Pharmacist

For the precursor profession, see Apothecary. For a scientist trained in the study of chemistry, see Chemist. For the Alvvays song, see Pharmacist (song).
"Druggist" redirects here. Not to be confused with Drug dealer.

Pharmacist
A patient consulting a pharmacist
Occupation
NamesPharmacist, Chemist, Doctor of Pharmacy, Apothecary
Occupation type
Professional
Activity sectors
Health care, health sciences, chemical sciences
Description
CompetenciesMedication
Education required
Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Pharmacy
Fields of
employment
Pharmacy
Related jobs
Physician, pharmacy technician, toxicologist, chemist, other medical specialists

A pharmacist, also known as a chemist in Commonwealth English, is a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about preparation, mechanism of action, clinical usage and legislation of medications in order to dispense them safely to the public and to provide consultancy services.[1][2] A pharmacist also often serves as a primary care provider in the community and offers services, such as health screenings and immunizations.

Pharmacists undergo university or graduate-level education to understand the biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. This is mated to anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Pharmacists interpret and communicate this specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other health care providers.

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

The most common pharmacist positions are that of a community pharmacist (also referred to as a retail pharmacist, first-line pharmacist or dispensing chemist), or a hospital pharmacist, where they instruct and counsel on the proper use and adverse effects of medically prescribed drugs and medicines.[3][4] In most countries, the profession is subject to professional regulation. Depending on the legal scope of practice, pharmacists may contribute to prescribing (also referred to as "pharmacist prescribers") and administering certain medications (e.g., immunizations) in some jurisdictions. Pharmacists may also practice in a variety of other settings, including industry, wholesaling, research, academia, formulary management, military, and government.

  1. ^ Peartree Solutions Inc. (July 2001). "A Situational Analysis of Human Resource Issues in the Pharmacy Profession in Canada" (PDF). Human Resources Development Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2008.
  2. ^ Skrabal, MZ; Kahaleh, AA; Nemire, RE; Boxer, H; Broshes, Z; Harris, M; Cardello, E (September–October 2006). "Preceptors' perspectives on benefits of precepting student pharmacists to students, preceptors, and the profession". Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. 46 (5): 605–612. doi:10.1331/1544-3191.46.5.605.skrabal. PMID 17036647.
  3. ^ Classifying health workers: Mapping occupations to the international standard classification (PDF), Geneva: World Health Organization, 2010, retrieved 10 February 2020
  4. ^ "Pharmacists", Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, archived from the original on 11 May 2011, retrieved 14 July 2011