Ask someone to describe a pharmacist and he'll probably conjure the image of a person in a white coat standing behind the counter of the local drug store filling prescriptions. While this image might somewhat still hold true, the job of the pharmacist has evolved just as much as the prescriptions she dispenses. The pharmacist is now a vital collaborator in the entire healthcare process.

As newer and more complicated drugs enter the marketplace, pharmacists are the ones who fill patient prescriptions for these drugs and explain how to use them. Consumers today are more educated about health products and have more questions about the treatments physicians prescribe for them. As a result, it falls upon the neighborhood pharmacist to provide more personal attention to the needs of the medical consumer.

In institutional settings, pharmacists are an integral part of the total healthcare team. No longer do they occupy the basement office, filling prescriptions and answering the occasional question from the physician. The expertise of the pharmacist is needed to advise physicians and establish policies as drug therapies get more and more complicated.

As the profession becomes more complicated, the education of pharmacists has followed suit. Pharmacy training more closely resembles medical school, which can include additional years of study as well as residencies and fellowships in a variety of specialties. Students who want a career that provides substantial earnings and is virtually recession-proof should consider the pharmacy industry. With a growing elderly population and tremendous advances being made in the development of pharmaceuticals, it is a profession that will only grow in importance and opportunity in the coming decades.

Studies have shown that consumers interact with pharmacists at an average of 12 to 15 times each year. They might see doctors only three or four times a year. Because of the frequency of visits, a pharmacist is often in a better position to monitor the progress of patients and their responses to medications. It may also be a reason that pharmacists are continually ranked in polls as THE most trustworthy of professionals.

The most common association with pharmacists is as a dispenser of drugs and medications. However, a pharmacist's work neither begins nor ends with filling prescriptions. The mixing of the ingredients to create the prescriptions (a practice called compounding) is really a small part of a pharmacist's responsibilities. Pharmacists often work with physicians and other medical professionals to provide information about drug dosages, side effects, and interactions with other medications.

Decisions made by pharmacists can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for a patient. If a pharmacist is not familiar with the composition of drugs and their clinical effects, or if he does not have enough familiarity with a patient, the patient can suffer serious reactions as a consequence. Pharmacists must not only know and understand this information, but must always counsel their patients as to the effects and possible consequences of the medications.

Pharmacists provide similar advice to physicians and other healthcare professionals. As experts on the effects of medications, they can assist doctors in providing proper prescriptions for their patients. They can also advise physicians about the possible side effects of a particular type of medication or its potential for interaction with other medications.

Do you enjoy sitting at a desk? If so, pharmacy might not be the right career choice. Pharmacists must meet with patients, physicians, sales reps, and others. Often this means getting out of the office or traveling.

Do you enjoy working with people? Most pharmacy jobs require considerable interaction with patients who have serious questions about their health and treatment. If you are not a "people person," there are also opportunities in lab research.

Spoiler:

Steve wrote:actually i think he will be a pharmacist, he seems like its what he likes more, apart from the fact that he doesn't think he will get the respect he wants.

Studies have shown that consumers interact with pharmacists at an average of 12 to 15 times each year. They might see doctors only three or four times a year. Because of the frequency of visits, a pharmacist is often in a better position to monitor the progress of patients and their responses to medications. It may also be a reason that pharmacists are continually ranked in polls as THE most trustworthy of professionals.

Chem Blade wrote:So you decided retail over clinical?

If I decide on retail I too am thinking of opening my own . It's good to be your own boss.

Nonetheless, I'm sure we could find some sort of partnership...perhaps research for a Nobel Prize?

Ambitious...but possible. Just stay in contact.

Fang wrote:"You'll graduate 2 years before me though Inshallah."
Made me laugh.

Congrats on your decision!

Tyrant wrote:

Chem Blade wrote:So you decided retail over clinical?

If I decide on retail I too am thinking of opening my own . It's good to be your own boss.

Nonetheless, I'm sure we could find some sort of partnership...perhaps research for a Nobel Prize?

Ambitious...but possible. Just stay in contact.

lol sure

but dont expect me to help to much in your nobel prize endeavors

Tyrant wrote:yeah lol Insha'Allah is just used now after anything that you hope will happen