Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare

Definition of a Pharmacist

The modern chemist is a producer, a provider, a custodian, a patient counsellor, a researcher, an educator of drugs, and above all, a loyal and honourable citizen.

The technologically advanced background of the drug expert enables them to guarantee the provision of services in an ethical manner geared toward the fulfilment of the requirements of the patients.

Brief Overview of the Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare

Pharmacists are drug experts in society.  They are the only professionals in the healthcare industry whose primary duty is to assist people who are ill and help them recover as quickly as possible.

Pharmacists are responsible for providing patients with the necessary drugs for those suffering from various diseases. They keep track of patient’s medical records and advise on taking medications and treating their conditions.

The pharmacy profession now emphasises patient-centred, patient-centred, health outcomes-focused counselling, information, and professional services more than it did before on technical, product-focused duties.

Types of Pharmacists

1. Retail Pharmacists

They are also known as community pharmacists. As a result of their accessibility to customers who require over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and other health-related products, they are among the most popular types of chemist professionals.

They could be proprietors of a family-run pharmacy or proprietors of a community pharmacy. Either way, they are involved in the pharmaceutical industry. Patients in the community rely on them for immunisations and other checks on their health.

Read more – Over-The-Counter Medication: A Trending Practice, Its Benefits and Risks Involved

2. Technical Pharmacists

These pharmacists are responsible for the technical job, which includes ensuring drug continued safety, running operations, and providing customer support.

The responsibilities of technical pharmacists range from one workplace to the other.

They could be required to perform laboratory work if their jobs take place in medical facilities. In a rapidly becoming more technologically advanced world, there is an ever-increasing demand for individuals with such skills.

3. Hospital Pharmacists

They are also called Clinical Pharmacists. They are the experts who work with hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, and other medical specialists. Depending on the environment they operate work in, their roles change.

Clinical pharmacists can also serve as experts in various speciality areas and might be given designations that reflect this ability.

For example, pediatric pharmacists, cardiology pharmacists, and oncology pharmacists are all examples of this type of clinical pharmacist.

4. Pharmacist as Sales Representative

As a result of the rapid growth of the pharmaceutical sector, several market giants have formed, each requiring a more significant number of individuals to sell their medicines. In most cases, sales agents do not engage directly with patients but with physicians, other medical professionals, and health care providers. They set up appointments with doctors and hospitals, inform those establishments about the company’s products by delivering a presentation prepared in advance, and cultivate positive working relationships to promote the items.

Benefits of Pharmacists in Healthcare

1. Improved Patient Outcomes

The pharmacist evaluates each patient by observing them, conversing with them, and considering clinical indicators.

To prevent and solve medication-related issues, alternative treatments are investigated to determine whether they are appropriate, effective, and safe (including interactions).

With the patient and, if necessary, with input from other healthcare team members, the pharmacist formulates a treatment strategy. 

The care plan outlines goals and activities to meet the patient’s health goals by administering the most effective pharmacological therapy immunisation.

Education of the patient and carer of the chronic disease, drafting a prescription to maintain care, initiating a new treatment, and disease prevention programs such as immunisation and programs to modify one’s lifestyle are all examples of actions. 

Drug support systems, such as compliance packing and medication reminders, are also typically incorporated into care plans.

2. Improved Medication Safety

Through consistent monitoring,  the pharmacist evaluates the patient’s adherence to the prescribed drug therapy and response to the treatment. 

These enable the evaluation and support of progress, the early discovery of harmful effects, and the misuse or abuse of drugs.

Conclusion

Government priorities like person-centred care, continuing care, mental health, and managing chronic diseases will gain much traction by merging pharmacists into the healthcare system. Better coordination of drug therapy will help keep costs down at the system level, leading to less duplication and better patient outcomes. You must see a dentist every six months to avoid the pains and costs associated with dental problems. The sooner they can identify any issues, the better the chance of getting them fixed before they become too much for your mouth to handle. You can order branded and generic medicines by uploading your prescription on the Truemeds app. When you order medicines online, you can save money by choosing an alternative or generic drug that the experts at Truemeds recommend. Save up to 72% on your purchase and get *free home delivery across India.

References

• Kehrer, J. P., Eberhart, G., Wing, M., & Horon, K. (2013). Pharmacy’s role in a modern health continuum. CPJ, Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 146(6), 321-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163513506370
• Chouhan. (n.d.). The role of pharmacists in the health care system role-of-pharmacist-in-health-care-system.pdf. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.pulsus.com/scholarly-articles/role-of-pharmacist-in-health-care-system.pdf