Difference Between Pharmacy (Pharmacist) And Chemistry (Chemist)

Pharmacy Vs chemistry

There is confusion as to what is the difference between pharmacy and chemistry. This confusion is extended to who a pharmacist is or chemist. This confusion is worldwide with different definitions. Well, this post will explain what both are and where the confusion is coming from.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a profession that deals with the science of preparing and dispensing drugs including patient counseling. It is the study of chemistry and pharmaceutics among other specialties topics.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of physical science that studies the properties and building (synthesis) of molecules.

Read Also: Difference between a pharmacologist and pharmacist

Pharmacist

A pharmacist is also called a chemist in the United Kingdom (UK) or a druggist in the United States of America (USA). They are health care professionals who specialise in manufacture and safe use of medicine as they deal with the composition, effect, mechanism of action, proper and effective use of drugs. They understand everything about drugs.

Chemist

A chemist is a professional who is trained in the field of chemistry. Chemistry studies the different chemicals, their composition and properties. They engage in research and experiment with chemical substances.

So why the UK uses the word chemist to refer to a pharmacist, chemist in other countries is a person who studies chemistry. Some other countries trying to avoid the old use of chemist coined the word pharmaceutical chemist. Others are gradually phasing out the use of the chemist word to describe a pharmacist. An example is Indian.

Education Of A Pharmacist

Education requirements of a pharmacist is either a bachelor of pharmacy (B Pharm), doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) or master of pharmacy (M Pharm). They are licensed to practice and regulated by the government of most countries.

Education Of A Chemist

A bachelor degree (bsc) in chemistry is the basic qualification that is needed to become a chemist. They study about different chemicals, compositions and properties.

Responsibilities Of A Pharmacist

1. Manufacture drug

2. Filling prescription

3. Counselling patient

4. Pharmaceutical care

5. Administration of immunization

6. Compete insurance forms

7. Supervise pharmacy technician and sales assistant

8. Manage records

Responsibilities Of Chemist

1. Research at atomic and molecular level, 2. Testing and analysing compound

3. Prepare solutions and reagents

4. Conduct analysis of substances to determine the composition and concentration

5. Prepare report about technical details in any finding

6. Prepare presentation of research for use by scientists, engineers and colleague

Field Of A Pharmacist

1. Community pharmacy

2. Industry pharmacy

3. Hospital

4. Regulatory

5. Research institute

6. Education and universities

Read Also: Difference between Pharmacist and medical doctor

Pharmacists can be called different names depending on their area of specialty. They include consultant, doctor, etc.

Field Of A Chemist

1. Pharmaceutical industry

2. University

3. Hospital

4. Investigating institute

5. Research institute

6. Department of agriculture

7. Department of health

8. Department of environment

9. Department of health and welfare

10. Department of defense

Chemists can be called different names such as inorganic chemist, analytical chemist, medicinal chemist, physical chemist, organic chemist and theoretical chemist depending on the area of expertise.