Pharmacist

Pharmacy & Pharmacology

Pharmacists are medication experts and play a critical role in helping people get the best results from their medications. A core part of a pharmacist’s job is to individualize drug therapy based on a patient’s age, size, organ function, other medications and diseases, allergies, diet, insurance, pharmacogenetic profile and other specific to each patient. Pharmacists prepare and dispense prescriptions, prevent medication errors by ensuring each medication dose is correct, prevent harmful drug interactions, and educate patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications. They have specialized expertise in the composition of medicines, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use.

Other health care professionals rely on pharmacists to select and administer medications that offer the best results and quality of life for a particular patient. Pharmacists may also prepare personalized medications (known as compounding pharmacy), participate in patient rounds at a hospital, reduce the spread of infections, conduct research or clinical trials, or focus on a specific patient population (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics) or disease state (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV, and pain management).

Pharmacists are also the most accessible health care professional, since nearly 90% of people in the U.S. live within 5 miles of a pharmacy! If this sounds interesting to you, then perhaps becoming a pharmacist — a trusted, caring, and knowledgeable health care professional — is for you.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy reviewed this career profile.

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  • Average Salary

    $136,030

  • Years Higher Education

    6 - 8

  • Job Outlook

    Excellent