Careers-Pharmacy

2. Pharmacy industry…
The most familiar and visible people working in
the pharmacy industry are the individuals who fill
or assist in filling prescriptions. They also educate
the clients on how to use their medications safely
and correctly.

3. Pharmacy aide…
The pharmacy aide usually receives informal, on-
the-job training. They assist the pharmacist with
clerical duties such as answering the phone, billing,
stocking shelves, cashier, maintaining inventory,
preparing insurance claim forms, etc.

4. Pharmacy technician…
The pharmacy
technician usually has a
certificate or associate
degree. They must read,
fill, and dispense
prescriptions under the
direction of the licensed
pharmacist. They may
fulfill all the duties of
the pharmacy aide, and
also retrieve, count,
pour, weigh, measure,
and sometimes mix the
medications.

5. Pharmacy technician…
The pharmacy technician prepares prescription
labels, selects the type of containers, and affixes
the labels to the containers. They must be able to
communicate with doctors and clients.

6. The pharmacist…
The pharmacist usually
starts in a pre-pharmacy
program of study,
followed by application
to and completion of a
pharmacy school. This
takes 5-7 years, followed
by an internship under a
licensed pharmacist.
They must then pass
board tests, becoming a
registered pharmacist…
an expert on
medications.

7. The pharmacist…
The pharmacist advises physicians and other
health practitioners on the selection, dosages,
interactions (the effect of using one substance on
another), and side effects of medications.

8. The pharmacist…
The pharmacist
counsels clients and
answers questions
about prescription
drugs, those that can
only be dispensed via a
written order of a
physician. This
includes possible
adverse reactions and
interactions. They give
advice about medical
equipment and home
health care supplies.

9. The pharmacist…
The pharmacist provides information and
recommendations for over-the-counter
(OTC)drugs… those that can be purchased
without a prescription.

10. Where the pharmacist works…
The pharmacist may work in
an independently owned,
chain, or franchise ‘drug
store’ or pharmacy. They
may also work in a hospital.
In a hospital setting, the
pharmacist may prepare IV
medications, stock the
nursing stations, or deliver
medications to hospital
rooms. They may instruct
the patients in continuing
drug therapies after they
leave the hospital.

11. Related careers:
pharmaceutical researchers…
A
pharmaceutical
researcher
works as a part
of a team in
developing new
medications.
They also refine
or improve
existing
medications.

12. Related careers:
pharmaceutical representatives…
A pharmaceutical representative combines science
with business. They travel to pharmacies, clinics,
and hospitals to meet with doctors, nurses, and
pharmacists.
They promote the
use of new drugs
and drug therapies
available through
the company they
represent. They
may provide trial
samples.

13. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the
National Formulary (NF) are both national listings of
the generic names of medications.
A drug label includes
the brand name, in
capital letters, and the
generic name.
TYLENOL is a brand
name;
‘acetaminophen’ is the
generic name. This is
a medication
commonly used for
pain and fever.
Drug labels…

14. Drug labels include the form of the medication.
Some medications are offered in numerous forms:
such as tablets, capsules, or liquids.
A drug label
indicates the total
number of volume
in the container,
such as the
number of tablets
or the amount of
liquid.
Drug labels…

15. Drug labels indicate the route of administration.
This tells how the medication is to be taken… by
mouth, topically, eardrops, eye drops, IV, etc.
A drug label lists
appropriate warnings,
such as “may be
habit forming”, “stay
out of sunlight”, “take
with food”, “shake
well”, “do not
refrigerate”, “this
drug may cause
drowsiness”, etc.
Drug labels…

16. Drug labels give storage information when
appropriate, such as “store in the refrigerator” or
“store away from light”. The label also gives
manufacturer information, such as the name of the
manufacturer and expiration date of the medication.
Drug labels…

17. Drug packaging…
Oral medications are
often packaged in
dosages. A single
dose may be
contained in small
foil or plastic
packages. Packages
of multiple-dose
medications may
have child-resistant
lids. A physician may
order or a client may
request a non-child
resistant container.

18. Over-the-counter medications…
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be
dispensed without a prescription, but can still have
side effects or interfere with other medications
taken. They may be the same as prescription
medications, only in lower doses.

19. Drug interactions…
Medications sometimes interfere with each other
OR with other substances. This is called a drug
interaction, and can either cause a medication not
to work OR cause side effects not normally found.
The consumption of
alcohol, smoking
cigarettes, or consuming
too much caffeine is
‘contra-indicated’ with
some drugs. The client
should never take ANY
type of medications
during pregnancy without
the advice of physician.

20. Hazardous drugs to the pharmacist…
Some drugs can be hazardous to the drug handler.
The pharmacist or pharmacy technician must
guard against exposure to hazardous drugs.
Corrosive materials are
substances that can damage
body tissues. Cytotoxic
materials are poisonous to
cells such as anti-neoplastic
drugs (those used to treat
cancer). The pharmacist must
practice standard operating
procedures and wear
protective equipment to
minimize risk of exposure.

21. Controlled substances…
Prescription medications are also called ‘legend’
drugs, and can only be dispensed with a label that
reads “Caution: Federal Law Prohibits Dispensing
Without a Prescription”.
The Comprehensive
Drug Abuse
Prevention and
Control Act of 1970
was created to
combat and control
drug abuse. It defines
5 categories of
controlled
substances.

22. 5 Categories of Controlled substances…
Schedule I Substances: No accepted medical use
and high abuse potential (Heroin, LSD)
Schedule II Substances: High abuse potential or
physical dependence liability (codeine, oxycodone
Percodan, Dilaudid, Ritalin)
Schedule III Substances: Some narcotic effects
(Tyloenol with codeine, pentobarbital and
secobarbital compounds)
Schedule IV Substances: Limited abuse potential
(Darvon, Valilum, Xanax, Phenobarbital, Miltown,
Librium).
Schedule V Substances: Less abuse potential;
generally antidiarrheals and analgesic meds

23. Prescription abbreviations…
a.c. : before meals
ad lib. : as desired
BID or b.i.d. : twice a day
h. or hr. : hourly
h.s. : hour of sleep, bedtime
n. or noc. : night
p.c. : after meals
PRN or p.r.n. : as necessary
q.d. or QD: every day
q.h. : every hour
Q2h or q.2h. : every 2 hours
QID or q.i.d. : four times a day
q.o.d. : every other day
stat: immediately
TID or t.i.d. : three times a day =prescription