When combined, `药剂师 (yàojìshī)` literally translates to “Master of Medicinal Doses,” a fitting and descriptive title for a pharmacist.
In China, the healthcare system is highly hospital-centric. For most non-minor ailments, people go directly to a hospital to see a doctor. After the consultation, they typically receive a prescription (处方, chǔfāng) and proceed to the hospital's own pharmacy (医院药房, yīyuàn yàofáng) to have it filled by a `药剂师`. This differs from the common Western experience, particularly in the US, where a patient might have a long-term, advisory relationship with their local neighborhood pharmacist (e.g., at a CVS or Walgreens). In China, the interaction with a `药剂师` is often more formal, professional, and transactional—focused entirely on the safe and accurate dispensing of the prescribed medication. They are seen as a critical but distinct part of the medical process, ensuring the doctor's prescription is fulfilled correctly. Furthermore, `药剂师` operate within a dual system of medicine. While the term is most commonly associated with dispensing Western medicine (西药, xīyào), there are also pharmacists who specialize in preparing and dispensing Traditional Chinese Medicine (中药, zhōngyào), which can involve complex mixtures of herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients.
You will encounter and use the term `药剂师` in formal and healthcare-related settings.