E-DRUG: Recognition of Pharmacists as healthcare workers (10)
-------------------------------------------------------
I agree with the observations Murtada makes that our primary responsibility
as pharmacists is to cover our professional and competency bases first, and
is much better appreciated these days than the 1980s. I only fear that the
following statement suppresses the essence of recognition. " At the same
time, we should keep in mind that the more we adventure beyond this base,
the more fragile and vulnerable our professional game becomes".
First things first. Do pharmacists need recognition and are some pharmacists
absconding their professional responsibility? Pharmacists are truly
recognized as Health care providers is there is no second thought about it.
What I have seen is that pharmacists need to be more proactive, innovative,
persuasive and diversify in areas of practice. The delegation of
responsibility to technicians (hospitals, community practice) should not be
perceived as abscondment. Unfortunately this is more common than not because
the patient, or physician or other health worker last contacted is the
technician or nurse. It is further complicated by the dispensing physician.
The embodiment of the knowledge of medicines use and/or adverse effects is
within the realm of the pharmacist. Who will recognize him unless he
delegates the logistic part of dispensing but is fully available to the
patient or other health worker? Compare the analogy with a car battery, who
cares its existence until it is flat! The Pharmacist must be alive to
practice and physical contact as a health care provider
Second is what I consider as "Hands off" syndrome: many pharmacists in the
industry, QC labs to some extend teaching institutions (not research
institutions) end up as signatories to regulatory documents. This is the
smaller part of their responsibility. The main task are at the desk or bench
and their oversight or guidance makes them more relevant to other
professionals. It should not be surprising to find out that some
Pharmacists lecturers at the universities, polytechnics have not visited a
production plant or other practice areas.
Third is working with other professionals: How much latitude do you allow
them to take the lead in discussions, making presentations, keynote
speeches? Where are you my professional colleagues? On several occasions I
find physicians giving key note speeches during launches of new medicines. I
find it absurd knowing the role of pharmacists in the chain of development.
Fourth is leadership in public affairs: you cannot afford to lose
pharmacists presence in public leadership fora. Some are eloquent and
persuasive speakers. Can they carry the tag of pharmacists. ( of course I am
not suggesting you stand on the podium and start by saying, I am a
pharmacist ...) . the issue is how to use this leverage to promote public
health pharmacy related issues in public domain.
Therefore the pharmacist must first recognize her/himself as a health worker
by having a broader scope of the practice, being participatory at all levels
and persuasive on public pharmacy solutions. It will be detrimental to the
image of Pharmacists to be like the battery full of energy to start off the
car and be forgotten once the car kicks off. Our role and contribution is
continuous in present tense. Don't seek recognition but become recognized by
your contribution to society!
wow
Dr W.O. Wanyanga [MPSK]
Executive Director
PharmaQ Limited
P.O. Box 53362-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
"PharmaQ Limited" <wow@pharmaqltd.com>