how many types of pharmacies|

(1)COMMUNITY PHARMACIES- Most pharmacists and technicians work in community pharmacies, also called retail pharmacies. Most community pharmacies are divided into restricted prescription area and front-end merchandise. (2)INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES- Independent pharmacy – a community pharmacy owned and usually operated by one pharmacist or group of pharmacists. The owner makes decisions regarding practice of pharmacy, with more time and attention spent on customer service. Some independent pharmacies have developed into compounding pharmacies – specializing in the preparation of nonsterile (sometimes sterile) preparations not commercially available. (3)CHAIN PHHARMACIES- Chain pharmacy – national or regional, found in department stores, grocery stores, or typical corner drugstore. Chain pharmacies are typically located in metropolitan areas with heavy use of technicians and automation. A chain pharmacy is owned by a corporation, administrative decisions made at the corporate level. Some chains have established walk-in clinics; specialty pharmacies, or specialty services. (4)FRANCHISE PHARMACIES- Franchise pharmacy – combines characteristics of an independent with a chain pharmacy. Franchisors are granted exclusive use of company name and rights to market and sell company products. Franchise pharmacies attempt to provide personalized health care. Franchise operation – Medicine Shoppe International (MSI) is the largest franchisor of independent community pharmacies in the U.S. A franchise pharmacies typically has one pharmacist (owner) and one technician. (5)MAIL-ORDER PHARMACIES- Mail-order pharmacies – one of the fastest-growing types of pharmacies. A centralized operation using extensive automation and technicians to dispense and mail large volumes of prescriptions every day. (6)INSTITIONAL PHARMACIES- Institutional pharmacy – a pharmacy associated with any organized healthcare system. Hospital pharmacy is the most common example of an institutional pharmacy. Other examples include: long-term care facilities, home healthcare systems, managed-care organizations, and nuclear pharmacies. (7)HOSPITAL PHARMICIES- ¼ of all pharmacists work in a hospital setting. Hospital pharmacists and technicians prepare, or supervise preparation of, unit-dose, IV, and extensive floor stock medications. Many technicians in the hospital work in a “clean room” environment. To work in a “clean room” requires education, training, and certification.