Truro pharmacist Wanda Woolaver prepares a prescription. (MARY ELLEN MACINTYRE / Truro Bureau)

TRURO PHARMACIST Wanda Woolaver says her work is very satisfying as rarely a week goes by without a patient coming by and thanking her for her help. She said the profession has moved away from simply dispensing drugs to patient care.

When Ms. Woolaver first went to work in a pharmacy, she spent a lot of time with a mortar and pestle mixing and mashing various ingredients together to make medications prescribed by doctors.

Today, after more than 25 years in the business, most of the drugs she dispenses come to her pharmacy prepackaged, but the Truro resident says she still gets immense joy out of helping customers.

"You might think it was boring, but you'd be wrong," she said in an interview. "There's been tremendous movement over the years away from simply dispensing drugs to becoming part of the patient care continuum."

In her career she's been a staff pharmacist, a pharmacy manager and owned her own business. Now she works a variety of shifts in the pharmacy at two local grocery stores.

"There's a huge demand for pharmacists, so employers offer great flexibility. If you are a young mother you can work part time and still have time with your family or you if you are in your earning prime, you can work just about as many hours as you can stand."

Ms. Woolaver said a good pharmacist needs to like helping people, has to be flexible and must enjoy detail work.

"If you're not a detail person, no matter how much you like the maths and sciences, this is not a job for you. Precision is vital and you have to be prepared to be continually upgrading your education.

"There's something new every week."

Interested in learning more? Read on.

NATURE OF THE WORK
Community and hospital pharmacists are an essential part of the health-care team. They provide recommendations to other health-care providers on medication; interpret and evaluate prescriptions; keep records of controlled drugs; and order and maintain supplies. They tell patients how to use medication and explain the value, content, hazards, side effects and proper storage. They maintain patient drug profiles, and monitor drug interactions, adverse reactions, and patients. compliance with their drug treatment. They also advise clients on selection and use of non-prescription medicines.

Other activities include providing information on drugs to other health professionals and patients, preparing medicine from natural and synthetic sources, and compounding drugs. Industrial pharmacists participate in the research and manufacture of pharmaceutical products, and formulate and test new drugs developed by medical researchers.

SKILLS
To work as a pharmacist, you should have an interest in helping people in a health-care environment. You will need an interest in chemistry and an aptitude for detail, precision and accuracy. Effective communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills are essential. You must be patient and able to deal with people in a mature, tactful and empathetic way.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
A bachelor of science in pharmacy, a period of practical training or apprenticeship, and successful completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada examinations are required for you to practise as a pharmacist. Pharmacists must also be licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists. A master's degree or PhD is usually required for research and teaching positions, and often for administrative positions.

WORK PROSPECTS
The drug requirements of an aging population and the rapid development of new drugs have increased the demand for pharmacists in Nova Scotia. The role of pharmacists has also expanded. Pharmacists increasingly have a role in primary and preventive care, and provide counselling and advice in addition to dispensing drugs. They have broadened the use of technology through customer and pharmaceutical databases. Canada's recent Canadian Occupational Systems report identifies "pharmacists, dietitians and nutritionists" as one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the country over the next five years.

Employment opportunities will continue to emerge for pharmacists in research, marketing and biotechnology sales; pharmacies in department and grocery stores; and the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Limited growth in the employment of hospital pharmacists is expected in the near future, in response to limited funding for health care.

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