Chain Pharmacist Embracing Expanded Role in the Profession

By the age of 16, James Rider, PharmD, CVS Pharmacy Manager in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, knew that he wanted to become a pharmacist. From his first experience at Revco drug store—which was ultimately acquired by CVS—to his career path leading him to work as a pharmacy manager, Rider discussed what he’s most passionate about in the pharmacy and how rewarding his profession has been.

“It's very demanding, of course, but you have an opportunity to help everybody on an individual level. That might be something as simple as showing someone a product that you would recommend, or it may be more complicated such as helping someone with discharge instructions who has just recently left the hospital. I always talk about my position as a pharmacist as being like a rock star,” he said.

While the pharmacy profession can indeed be taxing, it’s his patients’ feedback that keeps Rider going. He is also an advocate for immunization and ensuring vaccine uptake is at the best rates possible. “I’m a big advocate of doing immunizations. I embrace that responsibility when in North Carolina; they ask pharmacists to do it. To be honest with you, more so than just giving the shots themselves, educating people on what is recommended for them [is important to me],” he continued.

Check out the full-length version of our discussion with Rider, available on Over the Counter podcasting platforms. Find out more about his unique career journey in this exclusive interview recorded to celebrate American Pharmacists Month in October.

Also, in case you missed it, be sure to catch up on all of Drug Topics’ American Pharmacists Month coverage.