vaccines their arms medicines and drugs the science of preparing and dispensing these medicines and drugs is called pharmacy one of the oldest professions known to man and the key figure in this profession is the highly trained registered pharmacist he may be the man working diligently in the research laboratory taking to develop new and better forms of medication or you may be found in a pharmaceutical plant controlling the strength purity and quality of drug products or you may be serving at any one of almost sixty thousand retail drug stores throughout the country cooperating with physicians in the interest of public health although the corner drug store is often an all service institution its most important function is to serve as the health center of the community doctor's prescription may seem mysterious to the average layman but it's all very simple to the pharmacist it may contain chemical names or abbreviated medical terms but the pharmacist understands it perfectly it is his responsibility to make sure that each prescription is filled exactly as the doctor has ordered accuracy and still are synonymous with pharmaceutical technique an error in the compound being of a prescription could be injurious or even fatal to the patient so the pharmacist must take every precaution in his work he checked and double checked both the instructions and the required ingredients after the medicine is compound and he transcribed the necessary instructions on the label each prescription has its own serial registry number which goes on permanent file to be kept on record as required by law annually about three hundred million prescriptions are filled by a pharmacist to be a pharmacist one must be a graduate of an accredited college of pharmacy and pass the state examination for a license the pharmacist in common with all professional men has a responsibility for an ethical and conscientious service to his community all at one time or another human life will depend on his ability accuracy and integrity on the pharmacy shelves are many drugs that must be used only under professional direction many of these are restricted items and must not fall into unscrupulous hand before you can sell any prescription containing poisons or narcotics that druggist must obtain the purchaser signature and address and the reason for the purchase in a special ledger invalid's drugstores the pharmacist devotes his time exclusively to filling prescriptions in smaller stores and they also be in charge of hospital and sick room supplies as well in these stores the prescription business is generally light so are the pharmacist who is usually the owner as many other products to maintain a sufficient volume of business success in the pharmacy as in any other profession is achieved by diligence persistence and strict regard for professional ethics in recent years specialized prescription stores have become more numerous here pharmacists sell only pharmaceutical products and supplies as specialist they keep up with all current developments in the drug field and can supply physicians with expert information on this subject specialization is also required in the field of hospital pharmacy which offers opportunities or both men and women here are a pharmacist must come found drugs fill prescriptions repair add a septic solutions serums and vaccines and make bacteriological and clinical tests those in supervisory positions are responsible for the purchase of medical supplies and for the general administration of their department's veteran's bureau hospitals also require many pharmacists or staff duty in fact the government is one of the largest employers of pharmacist many positions are open to training men and women in the food and drug administration to inspect commercial products for purity and quality in the public health service to prepare and dispense medicines and cooperation with physicians and in the internal revenue bureau and other federal agencies all of these government jobs are under civil service with definite steps for advancement and usually after permanent employment a degree from a college of pharmacy is essential for this type of work the navy and the army however prefer to train their own pharmacists since they're also taught to administer the medicines they can pound our pharmaceutical background is medicinal plants those who have literary ability and they serve as writers and editors for professional magazines and trade journals and those with a competence to teach may become instructors in colleges of pharmacy preparations for a career in pharmacy should begin in high school a part time job in a drug store will determine whether a student has real interest in the bill of the in this field by assisting the registered pharmacist the student also games useful experience and helpful knowledge that will be of great benefit to him later while acquiring this practical experience the prospective pharmacist should study chemistry and biology of foundation is thus prepared for his college work which generally consists of a four year course leading to a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy if you need financial assistance scholarships may be available don't need part of the college expenses after graduation you must pass a state board examination before receiving a license to practice most states now grant reciprocity two out of state applicants although only a small percentage of pharmacists are women the proportion is steadily increasing women make good pharmacists and opportunities are open to them in every phase of the profession many are employed as technicians and supervisors by drug manufacturers in this field registered pharmacists are in constant demand not only in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products but also a salesman and detail man to visit positions and druggists and to give technical advice on the latest developments in medicines and drug these developments carried out by research pharmacists in the laboratories to them goes much of the credit for the advancement in the treatment of this leaves they strive constantly to find new medicinal weapons to combat man's greatest but germs of disease daily headlines tell us of their results of lives saved by new drugs vaccines and zero in this traumatic fight to preserve and protect the nation's health as a distributor of medical products in every part of the nation or those who can qualify who combine manual dexterity and accuracy with professional integrity this field offers excellent opportunities for useful service to humanity are both men and women the work is confining and requires continual skill and diligence but the rewards are satisfying or this is work that contributes directly to human welfare study your interests and aptitudes and compare them with the requirements of this profession pharmacy may become your life