In Spain, pharmacists act like healthcare professionals and not checkout cashiers, like in America. I had a minor health complaint as a result of travel that I will not describe to avoid TMI. Here in Madrid, I went to a pharmacy across the street. The pharmacist talked to me in detail, asked about my symptoms, and gave me a medication specifically for them. I was cured within an hour.
In America, pharmacists are majorly overpaid for what they do. In reality, they are checkout cashiers with $100,000 salaries. My husband has an irritated patch of skin on his hand. In order to have it seen to, he has to make an appointment with his doctor, who will then give him a referral to a dermatologist, who will finally see him at some point. In Spain, however, there would be an option of simply going to a pharmacy and having the irritation looked at right there on the spot.
People are increasingly going to turn to AI with their symptoms to avoid the hassle of waiting for appointments and seeking referrals. The Spanish system of helpful, knowledgeable pharmacists could mitigate this option.
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