EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 4 | Page 11

CO U R S E S & C A REERS
t?
What is a Pharmacisin healthcare who
nals

Pharmacists are professio
safe use of medication.
focus on the effective and
s anatomy, physiology
Their studies encompas
pharmacists must also
and pathology. Would-be
mical actions of drugs
understand the bioche
effects and monitoring
and their use, the side
ers.
parameters, among oth

People who study ph
armacy usually beco
me
community pharmac
ists, also known as
retail
pharmacist or dispe
nsing chemist. A co
mmunity
pharmacist is respons
ible for the control,
dispense
and distribution of me
dicine. They work ac
cording
to legal and ethical
guidelines to correctl
y and
safely supply medic
al products to the pu
blic.

sell over-the-counter
Community pharmacists also
instruct patients on the use
medical products and
liances. Some offer
of medicine and medical app
ssure monitoring and
health checks like blood pre
op smoking” clinics and
diabetes screening, run “st
uction as well.
programmes for weight red

Pharmacists can also
contribute to prescribi
ng – also
known as prescribing
pharmacists – and ad
ministering
certain types of medic
ation. Pharmacists co
mmonly
work in hospitals, ph
armacies, supermark
ets and local
healthcare centres.

NATURE OF THE WORK
Pharmacist are responsible for the
quality of medicines they supply to
patients. The medication provided
must be approved by the national
pharmaceutical regulatory board
and the medicines prescribed would
not cause any potential allergy or
interfere with any other medication
patients are taking. They also advise
patients about medicines: how to
take them and the possible side
effects, and also answer any other
questions a patient could have.

They also