INTRODUCTION
Pharmacy is the study of drugs which includes
Instructions on use, selection, composition,
Effects and side effects of drugs. It also
Includes development of new drugs,
The ascertaining of quality standards, dispensing of drugs and improvement of existing drugs.
COURSES
Diploma in Pharmacy
Bachelor’s in Pharmacy
Master’s in Pharmacy
Eligibility: B. Pharma
M. Tech (Pharm.)
MBA (Pharm.)
MS (Pharm.)
PH. D. in Pharmacy
ELIGIBILITY
10+2 with science
INSTITUTES/UNIVERSITIES
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education andResearch, Mohali
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
Annamalai University, Chennai
Department of Pharmaceutics, IIT BHU, Varanasi
Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam
National institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad
Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR PHARMACY
Communication Skills Communication skills are important for most of the professionals and it is important to have command on English as well as local languages. It is important while you communicate with patients. It is duty of pharmacists to communicate with patients regarding dose of administration, when to take and how to take medicines. Sometime in few chronic illnesses, it is necessary that patient should not miss a single dose. Then, it can become challenge for pharmacist to communicate same with patients in a way that they can understand.
Proof Reading Sometimes doctors miss drug-drug interaction and prescribe such medications. Then pharmacists can become proofreaders and inform back doctors about it and suggest changes in prescription. But, before that pharmacist have to study intensively on same
Interpersonal Skills Pharmacists often have to struggle between doctors who don’t like to be questioned and frustrated patients who may get upset due to waiting for their prescriptions. Pharmacists need interpersonal skills like patience, diplomacy and a great sense of humour.
Management Skills When chain pharmacies are part of the country and big hospitals require senior pharmacists who can manage budgets, monitor inventories and keep accountable records. Pharmacists are also responsible for supervising and manage junior staff.
Multitasking Pharmacists are involved in multiple tasks along with dispensing of medicines. Pharmacists are responsible for checking expiry dates of medicines, stocking of required medicines, recording and many other small to big tasks are assigned to them.
Patient Counseling It is most important among all the skills. Patient counseling refers to the process of providing vital information, advice and assistance to help patients with their medications and to ensure patients to take medicines properly. Yes, it require communication skill for same but along with that pharmacist require deep knowledge about medicines which they acquire during their education.
Computer Skills When the world is moving towards online pharmacies (e-Pharmacy), it is obviously that pharmacists should have knowledge of same. Most pharmacies today are connected to the internet. Also, computers are helpful for easier storage of customer data, inventory counts, billings etc.
Gaining knowledge Pharmaceutical field is a field of innovation and many new medicines as well as products hit the market. It is necessary for pharmacists to keep themselves up to date in knowledge and keep learning professional things.
Professional Ethics Pharmacists are expected to follow ethical practise. They have to keep secret about patient information. If there are some patients who are purchasing anti-hiv medicines from a pharmacist and they are from neighborhood or distant still their details are not disclosed in community in any circumstances.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PHARMACY
Dispense Prescriptions This is the "filling, licking and sticking" most people imagine when they conjure a mental image of a pharmacist counting out tablets, preparing a bottle label and handling medications to patients.
Communicate With Prescribers Any time a prescription order is unclear or potentially harmful for a patient, you need to confirm the dosage and formulation (e.g., liquid or tablet), as well as whether brand name product is required or if you can substitute a generic equivalent.
Ensure Patients' Safety Check each patients’ medication record every time he or she gets a new or refill prescription filled. This is the best way for a pharmacist to prevent potentially dangerous interactions between drugs.
Counsel Patients This involves more than informing about adverse reactions and interactions with other medications, food, alcohol and other beverages like grapefruit juice. Counseling includes training patients how and when to take doses, following up with patients to see if the medications are working, sharing tips on how to minimize side effects while maximizing benefits and listening to all of a patient's concerns.
Work With Patients on General Health Maintaining health requires more than taking prescription medications, Pharmacists can help patients heal and avoid getting sick by sharing advice on using nonprescription remedies, taking health supplements such as vitamins, using herbal and natural health products, exercising and maintaining a good diet.
Deal With Insurance Companies Pharmacists working in a chain and independent pharmacies, especially, have to submit insurance claims and work with private insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid to ensure payment, and resolve coverage denials so patients do not go with medications.
Manage Staff Pharmacists have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the “three Rs” of right drug, right patient and right dose. Meeting this responsibility requires overseeing the work of and mentoring pharmacy technicians, student interns and residents. Pharmacy owners and supervisors also have responsibilities for making hiring decisions and setting and enforcing workplace policies.
Perform Administrative Tasks Everyone in a pharmacy has some responsibilities for keeping patient files up to date, making sure needed products are stocked and required reports get generated and filed. If you hold a supervisor or management position, you can spend as much or more time on administrative duties as on patient care.
Educate Health Provider Colleagues Doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers about new medications and drug therapy protocols.
Pharmacists also have to complete continuing education courses to maintain and renew their licenses; keep up to date on drug approvals, product recalls and changes to medications’ indications and warnings; and make sure they comply with federal and state laws regulating pharmaceutical. The last item is especially important. Each state and U.S. The territory has its own pharmacy practice law, which changes from year to year. Joining your state pharmacy association can make learning about an complying with practice regulations easier. Earn a pharmacy compounding accredited.