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Retail Pharmacist

Quick Facts

Median Salary$128,733
Most Common EducationBachelor's degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+40.88%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment

What They Do

A Retail Pharmacist provides medications to patients and educates patients on the proper use of medications. Works in the pharmacy department of a retail store. Dispenses prescription and non-prescription medications. Manages prescription records and the pharmacy patient database. May consult with healthcare facilities or insurance companies to develop efficient methods of prescription.


Core Tasks:

  • Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
  • Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
  • Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
  • Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
  • Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
  • Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
  • Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
  • Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
  • Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.
  • Contact insurance companies to resolve billing issues.
  • Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.
  • Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.
  • Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
  • Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.

What to expect as a Retail Pharmacist

1Earn a Bachelor's degree

58% of people achieve this level of education.

2Gain skills and experience

See Retail Pharmacist related courses on Tallo

3Land a job

6594 openings for Retail Pharmacists

Career Progression

in United States (Nation)

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