What does this whole paragraph mean???

Pharmacists are health care professionals who use their expertise in medicine to help people understand what are the medications they are taking, how they will help, and how they will react. They also give out information and counsel patients on over-the- counter (OTC) drugs. Pharmacists also participate in disease-state management, where they optimize and monitor the drug therapy or interpret medical laboratory results – in collaboration with physicians and/or other health professionals. Pharmacists have many areas of expertise and are a critical source of medical knowledge in clinics, hospitals, medical laboratories and community pharmacies throughout the world.

Take it one sentence at a time. What don't you understand in each sentence?

Pharmacists are health care professionals who use their expertise in medicine to help people understand what are the medications they are taking, how they will help, and how they will react.

They also give out information and counsel patients on over-the- counter (OTC) drugs.

Pharmacists also participate in disease-state management, where they optimize and monitor the drug therapy or interpret medical laboratory results – in collaboration with physicians and/or other health professionals.

Pharmacists have many areas of expertise and are a critical source of medical knowledge in clinics, hospitals, medical laboratories and community pharmacies throughout the world.

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1303432946

I don't understand the last two paragraphs. What is disease state management? optimize? collaboration?

http://www.answers.com/optimize

http://www.answers.com/collaboration

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmacist
Pharmacists also participate in disease-state management, where they optimize and monitor the drug therapy or interpret medical laboratory results – in collaboration with physicians and/or other health professionals.

Disease-state management means to manage a disease. This includes the medications used to treat the disease and how these different meds react with each other.

This paragraph is explaining the role and responsibilities of pharmacists.

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialize in medicine and use their expertise to help people understand the medications they are taking. They provide information and guidance to patients about their medications, including how they work, how they will benefit the patient, and any potential side effects or reactions that may occur.

In addition to educating patients about their prescription medications, pharmacists also provide information and counsel on over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. They are knowledgeable about the different OTC products available and can recommend appropriate options based on a patient's needs and health conditions.

Pharmacists also play a role in disease-state management, which involves optimizing and monitoring a patient's drug therapy. This may include interpreting medical laboratory results to ensure the medications are effectively treating the condition. They work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Pharmacists have a wide range of expertise and are considered a critical source of medical knowledge. They can be found in various healthcare settings such as clinics, hospitals, medical laboratories, and community pharmacies worldwide.