<P> Pharmacology is sometimes considered as the 4th discipline of pharmacy . Although pharmacology is essential to the study of pharmacy, it is not specific to pharmacy . Both disciplines are distinct . Those who wish to practice both pharmacy (patient oriented) and pharmacology (a biomedical science requiring the scientific method) receive separate training and degrees unique to either discipline . </P> <P> Pharmacoinformatics is considered another new discipline, for systematic drug discovery and development with efficiency and safety . </P> <P> The World Health Organization estimates that there are at least 2.6 million pharmacists and other pharmaceutical personnel worldwide . </P> <P> Pharmacists are healthcare professionals with specialised education and training who perform various roles to ensure optimal health outcomes for their patients through the quality use of medicines . Pharmacists may also be small - business proprietors, owning the pharmacy in which they practice . Since pharmacists know about the mode of action of a particular drug, and its metabolism and physiological effects on the human body in great detail, they play an important role in optimisation of a drug treatment for an individual . </P>

The computer program used for dispensing medication in the pharmacy setting is referred to as