Is a pharmacist as qualified as a doctor?

[Tootiredmummyof3]

Really stupid question I know and I assume they're not but I don't know. DD1 was told by GP to go to the pharmacy for an ear infection (despite the hospital consultant saying you must be seen by a GP as soon as you have a problem). They referred her back to the GP saying the infection was too severe.
DS likely has an ear or throat infection (non verbal so not sure which) and again get referred to the pharmacy. I don't mind but what actually are they qualified for to do? If they are being used so much will GPs no longer be needed.
Just for the record because I'm sure someone will ask yes I did speak to the receptionist and tell them DD needs to be seen by a GP and the discussion became a bit heated but was still refused a doctor appointment.
Anyway just wondering if they are as qualified as a doctor in which case why have a doctor? Or if they have x amount of medical training but it's different?

So they have the equipment to exam you? Access to my medical history?

They don't go to "pharmacology school". Hilarious that you think you know all about pharmacy training but don't know the difference between a pharmacologist and pharmacist. The initial pharmacist training is five years and many continue education after qualifying.

@wombat15 sorry, the university near me has a pharmacology school. So it does exist.
And yes I did think it was the same thing. I stand corrected. Glad I made you laugh though!

I didn't say that pharmacology schools don't exist! Someone who does a pharmacology degree isn't a pharmacist though.

@wombat15 fair enough. I guess I meant 'pharmacy school'. Now I'm struggling to think what a pharmacologist does? Lol

Also to add pharmacists who work in different settings have wildly different roles and just as many separate disciplines as doctors. A prescribing pharmacist working in paed oncology (as I once was) has a completely different role to a community pharmacist who is different to one working on acute medical wards who is different to one working in pharmaceutical industry (as I currently do) and this list can go on and on to describe countless roles. Their knowledge is just as specialised but focused on medication

Pharmacists have done some module learning of minor illnesses such as ear and throat infections, UTIs, skin conditions. They have been taught what to look for in symptoms to treat these appropriately. If they are unsure, or you do not meet the criteria then they will refer back to doctor

The problem here is not the GP. It's the GP receptionists. It happens at ours. You call with an ear infection and they say ah pharmacist can deal with that, they don't know your history or your symptoms. Next time I'd just explain that your daughter needs a GP appointment, as advised by her ent consultant.

Pharmacy can ONLY see children (was with SIL when she was trying to be seen recently). DD is 18 so adult, GP receptionist was incorrect and I would speak to the practice manager regarding this, this is the trouble with receptionists who are generally completely unqualified having any sort of say in access to GP.

Pharmacists won’t deal with ear infections in over 16’s as the lengthening of the Eustachian tube makes it more difficult to ascertain if there’s presence of infection.

There’s a lot of safeguards in the Pharmacy First directive that means they only see the simplest of cases, anything a bit tricky and it’s bounced over to the GP.

I thought both Doctors and Pharmacist had the same Degree in Medicine.
Beyond that some will go on to do their Doctorate others do the Pharmacist post grad courses

So start with the same training then specialise.
But it would be good if someone could confirm that for me.

No that's not true at all

They are qualified to do a bit more than dispensing medication.

A pharamacologist reseraches, develops and tests the drugs - a pharmacist despenses them 🙂

Sorry can't edit and posted too soon. Doctors study medicine. Pharmacists study... Pharmacy

Doctors have a degree in medicine.

Pharmacists have a degree in pharmacy.

They are different jobs.

Pharmacists know much more about medication than doctors. They are highly trained specialists in their field.

learning to use an otoscope and only judge if there is no infection, normal infection, or something that needs a doctor to review is incredibly simple.

My DD was incredibly prone to ear infections when she was young and not good about communicating the issue. She would get a minor cold and the next thing you know we would have a very serious situation with no complaints from her (ASD). So I bought an otoscope and learned to use to keep an eye on things. It turns out I never got it wrong because it really is easy, especially if you are reading the same ears over and over.

Wrong. Pharmacists sometimes research, develop and test the drugs too. They don't just dispense drugs. It depends on what area they work in, post graduate qualifications etc.

As stated here "pharmacists study all aspects of the preparation and use of medicines, while pharmacologists study the effect of medicines on the body."

https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/choosing-between-pharmacy-and-pharmacology/

That's if they get the time if they work in a hospital, most of their time seems to be taken up with correcting doctors prescriptions, dosages and length of treatment where we work.,

Pharmacists aren't allowed to see complex cases and should refer you to gp (partner has similar ears

And will do post graduate diplomas and independent prescribing courses.
Many pharmacists are part of the hospital clinics (as are specialist nurses) and will see patients and prescribe (prescription then checked by separate pharmacist who may need to make adjustments once blood results and tests available) clinics range from diabetic, rheumatology and many cancers.
Pharmacists are only trained to diagnose minor illnesses and treat if appropriate with a proviso of see go if no improvement

Actually it is now dispensing assistants who do the dispensing sometimes with the help of a robot then checked by a technician.
This is after the pharmacist has checked the prescription for clinical details, interactions etc.

So for all you people who say "it's only a pack of pills" to take off a shelf and stick on a label 🥱

Hospital pharmacy and high street community pharmacy are really quite different.

@AyeYCan thank you! It's not horrifically moronic to have got them confused I don't think. Well, I hope? Lol.

If it’s the Pharmacy First Scheme then the Receptionist may have been right had it not been for the Consultant’s instructions.

I used Pharmacy First for sinusitis a couple of months ago and it was great. However, I wouldn’t be able to use them for a UTI because I have separate instructions from a Consultant due to recurring infections so I would have to see a GP (I actually have a rescue course of AB at home prescribed in advance).

You need to be clear with the GP practice that your DD needs an urgent GP appointment at the first sign of an infection as instructed by her consultant. Ask how you get this recorded on her notes. Ideally, get the consultant to put this in writing because then you can point the receptionist to the advice. I have this for my UTI situation and there was no debate because I could say “see the letter from Ms [consultant name] dated 23rd July which you have on file.”