Shadowing A Pharmacist: Part 2

Today was another wonderful day at Central Pharmacy. I had the chance to observe Marjan Yermian doing retail pharmacy. She is so lucky because she gets to not only do compounding, but also retail pharmacy!

I learned how to identify drugs through the NDC (National Drug Code) system. I also learned that all patients picking up drugs must go through consult unless they sign a waiver stating that they don't want to. Consult is just when the pharmacist directs the patient on how to take the drugs. I watched as Dr. Yermian explained to the patient what drugs she needed to take at what time and how much of each. I also watched as Dr. Yermian talked to patients on the phone, patiently answering their questions about different drugs. I watched as Marjan and her team of technicians packed drugs to be shipped to patients. Today, I also learned about different ways pharmacists have cheated the system in order to make money. I was shocked by the stories I heard regarding the measures some pharmacists take to make a little extra money, even if it means harming a person.

At the end of the shadowing, I was so sad to leave! Given the little time I had spent with the people who work at Central Pharmacy, I feel so attached to them because they are all so sweet! I wish that I could start working there tomorrow, but I know I have 6 more years to go! I'm looking forward to my first day of work at a pharmacy in the future. This experience has taught me so much, from the different fields, to different drugs, biology, and communication in pharmacy.