Pharmacy Beyond the Counter Iss 2

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

We begin in the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (S.A.W.), his family, his companions, and all who follow their path.

In this issue of Pharmacy Beyond the Counter, we turn our attention to a topic often overlooked: the unseen roles of pharmacists. Many people, even within our own communities, hold misconceptions about what pharmacists truly do. Yet, our profession is vast, impactful, and deeply connected to the preservation of life and health, two of Islam’s highest values.

By dispelling these myths, we not only educate others about the breadth of pharmacy practice but also fulfill the Islamic principle of Tabayyun (verifying and spreading truth). As Muslim pharmacists and students, understanding the real scope of our work helps us appreciate how our daily efforts, when done with sincerity, become acts of worship (ʿibadah).

The Unseen Roles of Pharmacists: Dispelling Myths about Pharmacy Practice

Over time, even before beginning our pharmacy school journey, we’ve heard many myths about pharmacy practice that simply aren’t true. In this post, we will be dispelling some of these myths. This is not only important for pharmacy students and pharmacists who wish to better understand this noble profession and plan their career paths, or for readers who want to learn more about pharmacy practice, but it also aligns with the principle of Tabayyun (verifying information before spreading it) a significant value in Islam.

Myth 1: Pharmacists only count pills behind the counter.

When people hear “I work in a community, hospital, or other dispensary,” they often think only of pills. But beyond the counter, pharmacists perform several life-saving activities for the betterment of all. These include, but are not limited to:

Pharmacovigilance: consistently collecting information about adverse drug reactions, lack of efficacy, and other crucial drug data to ensure the safe and rational use of medicines.

Monitoring antimicrobial consumption: a vital step in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) advocacy.

Assessing medication safety and therapeutic outcomes.

So, whenever you see a pharmacist in a dispensary, think beyond pills.

Myth 2: Pharmacists only work in community, industry, hospital, or academia.

One of the unique strengths of pharmacy is its flexibility and broad applicability. Beyond the commonly known practice areas, there are several technology emerging and specialized fields, such as:

Telepharmacy: combining pharmacy to provide remote pharmaceutical care.

Nutritional pharmacy: managing drug–nutrient interactions and optimizing nutritional formulas to meet patient needs.

Green pharmacy: studying how pharmaceutical residues affect ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices.

Medical writing, veterinary pharmacy, regulatory pharmacy, ambulatory pharmacy, and more.

Pharmacy truly offers diverse career pathways, both conventional and unconventional.

Myth 3: Pharmacists don’t interact with patients.

Beyond dispensing medication, pharmacists counsel patients, explaining possible drug–drug or drug–food interactions, side effects, and other vital information about their medications. This ensures safe and effective therapy and strengthens the patient–pharmacist relationship.

Myth 4: Non-prescription medicines are safer than prescription medicines.

A drug’s prescription status does not necessarily indicate its toxicity level. A well-known maxim in pharmacy is: "All drugs have the potential to become a poison, depending on the dose.”

Prescription-only medicines are classified as such due to their potential for misuse or the need for professional supervision. Regardless, both prescription and non-prescription medicines should be used responsibly and appropriately.

Myth 5: Pharmacists can’t specialize.

Many aspiring pharmacists are drawn to specific fields of interest, and yes, pharmacists can specialize. There are numerous areas of specialization, including (but not limited to):

Pediatrics, cardiology, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, ophthalmology, and more.

This allows pharmacists to tailor their careers according to their passions and strengths.

Now that these myths have been dispelled, we hope you not only learn from this but also help correct these misconceptions whenever you encounter them. Doing so is not only vital for professional awareness but also for upholding the truth.

As we continue to explore the theme of going beyond the counter, let us remember that knowledge carries responsibility. Sharing the truth about our profession is not merely about prestige, it is about amana (trust) and service. The more we understand and communicate the real value of pharmacy, the more we contribute to a healthier, more informed society.

Pharmacy Beyond the Counter will keep unveiling the hidden dimensions of pharmacy practice, guided by Islamic ethics and the pursuit of excellence. May Allah grant us sincerity in our work, clarity in our purpose, and acceptance in all our efforts.

Wa-Allahu waliyyu t-tawfiq.

Jazakumullahu khayran for reading. May Allah bless our efforts and make this publication beneficial to the Ummah and the pharmacy profession. Barakallahu fikum.

Written by: Ganiyu Roqeebah Akanji [Member, PMSSN National Editorial Committee, UNILORIN]

Edited by: Adediji Naheemah Abidemi [EIC, PMSSN National Editorial Committee, UNILORIN