Pharmacy Profession Overview

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Questions and Answers

What has contributed to the decrease in demand for pharmacists in retail settings?

The increase in pharmacist training programs

The decline in prescription drug usage

The growth of pharmacy technician roles (correct)

The rise of online and mail order prescriptions (correct)

Which factor is expected to spur demand for pharmacists in the future?

The rise of generic drug usage

Decreasing numbers of older adults

Reduction in pharmaceutical products

Increasing rates of chronic diseases (correct)

What is one potential job area for pharmacists within the pharmaceutical industry?

Environmental science

Quality control (correct)

Retail management

Construction supervision

What has impacted the job prospects for pharmacists significantly?

The increase in pharmacy school graduates Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of pharmacists' roles is expected to grow as part of patient care?

Pharmacoeconomics analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary roles of pharmacists in community or retail settings?

Counsel patients about prescription drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following responsibilities is typically not part of a pharmacist's role in a community pharmacy?

Performing surgical operations Signup and view all the answers

In addition to counseling about prescription drugs, what other type of recommendations do pharmacists make?

Information about over-the-counter drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for pharmacists to be licensed to practice?

Graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy Signup and view all the answers

Which specialized service might a community pharmacist offer to aid patient health management?

Administer yearly flu shots Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons pharmacists coordinate with insurance companies?

To ensure medication costs are covered Signup and view all the answers

Hospital pharmacists may participate in which of the following activities?

Dispensing medications and patient education Signup and view all the answers

What additional practices might a pharmacist perform in a clinical setting?

Monitor drug regimens and participate in drug evaluations Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key roles of pharmacists in healthcare settings?

Advising healthcare professionals about drug interactions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pharmacist specializes in preparing radioactive drugs?

Radiopharmacists Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of medication management do medication profiles help pharmacists with?

Ensuring harmful drug interactions do not occur Signup and view all the answers

What is compounding in the context of pharmacy?

The process of mixing ingredients to create medications Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of pharmacists were employed in retail settings according to the 2019 data?

42% Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason pharmacists are valuable in the pharmaceutical industry?

They understand patient behavior regarding medication use. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important safety measure pharmacists must take when handling dangerous drugs?

Wearing protective equipment such as gloves and masks Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary responsibilities of state and federal pharmacy boards?

Regulate pharmacy practice to protect public health Signup and view all the answers

What role do nutrition support pharmacists typically fulfill?

They prepare drugs used for nutritional purposes. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pharmacist works closely with patients in hospital settings to monitor drug therapy?

Clinical pharmacists Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of pharmacists were reported to work in hospitals?

26% Signup and view all the answers

Which degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree?

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Signup and view all the answers

What exam is commonly required for pharmacist licensure across states?

North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) Signup and view all the answers

Which option is a prerequisite for admission to a PharmD program?

Completion of two years of specific professional study Signup and view all the answers

In addition to classroom instruction, what is a significant component of PharmD programs?

Practical experience in pharmacy practice settings Signup and view all the answers

What is one pathway pharmacists may take to further their education after obtaining a PharmD?

Pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Signup and view all the answers

What type of exam is the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE)?

A law exam focused on pharmacy practice Signup and view all the answers

Which certification area is offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties?

Nutritional Pharmacotherapy Signup and view all the answers

Which personal qualities are important for prospective pharmacists to possess?

Scientific aptitude and good interpersonal skills Signup and view all the answers

What is typically required for foreign pharmacy graduates seeking licensure in the U.S.?

Certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pharmacist Job Description

Pharmacists counsel patients, plan drug therapies, and have direct patient contact in clinical and retail settings.
Earnings are high, but some pharmacists work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Licensing requires accredited pharmacy college and exam passing.

Pharmacist Duties (Community/Retail)

Counsel patients on prescription drugs (side effects, interactions).
Provide info on over-the-counter drugs and recommendations.
Advise on durable medical equipment and home healthcare.
Coordinate with insurance companies for medication costs.
May sell non-health merchandise, manage staff, and oversee operations (pharmacy owners/managers).
Provide patient care activities (immunizations, simple tests, therapy management).

Pharmacist Duties (Hospital/Clinic)

Dispense medications, advise medical staff on drug selection and side effects.
Make sterile solutions, purchase supplies, teach students, and perform administrative tasks.
Involved in patient education, drug regimen monitoring, and drug use evaluations.
Consult with medical teams on drug therapy and patient care.
May conduct hospital rounds to monitor pharmaceutical use.
Home health care pharmacists monitor drug therapy and prepare home medications/infusions.

Federal/State Pharmacist Roles

Hold staff and supervisory positions in US Public Health Service, VA, FDA, and armed forces (some commission officer, others civil service).
State & federal boards employ pharmacists as executive officers and inspectors to regulate and protect public health.
Pharmacists often purchase medical/pharmaceutical supplies on a large scale.
Active pharmaceutical associations employ full-time executive officers.

Specialized Pharmacist Roles

Advertising, packaging, technical writing, magazine editing, science reporting.
Patent lawyers and pharmaceutical law experts.
Space laboratories, ships (e.g., S.S. Hope), and large manufacturing firms.

Pharmacist Expertise (Side Effects/Compounding)

Advise on proper drug selection and use, addressing drug complexity and potential side effects.
Dispense drugs/medicines prescribed by doctors, dentists, etc.
Understand drug composition, effects, and testing for purity.
Continue education due to new medications and complexities.
Compounding (mixing ingredients) now a smaller part, mostly already produced.

Medication Profile & Pharmacotherapists

Medication profiles (computerized records of drug therapy) help track interactions & patient compliance.

Other Specialized Pharmacists

Pharmacotherapists specialize in drug therapy and work closely with physicians.
Nutrition support pharmacists determine/prepare nutritional drugs.
Radiopharmacists/nuclear pharmacists prepare/dispense radioactive pharmaceuticals (diagnosis/therapy).
Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in sales, R&D, or marketing.

Work Environment

Clean, well-lit, well-ventilated areas resembling small labs.
Shelves with many drug products (some refrigerated).
Narcotics, depressants, and stimulants kept under lock and key.
Often work standing.
Safety precautions (gloves, masks, protective equipment) required.
Many pharmacies open around-the-clock (nights, weekends, holidays).

Employment Opportunities & Trends

~321,700 pharmacists in 2019; 42% in retail, 26% in hospitals.
Other locations: mail order, Internet pharmacies, wholesalers, physician offices, federal government.
Overall employment expected to decrease through 2029.

Educational/Legal Requirements

PharmD degree from accredited college/school required.
Required to pass series of examinations (NAPLEX, MPJE).
Continuing education is typically required.

Education/Training Details

PharmD degree replaced Bachelor of Pharmacy.
Admission requires professional study (math, sciences, humanities/social sciences).
Most complete 3+ years prior college.
PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test).
PharmD programs take about 4 years.
Courses teach drug therapy, patient communication, ethics, and public health.
Practice settings under licensed pharmacist supervision (1/4 of time).
Master's/PhD options (e.g., pharmaceutics, pharmacology).
Residency/fellowship options for additional training.

Licensure Details

All states/territories/DC require a license.
Accreditation by ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) is necessary.
NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) and MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam) are typically required.
Some states require additional exams.

Other Qualifications

Scientific aptitude, good interpersonal skills, desire to help others, conscientiousness, attention to detail.

Advancement Opportunities

Community pharmacies: staff to supervisors/managers (store, district, regional, executive).
Hospital pharmacies: supervisory/administrative roles.
Ownership of independent pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical industry: marketing, sales, research, quality control, and production.

Employment Trends (Continued)

Decreasing employment of pharmacists between 2019 and 2029.
Factors driving increase/decrease for different settings (retail vs. hospitals).
Population aging & increasing prescription drug use will increase need for pharmacists.

Earnings

Median annual wage/salary of pharmacists in May 2020 was $128,710.

Pharmacy technicians/aides.
Biological, medical scientists, chemists, materials scientists.
Physicians/surgeons.

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Description

Explore the multifaceted role of pharmacists in both community and hospital settings. This quiz covers essential duties, patient counseling, earnings, and licensing requirements for aspiring pharmacists. Test your understanding of how pharmacists contribute to healthcare.