By Tammie Caldwell


The English language has several meaning of the word pharmacy. First, it means the science of dispensing medication to the public and also preparing them. In the second sense, it refers to a science that links chemical sciences together and makes sure that pharmaceutical products are effective and safe for consumption. The former definition will be the main discussion in this article.

The scope of modern pharmacy is wide and encompasses several aspects, both traditional and modern ones. In traditional terms, it relates to compounding and dispensing of medications while in modern sense, it relates to health care services like reviewing medications for efficacy and safety, clinical services, and offering drug information. To find the best pharmacy South San Francisco is the right place to check out.

The building within which pharmacy is practiced is also called a chemist while the practitioners who work in them are referred to as pharmacists. In Canada and the US, drugstores sell drugs, but may also avail office supplies, magazines, cosmetics, confectionary, groceries, and refreshments. The term is derived from a Greek word Pharmakeia, which translates to medicine, drug, or poison in the English language.

Pharmacists offer counsel and prescriptions to visiting patients. The optimal health of the visiting patients is determined in large part by them. Their knowledge in action mode and the physiological and metabolism effects of various drugs is very high. On a global scale, the International Pharmaceutical Federal (FIP) is the body that represents pharmacists. However, various countries have their own bodies. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is the body that represents workers in this profession in the US.

The representative body in some countries like the US also regulates certification, qualification, and work ethics among many other issues. This professional also has several sub-specialties in which an individual may specialize. Major sub-specialties include oncology, nuclear, pharmacotherapy, infectious disease, nutrition, and psychiatry. Different bodies are responsible for certification under the various sub-specialties.

Pharmacy technicians work to assist pharmacists and other health practitioners with various tasks that relate to this profession. They commonly dispense drugs and help patients with use of various medical instruments. They also handle administrative tasks sometimes. Here, they may work to ensure that prescriptions made are correct and payments are made for sales. In the US, technicians are supervised by pharmacists. Although they do many tasks, they may not offer advice to patients on the correct manner of using medications.

There is a lot of variance in environments and places pharmacists work. However, major places include regulatory agencies, psychiatric hospitals, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, and community pharmacies. Most societies have community pharmacies because they are the commonest. These drugstores have a back room where drugs are stocked and a front room for receiving customers. Drugs stocked are common and they are simple in nature, unlike hospital pharmacies which involve several complexities.

Complexities involved in hospital pharmacies make practitioners to have extra training after schooling. Practitioners who practice in hospital pharmacies also undergo continuous training and specialize in a specific area. They are referred to as hospital pharmacists.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

top