Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical studies take five years (10 semesters) Pharmacists are trained in the clinical use and application of drugs, the therapeutic goals of drug use, their formulations, contraindications, adverse effects, and the potential for drug interactions. As drugs have become more potent and specific and information more plentiful, pharmacists have assumed a primary responsibility for monitoring drug therapy. Since the professional role of the Pharmacist has become integral to modern health care, education in this field is constantly evolving.
Pharmacists are active in primary patient care activities such as hypertension screening, therapy with over-the-counter products, patient profiles, and drug regimens review. They understand the health care needs of specialized patient groups, such as children and the elderly. In addition to a thorough familiarity with the nature of drugs their professional training must consider both the medication and the patient, with emphasis on making certain that the patient has the right drug, in the right amount, for the right length of time, and with a minimum of adverse effects. Most pharmacists practice in patient-oriented settings, including:
■ The community,
■ Hospitals,
■ Extended health care facilities or public health clinics.
Other opportunities for employment of pharmacists exist in the following areas:
■ Pharmaceutical industries in research and development,
■ Manufacturing industries,
■ As medical service representatives,
Educational institutions, government agencies, health maintenance organizations, and home-based health care programs.