Pharmacists

Pharmacists work in a variety of settings: retail stores, hospitals, universities, nursing homes, managed care organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacies are typically well lighted, well ventilated, and kept in a clean and orderly fashion. Many chain-owned pharmacies now provide 18- or 24-hour operations. The pace can often be hectic as customers line up to wait for their prescriptions.

Hospital pharmacies are efficient, orderly, and busy with a variety of important activities. The physicians, nurses, technicians, and other medical personnel with whom the pharmacist works are usually intelligent and concerned people. These pharmacies are also usually in operation 18 or 24 hours a day.

The two most unfavorable conditions of the pharmacist's practice are long hours and the necessity to stay on one's feet. It is not unusual to be on duty at least 48 hours a week. Most state laws covering the practice of pharmacy require that there be a pharmacist on duty at all times when the pharmacy is open. Most pharmacies employ at least two pharmacists because it is customary to remain open at least 12 hours a day. Many pharmacies are also open at least part of the time on Sundays. Despite the requirements of the job, most pharmacists appreciate being involved in health care.

Pharmacists who operate their own pharmacies have financial responsibilities. Many pharmacies do better than $3 million dollars in gross sales each year in business. They must hire employees, maintain an adequate inventory, and keep records. They must make rent or mortgage payments and pay insurance premiums and taxes. The growing influence of third-party prescription programs has forced pharmacists to spend considerable amounts of time processing claims, maintaining government records, and explaining benefit plans to customers. Many community pharmacy owners complain of restrictions placed on them by government agencies, insurance companies, and HMOs that they claim hinders their ability to compete with chain competitors.