PharmacistsPharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists also monitor the health and progress of patients in response to drug therapy to ensure safe and effective use of medication. Pharmacists must understand the use, clinical effects, and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Compounding—the actual mixing of ingredients to form powders, tablets, capsules, ointments, and solutions—is a small part of a pharmacist�s practice, because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in a standard dosage and drug delivery form. Traditionally, most pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a retail drugstore, or in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, mental health institution, or neighborhood health clinic. Pharmacists in community and retail pharmacies counsel patients and answer questions about prescription drugs, including questions regarding possible side effects or interactions among various drugs. They provide information about over-the-counter drugs and make recommendations after talking with the patient. They also may give advice about diet, exercise, or stress management, or about durable medical equipment and home healthcare supplies. They also may complete third-party insurance forms and other paperwork. Those who own or manage community pharmacies may sell non-health-related merchandise, hire and supervise personnel, and oversee the general operation of the pharmacy. Some community pharmacists provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure. Some community pharmacists are also certified to administer vaccinations. Pharmacists in healthcare facilities dispense medications and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs. They may make sterile solutions and buy medical supplies. They also assess, plan, and monitor drug programs or regimens. They counsel patients on the use of drugs while in the hospital, and on their use at home when the patients are discharged. Pharmacists also may evaluate drug use patterns and outcomes for patients in hospitals or managed care organizations. Pharmacists who work in home healthcare monitor drug therapy and prepare infusions—solutions that are injected into patients—and other medications for use in the home. Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapy areas, such as intravenous nutrition support, oncology (cancer), nuclear pharmacy (used for chemotherapy), geriatric pharmacy, and psychopharmacotherapy (the treatment of mental disorders with drugs). Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of patients� drug therapies to ensure that harmful drug interactions do not occur. Pharmacists are responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, but they often rely upon pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides to assist them in the dispensing process. Thus, the pharmacist may delegate prescription-filling and administrative tasks and supervise their completion. They also frequently oversee pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for graduation and licensure. Increasingly, pharmacists pursue nontraditional pharmacy work. Some are involved in research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and therapies and testing their effects on people. Others work in marketing or sales, providing expertise to clients on a drug�s use, effectiveness, and possible side effects. Some pharmacists also work for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefit packages and carrying out cost-benefit analyses on certain drugs. Other pharmacists work for the government and pharmacy associations. Finally, some pharmacists are employed full time or part time as college faculty, teaching classes and performing research in a wide range of areas. Related news articles Pharmacist plans guilty plea - 16 Oct 2006 Charlotte Observer,By Dan Margolies. KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A pharmacist at the center of a nationwide fake Lipitor scandal is expected to plead guilty this week to two charges of ... 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Dear Pharmacist: Check Compounding Pharmacy for Source of Hormones - Oct 10, 2006 International News Service,...levels. This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. To contact ... BLACK MARKET PHARMACIST GOING TO TRIAL - Oct 10, 2006 Free Market News Network,If he had only contained the urge to flaunt his riches, Christopher Smith might have gotten away with it all. However the Internet ... Local Pharmacist Serves Those in Need as... - Oct 13, 2006 U.S. Newswire (press release),Introduce your readers to a local pharmacist who is providing much-needed health care to underserved populations in the area through the Food and Drug ... More information on Pharmacists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Pharmacists occupation Number of Pharmacists in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Pharmacists Working conditions for Pharmacists Significant points for Pharmacists Training requirements for Pharmacists Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |