This thread is a sequel to world pharmacist day celebrated in 2021
https://www.nairaland.com/6770676/world-pharmacy-day-things-may


The World Pharmacists Day campaign is led by International Pharmaceutical Federation(FIP) which is held every 25th September as an avenue to promote the pharmacy profession worldwide.


The theme for this year is : Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world .

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PHARMACY
According to Greek legends written centuries ago, the Greek god of Medicine, Asclepius, delegated the compounding of his remedies to Hygieia, his apothecary or pharmacist.
As such healing and pharmacy went hand-in-hand and were often thought of as the same practice.

The line between pharmacy and medicine began to be defined by the eighth century and was firmly established in the 17th century as physicians could no longer prepare medications for their patients themselves.

The field transformed yet again with the onslaught of World War II where new drugs were constantly introduced into the market broadening the role of the pharmacist.

THE ROLES OF PHARMACY IN HEALTHCARE
Today’s pharmacist performs multiple vital roles
making them indispensable to health care.

1. ROLE IN DISPENSING
The tasks bestowed on pharmacists include identifying and providing people with the right medication, stocking/restocking of all essential medicines, staying ahead of medicine expiry dates, patient counseling, compounding, drug information etc.

A contributing factor to why some people might be oblivious to the role of a pharmacist in health is due to their familiarity with patent medicine ventors/chemists who are not professionals.

A lot of people do not know that there is a draconian difference between a chemist and a pharmacy.

a. PHARMACY: A Pharmacy is a premise overseen by a licensed pharmacist that carry out activities like counseling, patient care, compounding and preparation of medicines along with dispensing of medical prescriptions (prescription , controlled and over-the-counter medicines) from a Registered Medical Practitioner.
Pharmacies are generally larger in size and carry a wider range of medicines and consumables not found in a chemist.

b. CHEMIST: Patent medicine stores/chemist are lower-tier retail outlets, with no pharmacist , who sell over-the-counter drugs(those sold directly to a consumer without a prescription), chemical products and household remedies.

They might also sell over-the-counter family planning methods, especially condoms, oral contraceptives, and emergency contraception.
They usually have storefronts, product displays, and a counter.

Many have a small room in the back, separated by a curtain or door, for examinations and treatment.

2. ROLE IN QUALITY ASSURANCE
The menace of counterfeit (fake) and adulterated drugs have been linked to illegal drug distributors.

In their quest for cheap drugs patent medicine vendors might end up acquiring substandard drugs which leads to a patient getting a sub therapeutic dose.

Those who operate patent medicine stores do not have grounded knowledge in drugs and as such are oblivious to the nature, mechanism of action, interactions and contraindications of most drugs.

In addition they do not know how to authenticate many drugs gotten from distributors as such more prone to dish out adulterated, substandard or fake drugs unknowingly.

They might also be oblivious to the proper storage of thermolabile drugs as such may end up dispensing denatured drugs.

3. ROLE IN CURTAILING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Pharmacists have played a role in curtailing the menace of drug abuse in Nigerian.


Drugs like Codeine, Tramadol, Pentazocine, Promethazine, Benzodiazepine class, etc have been prone to addiction. Drug addicts try to maneuver their way to get those drugs, some have went to the extent of forging prescription with the doctor signature.

I once caught an addict who forged a doctor's signature demanding a pack of Pentazocine. On seeing the oddity of the prescription I asked where he was coming from so I can meet the doctor, he told me so I followed him to see the doctor. He only went and showed me a patient claiming the patient was in serious pain that was why . I then went to consult the nurse on duty. Only for me to turn around and can't find the patient , he ran away. This happened in a hospital.

4. ROLE IN SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF DRUGS
The pharmacist is the drug expert trained in the correct and safe use of drugs.
Drugs are one of the greatest inventions known to man. A drug is "a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
However, a common paradox in disease management is: every drug is a potential poison. The dose determine that a thing is not poison.

So when does a drug becomes a poison? Simply put, when it is misused or abused.
This is done by using medicines other than how it is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner( Self medication)

In self medication, the illnesses may not be correctly recognized by individuals due to lack of training. Hence, the drugs may not be the right one as such the possibility of drug harm is largely increased.

Conversly, a patient might know the illness but demographics might discourage the use of the drugs . There are drugs pregnant women or children should not take, or that people with certain diseases should not take. Such drugs can become poisons to those individuals when taken.
Another problem is taking improper dosages. Drugs are precisely dosed so they are not harmful. If improperly taken, such drugs become poisonous and deadly.

Considering the several variables that may make a drug poisonous, the pharmacist is in the best place to give advice regarding drugs.

5. ROLE IN DRUG DISTRIBUTION
Pharmacists and other bodies have worked tirelessly to curtail the chaotic drug distribution problem in Nigeria.

In 2012, the New Drug Distribution System was established to increase access to high-quality, low-cost medications at all levels of health-care delivery while also reducing the activities of charlatans( those who distribute counterfeit. or adulterated drugs).

Noncompliance with regulatory agencies such as the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the NAFDAC results in disciplinary measures.

6. PHARMACISTS ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE
The best part is this is that a pharmacist is always ready to handle any drug related problem even without an appointment.

Unlike a doctor you do not need an appointment to see a pharmacist.

The best bet in the continuous safe and effective use of drugs are the Pharmacists.

May it be our goal to consult a pharmacist when the need arises.

#WPD

Cc
Lalasticlala seun Sissy3, dominique

Nairalanders join let's celebrate with our pharmacists.

Please prostate cancer is making our aged people miserable in Nigeria
and I asked why now prostrate cancer our fore fathers doesn't have all these what were they doing to avoid it then?

Kaaghoney:
Please prostate cancer is making our aged people miserable in Nigeria
and I asked why now prostrate cancer our fore fathers doesn't have all these what were they doing to avoid it then?

It's not just prostate cancer . Cancer in general have become common, many women suffering from breast and ovarian cancer.


The fact that our forefathers didn't fàce what we are facing shows that our new lifestyle is a contributing factor.

Dpharmacist:


It's not just prostate cancer . Cancer in general have become common, many women suffering from breast and ovarian cancer.


The fact that our forefathers didn't fàce what we are facing shows that our new lifestyle is a contributing factor.

May God help us