Filling prescriptions is only one job that pharmacists perform each day. Taking inventory, making sure people are taking the right medications, talking with health insurance companies and doctor’s offices, and suggesting alternative medications are other tasks that pharmacists complete during the day. In order to become a pharmacist, students will have to complete a degree program which includes taking classes in computer database management, medications and their uses, psychology, history of pharmaceutical drugs, and courses in dispensing medications.
These courses will prepare students for employment in drug stores, hospital dispensaries, and government agencies. Because of the abuse of medications that are available in doctors and dentists offices over the past few years, the food and drug administration conducts inspections of medicine storage areas from time to time. Making sure that people are taking the right medication is a huge responsibility.
There are people who will try to obtain medication under false pretenses and it is up to the pharmacists to discover the truth about rescriptions by verifying them with doctors and other health officials. Pharmacists will also catch mistakes before they lead to serious medical emergencies by calling doctors offices to verify that patients can take certain medications even if they have had prior allergic reactions or if they can take it along with other medications they may be taking.
Pharmacists have to keep detailed records of patient’s medications and call doctors whenever they suspect something is wrong. Students who want to go into this career should have an attention to detail, enjoy working with the public, and have extensive knowledge of medications. They may have to answer questions, find alternative medications that are less expensive, and be able to catch mistakes before they happen. This is a fast paced field, but the knowledge of how to use computer databases will make the job easier and will help save more lives in case mistakes have been made.
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