Veterinary pharmacist

Veterinary Pharmacist

A Veterinary Pharmacist is a professional who specializes in the field of pharmacy with a focus on the use of medications for animals. They are responsible for the dispensing and controlling of both prescription and non-prescription medications for animals. They work closely with veterinarians and pet owners to ensure that the correct medications are provided in the right doses.

Roles and Responsibilities

The primary role of a Veterinary Pharmacist is to provide pharmaceutical care to animals. This includes:

• Dispensing medications: Veterinary Pharmacists dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians. They ensure that the correct medication is given in the right dose and frequency.

• Counseling pet owners: They provide advice to pet owners on how to administer medications and what side effects to watch out for.

• Compounding medications: Some medications need to be specially prepared or compounded for animals. Veterinary Pharmacists have the skills and knowledge to do this.

• Ensuring medication safety: They monitor the use of medications in animals to prevent harmful drug interactions and to ensure that medications are used safely and effectively.

Education and Training

Becoming a Veterinary Pharmacist requires a degree in pharmacy from an accredited institution. After obtaining a pharmacy degree, individuals must complete additional training in veterinary pharmacy. This can be done through a residency program or through a post-graduate degree program in veterinary pharmacy.

Regulatory Bodies

In many countries, the practice of veterinary pharmacy is regulated by a professional body. In the United States, for example, the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP) is the main regulatory body for this profession.

See Also

• Pharmacy
• Veterinarian
• American College of Veterinary Pharmacists