What is the primary role of a pharmacist?

The primary role of a pharmacist is to ensure that patients receive the correct medication and understand how to use it safely and effectively. This involves dispensing prescriptions, providing drug information, and advising patients on medication management. Pharmacists also play a critical role in monitoring patient health and medication therapy, ensuring that any potential drug interactions or side effects are addressed.

While the other choices include aspects of pharmacy practice, they do not fully encapsulate the primary responsibilities of a pharmacist. Prescribing medication is typically within the realm of physicians and other qualified healthcare providers, not pharmacists. Although some pharmacists may engage in research, their central role is not primarily as researchers but as healthcare professionals focused on medication management. Additionally, being a medical doctor specialized in pharmacy is not an accurate representation of what a pharmacist does; pharmacists have their own distinct training and functions separate from medical doctors.