Pharmacy - An Overview

By Zohaib Ahmad

Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the clinical health science that links medical sciences with chemistry and it is charged with the discovery, production, disposal, safe and effective use, and control of medications and drugs.

Origin of Pharmacy

The field of Pharmacy came into existence, when the first remedy was prepared back in ages. Pharmacy is considered as one of the fundamental subject in medical sciences. The origin of Pharmacy as a separate profession was way back in the times of Ancient Greece, Romans & during the middle ages in Europe, Pharmacy evolved much better like any other science. Pharmacy became advanced during the Golden Era of Arab’s after 9th century A.D. when the first ever proper drug store was opened in Baghdad. Now a days the Pharmacy profession is more advanced than ever.

Pharmacist - Drug Expert

A Pharmacist holds a Graduation in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Pharmacist is a person who’s Expert in medicines and a sole custodian of Medicines, right from manufacturing, testing, Clinical administration & dispensing it safely to the patients. A Pharmacist cherish roles of different kinds, from working in clinical pharmacy with direct interaction with patients alongside other medical staff to serving in community pharmacy, he supervises Manufacturing units or Laboratories. A Drug expert aka Pharmacist can review prescriptions and can suggest necessary dosage for the patients. In some developed countries, only a pharmacist is at liberty to write prescriptions. Right man for the right job, obviously.
Pharmacist might pursue specialization in almost every major disease management, like Cardiac Pharmacist, Oncology Pharmacist, Pediatric, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, Neuro Pharmacist, Pain management, Diabetes, Hypertension or simply can work as an hospital Pharmacist to keep check on smooth flow of Right medicines in Hospital.
Pharmacist provides counselling about Drug -Drug interactions, Drug-Food interactions, Drug-Body interactions, he can work best to reduce possible side effects of medicines.

Pharmacist - Important Pillar of Healthcare

One may ask why presence of Qualified Pharmacist is so important? According to WHO & research concluded by John Hopkins university, There are recorded average 2,50,000 Deaths only in USA annually due to medication errors or due to misuse of Medicines. And God knows how many are sacrificing their lives in developing countries like Pakistan due to Medication errors. As I said earlier, Pharmacist is a sole custodian of Medicines and only he can overcome these errors with his expertise. The role of a pharmacist in health care system must be taken into consideration and implemented strongly. At the end of the day we all in healthcare sector works for the betterment of our patients.

Pharmacist - A Mandatory Choice

We often choose any random Medical Store or random Pharmacy to get our prescribed drugs. This practice is not in favour of us and our health. Drugs are not like Candies or chocolates, they are complex chemical substances which can deprive you of your life, if negligence is practiced. So, you shouldn’t give liberty to any random person, in choice of your medicines. Always choose a Qualified Pharmacist to get your counselling about drugs. This has become even more vital now after the Generic prescriptions are going to implement these days.