Lec. 2 Orientation to Pharmacy PDPP211 Lec. 2 (Pharmacist in Public Health) By Dr. Kousalya

Public Health is defined as science & art of preventing diseases, prolonging life & promoting health (of individual) through education, promotion of healthy lifestyle & research on disease & injury prevention.

WHO recommends a ratio of one pharmacist per 2000 population in order for optimal health care to be delivered.

NATIONAL HEALTH PRORAMMES PATIENT COUNSELLING SCREENING SERVICES MEDICINE MANAGEMENT HEALTH PROMOTION COMMUNITY AWARNESS PROFESSIONAL DISPENSING DEADDICTION SERVICES

Pharmacists have thorough knowledge about medicines and their use and are in a better position to educate other health professionals about the rational use of medicines. Pharmacists help in achieving the goal of rational use of medicines. Pharmacists are involved in scientific procurement & distribution of medicines.

By having access to medicinal records the pharmacists are in a position to, influence the selection of medicines, dosage regimens, to monitor patient compliance and therapeutics recognize and report adverse drug reactions (Pharmacovigilance). Pharmacists have more opportunity to interact closely with the prescriber and patient and therefore, to promote the rational prescribing and use of drugs.

Many health care providers, mainly doctors and nurses contribute significantly during catastrophe. Unfortunately the role of Pharmacists remains unclear, so far involvement of pharmacist in this issue seems to be almost none. Disaster management and emergency care

Mobile pharmacy and temporary Pharmacy related services Distribution of medicines and related medical care Educate community on health, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, infectious disease and wellbeing Provide first aid treatment in cuts, burns, hypothermia, rashes, fractures etc. Review of medicine supply and dosage used in specific situation – diabetes, cardiac problem, pediatric population etc.

Adequate dosing Minimization of adverse effects Evaluation of potential interactions with other medicines/food etc. Optimization of pharmacotherapy Health Education for prevention of disease

The nature of pharmacy profession offers an excellent opportunity to become advocates for TB control.

Easy access for patients to anti-TB medicines i.e DOTS Early identification of TB suspects, avoiding diagnostic delays Rational Use of anti-TB medicines Patient Counseling & Education Community Awareness

Successful outcomes in delivery of ART is possible by co-ordination & follow up by different professionals of the health care team. Thus pharmacists can play a very important role in prevention, treatment & diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. An estimated 33.4 million people worldwide are living with HIV (2008). There is acute shortage of manpower in many communities where Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is necessary. Indian Pharmaceutical Association

Higher level of adherence to therapy can be achieved by proper patient counselling by pharmacists. Pharmacists should be involved in procurement, storage & distribution of quality Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines. They can monitor ARV therapy, ensure proper use of medicines. Pharmacists can get involved in various HIV preventive programmes of NACO (National AIDS Control Organization) like Blood safety STD control Condom promotion IEC (Information, education, communication) & social mobilization Care, support & treatment of patient living with HIV/AIDS

In 1997 the role of pharmacists in effort to combat HIV/AIDS was acknowledged by a join Declaration by FIP & WHO. In 2004 FIP launched a international network of pharmacists on HIV/AIDS ( which focuses on three main areas; training, documentation & exchange of experience. It includes training modules, policy documents, useful publications, links to relevant national & international organizations, an event calendar to which additional events can be added & a mailing list to allow pharmacists to exchange point of view & experience.

Ensuring safe use of medicines Decrease wastage of scarce resource. Logistic procurement, storage & distribution of medicines. Provide information on medicines. Respond to the symptoms. Pharmacists can advice on proper use of medications & become a link between community & health and help in

Malaria Role of pharmacists  Early detection & prompt referral for treatment by: Identifying symptomatic cases Referring to diagnostic center, Drug Distribution Center (DDC), Fever Treatment Depots (FTDs) etc.

 Ensuring rational use of prescribed medicines  Sensitizing people about various vector control measures.  Counseling on malaria/travelers malaria  Providing consumer health information & other IEC materials.  Pharmacists can effectively help in Prevention of Malaria through provision of consumer information.  Pharmacists can act as medicine provider for Malaria

Tobacco deaddiction Smoking cessation Counselling patient on de- addiction

Pharmacist should adequately inform patients and the general public about unwanted effects of medicines, and should monitor such unwanted effects and their consequences in collaboration with other health care professionals and the appropriate authorities. Role in Transmitted Diseases - Pharmacist can educate people by giving information that explain disease, its transmission, risk reduction and prevention against disease. Patient counseling is one of the important role that a community Pharmacist can provide. Role of pharmacist in Global health Role of pharmacist in Global health

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and prevention of health related events in specific population Role of pharmacist is to provide up-to-date information about New Guidelines, New Medications, News reports about medications Provide answers to patient questions before they are asked to medical staff like Drug-drug interactions, Drug-food interactions, Drug- disease interactions Role of pharmacist in Epidemiology

Early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation are primary measures in chronic disease management Screening program for blood pressure and diabetes Life-style modification Compliance with prescribed medications Cancer – Pharmacists can encourage patients to obtain routine physical examinations, pap smears, mammograms, colorectal examinations, or other tests Self-performed techniques such as breast examination Role of pharmacist in Chronic disease management

Diet, hygiene and overall management of pregnancy Encourage breast-feeding Proper immunization Role of pharmacist in Maternal & Child health

Carrying out seminars, exhibitions, consumer awareness programme etc. Publishing books, pamphlets, Patient Information leaflets etc. Patient information and counselling

Reference Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, by Patrick J. Sinko. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 21st Edition, 2006.

Thank you