You might think that all pharmacists only dispense prescription medications. This isn’t true because many doctors’ surgeries offer services such as vaccinations for children under five years old and adults above 65 years old. They even dispense non-sterile medical supplies such as bandages, dressings and ointments. In addition, most doctor’s surgeries provide flu tests and other health checks on patients once every 12 months. These are just few examples of how a pharmacist has been contributing to society even before he became a licensed professional.
Now let us look at what exactly happens inside a community pharmacy nowadays. There are different types of jobs held by pharmacists depending on which country they belong too. Let us take a closer look at each type.
What Does A Pharmacist Do?
In Ireland, we refer to pharmacists as “community chemists”. In Britain, they are called “chemists” while pharmacists outside Europe often go by the name of “retail druggist.” Regardless of these names, this group of profession helps people make informed decisions regarding healthcare issues. One thing that needs to be mentioned right away is that pharmacists aren’t necessarily required to hold any formal qualifications. However, having said that, many countries require that pharmacists complete courses in order to practice. Most states require that they pass licensing exams prior to practicing medicine.
This means that anyone who wants to become a pharmacist must first obtain certification in his/her chosen field. Once accomplished, he/she can apply for licensure with relevant authorities in order to work within the industry. As stated earlier, pharmacists are trained to help individuals get prescriptions filled for various kinds of medication. That being said, there are three main areas wherein pharmacists specialize today. We’ll briefly discuss each specialization below.
Beauty Products And Cosmetics
It’s important to note that although beauty product sales account for less than 10% of total revenue generated per year by retail drugstores, there are still lots of opportunities for them to earn money through cosmetic sales. Beauty products include makeup, hair care products, skin creams, bath oils, body lotions, moisturizers and fragrances. Basically, anything related to cosmetics should fall under the category of beauty products sold by a retail pharmacy.
As part of their training, new hires are taught to perform simple procedures such as checking customer IDs and taking vital signs (e.g., blood pressure). This allows customers to receive advice on choosing the best kinds of products for themselves. In fact, according to the American Society For Cosmetic Chemists (ASCC), more women purchase beauty products than men. Women spend approximately $1 billion dollars annually compared to males’ spending around $800 million yearly.
Drugs And Household Items
Another major component of retail pharmacy businesses involves selling pharmaceutical goods and homeopathic remedies. Many times, you see bottles of pills sitting side-by-side in front of windows displaying similar labels. Such scenarios occur quite frequently since both products serve very useful purposes. Pharmaceuticals are used to treat diseases whereas homeopathy works towards treating minor illnesses and symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are prepared using natural ingredients including minerals, plants, animals and microbes. According to ASCC, nearly 80% of
Americans use homeopathic treatments for common ailments.
While working in a pharmacy, it’s easy to notice that the majority of staff members wear badges stating whether they’re currently certified in dispensing medications. Although the job responsibilities vary slightly across regions, most pharmacists are responsible for ensuring that customers receive accurate information regarding possible interactions between prescribed medications and food supplements.
Skincare And Makeup
Most retailers specializing in skincare and makeup products usually employ experienced professionals who are well versed in proper techniques involved in applying cosmetics. Customers looking forward to purchasing beauty products can easily compare prices offered by different outlets based upon the amount of stock kept. Some companies keep small quantities of merchandise behind closed doors for security reasons while others display everything openly for shoppers. Either ways, it’s up to individual buyers to choose wisely.
One unique aspect of chemists stores is that they deal directly with consumers rather than physicians. While this offers convenience to patients, it poses a challenge to pharmacists who must ensure confidentiality regarding patient records and personal details. Pharmacists are also expected to maintain strict standards regarding safety precautions involving handling controlled substances. Hence, it goes without saying that hiring competent employees plays a key role in making sure your local pharmacy runs smoothly.
Here’s another interesting question – What do pharmacies stores do differently from grocery shops? Although shopping centers sometimes resemble supermarkets, buying groceries doesn’t really involve much interaction with fellow patrons. When you walk down the aisle of a supermarket, chances are you won’t bump into someone wearing a lab coat asking you questions about certain brands of toothpaste.
But don’t worry. Grocery stores and pharmacies alike operate similarly in terms of stocking inventory, pricing products and offering daily specials. Plus, both places allow you to check prices online via mobile apps. Another similarity shared by these two retail establishments is that they both rely heavily on credit cards to process payments. Lastly, both venues accept cash but tend to charge higher fees for doing so.
So now you know what a pharmacist does. But did you realize that the owner of a pharmacy stores could potentially end up becoming a pharmacist himself someday? Keep reading to learn why this is indeed the case.
What Is The Role Of A Pharmacy Store Owner Or Manager?
According to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), owners of retail pharmacies engage in several activities ranging from providing assistance to customers to developing promotional campaigns. Since pharmacists play such a significant roll in helping customers select the appropriate medication for their conditions, it makes sense for business owners to hire qualified experts whose sole purpose is to assist patients. After all, the idea of owning a pharmacy sounds appealing enough due to its potential earning power.
However, unlike salaried workers in the healthcare sector, owners of retail pharmacy chains typically have no set salary expectations. Instead, they earn income based solely on overall profits earned during a given period. For example, if a particular pharmacy chain generates $100 million worth of annual sales, half of the earnings would automatically land on the owner’s shoulders. The remaining 50 percent would go to the manager. Unfortunately, this situation tends to create competition among managers hoping to secure positions at big corporations. Therefore, the likelihood of reaching a high rank at a large company depends largely on factors such as length of experience and ability to generate profit margins exceeding break-even levels.
The Importance Of Having Access To Prescription Drugs Online
When it comes to ordering prescription medications, you should give thought to the following points:
* How long does it take to receive your order after placing an order online?
* Will you pay extra charges if you want express delivery?
* Can you refill multiple prescriptions simultaneously?
* Are refills covered by insurance providers?
These are all valid concerns that deserve serious consideration especially if you live far away from family and friends. Fortunately, technology has made life easier for folks living abroad thanks to websites dedicated to delivering prescription medications worldwide. Today, you can fill your orders online 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Furthermore, you can even request free samples of specific drugs. All you need is access to a computer or smartphone.
For instance, Web Doctor Service by Intermedex Inc provides affordable shipping solutions for residents residing in remote locations. With this site, you can conveniently browse thousands of generic and branded medications provided by leading manufacturers. Moreover, you can search for the exact brand name and dosage strength needed by entering your preferred condition(s) into the search engine located on top left corner of the homepage. Subsequently, click on the blue button labeled Submit Order. From there, you can review results along with full payment options.
In conclusion, knowing what a pharmacist actually does is helpful for everyone interested in learning more about the world of retail pharmacies. Hopefully, the article helped shed light on the duties performed by pharmacists and pharmacy stores. Now you can better appreciate how difficult it becomes for pharmacists to remain focused on their duties when faced with constant interruptions.
With that aside, here’s a fun trivia question for you to ponder. Which retailer sells toilet paper rolls?