Pharmacists are the links between science and medicine. They develop drug therapy plans to help patients with all types of ailments. People can expect to see different types of pharmacists and settings where they work. You may have already chosen the right type of pharmacy in Salinas. Even if you have, it is important to know about the different types of pharmacies in existence.
The Roles of Pharmacists
No matter the type of pharmacy, there are certain roles that all pharmacists must fill. Most of them are trained to match drug treatment plans to specific diseases. They review different types of drugs, along with the dosage, type of delivery, and frequency of use. They decide how long it is appropriate to continue using the drugs for maximum results.
Pharmacists make sure that their medications are safe. They check how the drugs interact with other drugs and chemicals. They note any side effects or adverse reactions along with drug allergies.
Hospital
Hospital pharmacies are not the same as the retail or independent pharmacies. These pharmacists have more types of complex diseases and medications to deal with. There are specialty pharmacists who handle specific types of medication for emergency treatments, toxins, or certain infectious diseases. In psychiatric hospitals, there are psychiatric pharmacists. In the neonatal sections of hospitals, there are neonatal pharmacists who treat newborn patients.
Many hospital medications are given in single dosages or delivered intravenously. Compared to community pharmacies, the hospital management process is more complex because there are more patients with diseases and specialized needs. Since many of the patients are seriously ill, they are more vulnerable if an error happens.
Specialty
Specialty pharmacies are designed to supply medications for specific diseases, such as cancer or arthritis. In regular pharmacies, people bring in prescriptions for all types of medications. At specialty stores, the pharmacists fill orders for drugs that are usually more expensive and harder to obtain. They receive different forms of medication in oral tablets, injections, and inhalers.
Compounding
Compounding pharmacies specialize in the different delivery routes of drugs. They can take a prescription for tablets and create powder mixes instead. The pharmacists compound drugs for patients who have trouble swallowing pills or want to consume drugs in some other way.
The work of managing medication is a complex business. Pharmacists have to compound drugs, store them properly and recommend them to patients. Most of all, they have to ensure the safety of all drugs they work with. Even a small retail-based business has a large responsibility to the community. Make sure you are buying your medication at the right place. Invest in a pharmacy that is independently owned with pharmacists that care about people in your community.
Contact us to check how the drugs interact with other drugs and chemicals.
