Veterinary pharmacists dispense medications for animals according to a veterinarian’s instructions, and must stay current on regulations and new drugs. They may specialize in certain types of animals or work in veterinary pharmacies, and can pursue careers in teaching, government agencies, or pharmaceutical companies.
Generally, there are two types of veterinary pharmacists, veterinary pharmacists and veterinary pharmaceutical specialists, but the main responsibilities and duties are the same. A pharmacist dispenses medications according to a veterinarian’s instructions, including compounds or combinations of medications. Traditionally, a pharmacist worked directly with a veterinarian doing housework and occasionally dispensing medications, but modern pharmaceutical specialists have expanded their field of expertise to include other skills such as pain management, online pharmacy dispensing, and pharmacokinetics, which is the study of what a body does with a drug. Veterinary pharmacists are also responsible for understanding and complying with all legalities related to dispensing medications. Some pharmacists extend their education and advance to professorships, scientists, and officials in regulatory agencies.
The field of veterinary medicine has grown considerably in the last half of the 20th century. Veterinarians traditionally mixed and dispensed medications or trained their assistants to do so. The role of the veterinary pharmacist has gained in popularity as medications for animals and the regulations governing drug use have become more complicated. While there are several areas of employment in the field of veterinary medicine, most veterinary pharmacists work for a veterinarian or at a veterinary pharmacy.
Veterinary pharmacists who work for a veterinarian or group of veterinarians usually deal with only one type of animal or a specific category of animals. These include small animals and/or large animals, as well as wild and/or exotic animals. Another growing category is aquatic animals. These pharmacists usually specialize in medications for this category of animal.
Veterinary pharmacist specialists typically work in veterinary pharmacies and can dispense medications for all types of animals, from pets to pets or pets. Generally, they need a broader understanding of animal physiology, as well as varying stages of animal disease and pharmacokinetics. A specialist veterinary pharmacist may work at a veterinary hospital, a community clinic or a veterinary pharmacy, which may be online or in a brick-and-mortar store.
No matter where they work, all veterinary pharmacists need to stay current on government regulations and new drugs that are on the market. Often, the pharmacist advises the veterinarian on available medications, and a pharmacist must be able to alert a veterinarian to medications that are contraindicated or that could trigger an allergic reaction in an animal. Pet owners trust their veterinary pharmacist to keep their pets safe. Typically, a veterinary pharmacist will prepare written instructions and precautions for the client and review them with the client before dispensing the drug. A pharmacist will often use aromatization techniques to entice the animal to accept the medicine and needs to understand the various scents to use on different species of animals.
Some pharmacists pursue careers in different locations, such as working for pharmaceutical companies, teaching, or working with government agencies to create new regulations and laws. Internationally, veterinary medicine is a rapidly growing field and the scope of work is rapidly changing. For example, some veterinary pharmacists are gaining experience in therapeutic practices, pain management in animals, and consultation services for pet owners. A career in a pharmaceutical company can range from a sales representative to a research specialist.
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