Pharmacists and Prescription Drug Abuse - 1420 Words

West Virginia has one of the highest rates for prescription drug abuse, and overdose in the nation. In order to change this it is important to understand what pharmacists do, their role in prevention, and the severity of prescription drug abuse. Pharmacists are known to dispense prescription drugs to patients and inform them about their use; However, one aspect of their career most people overlook is that Pharmacists must keep a sharp eye out for criminals looking to abuse these prescribed drugs. First, here is some important background information about Pharmacists. A Pharmacist is someone who is trained and licensed to distribute medicinal drugs and to advise on their use. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook Pharmacists do†¦show more content†¦education, they must complete postsecondary courses such as anatomy, chemistry, and biology. For most programs, applicants also must take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test, PCAT. The Pharm.D. program usually takes four years to complete. This program includes courses in medical ethics and pharmacology. Students will also have the opportunity to have hands-on supervised experiences. After the completion of the program, students must pass two exams. Some jobs may even require further education and training. Pharmacists who want to run their own Pharmacy will benefit from getting a masters degree in business. They will spend more time on business activities such as inventory management when working in the field. Students wanting to hold advanced pharmacy positions such as a research job must complete a one to two year residency. The hard work definitely pays off when looking at a Pharmacists salary and job stability, but not so much when looking at their hours. Like most jobs, the income for Pharmacists varies depending on factors such as location. Since most Pharmacies are open all hours some pharmacists are forced to work nights and weekends. Now that we know all about Pharmacists, lets get to kno w the problem: prescription drugs. Some prescription drugs have mind-altering affects on the body, and for that reason are abused. People abuse drugs by taking them for reasons other than prescribed by theShow MoreRelatedThe Pharmaceutical Industry and Technological Advancement1765 Words   |  7 Pagesthe pharmaceuticals continue to move forward, the challenge pharmacists and pharmaceutical industries face is how to improve the quality it provides its patients, as well as becoming a determining factor in lessening drug and prescription abuse. A pharmacist is a health care professional who is an expert in the pharmaceutical field and on pharmaceutical drugs. They are responsible for improving the health of a patient and implementing drug therapy with the intention of improving the quality of a patient’sRead MorePharmacy : Life, Death, And Responsibility1583 Words   |  7 PagesNothing. So I looked to Mr. Macbeth for help. 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