Active Ingredient: The portion of a drug that possesses therapeutic properties.
Antineoplastic: An agent that acts to prevent, inhibit, or halt the development of a neoplasm (tumor).
Example: Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), an antineoplastic used in the treatment of metastatic colon cancer.
Area Under the Curve (AUC): The mathematical representation of the amount or extent of drug absorption.
Bin Card: A stock record form used to record information on receipts, prices, issuances, and balances of stocks. It is maintained with each product in the storage area as a duplicate record.
Bioavailability: The rate and extent to which an active ingredient becomes available from a dosage form, measured by the concentration/time curve in systemic circulation or excretion in urine.
Bioequivalence: Refers to two related drugs that demonstrate comparable bioavailability and similar times to achieve peak blood concentration.
Biological Products: Viruses, sera, toxins, and analogous products used for the prevention or cure of human diseases.
Clinical Toxicology: Focuses on the effects of substances in patients resulting from accidental poisoning, intentional overdoses of medications, drugs of abuse, household products, or various other chemicals.
Cold Chain Monitors: Cards used to monitor the temperature of vaccines during distribution. Bioref is maintained at 4,∘C or below.
Dangerous Drugs: Drugs included in the schedules of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (amended by the 1972 protocol) and the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances, enumerated in the annexes of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Device: An instrument, apparatus, or contrivance (including parts and accessories) intended for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animals, or to affect the structure/function of the body.
Dispensing: The act performed by a validly registered pharmacist of filling a prescription, doctor's order, or patient's chart.
Drug-Drug Interaction: A pharmacologic or clinical response to a drug combination that differs from the anticipated effects of the two agents when given alone.
Drug Outlets: Drugstores, hospital pharmacies, and other business establishments that sell drugs or medicines.
Drug Product or Medicine: A finished form containing active ingredient(s), generally in association with inactive ingredients.
Drugs: Articles recognized in the USP-NF, Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, and Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF); articles intended for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease; and articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure/function of the body.
Generic Dispensing: Dispensing the patient's choice from generic equivalents (same active ingredient, dosage form, and strength).
Generic Prescribing: The prescribing of drugs using generic names or terminology.
Generic Substitution: Dispensing a different branded or unbranded product (pharmaceutical equivalent) for the one prescribed, distributed by a different company.
Inventory: The total stock kept at any storage point to protect against uncertainty, permit bulk purchasing, minimize waiting time, increase transportation efficiency, and buffer against seasonal fluctuations.
Inventory Control: A supply management method aiming to provide sufficient drug stocks at the lowest possible cost.
Menu Card: A list of drug products in generic names with brand names (if any) and selling prices, posted outside the dispensing area and accessible to consumers.
Medication Error: Any preventable event that may lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of health professionals, patients, or consumers.
Non-prescription or Over-the-counter (OTC) Drug: Drugs that may be dispensed without a valid order from a physician, dentist, or veterinarian. The pharmacist must provide necessary information and directions for use.
Overdose: Intentional toxic exposure (suicide attempt) or inadvertent exposure secondary to intentional abuse.
Pallet: A transportable flat storage base (with or without sides) designed for goods handled by mechanical aids like forklifts.
Pharmaceutical Care: The responsible provision of pharmacotherapy to achieve outcomes that improve or maintain a patient's quality of life. It is a collaborative process for identifying and solving medicinal and health-related problems.
Pharmaceutical Equivalence: Medicinal products containing the same active ingredient(s) in the same dosage forms meeting comparable standards. This does not necessarily imply bioequivalence due to differences in excipients or manufacturing.
Pharmacy: The branch of pharmacology dealing with preparation, dispensing, and proper use of drugs.
Pharmacotherapeutics: The study of drug uses in the treatment of disease.
Poison: Any substance capable of destroying life or endangering health when applied externally or introduced internally in moderate doses.
Poisoning: Accidental toxic exposure (e.g., misreading a label), unintentional exposure (e.g., children playing doctor), or unawareness of toxic pressure (e.g., homicide).
Prescription: A written or electronic order from a validly registered physician, dentist, or veterinarian. Doctor's orders on a patient's chart are considered prescriptions.
Prescription or Ethical Drugs: Drugs only dispensable upon written order from a registered practitioner.
Quality Assurance: An investigational function involving the auditing of quality control procedures and systems with suggestions for changes.
STAT Orders: Emergency medications needed in life-threatening situations. Pharmacy aims to fill these in 5,minutes or less if called down and ready for pick-up.
S-3 License: A license issued by PDEA to pharmacists to sell or deal in dangerous drugs or preparations containing Table I controlled chemicals.
Stock Card: A record form for inventory management containing receipts, issues, orders, and stock losses.
Therapeutic Equivalence: When two similar drugs have comparable efficacy and safety.
Wholesaler: A person acting as a merchant or agent who sells or distributes pharmaceuticals for resale.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics: The response following drug administration is directly related to the drug concentration at the site of action, which is a function of the dose administered.
Pharmacokinetics: The quantitative, time-dependent changes of plasma drug concentration and total drug amount in the body following administration via various routes.
Peak Plasma Drug Concentration (Cmax): The plasma drug concentration at Tmax that relates to the intensity of pharmacological response.
Time for Peak Plasma Drug Concentration (Tmax): Relates to the rate constants for systemic drug absorption and elimination.
Therapeutic Index: Defined as the ratio:
Therapeutic Index=Dose producing critically desired responseDose producing toxicity
Intravenous and Specialized Infusions
Piggyback Infusions: Solutions or dilutions given through a secondary line, used for medications like potassium or antibiotics.
Primary Line: The infusion directly connected to a solution administration set leading to venous access.
Secondary Line (Piggyback): Tubing connected to the injection port of the main line. The unit must be hung on an IV pole at least 6,inches higher than the primary container.
List of Administrative and Technical Abbreviations
AA: Administrative Aide
ADR: Adverse Drug Reaction
ADE: Adverse Drug Events/Experience
ALOBS: Allotment and Obligation Slip
AO: Administrative Officer/Administrative Order
APP: Annual Procurement Plan
BAC: Bids and Awards Committee
BFAD: Bureau of Food and Drugs
BHFS: Bureau of Health Facilities Service
BnB: Botika ng Barangay
BSA: Body Surface Area
BUR: Budget Utilization Review
CAA: Clean Air Act
CBA: Cost Benefit Analysis
CBO: Community-based Organization
CEA: Cost Effectiveness Analysis
cGMP: Current Good Manufacturing Practice
CHD: Center for Health Development
CHED: Commission on Higher Education
CMA: Cost Minimization Analysis
CMPS: Chief, Medical Professional Service
COA: Commission on Audit
COE: Current Operating Expenses
COH: Chief of Hospital
CPR: Certificate of Product Registration
CQI: Continuous Quality Improvement
CRI: Cross Reference Index
CSC: Civil Service Commission
CSR: Central Supply Room
CUA: Cost Utility Analysis
DD: Dangerous Drugs
DepEd: Department of Education
DIS: Drug Information Service
DO: Department Order
DPO: Department Personnel Order
DOH: Department of Health
DR: Delivery Room/Delivery Receipt
DTI: Department of Trade and Industry
DUE: Drug Utilization Evaluation
DUR: Drug Utilization Review
DV: Disbursement Voucher
EO: Executive Order
ER: Emergency Room
FEFO: First Expiry, First Out
FIFO: First In, First Out
GAA: General Appropriations Act
GOCC: Government Owned and Controlled Corporation
HEMS: Health Emergency Management Staff
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air
HHRDB: Health Human Resource Development Bureau
HOMIS: Hospital Operations Management Information System
ICC: Infection Control Committee
ICT: Infection Control Team
IHOMP: Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Program
IM: Intramuscular
IR: Invoice Receipt
IV: Intravenous
LFH: Laminar Flow Hood
LTO: License to Operate
MIMS: Medical Index of Medical Specialties
MMD: Materials Management Division
MOA: Memorandum of Agreement
MOOE: Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses
MSW: Medical Social Worker
NCATS: National Committee on Affiliation and Training of Students
NCHFD: National Center for Health Facilities Development
NFC: National Formulary Committee
NF: National Formulary
NGAS: New Government Accounting System
NGO: Non-government Organizations
NHIP: National Health Insurance Program
NST: Nutrition Support Team
OR: Operating Room/Official Receipt
OTC: Over-the-counter
PACOP: Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
PAPPI: Philippine Association of Pharmacists in Pharmaceutical Industry
PCA: Patient Controlled Analgesic
PDAF: Priority Development Assistance Fund
PDEA: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
PECs: Precursor and Essential Chemicals
PES: Performance Evaluation System
PHIC: Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
PITC: Philippine International Trading Corporation
PNDF: Philippine National Drug Formulary
PO: Purchase Order
PPhA: Philippine Pharmacists Association
PPMP: Project Procurement Management Plan
PR: Purchase Report/Purchase Request
PRC: Professional Regulation Commission
PS: Procurement Service
PSHP: Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists
PTAHC: Philippine Traditional and Alternative Health Care
PTC: Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
PTR: Professional Tax Receipt
RA: Republic Act
RCATS: Regional Committee on Affiliation and Training of Students
RIS: Requisition and Issue Slip
RR: Recovery Room
SAI: Supplies Availability Inquiry
SC: Subcutaneous
SI: Sales Invoice
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
SPS: Stock Position Sheet
TPN: Total Parenteral Nutrition
TT: Tetanus Toxoid
TWG: Technical Working Group
UNICEF: United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
USP: United States Pharmacopeia/Pharmacopoeia
WHO: World Health Organization
WMR: Waste Material Report
Common Prescription Abbreviations and Latin Terms
aa: of each
ac: before meals
a.d.: right ear
as: left ear
am: morning
amp: ampoule
au: each ear
bid: twice a day
cap: capsule
dc: discontinue medication
dil: dilute
disp: dispense
div: divide
Dx: diagnosis
g: gram
GI: gastrointestinal
gr: grain
gtt: a drop
h: an hour
HCTZ: hydrochlorothiazide
hs: at bedtime
I.U.: International unit
IVP: intravenous push
K: Potassium
lin: liniment
lot.: lotion
M: mix
mcg: microgram
mEq: milliequivalent
ml: milliliter
MS: Morphine Sulfate
MTX: Methotrexate
MVI: Multivitamin
Na: Sodium
NPO: nothing by mouth
NS: Normal Saline
od: right eye
oint: ointment
os: left eye
ou: each eye
pm: afternoon/evening
po: by mouth
postop: after surgery
prn: when necessary/as needed
q: every
qd: every day
qh: every hour
qad: every other day
qid: four times a day
SL: sublingual
sol: solution
ss: one-half
stat: immediately
supp: suppository
Susp: suspension
Sx: symptom
syr: syrup
tab: tablet
tbsp: tablespoonful
tid: three times a day
TMP-SMX: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Department of Health Hospital Pharmacy Service Principles
General Principle: The hospital must maintain a pharmacy service administered via ethical, professional practices and legal requirements. It must promote safe, accurate, rational, and cost-effective use of medicines.
Collaborative Work: Pharmacists must work with medical staff and administration to improve pharmacy operations and patient care.
Institutional Goals:
Provide quality pharmaceutical services to in/outpatients and health professionals.
Deliver total client satisfaction.
Maintain professional ethics and education.
Promote research and share information with allied specialties.
Strengthen internship programs via training modules.
Integrate new technology for pharmaceutical care and safety.
Objectives of the Hospital Pharmacy
General Objective: To utilize the pharmacy service to the maximum to improve actual dynamics of patient care.
Specific Objectives:
Provide continuous drug supply through collaboration with the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC).
Rationalize the use and selection of produce medicines.
Render immediate service to all economic levels of society.
Manage operations effectively and efficiently.
Develop patient-oriented services and strengthen counseling.
Participate in researches and educational hospital programs.
Implement automation and strengthen Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
Organization and Personnel Classification
Licensure Requirements: Hospital pharmacy is organized per BFAD and BHFS (One Stop Shop Licensure) minimum requirements.
Supervision: A licensed pharmacist managed by the Chief Administrative Officer or Deputy Director of Administrative Services.
Gamot sa Presyong DOH Expansion: Based on AO No. 47 s. 1999, this project aimed to provide affordable drugs to pilot hospitals in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. AO 49-A s. 2000 mandated DOH Boticas in all retained hospitals.
Position Re-allocation (July 1, 2009): Per EO No. 811 and DOH Circular No. 2009-0033:
Pharmacist I: SG 10 -> SG 11
Pharmacist II: SG 12 -> SG 15
Pharmacist III: SG 14 -> SG 15
Pharmacist IV: SG 18 -> SG 18 (Pharmacist III in new system)
Pharmacist V: SG 20 -> SG 20 (Pharmacist IV in new system)
Pharmacist VI: SG 22 -> SG 22 (Pharmacist V in new system)
Personnel Qualifications and Competencies
Chief Pharmacist: BS Pharmacy, licensed, MS in Pharmacy or equivalent, 6 years experience (3 supervisory, 3 dispensing), computer literate, OJT completed.
Supervising Pharmacist: BS Pharmacy, licensed, 5 years experience (3 supervisory, 2 dispensing), 18 units of postgraduate studies.