What is a pharmacist?
A pharmacist is an expert on medications. They work in community pharmacies (such as drug stores where you go to fill prescriptions), as well as health-care settings including hospitals. They are specially trained to understand:
- how medications work to fight disease
- potential side effects and how to manage them
- which medications can be taken together safely and which combinations should be avoided
- how to use and store medications safely
An important part of a pharmacist’s job is to share their expert knowledge with the health-care team, patients and families.
What can a pharmacist do for me?
A pharmacist will dispense (provide) your medication at your community pharmacy. They also dispense all of the medications you take in the hospital and check to make sure that each is appropriate and safe for you.
Your cancer treatment team will include a pharmacist who specializes in cancer medications. If you or your family have any questions about your medications, their associated side effects or how they might affect your health in the future, talk to a pharmacist. You can ask your doctor or nurse to arrange a meeting with your pharmacist. They know a lot about medications and are really good at sharing their knowledge in a way that patients and families can understand.
