In addition, more pharmacy technicians are being hired by retail operators to support pharmacists. This cost-cutting measure reduces the number of pharmacists required. Limited growth for employment of hospital pharmacists is expected in the near future as hospitals continue to reorganize in response to limited funding growth in health care. In the future, pharmacists may find increased opportunities in long term and home care settings. On a more positive note, many factors support the continued growth of this occupation in the near future.
Pharmacists are increasingly important members in primary and preventive care.
While they will continue to fulfil their traditional roles, many of them are taking up a more active role with patients or other professionals in health care by identifying, preventing and resolving medication-related problems. As pharmaceutical products become more complex, patients themselves tend to rely on pharmacists more frequently. Because of patient concerns, pharmacists now give more advice direct to the public on such health issues as potential side-effects of medications, complications from allergy reactions and medication interactions. There is a growing emphasis on preventive health services generally, and this is affecting the role of pharmacists. The use of medication to treat diseases and conditions is often considerably less expensive than the potential costs for patients whose conditions go untreated and who may require surgery.