Dynamics chapter 14

• Pharmacists advise health professionals and the public on proper selection and use of medicine
• Pharmacists need to know the purity and strength of drugs
• Pharmacists dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by physicians, dentists, and other health professionals
• Compounding is only a small part of pharmacist practice
• Most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in the dosage and form used by the patient
• Pharmacists counsel patients and answer questions about the drugs
• Pharmacists provide information and offer advice about over-the-counter medicine
• Pharmacists give advice about durable medical equipment
• Pharmacists work in coordination with insurance companies on behalf of the patient, completing and submitting work to ensure eligible medication costs are covered by the patient’s insurance policy
• Pharmacotherapists are in drug therapy and work with physicians, may make hospital rounds
• Nutrition support pharmacists help determine and prepare drugs for nutrition
• Radiopharmacists or nuclear pharmacists apply principles and practices to produce radioactive drugs used for therapy
• Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in sales, research, or market pharmaceutical companies
• Pharmacists have to be licensed
• Pharmacists must earn a PharmD from the college of pharmacy and pass exams
• PharmD programs require people to take the PCAT
• PharmD programs take four years to complete
• Courses offered at colleges of pharmacy are designed to teach students about aspects of drug therapy
• Students in PharmD programs spend about one fourth of the time in a variety of pharmacy settings under licensed pharmacists
• Some colleges of pharmacy also award the master of science degree or the Ph.D. Degree
• Pharmacy Technicians and Aides help licensed pharmacists, provide customer service, and perform duties within the pharmacy
• Pharmacy technicians are responsible for receiving the bottles, counting tablets, and labeling the bottles
• Pharmacy Aides perform functions like answering phones, stocking, and operating registers (NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH DRUGS)
• For Techs and Aides, they need a high school diploma and most receive informal on-the-job training
• On-the-job training lasts 3 to 12 months
• In most states, techs must be registered with the state board of pharmacy
• High school diploma or pay an application fee
• PTCB and National Healthcareer Association administer national certification exams