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Pharmacists play an important role in the medical field. As drug experts, they provide patients with medications prescribed by doctors and advise on how to use the medications and on side effects. They also work with doctors and nurses to support patients' treatment, thereby contributing to improving the quality of medical care. They also contribute to improving public health and protect the health of society as a whole through infectious disease control and health education. Here we will explain how to become a pharmacist, where they can work, and how they compare with other countries.

The role of a pharmacist is not just to dispense medicines. In order to ensure safe drug therapy for patients, as experts in drug therapy, they consider interactions with other drugs the patient is taking and propose appropriate drug therapy. As drug information providers, they also explain the action, side effects, and how to take the medicine in an easy-to-understand manner, and support patients so that they can take their medicine with peace of mind. Furthermore, as a consultant to patients, they deepen the patient's understanding of the medicine by carefully answering concerns and questions about the medicine. And as a member of the medical team, they work with other medical professionals such as doctors and nurses to participate in the health management of patients. In an aging society and with increasing complex medical needs, the role of pharmacists is becoming increasingly important.

To become a pharmacist, you need to study pharmacy at university and pass the national exam. In Japan, a six-year pharmacy education system was introduced in 2006, and students must complete this course. In pharmacy classes, students learn basic knowledge about pharmacy, the mechanism of action of drugs, formulation science, pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacy, medical ethics, and more. After graduating from university, students take the national pharmacist exam and, if they pass, can obtain a pharmacist license. This exam is held once a year, and the pass rate is usually around 70%.

After obtaining a license, you can register as a pharmacist and work in a variety of places. The main job types include: 1) pharmacy pharmacist who dispenses medicines at pharmacies, provides medication instructions, and provides drug consultations; 2) hospital pharmacist who dispenses medicines at hospitals based on doctors' instructions, provides drug therapy instructions to patients, manages drugs, and provides drug information; 3) working at a pharmaceutical company that performs pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing; and 4) research positions at universities and research institutes that conduct pharmaceutical research and aim to develop new drugs and improve medical technology. There are also pharmacists who are involved in pharmaceutical administration at government agencies and are in charge of selling over-the-counter drugs at drug stores.

There are differences between the education system and scope of work for pharmacists in Japan and overseas. For example, in Japan, you can qualify to take the national pharmacist exam by graduating from a six-year university and obtaining a bachelor's degree (pharmacy), but in the United States, a Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) is common, and the study period is also different. A Pharm.D. program in the United States usually requires four years of undergraduate studies (university) followed by four years of specialized education. During this time, practical experience such as clinical training and internships is also included, allowing you to acquire more advanced clinical skills and knowledge. In addition, while Japanese pharmacists mainly dispense medicines and give advice to patients, in some countries overseas, pharmacists have the authority to prescribe medicines, and their role in the medical team may be more extensive. For example, in some states in the United States, pharmacists have the authority to write prescriptions under certain conditions and may also administer vaccinations. In the United States, pharmacists have a high annual income and are considered to have a high social status.

In addition, ordering and consulting about medicines online is becoming more common overseas, and this trend is gradually spreading in Japan as well. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for telemedicine and telepharmacy services has increased worldwide, and the role of pharmacists is expanding from traditional face-to-face services to online services.

The future of pharmacists is expected to be greatly influenced by technological advances and social changes. While the development of AI (artificial intelligence) and automation technology will improve the efficiency of dispensing work, pharmacists will be required to have more advanced judgment and communication skills with patients. In addition, as the super-aging society progresses, it is expected that pharmacists will become more involved in chronic disease management and home medical care. As part of the medical team, pharmacists are expected to play a key role in the realization of personalized medicine by taking a more active role in patient health management.