Monday 23 September 2024

Community service from Retail Pharmacy

Community service from Retail Pharmacy.
                   ***
Field needs 'Ready-to-Use' Pharmacists. Academe should produce 
'Ready-to-Use' Pharmacists.
                  ***
Because of poor academic training, I'm receiving queries on how to serve community from a Retail Pharmacy? 

Here is how it can be done:
 
1. Wear a white coat with name plate. 

2. Talk socially with #Few clients and enquire (note down if necessary) their family profile..

3.Study their Rx and inquire #TheirUnderstanding of their medication.

4. Correct him if needed. Add a word or two to optimize the effect like: Drink plenty of water,  Take morning and night medicine before 9am and 9 pm, help him to time the afternoon dose etc

4. Note down his Name contact No. while dispensing. Give your contact No. and your availability. 

5. Take a social call after 2 days inquiring his health status, medication, family health and talk to his / her spouse on medication regimen.  

6.  Make sure to inquire about kids well being and remind on next immunization date.

And close the talk with a pep talk.

Wednesday 18 September 2024

Technical #Vocabulary and Professional #CommunicationSkill

Pharmacy Officers in #HighPlaces should have good Technical #Vocabulary and Professional #CommunicationSkill to project the benefits of #ProfessionalService supported by good deliverables by field service professionals for the success of the Profession.

#HighPlaces, #Vocabulary #CommunicationSkill #ProfessionalService #GoodDeliverables #serviceProfessionals

World Patient Safety Day 17 Sep 2024

"#WorldPatientSafetyDay" calls for global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety.

The Day brings together patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers, health care leaders and policy-makers to show their commitment to patient safety.

The resolution WHA 72.6 ‘Global action on patient safety’ recognizes patient safety as a global health priority and endorses the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be observed annually on 17 September".
Ref:https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day

Theme of 2024: 
          "Get it Right & Keep It Safe"
                              - for Patient Safety

In healthcare, accurate prescriptions are crucial for patient safety. A well-written prescription minimizes errors, optimizes treatment outcomes, and enhances patient well-being. 

On Patient Safety Day, it is essential to emphasize the responsibility of physicians, pharmacists and healthcare providers in ensuring safe prescription and service.

Key Strategies for Safe Prescriptions:

1. Clarity and Precision:

Avoid abbreviations and ensure legible handwriting or digital prescriptions.

Specify the drug name, dosage, route of administration, and frequency clearly.

2. Patient Information:

Include patient-specific details like age, weight (for pediatric or geriatric care), and known allergies.

Consider potential drug interactions with existing medications.

3. Education and Communication:

Ensure patients understand their prescriptions, including how and when to take medications.

Highlight potential side effects and encourage patients to ask questions.

4. Standardized Protocols:

Follow clinical guidelines and ensure prescriptions align with best practices.

Regularly update medical knowledge on new drugs and safety alerts.

5. Utilization of Technology:

Leverage e-prescriptions to reduce errors due to misinterpretation.

Implement drug interaction alerts within electronic medical systems.

6. Pharmacist Involvement:

Pharmacists play a key responsibility in providing reliable clinical support and reviewing prescriptions, detecting errors, and counseling patients.

Regular medication reconciliation ensures ongoing therapy is safe and effective.

Prescription accuracy is a joint responsibility of both the physician and pharmacist and is a cornerstone of patient safety. 

By ensuring prescriptions are clear, precise, and safe, healthcare providers protect patients from medication errors and improve treatment outcomes. 

On Patient Safety Day, let's commit to getting prescriptions right and keeping them safe for all.

POV : Bhagwan PS

Sunday 15 September 2024

PATIENT CARE - PHARMACARE

PATIENT CARE - PHARMACARE

Doctor-Patient contact time is hardly 5 minutes.Patient is left to fend himself with (mis)understood medication regimen.
Because of this he spends ₹ 8 to 10K per year on consultation, lab and medicines.
It is the professional JOB..... of the pharmacist to train and guide the patient on medication management.

But, whose job is it to produce pharmacists of professional quality?

Our pharmacists are failing to take such a responsibility and running away from the scene.

And

Our Pharmacy education system has failed to produce professionally competent Pharmacist to shoulder this responsibility with full confidence.

And

Pharmacists are not professionally empowered and legally supported.

The Govt should address these issues in public interest.

If effectively served the Chronic patient's would be comfortable enough with confidence and that would minimize treatment expenditure by an average 1/4th. with only one or two lab and consultation per year.

I appeal to public to demand this kind of service  from the Pharmacists in Chemist shop or Pharmacies and Boycott such chemists and pharmacies where you dont get professional service.

I appeal to pharmacists to surrender your certificate to the council if you don't want to work like a professional pharmacist, 

All in the interest of Patient's safety.

POV : Bhagwan PS




Tips To Serve Professionally


Tips To Serve Professionally 

1. Selet very commonly prescribed 10 drugs.

 2. Study and understand how to use them safely and optimize their effect. 

3. Greet the patient respectfully

4. Initiate simple social talk to open up

5. Explain how to get maximum benefit from the prescribed drug.

6 Never forget to praise the prescription quality

7. Train him on how to identify the medicine, how to keep track of medicine consumed and to be consumed and how best to space and optimize the drug effect.

8. After 2 days call him and inquire his health.

9. Remember your personal look and action should be more professional.

10. Always be positive in your talks and comments.

POV : Bhagwan PS

Saturday 7 September 2024

Pharmacists in authority are #gutLessShyCreatures - Why?

Pharmacists in authority are #gutLessShyCreatures - Why?

1. They don't reachout to other authorities to discuss and resolve common issues.

2. They don't convene meeting but attend when someone convene meetings.

3. They dont avail provisions to have interdepartmental relations unless compelled by the case file.

4. They first think of negative reasons to pushout the issue than think of ways to own and resolve.

5. Abnormal #Ego, lack of communication skill, lack of updated Professional knowledge have distanced them from community and reality.

Can such people support profession?

POV: Bhagwan PS

My POV : don't agree always... Depends individual to individual

Friday 6 September 2024

Professionalism



Dear Future Pharmacists & Working Pharmacists, 

As you stand on the threshold of a noble and rewarding career, I want to share some thoughts that I hope will inspire and guide you in your journey toward becoming successful professionals.  The pharmacy profession is not just a career.  it’s a calling that demands the highest levels of commitment, integrity, and professionalism.

#ProfessionalDressCode

First impressions matter. The way you present yourself in your professional environment speaks volumes about your attitude toward your role. 

A professional dress code is not just about adhering to rules; it’s about embodying the respect you have for your profession, your patients, and yourself.

When you step into a healthcare setting, you are representing the pharmacy profession. 

Your appearance should reflect the seriousness and dedication you have toward your duties. 

A clean, well-groomed, and professional appearance communicates that you are ready to handle the responsibilities of patient care with diligence and respect.

Remember, your attire is often the first thing a patient or colleague notices. It sets the tone for the level of trust and confidence they place in you. 

By dressing professionally, you signal that you take your role seriously and are fully prepared to provide the highest standard of care.

#ProfessionalService

Beyond appearance, your actions as a pharmacist will define your career.

 Professionalism in service is paramount. Every interaction you have with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals should be guided by compassion, empathy, and ethical responsibility and professional authority..

Your role as a pharmacist is not just to dispense medications but to be a trusted advisor, logistics manager, , a caregiver, and a supporter of your patients’ overall health and well-being. 

The advice you give, the way you listen, and the care you provide will have lasting impacts on the lives of those you serve.

Professional service also means continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in pharmacy and healthcare. 

The field of pharmacy is ever-evolving, and as professionals, it is your duty to stay informed so you can offer the best possible care,  advice and input.

#GrowingInTheProfession:

Your journey in the pharmacy profession will be filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and make a difference. 

But this growth does not happen by chance. It requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of your professional life.

Seek out mentors, engage in continuous education, and always strive to improve. 

The pharmacy profession offers vast opportunities, from Drugs logistics,  clinical practice to research and beyond. 

Explore these paths, find your passion, and let it drive you forward.

Your growth in the profession will also be shaped by the relationships you build. 

Networking with peers, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and participating in professional organizations will open doors and provide support throughout your career.

 The path you have chosen is one of immense responsibility and great reward. 

By embracing #Professionalism in your appearance and service, you will not only grow in your career but also uplift the pharmacy profession as a whole.

As you move forward, remember that you are the future of pharmacy. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence will shape the healthcare landscape of tomorrow. 

Again I reiterate and emphasize that the profession grows as you grow in the profession. 

And, let me warn you that profession will evolve and progress leaving you behind to suffer and regret if you betray your profession.

I am confident that you will rise to the challenge to be a true professional to uphold the profession and make a lasting impact on the lives of patients.

Wishing you success and fulfillment in all your endeavors.

Sincerely Good wishes

Bhagavan P S.
A Pharmacist.