[e-drug] Different models of pharmacy (10)

e-drug
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E-DRUG: Different models of pharmacy (10)
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[discussion on this topic is now coming to a close. Moderator]

I have read with interest the comments on this subject. Personally I
believe that the practice of pharmacy, as with medicine or nursing
should be universally recognised by all countries, with variations in
practice modified by local legislative and social differences. The
problem that needs to be first defined, is what exactly is the
"Practice of Pharmacy"? Is it counting tablets for the prescriber? Or
is it addressing in various ways the burning issues surrounding the
costly in terms of quality of life, and money, drug related morbidity
and mortality?

When we can all agree on what role the pharmacist should play as a
member of the health care team, the discussion on 'different' models
of pharmacy would take on a different tone, perhaps looking at various
specialist roles.

I have spent a large part of my time in the community pharmacy
environment, and developed the first 'dispensary only' pharmacy in New
Zealand. I now work in primary care seeing patients and educating
doctors how to prescribe better. There are many opportunities for
appropriately educated and trained pharmacists in this environment and
it is an area of unmet need.

It doesn't rally matter which country you discuss, rich, poor,
developed or developing, the need to address drug related morbidity
and mortality is a great one, and suitably trained pharmacists should
take the initiative before nurses and others grab our high ground.

John Dunlop

John A Dunlop
PGDipPharm, MPharm, FACPP, MCPP,FNZCP,MPS,MRPharmS,MCAPA
john@cpsl.biz

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E-DRUG: Different models of pharmacy (11)
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[This exchange now colsed. Moderator]

Hi John

This s precisely why we are interested in looking at various models of
pharmacy. As has been mentioned, in some countries there is still a
perceived need for pharmacists to develop high levels of competencies
with regard to compounding and formulation. Others have chosen to
emphasize the route that you have taken in developing competencies to
improve the safe and effective use of medicine.

It is also clear that the technical tasks associated with dispensing
are increasingly being taken over by technicians and machines. Skills
shortages will continue to see an increase in task shifting, to
provide the minimum range of pharmaceutical services needed.

The question remains - what priorities should underpin the curricula
for training pharmacists? Academic institutions must prepare the
pharmacy task force for future needs. What guidance can we give them -
i.e. what model should they adopt? You have led the way in New
Zealand - should your practice model be the one that we should prepare
our students for?

cheers, Billy

Billy Futter
B.Futter@ru.ac.za