A pharmacy assistant is not a pharmacist. A pharmacy assistant is a member of the pharmacy team who works under the supervision of a pharmacist and assists with various tasks in the pharmacy. The responsibilities of a pharmacy assistant may include stocking shelves, preparing prescription orders, accepting payment for medications, and answering customer questions.
In contrast, a pharmacist is a healthcare professional who is licensed to dispense medication, provide drug information, and advise patients on the use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Pharmacists also review prescription orders for accuracy and completeness, and they may provide counseling and other services to patients.
A pharmacy assistant usually do not have the authority to make clinical decisions, they only play the role of support staff under the supervision of a pharmacist. They need to be certified or registered in some states.