National Pharmacist Day

“What does a pharmacist do?”

I get that question a lot.

“How long does it take to put some pills in a bottle?”

My colleagues get that question a lot too.

Today is a chance to celebrate all of the incredible work that pharmacists do for their patients.

It’s also a chance to educate on all of the different roles that we do. As I often have to tell my boss (not a pharmacist)), “no, the pharmacy staff is not just dumping a bunch of unlabeled medication in the automated dispensing cabinet.” “Yes, the medications that are used in the IV bags are labeled and checked by pharmacy staff”.

Many pharmacists are behind a counter or wear a white coat and go on hospital rounds consulting with physicians. There are pharmacists staffing central pharmacies, satellite pharmacies, pediatric pharmacies and OR pharmacies in the hospital. These staff answer questions and dispense and check medications.

Every drug order that you receive in a hospital has to be checked by a pharmacist.

Pharmacists are also present in assisted living facilities, rehab centers, specialty pharmacies, government facilities, public health centers, and with pharmaceutical manufactures. They staff drug information centers and poison control centers. They can also work behind the scenes (like me!), in a compliance or regulatory role, medication safety, finance, inventory management, IT, and 340B.

They provide a huge public service to family and friends. It’s also becoming a diverse environment to work in for those of you students looking for a non-traditional pharmacy path.

Happy Pharmacist Day!