What is the primary function of a pharmacist?

The primary function of a pharmacist is to prepare and dispense medications. Pharmacists play a critical role in the healthcare system by ensuring that patients receive the correct medications as prescribed, understanding how medications work, and providing valuable information about proper usage, potential side effects, and interactions with other drugs. They are experts in pharmacology and patient safety, and they ensure that medications are stored and handled correctly. This foundational responsibility helps to optimize therapeutic outcomes and supports overall patient health.

In contrast, while providing emotional support to patients is also important in healthcare, it is not the primary responsibility of pharmacists, as this task is often undertaken by other healthcare professionals like nurses or social workers. Conducting medical research is typically the domain of researchers and clinical scientists rather than pharmacists, who are mainly focused on practical application of established knowledge in the pharmacy. Performing surgical procedures falls under the responsibilities of surgeons and other specialized medical professionals, which is distinct from the role of a pharmacist, who does not engage in invasive medical procedures.