Pharmacy

Pharmacy allows the public access to their medications and advice about their health. Traditionally known as a chemist, it is the healthcare facility that is responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical service to a specific community group or region.

Pharmacists are considered to be the most accessible health professional to the public, as they are available to provide personalized advice about health and medicine on a walk-in basis, without the need for an appointment. Traditionally, the role of the community pharmacist is to provide medications to patients based on a prescription from their doctor.

The many tasks of a pharmacist may include:

• Processing prescriptions: checking the prescription from the doctor and preparing the medication for the patient.
• Checking for drug interactions: making sure that the medications and doses are appropriate for the patient considering health factors and other medications.
• Dispensing medications: labeling the medication correctly with instructions for the patient about how to take the medication.
• Disposing of medication: taking unneeded medications from patients and disposing of them safely.
• Providing advice: helping patients to understand their health and medicines and giving appropriate advice.
• Promotion of healthy lifestyle: supporting patients to make healthier choices, such as eating more nutritious food, exercising more often or stopping smoking.