The federal government has asked the provincial health departments to integrate pharmacists into the healthcare system.
In order to ensure the appropriate and rational use of medicines and prevention of complications, the federal government has ordered to integrate pharmacists into the healthcare system.
According to a letter issued by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to the secretaries of health departments of all provinces, pharmacists should be integrated into the health delivery system for the evaluation of prescriptions rendering to dose requirement related to age, gender, other medical condition and drug-drug interaction.
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Currently, pharmacists have no role in drug prescription in government and private hospitals except the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and Aga Khan University Hospital, where the physicians can’t give medicines to patients without the intervention and evaluation of clinical pharmacists.
As per the letter issued by the DRAP, “The clinical pharmacists should work directly with physicians, other health professionals and patients to ensure that the medications prescribed to the patients contribute to the best possible health outcomes.”
“Clinical pharmacists are educated and trained in many direct patient care environments, including public and private sector clinics and a variety of other healthcare settings. They assess the status of the patients’ problems and determine whether the prescribed medications are optimally meeting their needs and goals of care,” it said.
It added that the pharmacists could consult physicians and other healthcare providers on selecting the therapy, which met the patients’ needs, and contributed effectively to the overall therapy goals.
“Pharmacists can advise patients on how to best take medications and support the healthcare team’s efforts to educate them on other important steps to improve or maintain health.
“They can refer patients to physician or other health professionals to address specific health, wellness, or social services concerns as they arise and can provide care by providing a consistent process of care that ensures the appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety of the medication use.” it said.
