^{Photo by Edward Jenner}

When you hear the word “pharmacist,” do you think of someone working as a drugstore cashier? Of course, that’s what most people would think because pharmacists don’t work straight out the front of the medical field. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less important.

Even though pharmacists don’t specialize in specific areas of healthcare treatment, they still play a massive role in the medical practice as they’re responsible for formulating medicine that helps treat diseases. Because of this, many misconceptions surround their profession, and it’s about time we debunk them. The book “Pharmacy In Bondage, help to liberate the profession” from Liberate Pharmacy by Dr. Patrick Ojohelp create a mindset that changes the perception of people around pharmacists. Here are some of the myths and stereotypes regarding the pharmaceutical profession:

1 – Pharmacists Merely Count Pills

People often think that pharmacists are just there to count the number of pills in a drugstore and fill them in labeled bottles. Pharmacists being perceived as retailers of various drugs have been around for a long time, although that’s not necessarily bad. However, being a pharmacist was already built around that niche, even though a pharmacist can do other things.

2 – Pharmacists Only Work Behind The Scenes

Many may not know this, but some patients come directly to pharmacists for advice on medication more than physicians. Contrary to popular belief that they merely make medicine without treating patients, pharmacists are heavily involved in healthcare. They monitor certain factors like medical conditions, patient lifestyle, etc. Another misconception is that pharmacists don’t belong on the medical team. They work hand in hand with them, and other doctors even include them in their rounds.

3 – There’s Not Much To Do In The Pharmacy Profession

It’s not true that a pharmacist has few critical responsibilities in the field. The healthcare profession is ever-changing, and its evolution brought many opportunities for pharmacists in the working environment. They create medicine based on evidence, determining the appropriate medication for patients. Pharmacists also have the patient’s best interests and can advocate for affordable healthcare on the political scene. They heavily participate in research and development, even up to the clinical trials of new medicine. They have a lot of job opportunities that aren’t tied to selling at a drugstore or behind the factory making drugs.

4 – All Pharmacists Do Is Dispense Medicine

Although somewhat true, dispensing is part of the pharmacist’s key role. But times have changed, and it has been mentioned previously that pharmacists have many responsibilities they can choose to fulfill. That’s why they can be around patients, monitor their conditions, and review patient charts. Pharmacists are also involved in dispensing, medicine prescription, and vaccination administration.

5 – Pharmacists Don’t Have Any Specializations

Like any other doctor, pharmacists can specialize in certain diseases such as diabetes, mental health, cancer, and other intensive healthcare practices. Pharmacists invest their expertise in selective areas due to the ever-increasing complexity of medications to treat patients. Similar to a general physician, pharmacists also have the authority to prescribe medicines to patients within their capacity. This is due to the recent pharmacy regulations, which will enable future pharmacists to give prescriptions independently.

6 – Job Opportunities Are Limited For Pharmacists

Back in the day, there weren’t many employment prospects that pharmacists could explore. Usually, they’re working within the community, academe, hospitals, and commercial industries. However, the range has expanded over recent years, as pharmacists can now be clinical practitioners. The industry experts are even looking forward to providing roles for pharmacists in emergency patient care.

Eighty percent of the pharmaceutical skills are transferrable, with the potential to have a flexible career. Pharmacists can work alongside the government, educational institutions, finance, and media. Since they have a better understanding of various medicines and their components, pharmacists have a unique job description that involves a mixture of science and clinical care.