This Thursday, January 12th is National Pharmacist Day! It is a time to recognize these professionals for their important role in the medical industry. The first pharmacy school was established in 1821 in Philadelphia, but it wasn’t until June of 1852 that Pharmacy became a separate profession from medicine. Have you ever really stopped to think about what your pharmacist actually does? We know they provide us with our medications when we are sick, but what exactly does that entail?

Pharmacists have a variety of responsibilities of which include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the quality of medications supplied to patients

• Ensuring that the supply of medications is within the law

• Ensuring that the medications prescribed to patients are suitable

• Advising patients about medications, including how to take them, what reactions may occur, and answering any related questions

Other important responsibilities that are sometimes overlooked include:

• advising other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medication use, as well as supply and cost of medications

• responding to patients' symptoms and advising on medications for sale in their pharmacies

• providing services and education to patients, such as smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement and cholesterol management

• supervising the production and preparation of medicines and assessments of quality of medicines before they are supplied to patients from pharmaceutical manufacturers

At Mitchell-Hollingsworth, we very much depend on our pharmacists as they fill and provide many medications each and every day. Next time you visit your local pharmacy, take a moment to thank your pharmacist for all they do. Let them know you appreciate their patience and attention in handling our medications and continually working to keep us healthy!

Source: http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/raising-concerns/raising-concerns-about-pharmacy-professional/what-expect-your-pharmacy/what-does-0