What Tools Do Pharmacists Use?

Pharmacists must be precise. Mistakes can, and often do, have dire consequences. This precision isn't limited to making sure the medicine on the prescription pad matches the medicine handed to the customer. The pharmacist must know the law precisely, must be able to compound precisely and must know enough about drugs to spot any errors that may occur at any point in the pharmaceutical transaction. Tools help pharmacists meet these challenges. Some tools are chosen by pharmacists; others are required by law.

Reference Tools

• Pharmacists continually work to keep up with the rapid changes within their industry. Reference tools provide the pharmacist with up-to-date, accurate information at all times. In addition to having reference books that contain drug information on hand pharmacists' reference tools include a computer and access to subscription databases, such as the yearly-updated AHFS Drug Information. Because pharmacists must comply with many state and federal laws related to drug distribution, they must also have hard copies of the state and federal laws on hand.

Packaging and Labeling

• While a pharmacist may have staff to help with some tasks related to packaging and delivery, the pharmacist is ultimately responsible for getting the drugs safely to the consumer. To do this the pharmacist must keep a variety of packaging and labeling supplies on hand. Pharmacists use laser labels and a printer to print the labels for the medicine bottles. After a label is printed, it is covered with clear prescription tape. Prescription tape keeps the label away from moisture and prevents smudging and fading, allowing the customer clear access to label information throughout the life of the medicine.

Weights and Measures

• All compounding ingredients, liquids and powders must be precisely measured. To measure solids, a pharmacist uses a Class A prescription balance. This balance uses brass or polished metal weights that must be calibrated yearly. Another device found in pharmacies is the analytical balance. This balance has a digital readout and is very precise, correctly reading up to 01.mg. Pharmacists use graduates to measure liquids. Conical graduates have a wide mouth, allowing the contents inside to be stirred. Cylindrical graduates have a straight mouth and measure liquids the most accurately.

Sorting

• The pharmacist or pharmacist's technician must sort the pills needed for an individual's prescription. A pharmacist uses a spatula and a pill tray to sort pills and put them into bottle. The pharmacist wears latex gloves to ensure her hand does not touch the pills.

Compounding Tools

• Many medicines come prepackaged; other prescriptions must be compounded, or mixed and assembled. The pharmacist uses the time-honored mortar and pestle to triturate dry ingredients, including the ingredients needed to compound ointments. When making ointments, he uses a long-handed spatula to mix the dry ingredients and paste on a tool called an ointment slab, which is made of porcelain or ground glass.