How to Address a Pharmacist
Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmacist | Chemists | Druggist
—-Envelope or address block on an email: How to Address a Pharmacist
—-—-(Full Name), (Academic Post-nominal)
—-—-(Address)
——–Which looks like:
—-—-—-Adam Welch, PharmD, FAPhA
—-—-—-Arlington Pharmacy
—-—-—-1234 West Glebe Road
————Arlington, VA 20007
————Brittany M. DeLettre, PharmD
————Center Metropolitan Hospital
————5678 Stafford Boulevard
————Arlington, VA 20009
—-Salutation:
—-—-Dear Dr. (Surname)
—-—-—-or
—-—-Dear Mr./Ms./etc. (Surname)
See note below on use of ‘Dr. (Name)’ by pharmacists. How to Address a Pharmacist
Related Healthcare Links
-V——Chiropractor / Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
-V——Dentist / Doctor of Dentistry
-V——Medical Doctor / Doctor of Medicine
-V——Military Physician / Armed Services
-V——Optometrist / Doctor of Optometry
-V——Osteopath / Doctor of Osteopathy
-V——Podiatrist / Doctor of Podiatry
-V——Veterinarian / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
More Related Healthcare Links:
-V——Person holding a doctorate
-V——Pharmacist / Doctor of Pharmacy
-V——Psychologist
-V——Therapist
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Is a Pharmacist ‘Dr. (Name)’?
Traditionally, whether or not a pharmacist was addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’ depended on the setting. Today it is most likely they are addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’.
Historically, in academia, the pharmacy faculty is addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’ like their doctorate-holding academic colleagues. But in hospitals pharmacists are likely not addressed as Dr. (Name). In a social setting be sensitive to the preference of the individual.
Historically, in healthcare only physicians (medical doctors, vets, dentists, osteopaths, podiatrists …) are addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’. Other healthcare professionals – in hospital administration, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, etc. – are not addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’. This is said to be for the benefit of / clarity for the patients. For the patients (like me), the practice of using Dr. (Name) only with physicians makes sense.
—–On a letter, business card, or sign list the pharmacist’s name as:
—-—-(Full Name), (Academic Post-Nominals)
But today in healthcare, everyone with a doctorate will be addressed as ‘Dr.(Name)’. For more information see the post on Use of a Doctorate.
– Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.