CXXIV : Where do you see a pharmacist?

Think of a pharmacist as the last line of defense to make sure the right drug is going to the right patient at the right time.

Think of a pharmacist as the developer of the right properties for a drug to pass the FDA trials before entering the market.

Think of a pharmacist as the point of care provider for patients with lifetime health issues that need to be maintained such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis.

Think of a pharmacist as the manager of the drug inventory to control costs and maximize benefits, adjusting the formulary based on the frequency of need and the market price.

Think of a pharmacist as the knowledge house for questions about starting a drug, various interactions, administration, usage, monitoring, cost, stability, dosing, mechanism of action, and maybe to the point of identification based on color, size, and whatever is carved onto the capsule/tablet.

Think of a pharmacist as the health care provider you can approach and ask about your health issues at any time, no appointment needed. Ask about your supplements, your Tylenol and other over-the-counter medications, your prescriptions, your health habits, your daily lifestyle, and any of your health concerns.

Think of a pharmacist as the personal health coach who wants to work with you to make sure the medicine is appropriate for your lifestyle and improves (or maintains, in some cases) your health condition.

Pharmacists can work alone, but ideally, all the health professions should combine their expertise to manage a patient case. That way you have each focus doing what they do best and giving the best care possible. Medical doctors diagnose the patient, nurses take care of the patients, pharmacists check the medications and monitor that they're given properly, and various specialties may be involved as well: physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, etc. Of course, even more people are involved to manage the costs, be the liaison between health practitioner and family, do the labs (blood work is extra important in many cases), and keep the supplies in stock. Right now, a lot of these linked professions are separated and communication is too easily lost between them. A person's health problem can already be complicated to deal with (because people are all different and it might take multiple tries before finding the right therapy for one person), why make it more complicated with any chance of miscommunication?