Bermuda’s pharmacists will this week set out to raise awareness of the opportunities available in the field as the island celebrates National Pharmacy Week.

Melissa Levy, president of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association, said: “This week we recognise the powerful impact our community of professionals has on the care of patients in a range of healthcare settings.

“Pharmacists deliver a vital role in the health treatment process both within the hospital and in outpatient settings.

“We wish to issue a call to Bermuda’s young people, who may have a passion for science and medicine, to consider a rewarding career in pharmacy.

“Our dedicated membership will be visiting schools to educate students on what they may expect should they pursue a future in pharmacy.”

The weeklong event formally started yesterday with a park and beach clean-up, organised in collaboration with Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

Today and Wednesday, the BPA will host pharmacist and pharmacy technician career talks at CedarBridge and the Berkeley Institute, while the island will celebrate Pharmacy Technician Appreciation Day on Thursday.

That will be followed by Patient Appreciation Day on Friday with local pharmacies offering patients “special gifts, offers and/or education”.

The week of activities concludes on Saturday with the BPA dinner, which will feature a raffle to raise funds for Open Airways, a charity dedicated to support people with asthma and COPD.

A BPA spokeswoman highlighted the important work carried out by Bermuda’s pharmacists to benefit the public.

“While doctors diagnose and prescribe, pharmacists ensure the patient gets the correct treatment at a safe dose with minimal adverse effects and interactions,” she said.

“Without this critical function patient conditions may worsen, or potentially suffer adverse events. People’s lives and the quality of life are dependent on this and supports the work of the doctors and nurses.”

The spokeswoman added that qualified pharmacists were in high demand on the island, and the BPA encouraged students with an interest in healthcare to consider a career as a pharmacist.

“While retail pharmacists are often the most high-profile category, there are also job opportunities in the hospital as a specialist pharmacist,” she said.

“Pharmacy technicians play a key role assisting pharmacists in various settings in providing patient care. Additional job opportunities are available in research, drug manufacture, or medical drug marketing for pharmaceutical companies.

“BPA provides academic scholarships to students who have completed their first year of pharmaceutical studies.”