The pharmacy profession has greatly evolved over the years. In the past, pharmacists’ main function was to dispense medication. Today however, pharmacists are experts in medication therapy management and are integral members of patients’ treatment team. Pharmacists’ extensive education prepares them for their role in patient care.
Most pharmacists now earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which demands at least six years of intensive education in pharmacokinetics, therapeutics, medicinal chemistry, over- the-counter medications and supplements, and pharmacy law. Pharmacists can earn an undergraduate degree and then attend four years of graduate school or can directly enter a Pharm.D. program that is usually six years in duration. Upon graduation, additional training is common with residency programs for one or two years. Residencies allow pharmacists to further specialize in their area or interest and expertise.
Pharmacists lead patients’ medication therapy management teams by counseling patients on critical factors that include: dosage, duration, conditions, adverse events, drug interactions, monitoring parameters.
This drug therapy knowledge helps to drive patients’ persistence and adherence to maximize clinical outcomes. Pharmacists also review a patient’s complete medication profile prior to dispensing medication as part of medical therapy management.
Pharmacists who work in specialty disease states, such as
oncology,
transplant, inflammatory conditions, or infectious disease, are trained to be experts on complex drug therapy regimens that usually require closer involvement with patient and providers.
Specialty pharmacists may use tools to monitor and improve adherence, may offer more extensive and recurring educational and counseling sessions to improve patients’ understanding and adherence of their therapy regimen, and may provide resources for additional financial and emotional support. Pharmacists must effectively communicate with prescribers and patients to ensure optimum care.
Pharmacists offer many services outside of dispensing medications. They are active members in their communities and can be certified to administer immunizations such as flu shots and travel vaccines. Pharmacists help manage chronic disease states, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, by providing screenings to evaluate patient risk factors, make suggestions for medication therapy, and provide education on diet and lifestyle improvements.
A
career in pharmacy offers many rewards. The field of pharmacy offers professionals a variety of opportunities as responsibilities within the field continue to advance.