What comes first into your mind when you think about pharmacy and pharmacists? Many believe a pharmacy is just a shop offering different medications, and pharmacists are individuals selling medicine and offering advice about drugs. However, there’s much more to it than that.
Pharmacology is tightly connected to medicine, and pharmacists hold immense knowledge of all types of drugs and their interactions with other medications and substances. Moreover, they frequently consult with and advise other healthcare professionals to improve the overall health system.
That said, pharmacies and pharmacists are vital in healthcare, and you can gain much more from them than mere drugs. In this article, you’ll find some other interesting facts about pharmacy and pharmacists you probably didn’t know!
What Is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists are individuals authorized to prepare, mix, and distribute medications upon prescriptions from licensed practitioners like doctors and dentists. They are healthcare specialists who consult with and advise licensed practitioners regarding drugs.
Skilled pharmacists, like those at the Everest Whole Health Pharmacy, can help you with anything you want to know regarding different medications and their interactions with other drugs and substances, ultimately improving your well-being.
What Do Pharmacists Do?
A pharmacist’s job is to ensure patients get the right medication therapy. They complete university-level education to gain knowledge of drugs, their usage, side effects, and interaction with other drugs and substances. Moreover, they share this information with other healthcare providers and patients.
Once they get an order for a prescription, they check it to ensure it’s appropriate before mixing, packing, and selling it.
13 Interesting Facts About Pharmacy
1. Pharmacists Are Doctors
Although you will unlikely call your pharmacist a doctor, they are doctors because a doctor of pharmacy degree has been necessary to sit for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy since 2004. Those who pass the mentioned exams can work as pharmacists and distribute drugs in the US.
2. Pharmacists Do More than Just Dispensing Prescriptions
Apart from dispensing prescriptions, pharmacists also distribute immunizations like vaccines and shingles. Moreover, they can offer drug counseling and therapy management to inform you about the drugs you’re using to take better care of your health.
They can also advise you on over-the-counter goods and chronic disease monitoring services.
3. Pharmacists Specialize in Different Disciplines
Like physicians, pharmacists can become board certified as specialists in different disciplines, including cardiology, critical care, geriatric, compound sterile preparations, ambulatory care, infectious disease, nutrition support, nuclear pharmacy, oncology, psychiatric pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and solid organ transplantation.
Pharmacists can play a more significant role in medical care thanks to specialization. That’s especially true when it comes to complex health conditions.
4. Pharmacists Work in Different Areas
Besides retail shops and hospitals, pharmacists can also work in government, informatics, public health, academia, etc., using their mastery to improve healthcare.
5. Pharmacists Can Help You Save Money
Pharmacists can suggest generic drugs that are significantly cheaper than brand-name ones, helping you lower your medication expenses and ultimately saving you some dollars.
6. The Rx Symbol May Come from Egypt
While many believe that Rx comes from Latin, some believe it originated from the Eye of Horus – an Egyptian symbol thought to hold healing abilities. This theory may be true, considering that the world’s oldest medications were inscribed into tablets around 2100 B.C. Moreover, some of the oldest pharmacies were found in Baghdad.
7. The Pharmacy Was Separated from Medicine in 1240 A.D.
Today, medicine and pharmacy are two separate specialties because of the edict introduced by the Emperor of Germany and King of Sicily, Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, back in 1240 A.D. That split the duties of physicians and pharmacists, setting professional rules.
8. A Pharmacist Invented Coca-Cola
Pharmacist John S. Pemberton invented Coca-Cola as a remedy for common conditions. And Frank Robinson, his bookkeeper, named the beverage and wrote it down in hovering writing. Later, that became the brand’s logo.
First, Coca-Cola was made from cocaine and caffeinated extracts from kola. For this reason, the drink was named Coca-Cola. In 1903, cocaine was withdrawn from the recipe. Then, John sold it to Atlanta soda fountains.
9. Myalept Is the Most Expensive Drug
Myalept, a medication designed to treat generalized lipodystrophy, costs $71,306. This rare disease spreads abdominal fat throughout the body, and Myalept is the only medication currently available to treat this condition. Individuals with this disease take medicine daily, using approximately 14 bottles monthly, each costing around $5,000.
10. Listerine Is Named After Joseph Lister
Dr. Joseph Lawrence invented Listerine, a product that can destroy germs in the mouth, and decided to name it after Joseph Lister, a surgeon and doctor who promoted sterilization and antiseptics in operative space. More patients survived surgeries, and many infections were avoided thanks to this approach.
11. A Pharmacist Made Dr. Pepper
Invented by pharmacist Charles Alderton, Dr. Pepper was originally made at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store. He wanted to invent a drink that smelled like a pharmacy. After trying various syrup mixtures, he found the perfect blend.
12. America’s First Licensed Pharmacist Opened a Pharmacy that Offered both Traditional Medications and Voodoo Treatments
In 1816, Louis Dufilho, Jr. became the first licensed pharmacist in Louisiana. Not long after, in 1823, he opened his pharmacy in New Orleans and provided both traditional medicine and Voodoo treatments.
13. Agatha Christie Found Inspiration for Her Mysteries in Pharmacy
Although not a formally qualified pharmacologist, Agatha Christie discovered a lot about medicine while volunteering as a nurse during World War I and World War II. Her books often included poison as a weapon, and her experience as a nurse during world wars inspired her to write many stories.
Pharmacy Is More than just a Drug Store
After reading this article, you discovered some interesting facts about pharmacy and pharmacists you may not have known before. While most people consider a pharmacy a go-to place for buying medication, it’s a place that offers much more than that.
In pharmacy, you can learn a lot about drugs from skilled pharmacists. Moreover, they can educate you about more affordable versions of brand-name drugs that can save you some dollars.
They can also give you valuable healthcare advice, so don’t underestimate the knowledge they are glad to share with you.
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