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Theme 12
A FUTURE PHARMACIST
Pharmacy (from the Greek word φάρμακυ = drug) is a transitional
field between health sciences and chemical sciences. Pharmacist is a
professional charged with ensuring the safe use of medication.
Traditionally, pharmacists (chemists) have compounded and
dispensed medications by practical physicians’ orders. Recently,
pharmacy became involved in patient care including clinical practice,
medication review and information about new drugs launch. So,
pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help their customers to
make the right choice and provide them with necessary information.
Pharmacists must know the use, clinical effects, and compositions
of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties.
Compounding - the actual mixing of ingredients to make powders,
tablets, capsules, ointments, and solutions – is a small part of
pharmacist’s practice, because most medicines are produced by
pharmaceutical companies in a standard dosage and mass production
form. Pharmacists are responsible for the accurate fulfillment of every
prescription given.
Moreover, pharmacists are engaged not only in their traditional
work but gradually some of them are being involved in research work
for pharmaceutical manufacturers. They help develop new drugs and
therapies, and test their effects on people. Other may work in
marketing or sales, providing expertise of drugs use effectiveness and
possible side effects. They may also cooperate with health insurance
companies. Moreover, some pharmacists are employed as full time or
part time college tutors teaching classes and performing research in a
wide range of areas.
Pharmacists work in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated
premises. Many of them spend most of the workday standing on their
feet. While working with sterile or dangerous pharmaceutical products,
chemists wear gloves and masks and use other special protective
equipment. Many municipal and hospital pharmacies are open day and
night. Consultant pharmacists may visit hospitals, nursing homes and
other medical institutions to monitor drug therapy and its effects.
The personnel of an average pharmacy consists of a manager, a
dispensing chemist who takes prescriptions and delivers drugs; a