Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) conducted a patient counseling course (PCC) for lady pharmacists for the first time in Maharashtra at Ichalkaranji Taluka of Kolhapur.

The three-day event which concluded on December 21, 2013 saw the participation of 47 lady pharmacists from Kolhapur. During the course, the faculty members from MSPC gave a low down on both therapeutic and practice oriented topics with sessions on hypertension, TB, asthma, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and fever.

Other unique features of the course included activities and hands on training on blood pressure measurement, glucometer demonstration, demonstration on how to use an insulin pen correctly for diabetic patients, demonstration of different inhaler devices and breathometer for Asthma patients.

Says Saili S Masal, registrar, MSPC said, "In accordance with the guidelines of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to train the rural pharmacists through various CEPs, the event materialised with the initiative, support and guidance of J S Shinde, executive committee member and president MSPC, Vijay Patil. Such a course is the need of the hour as a trained pharmacist via patient counseling can help address medication errors effectively."

She explained that such courses are aimed at ensuring that a pharmacist becomes an informed, efficient and active participant in disease treatment, patient care management and use of certain medical devices. Many patients lack an understanding about the expanded counseling roles that pharmacists are prepared to provide.

As a part of the course, pharmacists were given case studies, group discussions and various allied activities such as crossword competition and a patient counseling competition. MSPC has trained over 2500 registered pharmacists under PCC till date since its introduction in 2007 when it used to be conducted as a one week course.