It is likely you will have visited a pharmacy in the past month and if you have, youâ€™re not the only one. In England alone, 1.6 million people visit a pharmacy each day and over the course of a year an average person visits a pharmacy 14 times.
The main reasons for visiting the pharmacy are to collect medicine prescribed by a doctor, buy medicine over the counter or to get health advice from the pharmacist.
Because of their accessibility and what they do pharmacists are one of the most trusted professions in the UK, but they do a lot more than prescribe your medicine in your local pharmacy.
Pharmacy makes a vital contribution to society â€“ over the years medicines and access to medicines have revolutionised the health of the nation.
Scope in the USA:
The pharmacist is one of the most accessible members of today's health care team. More than 200 million people-nearly the equivalent of its entire population-pass through America's pharmacies each week. At more than 50,000 locations, for most hours of the day, pharmacists are ready to serve the public providing their complete pharmaceutical care needs. The pharmacist traditionally has been the first source of advice and assistance for many health concerns. Today pharmacists are assuming more responsibility in attempting to better meet the health care needs of society.
Pharmacists are the country's main experts in medicines and pharmacy is one of the fastest growing areas of healthcare. They share a common commitment to improving people's lives through medicines and care and making a real contribution to the nation's health. Career opportunities are developing fast and pharmacists today can be found in many different settings including high street pharmacies, hospital wards, GPs' surgeries, walk-in centres, industry and universities.
A career in pharmacy offers you:
â€¢ The pursuit of an interest in science
â€¢ The opportunity to join the NHS healthcare team
â€¢ A choice of working environments
Pharmacists are the experts in medicine. Many are part of the NHS family, providing high quality healthcare to patients, ensuring they make the best use of their medicines.
Pharmacists also work across industry and academia playing a vital role in the discovery, development and delivery of medicines.
Pharmacy is essential to modern society helping relieve suffering, manage long term conditions and cure disease.