What Does My Pharmacist Actually Do?

     While talking to my seven year old niece recently, she asked me a very simple question "What does a pharmacist do?"  I actually have never been asked that question before and was definitely not prepared to answer.  I know that sounds strange coming from a future pharmacist but it is the truth; the fact of the matter is there is not a simple answer to that question.  Pharmacists are found in clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, research labs, poison control centers, government  agencies, pharmaceutical companies, nuclear settings, and in academia.  What makes this answer complex is that the pharmacist's roles in these capacities differ greatly.  I told my niece a much simpler answer, of course, and then showed her a YouTube video that emphasized pharmacists’ goal of improving health and well-being of their patients.

     This question still resonated with me; it became a personal pursuit of knowledge to obtain a more comprehensive look into the various roles of a pharmacist.  As I searched online, I came across a definition of a pharmacist that I felt captured the many roles encompassing this career.  It was a role description by PharmCAS that stated:

 “Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for patients, from dispensing medications to monitoring patient health and progress to maximize their response to the medication. Pharmacists also educate consumers and patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and advise physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on drug decisions. Pharmacists also provide expertise about the composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties and their manufacture and use. They ensure drug purity and strength and make sure that drugs do not interact in a harmful way. Pharmacists are drug experts ultimately concerned about their patients' health and wellness.” 
     Although a long definition, I felt it was the perfect description.  However, something was missing, it did not capture the most meaningful role a pharmacist has.   I have always understood the unique position pharmacists hold because of how accessible they are throughout the community.  Pharmacists directly bridge the gap between the community and health care.  Thus, pharmacists are essential health care providers advocating on their patients behalf, to promote the best quality of life.

- http://www.pharmcas.org/advisors/roleofpharmacist.htm         

The American Pharmacists Association

     The American Pharmacist Association (APhA), founded in 1852, has been an amazing organization to be a part of.  It has provided me with opportunities to improve my knowledge of pharmacy while in school and will continue to heighten my knowledge as a pharmacist and health care provider.  Pharmacists have dedicated themselves to a career of continuing education, meaning that the profession requires the pharmacist to always be current and knowledgeable about new and progressive disease states and therapies.  The plethora of resources that AphA provides like the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, APhA Drug-Info-Line, and Pharmacist Immunization Center will provide me the necessary tools to be an up to date and knowledgeable pharmacist throughout my career.  Not only that, being a part of APhA allows members to fulfill a role as patient advocates by working side by side with law makers to change and create legislation to improve health care.   As health care continues to progress and patient demographics change, organizations like APhA become essential platform to voice concerns and changes that will happen within the field of pharmacy.

-http://www.pharmacist.com/history-apha

Proper Medication Disposal

     Many of us have unwanted or expired medications taking up space in our medicine cabinets.  The best thing to do would be to dispose of these unwanted medications to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands and become misused or abused.  Many of us either flush these medications down the toilet or just throw them away in the trash.  Both of these methods are not the proper way to dispose of unwanted medications and can actually lead to harmful health risks.  Flushing medications down the toilet can actually reach into main water sources and contaminate the water, along with that, simply throwing medications in the trash allows those who have access to that trash the opportunity to misuse these medications.  Always follow the instructions on how to dispose of a medication properly, if given.  If however, there are not specific instructions given you can follow these instructions provided by the Food and Drug Administration. 

1. Take the unused medication and combine them with an unappealing substance like used coffee grounds or kitty litter.  By doing so, the medications will be less appealing and unrecognizable to those who may want to ingest them.

2. Next put this combination into a sealable bag or container to prevent the medication from leaking out of the trash.  Finally, the bag may be placed into the trash bin.

     Another important tip prior to throwing out empty medications bottles into the trash is to remove any personal information labels, to protect patient identity and person health information.  The Drug Enforcement Agency has partnered up with local community organizations to sponsor National Prescription Drug Take Back Days.  These take back days give people within the community the opportunity to go to a central location and bring all of their left over or unwanted medications to be properly disposed of.  This is a great option for people who are unable or want to take that extra precaution in the disposal of their medications.  This website: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/newsrelease.htm provides current information on current dates and locations of National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, check the site out to see if an event is happening near you! Finally, if you have any questions regarding your medications as well as their disposal, ask you pharmacist, they are there to help you!

-http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm101653.htm

-http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/newsrelease.htm