English Exam PDF

# The Development of the Profession of the Pharmacist The practice of pharmacy has evolved from a historical emphasis on the preparation and distribution of drug products to new activities and responsibilities that focus on the rational, safe and cost-effective use of drugs. Just as it is generally...

# The Development of the Profession of the Pharmacist The practice of pharmacy has evolved from a historical emphasis on the preparation and distribution of drug products to new activities and responsibilities that focus on the rational, safe and cost-effective use of drugs. Just as it is generally assumed that physicians are primarily involved in providing medical care and nurses in providing nursing care, pharmacists are the primary providers of pharmaceutical care. The mission of the pharmacy profession, therefore, is to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of the public. ## The Role of the Pharmacist in Healthcare Pharmaceutical care is patient-centered, outcome-oriented, contemporary pharmacy practice that requires the pharmacist to work in concert with the patient and the patient’s healthcare providers to promote health, to prevent disease, and to assess, monitor, initiate, and modify medication use so that pharmacotherapy is safe and effective. ## Pharmacist Knowledge and Skills The provision of pharmaceutical care to patients requires an understanding of the chemistry of drug entities, the delivery characteristics of dosage formulations, the disposition of drugs within the body, the physiologic and pharmacologic outcome of drug interactions with the human body, and the social systems in which medications are being used. # Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures; it involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and wellbeing. A type of medicine that uses roots, stems, leaves, flowers or seeds of plants to improve health; it is used to prevent disease, and treat illness. The aim of herbal medicine is to return the body to a state of natural balance so that it can heal itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body. ## Examples of Commonly Used Herbs - Garlic is used to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering levels of blood fats and cholesterol (a type of blood fat). The antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic mean that it is also used to fight colds, and other respiratory infections. ## Herbal Medicine vs. Pharmaceuticals: The Biggest Difference The biggest and most notable difference between herbal and pharmaceutical medicine is that natural herbal medicine is organic and only lightly processed, whereas pharmaceuticals can be synthetic (nonnatural or man-made), even if the active ingredient was derived from a natural source. ### 1. Healing Pace (Speed) Pharmaceuticals are designed to work quickly to suppress symptoms of the condition they're treating. Making the time required to see desired results with herbal medicine seem much slower in comparison. In some cases, the speed of pharmaceuticals is necessary to keep patients healthy. Herbal medicine and supplements work slower because they are meant to resolve and heal the underlying cause of the problem. This process takes time which can make herbal remedies less effective during emergency situations. Herbal medicines have amazing healing capabilities, which need time to be able to be effective at dealing with the root causes of your condition. ### 2. Safety Not all herbal medicines that are sold are safe. You can have peace of mind when buying from a known herbal pharmacy that is held to the highest standards of quality and reliability, such as health food stores, pharmacies or from a reputable practitioner. Seek advice from your qualified health practitioner, your doctor or your pharmacist about the herbal medicine’s safety, quality, and effectiveness. Consult your health practitioner immediately if you experience any side effects. The primary advantage of herbal medicine over pharmaceuticals is curing the root cause of a condition, though herbal medicine takes longer to show results than pharmaceuticals. Herbal medicine is slightly processed. However, herbal medicines can be mistakenly thought to be completely safe because they are “natural” products. This is not always correct. Herbal medicines may produce negative effects because it is difficult to receive the correct dosage for desired effects. In fact, many pharmaceutical medications are based on man-made versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. ### 3. Herbal Medicine Interactions Be careful that some herbs can interact with other pharmaceutical medications and should be taken with care. Be careful about purchasing herbal medicines over the internet. Unregulated herbal medicines, such as some traditional folk medicines, may not be manufactured to the same quality and standard as regulated medicines. The nature of herbal medicine makes it difficult to give a measured dose of an active ingredient. **Conclusion:** So it is very important that people do not self-diagnose any health conditions. Any medication (herbal or otherwise) should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable and qualified practitioner. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about possible side effects and interactions with other medications you are taking. Be aware that herbal medicine can interact with other medications. The primary reason behind increased popularity of herbal medicine among consumers is the desire for natural drugs. It is important when using herbal medicine to purchase supplements from a reputable source. Follow the recommended dosage, and to consult with a healthcare professional. A potential benefit of using herbal medicine is that it has fewer side effects, it is made from pure natural ingredients, and it addresses the root cause of a condition. ### 4. Side Effects Medicines can cause unwanted side effects. Medicines include prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines (herbal preparations and vitamins). If you are worried about any of your medicines, seek immediate medical attention. Active ingredients in medicines can 'clash'. So, taking more than one medicine at the same time can increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking. You may like to have an annual review of all your medications. What is a side effect? A side effect is an unwanted symptom caused by medical treatment. All medicines can cause side effects, including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines. Complementary medicines include herbal preparations, vitamins, and some products dispensed by naturopaths and other practitioners of complimentary medicine. Around 230,000 Australians are admitted to hospital every year because of problems with their medicines, including side effects. While most side effects can be managed, some can be very serious and may even cause death. It is in your best interests to manage your medicines wisely. See your doctor or pharmacist for further information and advice. Prescription medicines can cause side effects. All medicines can cause unwanted side effects. For example, some antibiotics can cause allergic reactions in around 5% of the population. Skin rash,es are a common reaction. But, it is not always easy to tell if the reaction is caused by the medicine or the illness. Interactions between other medicines the person may be taking is a further complication. Interactions can happen between prescription, over-thecounter and complementary medicines. Complementary medicines also cause side effects. About 60% of Australians use complementary medicines at least once a year. Many people believe that they are safer because they come from natural sources. This isn’t always true. Some herbal remedies act on the body as powerfully as any conventional medicine and unwanted side effects can occur. ## Examples of Complementary Medicines that Can Cause Side Effects - Feverfew: Pregnant women should not use this herb, as it can trigger uterine contractions. In animal experiments, feverfew triggered spontaneous abortions (miscarriages). ## How to Reduce Your Risk of Side Effects - Take all medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t take anyone else’s medicines. Learn about your medication. All prescription medicines have an information leaflet called **Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).** This gives detailed information on the medicine in plain English, including how to use it, side effects and precautions. Your pharmacist can also give you the CMI for your medicine. Speak to your pharmacist if you buy over-the-counter or complementary medicines. They can advise you about side effects and interactions with other medicines you are taking. - Be aware that medicines you buy in the supermarket can also cause side effects. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines. - Have an annual review of all the medicines you take. This is important for older people as they are more likely to experience side effects. A review can take place in a pharmacy or at home. Ask your doctor for more information about medication reviews. Other things you can do to reduce your risk of side effects from medicines include: Ask your doctor if improving your lifestyle could reduce your need for medication. Some conditions can be better managed with changes to your diet and regular exercise. Return unwanted and out-of-date medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal. This is a free service. Talk to your pharmacist about dosage aids that can help you organize your pill taking. You may be at risk of making mistakes if you take many different medicines a different times. Ask your doctor or pharmacist questions so you understand the benefits and risks of your medicines.