LESSON 3: Introduction to Pharmacy

The mortar and pestle re tools of traditional

Pharmacy - derived from Greek word “Pharmakon” pharmacy, hence their use as an easily recognizable
means medicine or drug. visual motif.

Art of dispensing and preparing of medicines or Recipe

drugs. -The recipe sign appears at the
start of prescriptions.
Establishment and place where drugs or medicines
are solved. -Although universally accepted
as an abbreviation of “recipe”
Pharmacist - also known as druggists or chemists, (Latin for ‘take though’), it
are healthcare professionals who practice in has also been suggested that it is
pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on the astronomical sign of the
safe and effective medication use. planet Jupiter.
Although universally accepted as
What do Pharmacists do? an abbreviation of “recipe”
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and as one of Pharmacists
(Latin for ‘are
takeexperts
thoughof
’drugs
), it
the fastest growing areas of healthcare play a key has also been suggested that it is
role in improving the health of the nation, and Pharmacists are members
the astronomical of pharmacy profession
sign of the
ensuring patient safety. dealing
planetwith all aspects of drugs.
Jupiter.

They work in a number of different settings: • Preparation

– develop new medicines; • Identification
– supply medicines; • Selection
– provide advice about medicines; • Action
– offer health services. • Preservation
• Sales
Pharmacists also work in other roles where there • Combination
may be less direct contact with patients, for • Analysis
example in universities, regulation, government • Standardization
organisations, research, publishing and the • Use
pharmaceutical industry. • Counseling
• Information
Common symbols used in pharmacy
What are the pros and cons?

Bowl of Hygeia Pros

- The bowl with a snake coiled
around it is called the bowl of
Hygeia with the serpent of
Epidaurus, and is a variant on the
above.
Hygeia was Aesculapius’ daughter and a Greek
Goddess of health. Her symbol was a serpent
drinking from a bowl.
The vessel is usually depicted with a long stem and
a shallow, wide bowl as seen in the picture.
It is also considered suitable for pharmacy. The bowl
of Hygeia with the serpent of Epidaurus shown here
is the symbol for Hungarian pharmacists.
Mortar and Pestle
The mortar and pestle has
long been used as a
pharmaceutical symbol in
Britain and on the European
mainland, and is still widely
employed as a pharmacy shop
sign in Scotland.
ü Job security
ü Flexible working
ü Excellent rewards Transferable skills
ü Variety
ü Opportunities in new roles/ settings
ü Opportunities to specialize
Cons
ü Competitive
ü Long hours in certain sectors and evening/
weekend shifts
ü Physically demanding in certain sectors
A Pharmacist required to have …
• Good communication Skills
• Counseling Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Good Memories
• Attention Detailed
• Scientific Aptitude
• Interest in Continuous Learning
• Computer Skills
Career Opportunities What qualifications do I need?
• You need basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Production • English language, mathematics and science.
• Quality control (QC) • A/S and A-levels (Highers in Scotland) in
• Quality Assurance (QA) chemistry and two of biology / mathematics /
• Research and Development (R&D) physics
• Store • You may also be considered with chemistry and
• Marketing (local, global) one of biology / mathematics / physics (and one
• Product Management other subject).
• Regulatory Affairs
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative (PSR) Drug vs Medicine

Where can I work? Drug - is any substance that act on living body to
- Community Pharmacy alter the physiological process, and are use for the
- Hospital Pharmacy prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Primary Care Pharmacy Medicine - is any drug which has a definite form and
- Academic Pharmacy dose and are therapeutically used for the treatment
of disease of living objects.
Community Pharmacy (Retail Pharmacy)
- Community Pharmacists work at the front line of Classification of drugs
healthcare in cities, towns and villages across
the country. They work from their own Ethical / Prescription Drugs
pharmacies or out of local healthcare centres - Use for treatment of diseases
and doctor’s surgeries - require prescription form

Hospital Pharmacy Over the counter / Non – Rx

- Hospital Pharmacists are a vital part of the - use for the prevention of self – limiting or minor
healthcare team. Working in either the NHS or ailments
private hospitals, being a hospital pharmacist - No Rx form needed
means you’re part of a team where the focus is
firmly on patients. Drug Terminologies

Industrial Pharmacy Drug Toxicity: harmful effect of the drug on an

- Industrial Pharmacists are involved in the organism or tissue, result from overdose or
research, design, development and testing of external use.
new medicines and treatments, ensuring their
safety and quality. Drug allergy: is immunological reaction to a drug

Primary Care Pharmacy Drug Abuse: is an inappropriate intake of substance

- Primary Care Pharmacists play a significant part
in managing medicines. They have a strategic
role to focus on maximising benefit and
minimising risk associated with medicines as
well as making the best use of resources
allocated for medicines.
either continually or periodically.
Drug dependence: is a persons reliance on or need
to take drug or substance:
2 types – physiological and psychological

Academic Pharmacy Drug habituation: denotes a mild form of

- Whether it’s teaching, researching, practising or psychological dependence.
a mix of all three, Academic Pharmacists enjoy
exciting careers in universities, research Illicit drug: also called street drug, are those sold
institutes and other organisations throughout illegally
the world.

Other pharmacy roles

- Veterinary Pharmacy
- Military Pharmacists
- Regulatory Affairs
- Care Homes
- Prisons
- Portfolio Careers
Prescription
A prescription is a written order from a Physician,
dentist or veterinary surgeon for the supply of a
medicine, dressing or surgical appliance to a patient.
It contain the following information:
1. Patient name, age and address, date of issue and
date of expiry of the prescription and number of
“refill” authorized.
2. A prefix.
This is the sign of R, which is an instruction
to the Pharmacist. It derived from an abbreviation
for the Latin word “recipe” meaning take thou and
possibly the latter j- an invocation to Jove (Jupiter)
the god of healing.
DOSE FORM
Tablets
- is a pharmaceutical dosage form.
- it comprises a mixture of active substances and
excipients, usually in powder form, pressed or
compacted from a powder into a solid.
Capsules
- are solid dosage form in which medicaments are
placed in a practically insoluble gelatin shell.
2 main types:
1. Hard-shelled capsules – normally used for dry,
powdered ingredients or miniature pellets.

3. The name and quantity of medicine to be 2. soft-shelled capsules – used for oils and for
supplied. The medicament may supplied as active ingredients that are dissolved or suspended
a. an official name, preparation together with in oil.
quantity name.
b. a proprietary product, together with quantity Syrups
required. - are concentrated aqueous preparations of a
sugar or sugar substitute with or w/o added
4. Instruction for the patient. flavoring agents and medicinal substance.
a. method of administration or application
b. the dose. If preparation is for internal use Types
c. the time of administration or application 1. Simple syrup
d. the diluents if needed or means of application 2. Medicated syrup
e. the part of the body to which preparation to be 3. Flavoured syrup
applied.
Creams
- are viscous or semi – solid emulsions intended for
application on skin and mucous membrane.
- Usually water – based

Ointment
- are greasy semi solid preparations for
application to skin.
- Usually oil – based

PARENTRAL INJECTIONS
Parentral injectable - preparations are those which
are not meant for oral or topical administration.

Becoming a Pharmacist

BACHELOR OF PHARMACY MASTER OF PHARMACY PHD THE DOCTOR OF

(UNDERGRADUATE) (POSTGRADUATE) PHILOSOPHY DEGREE
PHARM D (DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE)
RESIDENCY TRAINING BOARD CERTIFICATION

Republic Act 10918

- An Act Regulating and Modernizing the Practice
of Pharmacy in the Philippines, Repealing for the
Purpose Republic Act Numbered Five Thousand
Nine Hundred Twenty-One (R.A. No. 5921),
Otherwise Known as the Pharmacy Law

Dose - The aim to give patient a dose of the drug

that achieves the desired effect with put causing
harmful side effect
 “I am a Pharmacist”

I am a pharmacist
I am a specialist in medications
I am a companion of the physician
I am a counselor to the patient
I am a guardian of public health
This is my calling
This is my pride
‘In short I am a life saver’