| Things to Consider:
According to Wikipedia the definition of Pharmacy:
Pharmacy (from the Greek φάρμακον = drug) is a chemical science and profession charged with ensuring the safe use of medication. Traditionally, pharmacists have compounded and dispensed medications on the orders of physicians. More recently, pharmacy has come to include other services related to patient care including clinical practice, medication review, and drug information. Some of these new pharmaceutical roles are now mandated by law in various legislatures. Pharmacists, therefore, are drug therapy experts, and the primary health professionals who optimise medication management to produce positive health-outcomes.
Pharmacist do not just dispense a pill bottle. New legislation is making it harder for Pharmacist to pass the buck when it comes to responsibilities. Pharmacist are DRUG EXPERTS. They know what can mix with what, what not to eat with which drug, what are your levels supposed to look like with these drugs etc. Medical Doctors need the assistance of pharmacist when making treatment decisions, especially when a patient is in need of a new drug!!!
Most US Pharmacy schools (if not all at the moment) are only offering the Pharm.D. program. You can no longer attend and receive a Bachelor's and be a pharmacist. The reason is because of the pharmacy profession and it current evolving state.
As for the need; that is because not everyone can be a Pharmacist. School is tedious and if everyone could do it then we would not have a shortage.
Pharmacist more than deserve the money they make. They a lot of responsibility and they have to be on top of their game. YOUR LIFE is in their hand!!! Your doctor can slip up with your medications but it is the pharmacist that cannot let it pass them by!!! Consider chemotherapy agents and mixes are prepared by pharmacist according to individual patient needs.
Consider what their true job is. |