Final answer:
A pharmacist must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a state license to practice, which for out-of-state mail-order or non-resident pharmacies serving WV requires additional licensing. The regulations ensure that medication is dispensed by qualified pharmacists, upholding healthcare quality and legal standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Career Focus: Pharmacist
A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who dispenses prescription medications to patients and offers expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They may also provide advice on healthcare, including the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications. To become a pharmacist in the United States, one must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which typically requires four years of postgraduate education following the completion of an undergraduate degree.
Pharmacists must have a deep understanding of chemistry and biology to understand how drugs affect the human body. In the context of mail-order or non-resident pharmacies serving patients in West Virginia (WV), it is required by law that such pharmacies have the proper permits and that pharmacists are licensed in WV to ensure safe practice and quality care.
The mentioned regulations stipulate that the pharmacy should maintain appropriate permits where it is located and additional licensing for operating in WV. Moreover, the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) or at least one designated pharmacist at the out-of-state pharmacy must be licensed to practice in WV. Any other pharmacist providing care from the out-of-state pharmacy must be licensed in the state where the pharmacy is located, ensuring that all professionals dispensing medications are qualified and abide by necessary legal requirements.