Historically, pharmacists are associated as someone working behind the counter, packaging drugs to be dispensed out to the patients. However, the roles of pharmacists are no longer limited to the boundary of the dispensing counter but have revolutionized into a more patient oriented. So, what are the key roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in healthcare?
Pharmacists have taken a greater role in patient’s education concerning the medication they are taking. The medication’s information is more often than not wrongly understood by the patients. Therefore, pharmacists are responsible to educate the patients on the medication, the possible side effects, the interaction among various drugs and make some recommendation to the patients.
Pharmacists are also involved in monitoring the health and progress of patients in response to the drug therapy. They work closely with other health professionals such as the physicians and the nurses on the drug selection, delivery, dosages, interaction and the side effects of the medication. This aid the patients in the process of recovery.
Lastly, despite the various new roles of pharmacists, the dispensing role of pharmacists has been given a new breath to further maximize the quality of health delivery to the patients. Pharmacists will counsel the hospitalized patients on the use of drugs and on their use at home when the patients are discharged. This is followed by subsequent follow up to evaluate the outcome of the drugs prescribed.
As a conclusion, pharmacists play a vital role through the medicine and information they provide.
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