Pharmacy has been traditionally thought to be the career involving only drugs and chemistry. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pharmacy has grown into a dynamic health care profession. We recognize the fact that the practice of pharmacy in Caribbean region have to involved into in very disorganize practice, lack of regulatory bodies, continued education programs for pharmacist professionals, no drugs surveillance instruments, weak legislation for protecting patients who have chronic diseases, note is important the government and the pharmacists professionals practice ethic accountability and transparency saving patients life. It is equal important the attitude of pharmacy practice much change from not professional behavior to professional behavior.
We can learn a lot of Cuba, because this country has the best pharmacy and drugs surveillance in Latin American. Cuba is one of the principals’ contributors to reporting drugs adverse reactions to Uppsala Monitoring Center, the global intelligence network for benefits and risk in medicinal products.
Now the practice of pharmacy has changed. This change has been driven by the development of Pharmaceutical Care, a model of practice centered on identifying, resolving, and preventing drug related problems. Its primary objective is to meet the needs and improve the quality of life of the patient. New drugs and treatments for illness are being developed every day, and pharmacists need to main-time an understanding of new therapeutic options in the health care system.
Patient-focused care is what drives pharmacy practice and Pharmacy education.
Faculty of Pharmacy is an educational environment that facilitates the integration of pharmacy scholarship in the areas of practice, research, and service to affect the optimal health outcomes for individuals and communities, and the advancement of the profession of pharmacy. This would be a good mission statement.
Pharmacy is one of the most versatile health professionals where a pharmacist may choose to practice in a large metropolitan city or alive in a small rural town. Pharmacy practice as specialized journalist, consultants, practice clinical specialties.
We were talking with some pharmacists in Nassau and they say that we have some barriers experienced in the Bahamas: attitudes and opinions of other health professionals, a lack of clinical education, no enthusiasm (it requires more work, more training, no reimbursement), attitude and opinion of the patients (no demand), the health care system is not structured for the implementation of cognitive services, pharmacists are resistant to change (contented with their traditional roles).
Then, we need do something!
Dr. Kevin Alcena
April 13, 2009
Dr. Kevin Alcena
April 13, 2009
