A pharmacy is not like it used to be. You can pick up your medication, and groceries at the same time. The pharmacist is located at the back of the store, in most chain locations. That’s because they’ve placed aisles and aisles of merchandise for customers to see. If you’re a Diabetic San Pedro, you can buy all your diabetic supplies. Pharmacies also sell makeup, candy, greeting cards, toys, small electronics and various health aids.
Prescriptions are still the big draw at most pharmacies. Frequently, people take the pharmacist for granted. How do you become a pharmacist? Students must obtain their Bachelor’s Degree, and then attend Pharmacy School. Pharmacy school is another four years. Pharmacists are medical professionals who have a lot of training in chemistry, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. If you’re ill, tell the pharmacist your symptoms. Most pharmacists can tell you an over-the-counter remedy to make you feel better.
Pharmacists often choose to specialize in a particular type of pharmacy. Different types of pharmacies are intravenous medicine, oncology, nuclear medicine, geriatrics and psychiatric. Some pharmacists are compounding pharmacists–this means the medicine must be mixed before given to a patient. Pharmacists are also responsible for checking whether a patient’s medication is right for them. If you’re a diabetic in San Pedro, some medications may not blend with what you’re taking. The pharmacist checks for drug interactions, and whether patients are taking too much of a certain drug. Computers make many of these daily tasks a lot easier.
The pharmacist is also responsible for submitting claims for a Diabetic San Pedro to the insurance companies. Pharmacists spend half their day on the telephone talking to physicians and insurance representatives. Often, the insurance company wants the physician to substitute a less expensive drug for what they’ve ordered. The pharmacist is also responsible for supervising pharmacy techs and assistants. Pharmacy techs fill most prescription bottles, but the pharmacist must check behind them. People, like a diabetic in San Pedro, can be sure their prescriptions are correct. Give the pharmacist a big smile, the next time you pick up a prescription. What would we do without these respected, medical professionals?
