Pharmacists are responsible for a myriad of duties, from dispensing medication to developing individualized patient care plans and exchanging information with patients and health care providers. At the end of the day, however, pharmacists hope they accomplish one overriding objective: to help their patients feel better.

There is indeed much more to being a pharmacist than dispensing medication. In fact, that is one small facet of the pharmacist’s role in patient care. Following are just a few examples of why today’s pharmacists are considered “the medication experts” within the health care profession.

Pharmacists educate patients and other health care professionals about the appropriate use of medications provided both by prescription and over-the-counter.  Pharmacists monitor patient health and medication compliance, and work with patients and other health care professionals to ensure the best possible care outcome. 

Pharmacists have expert insight about how drugs are made and manufactured, and about the potential interactions that can occur when patients take a number of medications to control one or more illnesses.