The FHMC Department of Pharmacy is open seven days a week to meet inpatients' pharmaceutical needs. The staff of registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians provide medications and supply drug information. Medications are distributed by the unit dose system to maximize the quality of dispensing and monitoring. In addition, special medications such as chemotherapy and intravenously administered nutrition are prepared.

Pharmacists review patient medication orders for appropriate dosage and use, drug allergies, and interactions with other drugs or food. The pharmacists monitor patients' drug therapy throughout the hospital stay.

Working together with the department of patient care services and the multi-disciplinary patient education committee, the department of pharmacy in 1998 instituted an "Identicard" system. Cards were ordered by each nursing unit representing the 50 most common medications used on the unit. These cards, which describe medication usage and food and drug interactions, are given to patients on discharge if they are continuing on the medication. The pharmacy also develops educational materials for patients and serves as a resource for professional education.