Pharmacist Spotlight: Amir Masood, PharmD

Q: What initially drew you to pharmacy, and what has kept you engaged over the years?

A: As a child, I would go into the pharmacy with my dad and would see the interaction with the neighborhood pharmacist. I was amazed at how the pharmacist would put these colorful tablets in a bottle and talk to my dad, and then a couple of days later, it would help me feel better. The passion for taking care of patients is what I envisioned in the pharmacist role as a child growing up, and that is what has kept me engaged in this profession. It is all about the patient; [they are why] we serve every day to make their lives better.

Q: What would you say are the most significant changes you have witnessed in pharmacy?

A: In the past 20 years that I’ve been a pharmacist, many changes have occurred in pharmacy, and the profession continues to evolve. As pharmacists, we are the most accessible health care providers and can not only provide medications but also patient care services such as health screenings, immunizations, and other disease state management, like diabetes care. With the advancement in technology, we have tools now that help with the incorporation of various clinical services within our pharmacy workflow. This gives us the opportunity to evolve our practice and make it more patient-centric.

Q: How has the relationship between pharmacists and patients evolved throughout your career, and what impact has that had on your approach to patient care?

A: Pharmacists rank at the top when it comes to patient trust. Pharmacists’ accessibility in the community helps build this relationship and allows the patient to receive various services when convenient for them. Throughout my career, I’ve always kept the patient first, where patient care cannot be compromised. Everything is centered around the patient.

Q: Looking back over your career, what advice would you give to today’s pharmacy students or early-career pharmacists?

A: Pharmacy students and new graduates are the future of our profession. My advice is to always stay curious and keep learning. Part of the learning process is to develop skill sets, including communication and time management. As the pharmacist, be your patients’ advocate. Keep growing, and there will also be opportunities in later years for you to give back to the profession.

Q: If readers want to learn more about you and your work, how can they follow you or reach out?

A: For additional questions, you can reach me via email at amir.masood@safeway.com.