Beyond Medication: Expanding Responsibilities for Pharmacists
The Importance of Pharmaceutical Care for the Elderly and Alzheimer's Patients
Amman3 min read
Share
Expert: Reporting Side Effects is a Key Part of Patient Safety
The role of the pharmacist in the healthcare system is no longer limited to dispensing medication, as their responsibility extends to contributing to the safe and rational use of treatments, monitoring drug interactions, educating patients, and supporting the management of chronic diseases, roles that are increasingly important in Jordan with the development of treatments and the multiplicity of medications that a patient may use simultaneously.
Pharmacist and Health Awareness Specialist Dr. Rawan Abdul Salam emphasized that the pharmacist is a key partner in the healthcare system, and their role goes beyond dispensing medication to reviewing prescriptions and dosages and their suitability for the patient, and detecting potential interactions between different medications or between them and dietary supplements, thereby enhancing the safe use of treatment.
In a statement to «Alrai», coinciding with World Pharmacists Day on September 25th each year, she pointed out that one of the important roles of the pharmacist is to support the rational use of antibiotics and contribute to reducing antibiotic resistance by promoting their correct use and educating patients on the importance of adhering to treatment instructions.
Abdul Salam explained that the pharmacist also has an important role in managing chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as managing pain according to the latest scientific recommendations, thereby enhancing the integration between different healthcare providers.
She stressed the importance of pharmaceutical care for the elderly and Alzheimer's patients, especially in cases where the patient uses several medications at the same time, as the need to review the treatment and pay attention to the possibilities of drug interactions, dosages, and methods of use becomes apparent, which helps avoid preventable drug problems.
According to Abdul Salam, the pharmacist's role also extends to dealing with the rapid developments in the field of treatments, including biological drugs and biosimilars, and what they require in terms of continuous scientific knowledge and patient guidance on proper use.
She pointed to the pharmacist's fundamental role in the field of pharmacovigilance, which includes monitoring the side effects of medications and raising awareness about the mechanisms for reporting them, which contributes to enhancing the safety of therapeutic preparations and protecting patients.
Abdul Salam explained that pharmacists also play a direct role in health education, especially regarding over-the-counter medications, providing guidance on safe usage, as well as their role in prevention, awareness, early detection, and directing the patient to the appropriate medical entity when needed.
She noted the importance of empowering young pharmacists and providing them with greater opportunities to participate in scientific and professional events and to communicate with different expertise, which helps in preparing a generation capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
This year's World Pharmacists Day is under the theme «Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future», as the occasion commemorates the founding of the International Pharmaceutical Federation in 1912, providing an opportunity to refocus on the pharmacist's position within the healthcare team and their role in improving the quality of care and the safe and effective use of medications.
