What do pharmacists do on a day-to-day basis?
Pharmacists, on a normal day, dispense prescriptions to patients, and advise and counsel patients, doctors, and other health professionals on the dosages, drug-drug interactions, and side effects of medications. They also can perform what is called compounding, where they actually prepare and mix the ingredients for prescriptions. That activity is somewhat outdated nowadays, because most pharmacies buy medications that are already prepared by drug companies. A pharmacist that works in a community setting, such as Walgreens, may do other activities in addition to the ones above. These activities can include completing 3rd party insurance claims/paperwork, giving flu shots to patients, and taking blood pressure or blood glucose readings. These types of pharmacies may even provide specialized care for patients who have, or may be at risk for, certain conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Community pharmacies like Walgreens may even offer a smoking cessation program
