What Do Pharmacists Do?

Learn more about the different kinds of pharmacists, what they do, and how to become one.

If you’re considering a career as a pharmacist, you likely know that attaining the title requires a significant investment of time and effort. To become a pharmacist, you’ll need to earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD), which typically takes three to four years after earning your bachelor’s.

Before you decide to pursue this (or any) degree, it’s essential to understand the type of work that such a degree will prepare you for. Below, take a closer look at exactly what a pharmacist does so you will be better equipped to decide if becoming a pharmacist is the right move for you.

What is a pharmacist?

A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who is specifically trained to store, handle, prepare, and dispense various medications.

They play an essential role in educating patients about using or administering their medications. Likewise, they serve as a “final check” to ensure that doses are correct and that a patient will not experience negative or harmful drug interactions.

Where do pharmacists work?

Pharmacists typically work in pharmacies. While most people think of a corner store like CVS, Duane Reade, or RiteAid when they hear the work “pharmacy,” pharmacies can be found in many different locations, and pharmacists’ specific duties can vary significantly depending on their work setting.

Pharmacists are commonly employed in:

• Retail pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Cardiac care centres
• Oncology centres
• Specialty clinics
• Mental health facilities
• Addiction treatment centres
• Rehabilitation centres
• Nursing home and long-term care facilities
• Hospice or home care centres
• Poison control centres
• Medication distribution centres

Simply put, anywhere that a patient might need medication prepared or distributed is likely to have a pharmacist on staff.

What does a pharmacist do?

While the specific role of a pharmacist varies depending on where they work, their fundamental duties typically include some mix of the following:

• Verifying dosage on prescriptions prescribed by physicians
• Preparing prescriptions according to physician instructions
• Ensuring whether or not a particular medication will interact with other medications used by the patient
• Verifying that the patient is not otherwise at risk of adverse reactions caused by a prescription
• Educating patients about how and when to take or administer the prescription
• Administering various vaccinations, such as flu shots
• Oversee and manage pharmacy interns and technicians
• Basic record-keeping and administrative tasks, as required

Types of pharmacists

As mentioned above, there are different types of pharmacists who perform distinct tasks and duties as part of their day-to-day functions. These include:

• Community pharmacists: These pharmacists work in retail pharmacies. They primarily dispense medications and educate patients about their drugs, illness, over-the-counter medications, and more.
• Clinical pharmacists: These pharmacists work in healthcare settings such as clinics, hospitals, or other locations. Clinical pharmacists typically spend a significant amount of time providing direct care to patients, recommending medications, and overseeing or adjusting dosages as necessary throughout treatment. They may also be involved in conducting medical tests or in educating patients.
• Consultant pharmacists: These pharmacists provide consulting services to hospitals, insurance providers, and other healthcare centres, typically as a means of providing pharmacy services. They may also consult directly with patients about subjects such as prescription management.
• Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists: These pharmacists work in the pharmaceutical industry, and therefore have much less interaction with patients. They might be involved in the research and development of new medications or other areas such as sales and marketing.

Taking the first step to become a pharmacist

If the job description, role, and responsibilities above all resonate with your professional aspirations, the first step toward your dream career is to complete the required education. This means earning your Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) and potentially completing a one or two year residency, depending on your specific career goals.

After completing your studies, you will need to pass two exams to qualify for licensure and practice in the United States: The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). Some states require a state-specific test in place of the MPJE. In Canada, you need to complete a national board examination through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and specific provinces may require additional exams.

At Northeastern, our PharmD program is ranked #1 by the NIH among private pharmacy schools for research and funding. Our program is affiliated with more than 120 hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, private companies, and government agencies, and 100% of our students complete at least two four-month co-ops where they develop real-world expertise. Further, more than 98% of our 2020 graduates passed the NAPLEX licensure exam.