Pharmacy Science

Pharmacy has evolved across many practice settings.

• Settings include community (retail), hospital, and clinical pharmacy.
• The pharmacist and pharmacy technician work as a team.
• Roles have expanded to include patient counseling and immunizations.
• Understand the history and scope of the profession.

Laws and safety rules protect patients and the public.

• Controlled substances are regulated by the DEA and scheduled.
• Follow HIPAA and maintain confidentiality.
• Practice infection control and safe handling.
• Work within scope and follow ethical standards.

Accurate use of terms prevents medication errors.

• Learn sig codes and prescription abbreviations (e.g., BID, PO, PRN).
• Know drug names — generic and brand.
• Understand roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
• Error-prone abbreviations should be avoided.

Drugs come in many forms and are given by different routes.

• Forms include tablets, capsules, liquids, injectables, and topicals.
• Enteral (oral) and parenteral (injection) are major routes.
• Route affects onset and absorption.
• Formulation choice depends on the drug and patient.

Compounding prepares customized medications.

• Sterile compounding (IVs) requires aseptic technique and a clean hood.
• Non-sterile compounding makes creams, capsules, and solutions.
• Follow USP standards for safety and quality.
• Accuracy and cleanliness are essential.

Pharmacy math ensures correct drug strength.

• Express concentration as percent, ratio, or mg/mL.
• Use C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ for dilutions.
• Calculate doses and days' supply accurately.
• Double-checking prevents dangerous errors.

Pharmacists connect diseases with their drug treatments.

• Know common conditions and the drug classes that treat them.
• Understand indications, side effects, and interactions.
• Match therapy to the disorder.
• Patient counseling supports safe, effective use.