Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists, are healthcare professionals who practice in pharmacy in the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use. A pharmacist is a member of the health care team directly involved with patient care. Pharmacists undergo university-level education to understand the biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. Pharmacists interpret and communicate this specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other health care providers.

Main activities

1. Fill prescriptions, verifying instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication to give to patients

2. Check whether the prescription will interact negatively with other drugs that a patient is taking or any medical conditions the patient has

3. Instruct patients on how and when to take a prescribed medicine and inform them about potential side effects they may experience from taking the medicine

4. Determine protocols for medical procedures.

5. Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

6. Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

7. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

8. Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

9. Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

10. Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.

11. Work in hospitals, clinics, or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultants, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.

The following are examples of types of pharmacists:

Community pharmacists work in retail stores such as chain drug stores or independently owned pharmacies. They dispense medications to patients and answer any questions that patients may have about prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or any health concerns that the patient may have. They may also provide some primary care services such as giving flu shots.

Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They spend little time dispensing prescriptions. Instead, they are involved in direct patient care. Clinical pharmacists may go on rounds in a hospital with a physician or healthcare team. They recommend medications to give to patients and oversee the dosage and timing of the delivery of those medications. They may also conduct some medical tests and offer advice to patients. For example, pharmacists working in a diabetes clinic may counsel patients on how and when to take medications, suggest healthy food choices, and monitor patients’ blood sugar.

Consultant pharmacists advise healthcare facilities or insurance providers on patient medication use or improving pharmacy services. They also may give advice directly to patients, such as helping seniors manage their prescriptions.

Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in areas such as marketing, sales, or research and development. They may design or conduct clinical drug trials and help to develop new drugs. They also may help to establish safety regulations and ensure quality control for drugs.

Some pharmacists work as college professors. They may teach pharmacy students or conduct research. 

Key abilities

Oral Comprehension : The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Pharmacists must properly understand what the patient is communicating in order to administer the right drug

Written Comprehension : The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Pharmacists get prescriptions from other people say Doctors so they have to properly understand what is written in order to dispense the right drug

Mathematical Reasoning : The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Number Facility : The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Near Vision : The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression : The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning : The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning : The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Key Knowledge Areas

Medicine and Dentistry : Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures

Chemistry : Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

English Language : Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Biology : Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. 

Customer and Personal Services : Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. A Couple of Pharmacists work in pharmacies where they interact with a couple of people on a day's basis so it is paramount that they know how to deal with people

Mathematics : Pharmacists must be well versed with mathematics as it is used when making drugs as well as prescribing the drugs to patients

Psychology : Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Therapy and counseling : Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. 

Education

Among other licensing requirements, different countries require pharmacists to hold either a Bachelor of Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacy, or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Top skills

Analytical skills. Pharmacists must provide safe medications efficiently. To do this, they must be able to evaluate a patient’s needs, evaluate the prescriber’s orders, and have extensive knowledge about the effects and appropriate circumstances for giving out a specific medication.

Communication skills. Pharmacists frequently offer advice to patients. They might need to explain how to take a medicine, for example, and what its side effects are. They also need to offer clear direction to pharmacy technicians and interns.

Computer skills. Pharmacists need computer skills to use any electronic health record (EHR) systems that their organization has adopted.

Detail oriented. Pharmacists are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the prescriptions they fill, because improper use of medication can pose serious health risks. Pharmacists must be able to find the information that they need to make decisions about what medications are appropriate for each patient.

Managerial skills. Pharmacists—particularly those who run a retail pharmacy—must have good managerial skills, including managing inventory and overseeing a staff.