How long have you been a pharmacist?

I received my pharmacy degree from Hampton University in Virginia and then did a residency at Georgetown University. I’ve been a pharmacist for nine years. My graduation days from both programs have been some of the most special days of my career, knowing I’m qualified to get out there and help everyone.

I’ve worked at CVS pharmacy for five years. I also have a bachelor’s of science in chemistry.

Why did you become a pharmacist?

I decided to become a pharmacist because my grandmother had a dangerous drug-disease interaction when I was a child. She developed a stomach ulcer from a medication she had been on for years. Then, a doctor prescribed her a blood thinner, which caused an intestinal bleed. 

She was okay, but even though I was young, I thought, “Someone should be monitoring this!” I really wanted to make sure that people who were taking medications were safe and knew about the risks.

What does a day in the life of a pharmacist look like?

Every day there is lots to do in terms of patient care. A lot of responsibilities have been added to the pharmacist’s role, like making sure customers are up-to-date on their immunizations and medication therapy management. It’s very busy in the retail setting, and I think many people aren’t aware that we are doing extra checks, or doing our best to get them the most effective medication at a price they can afford. We do a medication review to make sure things are going okay, and there are no gaps in our patients’ care. There is a lot that happens in the background to make sure drugs are safe and effective for patients, and in the meantime, that they are happy and healthy. We’re a smaller store, so we’re able to reach out personally to people we know haven’t been feeling well and see how they’re doing. We try to go a little bit above and beyond. It’s enjoyable and fun and rewarding every day.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s building a relationship with my customers, having them come back and see me—or ask me for advice. They will call on the phone, and say, “Hey Brooke, I just want to ask you about this or that.” It really does make you feel good when you can build a community for everyone who comes into the pharmacy.

I also love to find my customers the best price. If a drug is too expensive, I’ll reach out to the doctor to find something else that will be cheaper for them. I’ve seen 80% dropped off the price with a pharmacy savings card. Or, the price go from a couple hundred dollars to free with a manufacturer’s coupon. One customer came in to pick up a 90-day supply of her medication. It was $300 total. We were able to call her doctor and switch it to a different medication in the same class that cost only $20 total. We saved her $280.

What do you do to serve your community as a pharmacist?

I do flu clinics at local schools. Last year I ran them at Mars Hill University, Barnardsville Elementary, and elementary through pre-college programs in Madison County, North Carolina. We try to go to our local schools. It’s nice to get out of the store and into the community—to try to help them and do something a bit different than just being the white coat behind the counter.