3 answers
Sofia
Student
La Libertad, La Libertad Department, El Salvador
8
Questions
Asked
3718 views
What does a day working in the pharmaceutical industry look like?
I want to hear about the different jobs opportunities or positions a person working in this field can have? What does a normal day at work for you look like? I would enjoy reading about the laboratory side, business/office side, or a pharmacist side. I'm open to hearing from anyone. I also would like to know if you enjoy your job and how do you balance it with your personal life?
3 answers
Greg Myers
Pharmacist
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
I've been a pharmacist for 20 years and have also worked as a regional pharmacy supervisor for over 100 Walgreens stores in the US. Let me tell you what a typical day looks like for a pharmacist in a community pharmacy in the US. While this can vary depending on where you work, there are many similarities worldwide.
In the US, pharmacists work with doctors and patients to prepare, dispense, and advise on medications. We have pharmacy technicians who handle tasks like computer entry, inventory, and payments. This allows pharmacists to focus on clinical care and medication counseling, ensuring each patient gets the right medication at the right dose and is aware of potential drug interactions and side effects. It's very rewarding to use your knowledge to help people in healthcare.
As a businessperson in the pharmaceutical industry, I helped pharmacies run smoothly. We set goals and discussed which areas were doing well and which needed improvement. I coached and mentored pharmacists to achieve these goals, often working on improving patient satisfaction and customer service. I've hired many pharmacists and technicians and sometimes had to let them go for issues like theft. Overall, both roles were rewarding. As a pharmacist, I made a direct impact on patients, and as a regional manager, I helped many more through my work with the staff.
I've been a pharmacist for 20 years and have also worked as a regional pharmacy supervisor for over 100 Walgreens stores in the US. Let me tell you what a typical day looks like for a pharmacist in a community pharmacy in the US. While this can vary depending on where you work, there are many similarities worldwide.
In the US, pharmacists work with doctors and patients to prepare, dispense, and advise on medications. We have pharmacy technicians who handle tasks like computer entry, inventory, and payments. This allows pharmacists to focus on clinical care and medication counseling, ensuring each patient gets the right medication at the right dose and is aware of potential drug interactions and side effects. It's very rewarding to use your knowledge to help people in healthcare.
As a businessperson in the pharmaceutical industry, I helped pharmacies run smoothly. We set goals and discussed which areas were doing well and which needed improvement. I coached and mentored pharmacists to achieve these goals, often working on improving patient satisfaction and customer service. I've hired many pharmacists and technicians and sometimes had to let them go for issues like theft. Overall, both roles were rewarding. As a pharmacist, I made a direct impact on patients, and as a regional manager, I helped many more through my work with the staff.
Judith Wolf
Infectious Diseases and HIV medicine physician
9
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Judith’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
I worked in the pharmaceutical industry (“Big Pharma”) for many years. Although I am a physician, I worked with PharmD’s in several capacities. Opportunities for pharmacists include answering healthcare professional questions about products, creating a database with information about products, educating the sales force, and helping to review promotional materials from the standpoint of regulatory body (e.g. FDA) regulations.
It can be a very rewarding field if you want to choose something other than retail pharmacy.
Good luck!
I worked in the pharmaceutical industry (“Big Pharma”) for many years. Although I am a physician, I worked with PharmD’s in several capacities. Opportunities for pharmacists include answering healthcare professional questions about products, creating a database with information about products, educating the sales force, and helping to review promotional materials from the standpoint of regulatory body (e.g. FDA) regulations.
It can be a very rewarding field if you want to choose something other than retail pharmacy.
Good luck!
Sky Robinson
Pharmacy Technician
1
Answer
Salem, Ohio
Updated
Sky’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
I have been pharmacy technician for 2 years now. I work in a big retail pharmacy that offered on the job training through online schooling and then hands on training. A typical day in the pharmacy for me is coming in and checking on our daily tasks, seeing where we are with our fill queue, how is input, and how is our resolution. I also check on our vials and lids to make sure we have enough to get through the day. I’m watching the registers to see if they need help up front in case a line forms. I’m answering calls when I’m available to. Making sure prescriptions are going through and making sure it’s through the right insurance. Throughout the day you move around a lot. It’s fast paced in retail, and it definitely keeps you in your toes. You have good days and bad days but that comes with every job. I will say it is an extremely rewarding job. Being able to help my patients and seeing their face light up with what their insurance covers and how much of a help coupons are. These medications are life savers for a lot of people. If you are passionate about working with people and helping them- then this is a great career to get into.
I have been pharmacy technician for 2 years now. I work in a big retail pharmacy that offered on the job training through online schooling and then hands on training. A typical day in the pharmacy for me is coming in and checking on our daily tasks, seeing where we are with our fill queue, how is input, and how is our resolution. I also check on our vials and lids to make sure we have enough to get through the day. I’m watching the registers to see if they need help up front in case a line forms. I’m answering calls when I’m available to. Making sure prescriptions are going through and making sure it’s through the right insurance. Throughout the day you move around a lot. It’s fast paced in retail, and it definitely keeps you in your toes. You have good days and bad days but that comes with every job. I will say it is an extremely rewarding job. Being able to help my patients and seeing their face light up with what their insurance covers and how much of a help coupons are. These medications are life savers for a lot of people. If you are passionate about working with people and helping them- then this is a great career to get into.
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