Pharmacies

A pharmacy is a licensed facility where medications are dispensed and pharmaceutical care is provided. Pharmacists review prescriptions for accuracy, offer guidance on proper use and safety, and help patients manage therapies. Pharmacies operate in retail settings, hospitals, clinics, and online platforms, and may compound medications when needed.

Common settings include community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies within medical centers, and specialty or compounding pharmacies. Online and mail-order services distribute medicines remotely, subject to regulatory verification, patient privacy protections, and recommended authentication procedures.

Core services include dispensing prescribed medications, counseling patients on dosing and safety, monitoring for adverse effects, and supporting adherence through reminders and therapy management. Pharmacists may administer vaccines, perform drug utilization reviews, resolve drug interactions, and provide information on storage, handling, and disposal of medicines.

Workforce comprises pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff. Pharmacists verify prescriptions, counsel patients, and supervise technicians who process orders and prepare medications.

Pharmacies are regulated by national and regional authorities to ensure safety, quality, and privacy. Licensing, professional standards, and controls on controlled substances govern practice. Safety measures include barcode verification, prescription checking, and adverse-event reporting; ethical obligations emphasize patient confidentiality and equitable access.

Accessible pharmacy services contribute to public health by enabling timely treatment, vaccination, and improved adherence. Affordability is affected by pricing, insurance coverage, and generic substitutions. Technology such as e-prescribing and automated dispensing systems has transformed workflows and access.