Pharmacy: What It Is and How It Works, Third Edition

As the first baby boomers have reached 65, more prescriptions than ever are being dispensed, and the need for properly trained pharmacists is critical. Now in its third edition, Pharmacy: What It Is and How It Works continues to provide a comprehensive review of all aspects of pharmacy, from the various roles of pharmacists to particular health care-related events to career planning information.


Beginning with a brief historical perspective on the field, the book discusses the many facets of the pharmacy profession. It describes the role of pharmacists in different settings and provides information ranging from licensing requirements to working conditions, highlighting the critical role of pharmacists within the heath care system. The author examines the drug use process with sections on distribution, prescribing, dispensing, and pricing. He also discusses the role of pharmacy support personnel. An expanded chapter on informatics explores how pharmacy has evolved through information technology and automation. Additional chapters cover poison control, pharmacy schools, pharmacy organizations, the drug approval process, and career development.


Designed for classroom and professional use, the book contains numerous tools to facilitate comprehension, including:


Learning objectives to help readers focus on the goals of each chapter
Informative tables and figures summarizing data
Summary paragraphs tying in salient points
Discussion questions and exercises to test assimilation
"Challenges" which place the material in broader context
Websites and references to encourage further study



Used in many schools of pharmacy in the United States, Canada, and Europe, this volume provides a look into the profession that is both broad and deep, supplying a one-stop reference to a promising career.