Overview of Pharmacy Types

Study Notes

Independent drugstores vary in size and merchandise, serving diverse customer needs.
Pharmaceutical centers act as health information hubs, maintaining extensive reference files.
Chain drugstores operate multiple branches under a unified brand, accessible in urban and rural settings.

Community Pharmacy: Predominant practice for 85% of pharmacy graduates; involves dispensing, compounding, and patient advisement.
Wholesale Pharmacy: Key role in distribution, acting as intermediaries between manufacturers and retailers.
Hospital Pharmacy: Operates within private and government hospitals, overseeing medication management and quality.
Industrial Pharmacy: Focuses on marketing, administration, production, and quality control of pharmaceuticals.
Government Service: Involves state-managed pharmacy operations.
Pharmaceutical Education: Educates future pharmacists in various disciplines.
Clinical Pharmacy: Patient-centered practice in hospitals aiming to enhance medication outcomes.
Research and Organizational Management: Focused on drug development and pharmacy operational efficiency.

Community pharmacies include various types, each serving specific functions and patient populations.
Advantages of drug wholesaling include streamlined record-keeping, reduced handling hazards, and improved inventory management.

The flow of drug distribution involves several key players: manufacturers produce pharmaceuticals, wholesalers distribute them to retailers, and retailers sell directly to consumers.
The Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists (PSHP) established in 1962 promotes hospital pharmacy interests.

Clinical pharmacy enhances patient outcomes through meticulous medication management and collaboration with healthcare teams.
Challenges include lack of management interest, high implementation costs, and insufficient training for pharmacists.

Pharmacists need to understand drug actions, manufacturing, quality control, and clinical best practices to optimize medication use.

Foundational figures, such as Dr. Siopin Co, emphasized the necessity of pharmaceutical care in clinical pharmacy.
Various professional organizations, including PAPPI, PSHP, and PACOP, support the pharmacy profession at national and regional levels.

Pharmaceutical education is vital for maintaining pharmacy competency and quality assurance.
Research focuses on discovering new treatments, improving existing drug formulations, and developing innovative therapeutic options.

The Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) serves as a national body for Filipino pharmacists.
The Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) and the Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy (AASP) aim to enhance pharmacy education and collaboration across Asia.