Protects patients and technicians by adhering to infection-control protocols.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Maintains pharmacological knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Skills required
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Community Pharmacy and Consultant Pharmacists
Hospitals and Other Institutional Settings
Managed Care Pharmacists
The Pharmaceutical Industry
Academic Pharmacists
Other Fields in Pharmacy
Earnings
Range of typical starting salaries: £15,000-£20,000 per annum
Life Sciences are helpful in improving the quality and standard of Life. A degree in a Life Sciences subject will prepare you for a career in research and development.
Given the nature and diversity of the discipline, business and economics provides a solid background for management, finance, public policy and international business relations.
Engineering is a profession where creativity and ingenuity knows no bounds. If you are looking for challenging opportunities then, engineering is the most ideal profession to opt for.
Navigating an evolving legal system, advances in technology, vast bodies of case law and the demands of profession creates an intellectual environment for the legal professional.