Pharmacy is the science relating to the conception, mode of action, preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals.

By definition, pharmacists are therefore health professionals specializing in drugs. They can exercise several aspects of pharmacy:

• pharmacy in pharmacies;
• hospital pharmacy, which can be divided into:
• radiopharmacy, for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals;
• pharmacotechnics (magistral preparations, cytotoxic drugs, nutrition bags, etc.);
• management of health products;
• management of sterilization of medical devices.
• laboratory pharmacy (medical analyzes);
• pharmacy in industry (research and development).

At the pharmacy

According to the law on hospital reform and relating to patients, health and territories (HPST3) published in 2009 in France, pharmacists contribute to primary care:

• prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients;
• dispensing and administration of drugs;
• orientation in the health system;
• pharmaceutical advice;
• health education;
• participation in cooperation between health professionals;
• participation in the public service mission of permanent care;
• health monitoring and protection actions organized by the health authorities.

In Quebec, the role of pharmacists is similar, but Law 41 (â ?? ´), published in June 2015, also allows them to exercise new activities:

• extend and adjust a doctor’s prescription;
• prescribe medication when no diagnosis is required or for certain minor conditions (urinary tract infections, for example);
• prescribe laboratory analyzes in the follow-up of a treatment;
• substitute a drug in the event of a supply disruption;
• administer a drug in order to demonstrate its appropriate use.

In a hospital establishment

Depending on the size of the healthcare facility, the role of the hospital pharmacist can be specific or quite versatile. These include:

• supply the establishment with drugs and medical devices and manage stocks;
• ensure safe distribution of drugs;
• monitor the efficacy and safety of treatments, participate in the proper use of drugs (antibiotics, for example);
• ensure compliance with the regulatory framework (medicinal products derived from blood, indication outside Marketing Authorization – Marketing authorization, etc.);
• manage clinical trials and investigational drugs;
• manage the sterilization of medical devices.

The pharmacist can dispense non-prescription drugs for minor illnesses or problems. In other cases, he follows the doctor’s prescription while ensuring its relevance and safety.

He questions the patient to find out his allergies possible medication, history, condition (pregnancy, chronic pathologies, etc.) and to take into account all the treatments followed by the patient, in order to avoid drug interactions.

Most medicines have risks of side effects. Explaining these effects and providing advice to minimize them are at the heart of the pharmacist’s role. Do not hesitate to contact him in case of doubt or questions about a medication.

Pharmacist training in France

To become a pharmacist, the student must obtain a state diploma (DE) of doctor of pharmacy:

• after his bachelor’s degree, he must take a first year common to health studies (PACES). There is a numerus clausus at this point (3099 places in 2013-2014);
• the 2nd, 3rd years of pharmacy;
• the 4th year with the start of specialization:

– dispensary (in 1 year, after the 5th year) to work in pharmacy;

– industry – research, (in 1 year, after the 5th year), to work in the pharmaceutical industry;

– internship (in 4 years, after the 5th year) to work in hospital pharmacy, medical biology or pharmaceutical innovation and research.

• the 5th year, divided between hospital and university for specialized courses.

Pharmacist training in Quebec

After college studies (in pure sciences or health sciences), the student must follow a university training of at least 4 years (undergraduate training):

• an undergraduate doctorate in pharmacy (Laval University);
• a professional doctorate in pharmacy (University of Montreal) which gives access to practice in a healthcare establishment.

He must then become a member of the Order of Pharmacists of Quebec (OPQ) (5).

Prepare the visit

Before going to a pharmacist, it is important to have all of your prescriptions with you and to write down the name and quantity of medications you are taking at the same time, to make sure that no interaction will interfere with the treatment.

To find a pharmacist:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of the order of pharmacists of Quebec (5), which offers a directory of its members;
• in France, via the website of the Ordre des pharmaciens (6).