World Pharmacists Day, organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), a WHO partner, is a day to recognise and celebrate the crucial role that pharmacists play in building healthier communities everywhere.
Pharmacists are integral to our health-care systems, often being the first point of contact for health advice and primary health care, as well as addressing the health needs of our populations in many varied ways, such as ensuring access to and providing guidance on essential medicines and medical devices, including diagnostic tests and assistive products, they provide expertise for patient care and public health, promoting disease prevention, such as by administering vaccines, conducting health screening, educating patients, and helping to improve health literacy. Pharmacists support public health campaigns by participating in the research and development of new medicines. They play an important role in pharmacovigilance, for instance, ensuring the safety and efficacy of antibiotics and other medicines. Undoubtedly, as have demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, pharmacists are at the forefront of addressing regional and global health crises.
“A pharmacist in health care, is a key person between patient and healthcare providers, delivering instructions on rational use of medicine, prescribing and offering health care service to patients ensuring availability of safe and quality drugs. Good practices implemented within every pharmaceutical division viz community, industry, regulatory, academics etc. at manufacturing, laboratory, clinical pharmacy, and good distribution etc, ultimately enables pharmacists to provide safe, effective and quality, medicines to patients. The industry aims at manufacturing quality drugs. Research organizations do innovations for development of new drugs,” says Rajendra Naik, past president at the India Pharma Association.
Shekhar Nayak, a retail pharmacist from Margão says, “We live in 21st century and yet the concept of ‘compounder’ has not faded off the minds of people in our own houses and society. Lack of basic skills such as identifying the pulse/ injecting insulin to a family member is yet another important factor that keeps the pharmacist away from the areas of clinical practice.” Further he explains, “In my view, the role of the pharmacists in healthcare in Goa and India is not recognized. And it is high time that the policy makers, stakeholders and government unite together and address this issue. Policy makers usually see pharmacies as commercial enterprises and pharmacists as business people. Policy makers should view pharmacies as part of the health care sector and pharmacists as healthcare professionals providing health care services and focus on them as they do with other health care professionals.”
“Deservingly termed as the ‘Pharmacy of the World,’ the Indian pharmaceutical industry is made up of more than 3,000 pharmaceutical companies backed by over 10,500 manufacturing facilities which together contribute to above 50 percent of vaccine demand around the globe, meets 40 percent generics requirement in the US and caters to 25 percent need of all medicines in the UK. India exports 60,000 generic drugs to over 220 countries across 60 therapeutic areas. It caters above 80 percent of the global antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV AIDS,” mentions PhD scholar Amol Adkonkar, from Ribandar.
“The role of pharmacists include responsibilities such as dispensing medication ensuring that prescriptions are filled accurately while checking for drug interactions, allergies, or any other contraindications. They play an important role educating patients on how to take their medications, instructing them about their potential side effects, and addressing any concerns or questions they may have,” states Neelesh Timble, a post-graduate research scholar.
“I am currently working for a pharmacy in a cancer research hospital in London and this has given me great knowledge and experience dealing with a lot of different medications. Here, pharmacists are considered in par with doctors and share the same responsibilities,” says Ninoshka Afonso, a pharmacist working in the UK.
Nidhi Raut Dessai, a pharmacist from Assolda, expresses her views about a pharmacist through a lovely poem. She says, “Empowered by knowledge, driven by care, From lab to patient, we make a difference everywhere. As Pharmacists, we are the innovators in Healthcare. From laws to statistics to chemistry we study everything. By developing and formulating, life to medicines we bring. Known for our expertise in medication therapy, We collaborate and educate to ensure patient safety. Beyond the counter, our role expands wide, Ensuring wellness in every pill, with precision and pride. From formulation to dispensing, we strive, To heal, to help, to make lives thrive. We are Pharmacists, dedicated and strong, Committed to health, all day long.”
“Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare by ensuring the safe use of medications, counseling patients, and contributing to public health. Their role has expanded to include preventive care and chronic disease management, making them essential in today’s healthcare system. In Goa, the pharmacy profession is growing steadily, with increasing opportunities and demand for pharmacists, driven by advancements in healthcare services and technology’, explains Dr Pranav Joshi.
“In a world of constant change, one thing remains steadfast, my passion to make a difference. As a dedicated pharmacist, my responsibility is to safeguard patients’ health and well-being. Utilizing our knowledge and experience in the medicine domain, we employ our skills to protect community health and prevent illness by ensuring that the patient gets the right dose of medicine and even by contributing to the discovery of innovative treatments,” states clinical pharmacist Kitty Rodrigues.
“Today’s pharmacist have more patient related responsibilities such as dispensing medicines on doctor’s prescription, patient counselling on how to safely and effectively use their medications, and provide basic health advice on topics like diet, nutrition and other lifestyle changes. Due to having the sound knowledge of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a drug, the current generation of pharmacists have the ability to prevent/minimize life threatening adverse drug reactions thereby helping patients in adherence to their drug therapy & thus obtaining better patient outcomes,” explains Mahendra Naik, ex-pharmacist, GMC and member of the Goa State Pharmacy Council.
Pharmacists can also recommend OTC medications for minor health concerns and provide advice making them first point of contact for medical advice especially in resource-limited settings like remote villages where there is an absence of medical practitioners.
