The Role of Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the practice of preparing medications, and it is an art as well as a science. It is a profession that has been in existence for thousands of years and continues to evolve as it applies insights from medical science and chemistry to revolutionize how medications are manufactured, administered and monitored to improve patient outcomes and medication use efficiency.
The role of pharmacy has expanded to encompass the responsibilities of the entire healthcare team and to deliver outcomes-oriented, patient-centered drug therapy programs that produce effective results at an affordable cost. Pharmacists are a valuable member of the healthcare team that can help optimize patients’ quality of life, clinical outcomes, and financial situation.
Pharmacy is also responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medication in terms of its chemical composition, stability, and pharmacokinetics, or how it works within the body. As such, pharmacists must constantly stay up to date with current research and developments.
Lastly, it is the responsibility of the pharmacy to educate both patients and their families on how to take, store and manage their medications, including dosages and frequency. In addition, pharmacists are trained to respond to any questions or concerns about a particular medication or its side effects.
Medication Adherence
When patients fail to adhere to their medication regimens, it has several negative impacts that cascade throughout the community and public health system, including wasted medication and hospital resources, lower patient quality of life, disease progression and increased costs. To help improve patient adherence, pharmacists are responsible for identifying and implementing strategies that will increase patient adherence and ultimately reduce reliance on expensive, life-saving medications.
Pharmacists are the experts in medication management, and they work to ensure that your prescriptions are taken correctly and at the right time. They will answer any questions that you have about your medications, and they can provide guidance on how to manage your condition at home. They can also advise you on whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking your medication or if you need to change your diet to accommodate your new medicine.
In the hospital setting, a virtual pharmacy is becoming more common. This model allows pharmacists to engage with patients and their healthcare teams via electronic messaging and telephone calls. This reduces onsite workload, as the pharmacist can schedule consultations at times that best fit with nurses’ schedules and provide them with clear escalation pathways for urgent referrals.
Online pharmacies are increasingly becoming more popular among consumers, as they offer a convenient way to buy drugs without having to leave your house. They are able to do this by using your doctor’s prescription to create an order for the medication, which is then sent to a pharmacy that will prepare it and ship it directly to you. Some of the larger and more reputable online pharmacies will even have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer any questions you may have about your specific prescription.
Pharmacy is the practice of preparing medications, and it is an art as well as a science. It is a profession that has been in existence for thousands of years and continues to evolve as it applies insights from medical science and chemistry to revolutionize how medications are manufactured, administered and monitored to improve patient outcomes and medication use efficiency. The role of pharmacy has expanded to encompass the responsibilities of the entire healthcare team and to deliver outcomes-oriented, patient-centered drug therapy programs that produce effective results at an affordable cost. Pharmacists are a valuable member of the healthcare team that can help optimize patients’ quality of life, clinical outcomes, and financial situation. Pharmacy is also responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medication in terms of its chemical composition, stability, and pharmacokinetics, or how it works within the body. As such, pharmacists must constantly stay up to date with current research and developments. Lastly, it is the responsibility of the pharmacy to educate both patients and their families on how to take, store and manage their medications, including dosages and frequency. In addition, pharmacists are trained to respond to any questions or concerns about a particular medication or its side effects. Medication Adherence When patients fail to adhere to their medication regimens, it has several negative impacts that cascade throughout the community and public health system, including wasted medication and hospital resources, lower patient quality of life, disease progression and increased costs. To help improve patient adherence, pharmacists are responsible for identifying and implementing strategies that will increase patient adherence and ultimately reduce reliance on expensive, life-saving medications. Pharmacists are the experts in medication management, and they work to ensure that your prescriptions are taken correctly and at the right time. They will answer any questions that you have about your medications, and they can provide guidance on how to manage your condition at home. They can also advise you on whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking your medication or if you need to change your diet to accommodate your new medicine. In the hospital setting, a virtual pharmacy is becoming more common. This model allows pharmacists to engage with patients and their healthcare teams via electronic messaging and telephone calls. This reduces onsite workload, as the pharmacist can schedule consultations at times that best fit with nurses’ schedules and provide them with clear escalation pathways for urgent referrals. Online pharmacies are increasingly becoming more popular among consumers, as they offer a convenient way to buy drugs without having to leave your house. They are able to do this by using your doctor’s prescription to create an order for the medication, which is then sent to a pharmacy that will prepare it and ship it directly to you. Some of the larger and more reputable online pharmacies will even have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer any questions you may have about your specific prescription.