“Pharmacy strengthening health systems” is the theme of World Pharmacists Day today on 25 September 2023.

The purpose of the annual Pharmacists Day celebration is to encourage activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health in every corner of the world

For most people, the role of pharmacists is simply to interpret prescriptions and then, package and dish out drugs to patients or the person purchasing the drugs. They don’t see much difference between the pharmacist and a casual sales person at a store.

Some better learned persons understand that pharmacists are also charged with the role of compounding and production of medications. But the vast majority of people do not know the unique, critical, highly important and irreplaceable clinical roles pharmacists play in ensuring a quality healthcare delivery process.

Aside production, distribution and dispensing of medication, pharmacists have a unique role to play in ensuring that right healthcare is delivered to you and your loved ones. This unique role is called ‘Pharmaceutical care”.

Pharmaceutical care involves; Identifying actual and potential drug-related problems, resolving actual drug-related problems and preventing potential drug related problems.

This is where your pharmacist helps in ensuring that when you’re placed on any particular drug therapy to treat a particular ailment, it is not only suitable for that ailment, but that it is also going to be effective and safe for you, while minimizing costs and side/adverse effects.

A drug-related problem may be defined as an actual or potential sign or symptom related to drug therapy that is undesirable to the patient, and interferes with the desired health outcome or goal. These includes, wrong drug, wrong dosage, unnecessary drug therapy, contraindications, adverse drug reaction, drug interactions, non-adherence, etc.

Pharmacists being charged with this irreplaceable role of pharmaceutical care, therefore work in collaboration with the patients and their doctors/physicians in ensuring that these unwanted drug therapy problems are removed and that patients receive the best drug therapy aimed at achieving a particular treatment outcome at the least possible costs and at the best safety.


BENEFITS OF HAVING PHARMACISTS

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the safe and effective use of medications. They have extensive knowledge of drugs, their mechanisms of action, and their potential side effects.

Pharmacists can also provide advice on over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements.

If you don't have a pharmacist as a resource, you may miss out on the opportunity to receive expert advice and guidance on medication use, safety and efficacy. This can lead to medication errors, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions, which can be harmful to your health.

In addition, pharmacists can provide valuable services such as medication management, medication therapy management, and medication counseling.

They can also help you navigate the complexities of insurance coverage and assist with medication cost savings programs. They help you save cost.

Overall, having a pharmacist as a resource can help ensure that you are using medications safely and effectively, and can improve your overall health outcomes.

Happy World Pharmacists Day

Cc

Nflpmod Seun myndd44 dominique

Happy world Pharmacists Day.

Bravo to all our Pharmacists. It's not easy.

Nflpmod