E-DRUG: Pharmacist role in India (8)
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{Whatever 'shape' the pharmacy role is given in a country, it must be defned and regulated to cover and control standards of:
- Personnel: Pharmacists, Pharmacy assistants and others responsible for managing or dispensing medicines
- Practices: All aspects of the practices of the personnel such as the standards of good pharmaceutical practice in the storage and dispensing of medicines, advertising by pharmacists and the security of premises
- Products: Medicines, equipment and devices
- Premises: The places where people work and where the products are kept
- Penalties: There should be provision for inspection of activities associated with all the above and provision for penalties when there are breaches of the regulations. BS]
Hi.
I am impressed by this debate because its long overdue. Pharmacy as it is today, a product oriented practice and business, is unfulfilling and nonengaging. Its not challenging.
We need to serve more than self.
To act in the best interest of society ie safe effective and economic use of medicines. That way there is the purpose. Its time for pharmacy in Africa to paradigm shift into pharmaceutical care clinical pharmacy and public health. That way cognitive services eg mtm, screening etc are provided that maximize outcomes for the patient and health system but also fulfillment and returns for the pharmacist. We can then charge for this services.
This way you create incentives for the pharmacist not just to sell the product but promote rational use of medicines. The benefits are immense to all.
But as it is currently, this shopkeeping isn't helping anyone especially the patients.
Dr Jarred Nyakiba
Clinical Pharmacist/Assistant Chief Pharmacist
Ministry of Health, Kenya.
BPharm (UoN) RPh MPharm ClinPharm (UoN) MPH (MU-ongoing)
Email: jnyakiba@yahoo.com