Scope and Functions of Pharmacists

Flashcards covering the scope, definition, legal framework (R.A. 5921 and R.A. 10918), essential functions, and emerging fields of pharmacy practice.

How is Pharmacy defined in the context of pharmacy practice?

Pharmacy is the art and science of preparing and dispensing medications and the provision of drug-related information to the public.

What is the definition of Compounding according to the transcript?

The preparation, mixing, assembling, packaging or labeling of a drug as the result of a prescription or drug order by a physician, dentist, optometrist or veterinarian or for the purpose of research, teaching or chemical analysis and not for sale or dispensing.

How is Dispensing defined?

A process whereby a pharmacist receives and checks a valid prescriber's medication order or prescription and makes available drugs and medicines, with advice on their proper use and other relevant information.

How does the American Pharmacist Association describe the mission of pharmacy?

Serving society as "the profession responsible for the appropriate use of medications, devices, and services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes."

What document is known as the Millis Report, and how does it define pharmacy?

The report "Pharmacist for the Future", which defines pharmacy as a knowledge system that renders a health service by concerning itself with understanding drugs and their effects.

What are the three stages listed in the origin of Pharmaceutical Care?

1. Traditional, 2. Transitional, 3. Patient-Care.

How is Pharmaceutical Care defined?

The responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient’s quality of life.

According to the transcript, who is a Pharmacist?

Those who are educated and licensed to dispense drugs and to provide drug information—they are experts on medications and the most accessible member of today's health care team.

Under Philippine Law, which two Republic Acts (R.A.) govern the practice of pharmacy as noted in the transcript?

R.A. 5921 and R.A. 10918.

Under R.A. 10918, which activities are exclusive to licensed pharmacists?

Activities (a), (b), (c), (d), and (i): preparing/compounding/dispensing pharma products, rendering clinical/drug info/regulatory/marketing/medication management services, teaching pharmacy courses, dispensing where supervision is required, and providing other services requiring pharmaceutical knowledge.

Under R.A. 10918, which scope of practice activities can be practiced by pharmacists but are NOT exclusive to them?

Activities (e), (f), (g), and (h): chemical/biological/microbiological assays, physico-chemical analyses for medical devices, administration of FDA-approved adult vaccines, and scientific research in pharmaceutical products.

What are the four classifications of essential functions of pharmacists?

1. Professional function, 2. Technical function, 3. Administrative, supervisory and managerial functions, 4. Entrepreneurial functions.

What are examples of professional functions of pharmacists?

Ensuring safe and effective use of drugs, selecting drug product dosage form and source, determining dose/schedule, preparing drug product, dispensing with instruction, counseling patients, and monitoring for adverse drug reactions, compliance, and outcomes.

What are the three categories of technical functions in pharmacy practice?

1. Functions indirectly related to dispensing, 2. Functions carried out as a prerequisite to dispensing, 3. Functions directly involved with dispensing.

What are examples of technical functions directly involved with dispensing?

Counting or dispensing prefabricated medications, reconstituting drug powders, and preparing labels.

What administrative duties do pharmacists have even without managerial responsibility?

Proper prescription interpretation, record keeping, pricing procedures, maintaining patient’s drug history, inventory control, and purchase requests.

What characterizes the entrepreneurial functions of a pharmacist?

Pharmacists practicing as independent professionals who establish non-pharmacy functions by investing personal and borrowed funds, depending directly on their own skills as professionals and managers.

What are the current and emerging fields of pharmacy listed in the lecture?

Medication Therapy, Research and Development, Clinical Pharmacy, Academe (Teaching), Quality Control, Legal and Regulatory Practice, Public Health, and Pharmaceutical Journalism.