Pharmacists use patient profiles to insure that harmful drug interactions do not occur and to monitor patient compliance with the doctor's instructions. Consequently, Pharmacists are playing a more active role as they give more consultations and have more direct contact with patients. Pharmacists employed in community pharmacies may have other duties. Besides dispensing medicines, some Pharmacists buy and sell non-pharmaceutical merchandise, hire and supervise personnel, and oversee the operation of the pharmacy. In addition, Pharmacists work as consultants to the medical team in matters related to daily patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities.
Pharmaceutical training can qualify individuals for a variety of careers.
Some Pharmacists are hired as sales or medical service representatives by drug manufacturers and wholesalers. They sell medicines to retail pharmacies and to hospitals, and inform health personnel about new drugs. Some teach in colleges of pharmacy. Others supervise the manufacture of pharmaceuticals in manufacturing settings, or are involved in research and the development of new medicines. Some combine pharmaceutical and legal training in jobs as patent lawyers or consultants on pharmaceutical and drug laws.