The Job And Duty Of A Pharmacist Explained

Pharmacist

To most Nigerians, the duty or job of a pharmacist is to dispense medications from a medical doctor to a patient. This is because that is what they see most times in the hospital when they visit. However, the function of the pharmacist is so vast.

A pharmacist a person who went to the university to study for a pharmacy degree for 5 or 6 years to be awarded a B. Pharm or Pharm D. respectively. He, after getting his degree proceeds to register to practice the profession according to the laid down rules guiding the procession to abide by them. After getting a licence, he performs one of all the following.

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In The Hospital Setting

Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to patients. They also offer advice to patients, physicians and other health care personnel on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medicines. This includes monitoring the health conditions of patients in the courses of their medication therapy.

Compounding is the actual mixing of ingredients to form medications. This is done when the standard dose is not suitable for particular patients. The ingredients are scaled up or down for the patients.

In The Community Pharmacy Setting

They dispense drugs to patients as well counsel. They also provide other services such as advice physicians on drugs for patients, advise patients on diets and exercise etc. most of them sell medical equipment’s as well as Prescription Only medicines (P.O.M) and Over the counter drugs (O.TC.) giving advice as they do.

Some few have been trained to administer vaccines.

In The Industry Setting

Pharmacist Doing Research

Most Nigerians think that doctors produced drugs. Well, am here to debunk that rumour. The pharmacist is involved in research and testing of drugs. Some are specialist in drug discovery and design. They also involved in the marketing of new drugs and sales. Since they carried out research on new drugs, they educate other pharmacists including doctors on the use, effectiveness, and possible side effects of drugs. They produce drugs.

In Governmental Organisations

These include Pharmacists Council of  Nigeria (P.C.N), National law enforcement agency (N.D.L.E.A), the National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (N.A.F.D.A.C) etc. The pharmacist that work here help the government to regulate the production, storage and sales of pharmaceuticals including training of future pharmacists.

Academic Setting

Known as lecturers, they train other pharmacists.

Trado Medical

Although this is still at a baby age, the stage is already moving towards when pharmacists will control the supply of traditional medicines and dispense homoeopathic prescriptions.

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Pharmacists know how drugs work and how to use them properly. They know about drugs as doctors know about diseases.

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