pharmacist pharmacist a pharmacist, also known as a chemist (commonwealth english) or a druggist (north america), is a healthcare professional who dispenses medications and who provides advice on their effective use, with the aim of preventing disease and promoting public health. pharmacists often serve as primary care providers in the community, and may offer other services such as health screenings and immunizations. for the precursor profession, see apothecary. for a scientist trained in the study of chemistry, see chemist. for the alvvays song, see pharmacist (song). pharmacista patient consults a pharmacist.occupationnamespharmacist, chemist, druggist, doctor of pharmacy, apothecaryoccupation typeprofessionalactivity sectorshealth care, health sciences, chemical sciencesdescriptioncompetenciesthe ethics, art and science of medicine, analytical skills, critical thinkingeducation requireddoctor of pharmacy, master of pharmacy, bachelor of pharmacyfields ofemploymentpharmacyrelated jobsphysician, pharmacy technician, toxicologist, chemist, other medical specialists pharmacists undergo university or graduate-level education to understand the biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. this is mated to anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. pharmacists interpret and communicate this specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other health care providers. among other licensing requirements, different countries require pharmacists to hold either a bachelor of pharmacy, master of pharmacy, or a doctor of pharmacy degree. the most common pharmacist positions are that of a community pharmacist (also referred to as a retail pharmacist, first-line pharmacist or dispensing chemist), or a hospital pharmacist, where they instruct and counsel on the proper use and adverse effects of medically prescribed drugs and medicines. in most countries, the profession is subject to professional regulation. depending on the legal scope of practice, pharmacists may contribute to prescribing (also referred to as "pharmacist prescriber") and administering certain medications (e.g., immunizations) in some jurisdictions. pharmacists may also practice in a variety of other settings, including industry, wholesaling, research, academia, formulary management, military, and government. nature of work