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ROLLO MANNING
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PHARMACY
STRUCTURE
The Expanded Role of the Pharmacist -
Practical Issues
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The task of performing an expanded role for pharmacists in primary health care will not come easily.
For 50 plus years the pharmacist in a town or suburb has been the one who "dispenses" medicines.
Sure they have advised on minor ailments, and done a lot of prescribing of "over the counter" medicines, but not a lot in the wider sphere of current therapeutic trends, and mixing this with the medical profession.
Pharmacists in the 50 years plus age group know what it is like to keep up with the body of knowledge that makes them a "professional.
It takes constant work and study.
Now these same pharmacists are being asked to take on functions that were previously not needed to "make a dollar".
Assume the study is possible and the knowledge is there.
What next?
The first thing is to convince others that the knowledge held by the pharmacist has a professional value. It can assist in the making of prescribing decisions by doctors; the understanding of medicine side effects and interactions for nurses; and the importance of compliance and how medicines work for the patients.
But who will listen?
They all will if the pharmacists knows their stuff.
This is the real test.
Confidence is one's own ability to pass on the "body of knowledge" to others and is the key to success in the professional stakes.
A horse can be trained in the best possible manner, but if when it comes to race day, if it fails to perform, then all that training has been in vain.
It matters not how good the information going in process is for pharmacists, if the passing on does not work it is of no use to anyone.
It is time for pharmacy to consider a public relations program to inform the pharmacy "publics" what this expanded role is all about.
Do not assume anything.
Just because you believe everyone understands your potential and role in the primary health care team, it does not mean all the other players do also.
Talk about this among yourselves, decide as a group that you want to raise the profession's level of awareness among the people who count.
It is a long time since the "ask your family chemist - he knows" slogan, and that was for minor ills.
In 2002 it will be the big league you are seeking support from, so make sure the training is there and the performance on the day matches the training.
Sensitise your public to the fact you are coming to assist in their decision making, it will make life easier.
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