E-drug: Community pharmacy indicators (cont'd)
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Some more detail on the local situation in which this review is to take
place may be helpful in stimulating further useful comment to the
reviewer:
In Australia, "community pharmacy" is the term used to describe the
practice of retail pharmacy by registered pharmacists in a registered
professional "shop-front" pharmacy which provides prescription
dispensing, patient counselling, minor illness diagnosis and sale of
"over-the-counter" (i.e. patent) medicines, and sale of companion
toiletries, cosmetics etc.
In many developing countries, "community pharmacy" is the term
used to describe medicine shops which are run by the local
community without a registered pharmacist being involved. The
medicines available are restricted to a limited list of essential drugs
and the intention is the provision of good quality drugs which are safe
and efficacious, at a price that the local people can afford. The
"community pharmacy" may be in a remote location and can be a
central part of a village community. In some countries the "community
pharmacies" have been established in association with a government
funded bulk-purchase-scheme for pharmaceuticals and the continued
existence of both activities is dependent upon sound financial
management at the "community pharmacy".
So my question is: "for which type of community pharmacy are we
seeking indicators which will further advance quality practice for
rational drug use (as well as medicine availability)?"
Murray
Murray Bailey
Pharmaceutical Development Consultant
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tel/Fax: 61 2 9310 3365
Mobile: (61) 414 310 338 - Australia
Mobile: (679) 979 872 - Fiji
Email: bailey_m@bigpond.com
www.pharmdevelop.com.au
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