|
Points for Consideration by the Pharmacist
Adherence, adherence, adherence. I could probably end this section on this critical note. Half the people who get a prescription fail to take it correctly.
You can make a real difference by making sure that people understand how much to take, when to take it, and what to take it with. Remember, the current estimate is that adverse drug events or Bad Med Syndrome costs 136 billion dollars a year. Be a part of the solution! Many pharmacists are being paid for their expertise in medicines (cognitive services). In Veterans Administration hospitals some are even prescribing medicines via guidelines. Many states have given pharmacists the opportunity to provide vaccinations, and large numbers of you are starting to offer them. In a setting where the pressure of time is less restrictive, you can make a great difference in helping prevent some common illnesses.
Accept the FDA initiative to define your role and responsibility as counselor to consumers regarding the proper use of medicinal drugs. The FDAs position is that the patient has a right to demand and receive essential drug information, and that the pharmacist should offer it. The FDA recommends that printed information be dispensed with medicines to reinforce what the pharmacist says. Combined use of talking about prescriptions and giving printed materials gets the best results. I've often told patients that "We're always there for you" on the Pharmacist Minute radio series. Be there for your patients and make a difference. I've also told patients to "Take care of yourself" on my audiotapes and on my website. Rest assured that I'll be telling them what to look for to be a part of their health care!
The outcomes or results from medicines will be the hallmark of the use of medicines for the future. Pharmacists need to understand outcomes research; the FDA will be applying them to patient-directed advertising, physicians will be facing questions about who gets better on what medicine, and you will have a role in retrospective and potentially concurrent drug use review. Disease management and pharmacoeconomic principles will be widely applied.
Some pharmacists have made great inroads in clinical service by helping manage medicines for asthmatics, providing vaccines (where state law allows), offering smoking cessation groups, and helping monitor anticoagulation, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Contact your state board of pharmacy for more information. It's okay to accept appointments and charge a fee for cognitive services. Many stores are getting high rates of reimbursement. No one wants to contract Bad Med Syndrome and you can be there to help prevent it. I've created a Medication Map in this book which is also a perfect way for you to help patients realistically ht medicines into their lives.
I advise consumers to take the fullest advantage of their pharmacist's training and experience. It's a good idea to have a copy of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Clinical Practice Guidelines Number 9 on the management of cancer pain, as well as copies of the patient guide on cancer pain. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research is advocating effective and timely control of pain as aJbasic human right. The American Pain Society advocates pain as the fifth vital sign. This is also a clear opportunity for you to help in offering effective therapeutic options and superb pharmaceutical care.
|
