Pharmacists typically fill prescriptions – verifying instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication to give to patients – and check whether the prescription will interact negatively with a patient's medical condition or other drugs being taken. They also instruct patients on how and when to take a prescribed medicine, advise on any potential side effects and may counsel about about general health topics such as diet, exercise, stress management and medical equipment/supplies.
Pharmacists are responsible for completing insurance forms and working with insurance companies to ensure that patients get the medicines they need. And they oversee the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists-in-training (interns).