Profit or Service???

AS a pharmacy student, I have always met the line ‘profit or service’. If I’m made to choose, I’d choose service. Service from the heart is free, you don’t have to pay for it, your only capital is your big heart, extending hands and your mind—your will to help others With these investment, you will gain a lot more than money could offer.

Money on the other hand is also important. But money can be found, it will come and go. It may make you happy or even sad. It isn’t permanent, thus, is doesn’t last.

I just want to share what I have experienced during my community internship in one of the pharmacies in this city. I have seen and heard it all. My conscience can’t take it anymore. So let me share you a story regarding of a more profit—less service concept of this pharmacy.

Are you aware that some of the medicines given to you are expired? Yes, you read it right. The pharmacy I’m talking about are giving you expired drugs. I have seen the clerks erase the expiration date in one of the drugs and put it back into the shelf again together with the new ones. The expiration date was a month before, and it was erased right in front of me. If I am a child, I would actually think that what she is doing is right and it is for the better, but I am no longer a child to think that way. So before you leave, check your medicines for tampering and for the expiration date. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Next, they’re not giving a discount on senior citizens. The price for the seniors and for the non-seniors is the same. They tell the seniors that the price has been discounted when actually it hasn’t. The price the senior will get to pay is the same to a non-senior if you’ll get to see their receipts.

There’s a lot more about this pharmacy that you wouldn’t longer want to hear because it will just cause you disappointment and blow the lighted candle in your heart.

I have learned a lot during my internship—that not all you know in school is applicable in the outside world, where there is competition and money involved. I also learned that you must not expect something because you will really be disappointed for what you’ll see.

I will be a future pharmacist, and I want to change the wrong I’ve seen. Service—is what I want to offer to everyone. So, for other future pharmacists and those who are already pharmacists, let us live for service. #