Role of the pharmacists has evolved from that of a compounder and supplier of pharmaceutical products to that of a contributor of services and  information and ultimately to that of a provider of patient care, stated Dr BR Jagashetty, drugs controller, Karnataka.

In an age where spurious drug sales and fraudulent medical practises prevail, it  is the pharmacists who should emerge as the crucial link between patient and physician.  The  current  trend indicates a visible shift for pharmacy practice to move away from its original focus on medicine supply towards a more inclusive focus on patient care, he said at the valedictory event of the National Pharmacy Week, 2011 organised  by Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPC) Karnataka state Branch and the Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore.

Addressing the theme of the National Pharmacy Week ‘Pharmacist- A  healthcare Professional’ Dr Jagashetty said that one of  the most important roles that a pharmacist is currently taking on is one of pharmaceutical care. This involves direct responsibility of patients, their disease status and medication management in order to improve the treatment outcomes. The task involves professional interpretation and communication to patients and physicians for a safe and effective drug therapy.

“Pharmacists are often the first point-of-contact for patient  which only means that they have a major roles in assessing medication management and referring patients to physicians. Therefore, these roles would include:  clinical management that calls to  review the  medication regimes; assessment of patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions to provide medication management; and specialised attention on disease status such as dosing drugs in renal and hepatic failure among others.  A pharmacist would need to compound medicines, extend health advice, supervise pharmacy, oversee drug dispensing of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, counsel patients on medication, besides play a key part in public healthcare to promote immunizations. These roles would help him  practise his profession to the fullest extent. By taking direct responsibility of an individual patient’s needs, pharmacists can make a unique contribution to the positive outcome of the drug therapy and the  patient’s life,” he pointed out.

The study of pharmacy gives a comprehensive knowledge of drug composition, manufacturing methods, usage, and monitoring parameters, apart from  ensuring the   drug purity and strength to make certain that medicines do not interact in a harmful manner, stated the Karnataka drugs controller.

In the past,  the pharmacist's responsibility was limited to distribute drugs, but now is recognised as a learned intermediary between the prescriber and patient, making him an integral part of healthcare delivery. The  University education has given him a chance to play multiple roles as an academic pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, community pharmacist, compounding pharmacist, drug information pharmacist, home health pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, industrial pharmacists and nuclear pharmacist. It only goes to indicate that there are several promising job opportunities and his role is indispensable in healthcare, said Dr Jagashetty.