This article is for a reader who could be interested in pharmacy, but only have a global idea of the job. In this article, he will learn more about a typical day of a pharmacist, his responsibilities, his work environment, the studies required, the salary and many more. The reader will certainly have an excellent perspective of the job after reading it. I am motivated to write it because I want to become a pharmacist. I am already working as a pharmacy technical assistant, so I can see concretely what a pharmacist does every day and how he can be helpful for his patients.
A pharmacist is a reference in the world of medication. In fact, they are specialized in all the aspects of it as the indication of every pill, how to keep it safely and the interaction that they can have between each other. For example, they work with doctors when they have a doubt on the right treatment for a specific diagnostic. Also, they must inform adequately their patient about their medication. A pharmacist is also a reference for anyone who has a question about his health or a pill that he takes. If he can't answer, he will lead the patient to the right place.
They make sure that the doctor's prescription is safe for the patient by confirming that it's the right treatment for the diagnostic. He also verified that there is no interaction with any other patient's medication. They can make a follow-up with their patient to validate that they don't have any severe side effects or to simply check that the treatment is effective. Also, a pharmacist work close to doctors because they are a reference for them. In fact, it's the pharmacist who is specialized in the field of medication. If he notices that a patient doesn't have the right treatment, they can work together by sharing their knowledge to find the best one. Finally, they also supervise that patients take their medication properly. In other words, that they do not take it only a few times or that they do not abuse of it.
A typical day of a pharmacist is very busy. First, they have to answer to the phone, and he often rings! It can be a doctor call for a verbal prescription or for information. It can also be other pharmacists for a transfer of prescriptions or a patient with a question. Of course, they validate prescriptions, they verify that the dosage is right for the patient, that there are no interactions, and they make sure that the technician took the right medication. On top of all this, they counsel their patients about their prescriptions or any other questions.
A pharmacist usually work in a community pharmacy or in a hospital. In those case, they work really close to the customers. An advantage of working in a community pharmacy is that the pharmacist can become the owner of the drug store. He can practice pharmacy and having the responsibilities of company management. Finally, pharmacists can also work in universities, pharmaceutical business, government departments or even for the Canadian Armed Forces. (Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada)
To become a pharmacist, you must finish your cegep in a program of Natural Science or in any other program with the Science and the Mathematics class asked. You must have the cote R needed and pass the Casper test. After, you can enter in one of the ten universities that give this program in Canada. During the doctorate of pharmacy, you have many internships to acquire experience. Moreover, at the end of all the internships, the student have to do a presentation with examples of cases that they faced and explain why they reach the required competencies. (Félicia Arguin, pharmacist at Gervais Lemay pharmacy, 2021)
In Quebec, the average salary of a pharmacist on October 5th 2021 is $112 199. However, it can fluctuate to $63 924 to $161 891, according to the Government of Canada. (Government of Canada)
Pharmacists are obligated to train themselves regularly because the field of medicine change extremely rapidly. They have to do 40 hours of continued training every two years. It can be online self-study, attend a conference or follow some university classes. They must register their training in their case on the website of Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec. (Félicia Arguin, pharmacist at Gervais Lemay pharmacy, 2021)
Pharmacists are exposed every day to cytotoxic substances that are use, for example, as treatment of cancer. Those medications are dangerous for their health if they are not manipulated correctly. Furthermore, they are exposed to biological hazards because patients frequently bring back some old pills or even syringes of insulin. Once again, it must be manipulated very carefully because it could represent a risk for their health.
The are little chances that pharmacists will be replaced by robots soon because this job is more complex compared of the past years. Now, they do not only verified medications and prepared them. Technology replaces a bit this role, but pharmacist analyse a lot more and act as intermediate between healthcare professional and patients by informing. In fact, with all the medicine advances and the life expectancy that increase, the consumption of medication will certainly raise. Robots could not do this job because of all the comprehension and the complexity that it asks. (The Princetown Review)
Most pharmacists plan to retire around 62 years old. Normally, that job offer good chances to have enough money to retire early and having a satisfying amount. https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/planning/best-jobs-to-retire-early/
I have been studying in Natural Science for the past year, and I will finish this year. Next autumn, if I am accepted in pharmacy at the University Laval, I will start officially my studies to become a pharmacist. For four years, I will learn everything that I need to become an excellent pharmacist. At the same time, I will continue to work as a pharmacy technical assistant. It will help me to conciliate the new learning and the reality. After my doctorate, I will be finally a pharmacist!
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