Who is a pharmacist and what do they do? The task of a pharmacist is development, production, control, and professional dispensation of medicines and drugs.
What are the activities of the pharmacist job? The activities of the job are: professional work with regard to the development and production of new medicines and medicinal preparations – control of drug quality and efficiency – preparation of drugs which are not delivered to the pharmacy in a ready-made state – dispensation of drugs prescribed to the patient by a doctor, or the sale of medicines that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription (“over the counter”). You will need to explain to the patients how to take the drugs and any effects or side effects – to control the pharmacy assistant’s work, especially their work on drug preparation. The job also involves checking and replenishing stocks of medicines- giving advice on drugs, – management, business and consulting activities if you work in a pharmaceutical company.
Where is it done and under what conditions? The job is done either in pharmaceutical laboratories and organisations (drug development and production), or in pharmacies (preparing and distribution of medicines), possibly in offices (management, business and consulting activities). As a rule, there are no particular problems with the working environment, though contact with chemicals, and, in pharmacies, having to work shifts must be taken into account however.
What tools/equipment do the pharmacist use? The most commonly used tools and equipment are e.g. centrifuges, mixers, sterilizers, cooling assemblies, scales, microscopes, and other measuring devices, different manual aids, a computer, and writing equipment and paper.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have a degree in pharmacy or pharmacology from a university, in addition to precision, reliability, quick judgement, ability to deal with people, a good memory, good eyesight, and hearing.