The Role of Pharmacist in Society PDF

The role of Pharmacist in Society Dr Tuan Mazlelaa Tuan Mahmood Faculty of Pharmacy UKM  Pharmacist Has knowledge and expertise in ✓ Manufacturing of medicines ✓ Evaluation of medicines – quality and efficacy ✓ Selec...

The role of Pharmacist in Society Dr Tuan Mazlelaa Tuan Mahmood Faculty of Pharmacy UKM  Pharmacist Has knowledge and expertise in ✓ Manufacturing of medicines ✓ Evaluation of medicines – quality and efficacy ✓ Selection of medicines – within the law, suitable to patient ✓ Storage of medicines ✓ Formulation ✓ Supply – advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur and answering patients' questions. The only expert on drugs (medicines) - the custodian (guardian) of medicines (drugs) and their use A health care professional. Pharmacy is a profession.  So… Why pharmacist as a profession?  Why pharmacist as a profession The pharmacist possesses special and specific body of knowledge that enables the practitioner to carry out his duties that are very valuable to society. An applied body of knowledge may be composed of knowledge of a manual skill or intellectual knowledge Intellectual knowledge is of primary significance as a criterion for professions. A service that is useful to society by itself does not make it a professional service Service provided involves making a judgment based on information that is available  The pharmacist is not considered a professional because of good typing skills. Rather, he/she possesses the relevant professional knowledge about drugs and patients that permits the pharmacist to advise patients and prescribers concerning drug therapy detect drug interaction select appropriate product sources exercise professional judgment.  The exercise of proper judgment is a key element in this professional characteristic. Using the specialized body of knowledge of the profession and the intellectual abilities of the professional, the practitioner makes a judgment as to the best course of treatment for each individual.  Why pharmacist as a profession (2) The pharmacist possesses a set of specific attitudes that influence professional behavior and action. The basic component of this set of attitudes is an unselfish concern for the welfare of others: “The professional man, it has been said, does not work in order to be paid; he is paid in order that he may work. Every decision he makes in the course of his career is based on his sense of what is right, not on his estimate of what is profitable.”  Professionals are concerned with matters that are vital to the health or well-being of their clients. The practitioners employs highly specialized technical knowledge, which the patient or client does not possess. Greater expectations from society Standard of behavior that is higher than others Important because the knowledge that we possess can be exploited. We can take advantage of our patients. Code of Ethics/Code of Conduct  Code of Ethics Rules prepared by the profession. Ethics: 1. Makes decision making easier 2. Gives guidelines in difficult situations 3. Establishes behavior that is expected by society The professional considers the welfare of others before self. Code of conduct for pharmacist and body corporate & Code of Ethics For Pharmacists 2018 The Pharmacy Board duly established under Section 3 of the Registration of Pharmacist Act, 1951 has by resolution at its 60th Meeting held on the 22nd day of December 1989 adopted this Code of Conduct for pharmacists and bodies corporate. The new Code of Ethics For Pharmacists 2018: Minimum standards of proper conduct and professionalism for guidance of pharmacists in Malaysia Serves as a reference when the Board considers cases of misconduct in a professional sense.  Code of Ethics for Pharmacists 2018 Principle 1: Make patients your first concern. There is evidence that the pharmacist did not provide safe service to his patients. This may apply if there is evidence: i. That the pharmacist had sold and proposed unregistered medicine to his patient. ii. That dispensing error (medications/strength) was committed by pharmacist. iii. That the pharmacist failed to act appropriately after committing a dispensing error.  Code of Ethics for Pharmacists 2018 Principle 2: Use professional judgement in the interests of patients and the public. There is evidence that the pharmacist acted unlawfully in providing service to his patients. This may apply if there is evidence: i. That the pharmacist failed to record any sale of psychotropic drugs/ controlled items/dangerous drugs/scheduled poisons in accordance to the law requirements. There is evidence that the pharmacist failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the misuse or abuse of medicines by his patients. This may apply if there is evidence: i. That the pharmacist sold drugs with abuse potential such as sleeping pills in excessive quantity to his patients without for a valid prescription.  Code of Ethics for Pharmacists 2018 Principle 3: Show Respect for Others There is evidence that the pharmacist unethically used any printed, electronic and internet media. This may apply if there is evidence: i. That the pharmacist misused and disseminated information by electronic means, including text, other electronic messaging or emailing. ii. That the pharmacist shared videos, photos or other images of patients by audio, visual or photographic recordings of a patient, or a relative of a patient, in which that person is identifiable. iii. That the pharmacist breached or abused the security of information expected by the patient.  Why pharmacist as a profession (3) The professional has social sanction. A resultant effect of the two characteristics already discussed. Whether an occupation is considered to be a profession depends, to a large degree, on whether society views it as such. One measure of social sanction is the granting of exclusive rights of practice through the licensing power of the state.  Licensing not only attempts to protect the public from incompetent practitioners, But also frequently creates a relationship of trust between society and the professionals, because within the sphere of professional activities, the professional exercises an authoritative power over patients. A. By Law – Registration of Pharmacists Act 1951 Exclusive right to practice Protects society from unqualified professionals B. Status, income and authority PHARMACY AS A PROFESSION Roles and tasks may change Image can be Positive – honest, ethical, high standing in society Negative – disputes with other professions, illegal activities, differences in skills and attitudes PHARMACY AS A PROFESSION A profession is an occupational group which possesses certain characteristics including a high level of technical expertise, a commitment to public service, monopoly of practice and autonomy over the content of its own work. PHARMACY AS A PROFESSION Objections: Some people say that pharmacy is not a profession because the practitioners are just businessmen. They are retailers who sell products and the products they sell are medicines. Thank You!