Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Pharmacy Course Goals and Objectives

Focuses on definitions, history, scope and role of pharmacy
Covers drug dosage forms, routes of administration, and different careers
Discusses clinical pharmacy and prescription components

What is Pharmacy?

The art and science of preparing medications from natural and synthetic sources
Derived from the Greek word "Pharmakon," meaning "medicine" or "drug"
Involves compounding, dispensing, and providing drug information
Branch of medical science concerned with the source, nature, properties, and preparation of medications

Pharmacist

The expert and specialist in medication
Responsible for knowing all aspects of drugs
A companion to the physician, managing patients
Consultant on different therapies and their merits
Helps patients understand prescription medications
Assists with choosing non-prescription drugs
Advises on storage and potency of prescriptions

Drug

Substance that affects the function of living cells
Used to cure or arrest disease and relieve symptoms
When packaged, labeled, and dispensed, it becomes medicine

Drug Characteristics

Used to treat diseases
Pure with a defined chemical structure
Well-understood physical, chemical, and biological properties
Slight changes in structure can significantly impact the body
Available from known sources
Most drugs have potential adverse effects

Pharmacy Organization

Focuses on good pharmaceutical practice
Collaborates with national and international organizations
Partners with relevant sectors

International Organizations

World Health Organization (WHO): Responsible for global healthcare
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Responsible for drug and food quality in the U.S.
United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs (UNDND): Responsible for regulating the use and abuse of narcotics

National Organizations

Syndicate of the Pharmacists: Responsible for the pharmacy profession in Egypt and the well-being of pharmacists
Egyptian Pharmaceutical Society: Responsible for continuing pharmaceutical education and conferences
Egyptian Society of Hospital Pharmacist: Focuses on hospital pharmacy

Scope of Pharmacy

Regularity Control and Drug Management:
- Government-employed pharmacists manage drug policy and registration.
- Responsibilities include drug approval, quality control, essential drug selection, procurement, distribution, medical pharmaceutical practice (MPHP) tenders, and customs.
Community Pharmacy:
- Focuses on prescription processing, patient care, drug utilization monitoring, drug preparation, informing healthcare professionals, and health promotion.
Hospital Pharmacy:
- Promotes rational prescribing and drug use
- Influences drug selection and monitors patient responses
- Focuses on collaborative partnerships, reducing bad drug use, controlling hospital infections, and ensuring high-quality drug production.
Industrial Pharmacy:
- Activities include research and development, formulation and manufacturing, quality control and assurance, drug information, registration, clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, sales and marketing, and management.
Military Pharmacy:
- Includes generic product manufacturing and drug dispensing to military personnel.
Family Planning:
- Provides information on contraceptives, other methods, and intrauterine devices.
Academic Activities:
- Includes research, teaching, and training.
National Control of Diarrheal Diseases Project:
- Activities include saving children's lives, providing advice on diarrhea, and promoting rehydration therapy.
Training of Other Healthcare Workers:
- Focuses on optimizing drug therapy.
Pharmacists in Healthcare:
- Focuses on proper drug application and patient care.