The Role and Importance of Pharmacists

The Role of Pharmacist in Society

• Pharmacists have knowledge and expertise in medicine manufacturing
• They evaluate medicine quality and efficacy
• They select suitable medicines for patients, following legal guidelines
• They are responsible for storing medicines safely.
• Pharmacists formulate and supply medicines
• They advise patients on how to take medications, potential side effects and answer queries
• Pharmacists are experts on medicines and their use; they act as custodians
• Pharmacy is a healthcare profession

Why Pharmacist as a Profession?

• Pharmacists possess specialized knowledge to perform duties valuable to society
• Professional knowledge includes both manual skill and intellectual knowledge
• Intellectual knowledge is key to a profession
• Useful services don't automatically make a service professional
• Services often require judgment based on available information
• Professionals are not defined by good typing skills but professional knowledge

Why Pharmacist as a Profession (2)

• Pharmacists demonstrate specific attitudes influencing professional behaviour
• Core of these attitudes is unselfish concern for the patient's well-being
• Professionals work for the good of others, not just for profit

Why Pharmacist as a Profession (3)

• Professionals focus on the health and well-being of clients
• Professionals have specialized knowledge patients may not possess
• Society expects high standards of behaviour from professionals
• Knowledge can be exploited but ethics guide against this

Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

• A code of ethics provides rules of conduct
• A code helps in decision-making, especially in difficult situations
• It establishes expected behaviours from the professional body
• Professionals in the field prioritize the well-being of others over their own

Code of Conduct for Pharmacists 2018

• The Pharmacy Board has created a code of conduct, specifically for Pharmacists in Malaysia
• Created in December 1989
• The code sets minimum standards for conduct and professionalism
• It helps the board when assessing cases of professional misconduct

Code of Ethics for Pharmacists 2018: Principles

• Principle 1: Patient safety is paramount, and concerns include unregistered medication sales, dispensing errors and a failure to act correctly after a dispensing error
• Principle 2: Professional judgment must be used appropriately, specifically with psychotropic drugs and controlled items, and avoiding misuse or abuse of medicines by patients, including excessive prescription quantities of drugs with abuse potential
• Principle 3: Respect guides interactions including any printed, electronic, or online media, specifically avoiding misuse of electronic means, sharing images of patients without permission, and breach or abuse of patient information security

Pharmacy as a Profession

• In terms of image and standing in society, pharmacy can be positive (honest, ethical, high standing) but it can also have negative aspects (disputes with other professions, illegal activities, differences in skills or attitudes)
• Pharmacy is viewed as a profession by having characteristics such as a specialized group with expertise, commitment to public service, autonomy in practice and exclusive rights to practice
• Objections to pharmacy as a profession often highlight the business aspect of retail. Those individuals often say that practitioners just provide services as businessmen

Explore the crucial role pharmacists play in society, from ensuring medication quality to advising patients. This quiz delves into the professional responsibilities and expertise required to navigate the healthcare landscape. Understand why the pharmacist profession is essential in delivering valuable services to the community.