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TODAY'S PHARMACIST

D i s p e n s i n g M o r e T h a n J u s t M e d s

When you introduce yourself as a pharmacist, the given response most often indicates that many individuals believe that the extent of our role involves filling prescriptions and counting pills. They might even congratulate you on having done a really good job in school at learning to decipher doctors’ handwriting. In light of the limited perception of our role, we are often tasked with explaining that our tertiary training of four (4) years or more, most certainly did not teach us to read physicians’ handwriting and that the services that we provide far exceed that which they perceive.

Pharmacists are the most accessible of all healthcare providers. If a patient is wondering how his/her blood pressure is doing, their pharmacist can provide testing and information on proper management and may refer them to a physician for medical management if necessary. Pharmacists in other parts of the world provide vaccination services, involved in public health initiatives, research, academia and making a real impact in the community.

The pharmacist remains a central part of the healthcare team, filling the gap between physician and the patient to ensure the patient achieves positive health outcomes through medication. We review patient therapies and dispense only if we are confident that the treatment is appropriate, safe, effective and affordable. Otherwise, he/she will contact the doctor to discuss other options.

By making interventions and providing drug information and health education, pharmacists provide support to other healthcare professionals as we aim to do what is best for our patients and their health.

Undoubtedly, pharmacists’ roles have evolved. We have developed our practice skills to become practitioners of the future. As pharmacists, no longer do we just dispense products, we provide care.

Lisa Reid Pharmacist & Clinic Duty Coordinator

School of Pharmacy, UTECH