Pharmacists world over should specialize in psychiatry pharmacy practice irrespective of geographical difference as the number of persons with psychiatric disorders is increasing with increase in population, according to Lisa W Goldstone, professor at the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona, US.

The services of a pharmacist to a patient with mental health problem are as important as that of a psychiatrist. So it is high time pharmacists specialized in psychiatry pharmacy, she said.

The western pharmacy professor was interacting with pharmacy research fellows of Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER) at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh on psychiatry pharmacy through online discussion. According to her 80 per cent of persons with mental illness are unable obtain specific treatment. Here, the role of a specialized pharmacist is important. He can assist these patients with his special skill and extensive training in the use of pharmacological agents.

Unlike other pharmacists, Lisa said, the psychiatry pharmacists have some core responsibilities to be performed. In the US the psychiatric pharmacists work not only in centres such as psychiatry hospitals and community mental health centres, but also in primary care and general medicine practice settings. It has been demonstrated that pharmacists providing clinical pharmacy services for patients with mental illness results in improved outcomes including reduction in number of prescribed medications, improved cost savings and increased medication adherence, Lisa pointed out.

In duties, the specialized pharmacists in psychiatry should consult with prescribers including psychiatrists, other physicians, nurse practitioners and teach healthcare professionals including pharmacy students in related disciplines. He should educate the patients through individual and family interaction, and provide comprehensive medication therapy management by assessing medication appropriateness, effectiveness, safety and adherence.

Studies have shown that clinical pharmacy services can decrease antipsychotic polypharmacy and increase antipsychotic adherence in patients with serious mental illness. Completing a specialized training program allows the pharmacist to gain the additional skills to work effectively in the field of psychiatry, the western pharmacy professor opined.

She said in 2030, depression, one of the most common mental health disorders, will be the biggest contributor to the global burden of disease.