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Originally Posted by student  I’ve read a few posts, and would like to know where you think pharmacist’s role is heading, some have said they won’t be dispensing providing less supervision and consulting more.
Also do you think that there ever will come a time were a pharmacists not required at all times at a pharmacy, surely not what would happen to the career.
Thank You |
Hi Student,
I can't say pharmacy is really doing down the pan, its very much what you make of it and how you react to opportunities.
Pharmacy is changing.... it is very painful and very hard, different groups are trying to push the profession in different directions but I think most pharmacists agree that some of the old roles are obsolete and there are new uses for the unique knowledge and skills of pharmacists.
Pharmacy practice is becoming increasingly localised, the way they do things in the US,Canada, Australia or Europe is no longer necessarily the way things are going to be done in the UK.
In theory your pharmacy curriculum and pre-reg training should equip you with the basics so that you can adjust to current and changing roles. However in this technological age, you cannot expect your role to stay the same until you retire. Fifty years ago things were probably very different, who know what things will be like 50 years from now.
I have heard one plan to employ the pharmacist to do clinical check and allow the drug companies to sell/dispense the drugs directly to the patient. Mail order stuff can be quite quick these days and this could be a cheaper (for the NHS) and more efficient system. Money is limited, however you look at it, and the current system does not really represent best value or greatest efficiency but it works. Robotic dispensing is also an option but we have to look at who fills the machines.
Pharmacist's skills are increasingly needed as patients require increasing numbers of drugs, who else will wade through the interactions, duplications of treatment and the unintended effects.
Paul
**At this point in time I am not a pharmacist in any part of the world and these observations only represent my view**