Are you a Doctor or a Pharmacist ? I am a Pharmacist with a degree of Doctor of Pharmacy

Since evening this question has been on my mind which was asking by a patient on Pharmacy window. Are you a Doctor or a Pharmacist ? Well spontaneously I replied I am a Doctor of Pharmacy. then left for his medications to be dispensed. While giving cash he asked again. Hope you did't mind my question. Well, this time I had to answer this question with double meaning to let this little meeting finish with a healthy conversation. I simply replied that "on daily basis absorbing so much negative criticism from people who doesn't even know who are Pharmacists, we feel angry".

Later on he apologizes for being so straight forward about the question. Then he shared about his experience with newcomers being in an interview panel of some multinational company. Most of the candidates reply We are Pharmacists. Well that's not a correct answer. You are Pharmacist, with a degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. 

With his reply and his sharing about the matter it settled a little conversation but I was happy to know the perspective of a Pharmacist who has spent his most of the life as a marketer or sales representative. After so much years when he sees new candidates with upgraded degrees he still finds for a hope to give courage and let the new comers understand about the profession of Pharmacist. 

A Pharmacist will always be Pharmacist no matter what and how much he upgrades the degrees.

Outpatient Pharmacist or Store Wala ?

Working in one of the most successful cities for Pharmacists in Pakistan I have certain observations. These observations are based on the experience I gained while working in an anti-Pharmacist environment.

Being a Pharmacist I have always worked with enthusiasm. Most of the times I have tried not to let them pile up on my mind to affect my productivity. But more or less it has always taken a place central thinking compartment to depress me.

Patient with a wrong prescription are always welcome to a Pharmacist. Who is ready to start checking the proper elements of the prescription. Physician's prescribed medications, their doses, frequency of taking them, route of administration are among the few. Additionally, fighting with the artistic nature of physicians hand drawings are not to mention.

Atlast when prescription is corrected a step comes to counsel the patient or meanwhile an additional information is required to understand the prescription of doctor. Patient acts like we are interrogating them with questions not to be asked instead of understanding the importance and nature of these queries from a qualified person who will them let the stuff flow in favour of patient's benefit.

Aside from this a Store Wala here in localities acts better to run his shop cum Pharmacy. Where only drug name and quantities are only needed. At the end of the day they enjoy a day without arguments, verbal fighting etc. Despite of understanding the criticality of wrong practice.

May Pharmacist wins always. May Store Wala's hire proper Pharmacy Walas in their stores..

I am Pharmacy Wala.

Quite glad to start the blog with the crazy name Pharmacy Wala. I am one of the Pharmacists who have selected the pharmacy after getting rejected from the medical school. Less talented, less hard worker and bundles of less n less makes me a good Pharmacist.
Pharmacy wala will be discussing some common problems and their solutions in the upcoming updates for this new blog. We will be sharing the extra effort people makes to get the drugs, while on the other hands some of the amazing interventions we make being a Pharmacist.
This blog is intended for all the pharmacy students, technicians, wana be pharmacists, rejected pre-doctors, medical store's wala's.
Join us if you are also Pharmacy Wala!