Clinical pharmacy

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Clinical pharmacy is the branch of Pharmacy where pharmacists provide patient care that optimizes the use of medication and promotes health, wellness, and disease prevention ^[1] Clinical pharmacists care for patients in all health care settings but the clinical pharmacy movement initially began inside Hospitals and clinics. Clinical pharmacists often collaborate with Physicians and other healthcare professionals. Clinical pharmacists have extensive education in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, sociobehavioral, and clinical sciences. Most clinical pharmacists have an advanced degree in pharmacy (e.g. Masters or Doctor of Pharmacy degree) and many have completed post-graduate training (e.g. a pharmacy residency). Many clinical pharmacists also choose to become a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS), a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP), or a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) through the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialities (BPS).^[2]

Within the system of health care, clinical pharmacists are experts in the therapeutic use of medications. They routinely provide medication therapy evaluations and recommendations to patients and other health care professionals. Clinical pharmacists are a primary source of scientifically valid information and advice regarding the safe, appropriate, and cost-effective use of medications.

In some states, clinical pharmacists are given prescriptive authority.