lekárnikom

Lekárnik is the Slovak term for a pharmacist, a health professional responsible for preparing and dispensing medicines and providing advice on their safe and effective use. Historically, lekárnici worked in apothecaries; in contemporary practice they are found in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and related pharmaceutical settings.

Education for lekárnici typically requires a university-level program in pharmacy lasting about five years, culminating in a degree such as PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy, followed by a licensing examination to practice. Ongoing professional development is usually required to maintain licensure and stay current with new medicines and guidelines.

Core duties include dispensing prescribed medicines with accurate labeling, counsel on dosing and potential interactions, and monitoring therapy to ensure safety and efficacy. Lekárnici may compound medicines, ensure quality control, manage inventory, and report adverse drug reactions. In some settings they participate in vaccination programs and public health initiatives.

Workplaces include community pharmacies and hospital pharmacies; others work in pharmaceutical companies, universities, research institutes, or regulatory authorities. The profession is regulated by national health authorities and professional bodies, with licensing requirements and continuing education designed to protect patient safety and promote rational use of medicines.

Beyond dispensing, lekárnici often collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to optimize pharmacotherapy, provide patient education, and contribute to pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring.