ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
The people at large in India are ignorant about the risks regarding modern medicine and continue to use medicine in belief that they are harmless and hence no extra precautions needed while using them. Unfortunately all the medicine from A (Aspirin) to Z (Zidovudine) carries the risk of inflicting potential injury to the persons using them. Several times medicine are bought from the drug stores directly and used by the people without consulting doctors to save consultation fee.
It is high time that all the pharmacist of the country should take challenge that they would help the patient and advise them on the proper usage of their prescription drugs. This includes ensuring that the patient knows the correct dosage of their medication, the correct way to measure this dosage and how often it should be taken. Additionally, he educates patients on the potential side effects of their medications and advises them on dangerous adverse reactions that should be reported to the patient's physician. They also counsel patients on the selection of over the counter medications and general health topics.
Knowing and understanding a disease and its course of treatment is half the battle won. So, there is a need of recognition of the pharmacy profession in the areas of patient safety and pharmaceutical care. This would reduce the drug injuries and enhance the patient safety. Of course the pharmacists would be respected for protecting the common man from the risks illegal use of prescription medicine. It would bring a good image in the long run to the Indian Pharmacist in the society. It will also give encouragement for society to realize the importance of community pharmacist in health care.
Yogesh Murti
Assistant Professor (Pharmaceutical Chemistry)
Institute of Pharmaceutical Research
17, Km Stone, National Highway #2,
Delhi-Mathura Road,
P.O. Chaumuha, Mathura-281406 (Uttar Pradesh),
INDIA
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