Pharmacists as Public Health Professionals

Pharmacists as Public Health Professionals

I. History of Pharmacy in Public Health

  • Hygeia: Greek goddess of health, hygiene.

  • Considered a pioneer of sickness prevention and promoting good health.

  • Addressed pandemics during the Middle Ages through sanitation and medication use.

II. Role of Pharmacists

  • Highly trained, licensed professionals.

  • Responsible for the manufacture, dispensing, monitoring, and registration of medications, medical supplies, and cosmetics.

  • WHO pharmacist-patient recommendation ratio: 1 pharmacist per 1,600 patients (compared to an ideal of 1:1,200).

  • Most accessible healthcare professionals due to widespread presence in neighborhoods.

  • Involved in scientific procurement and distribution of pharmaceutical products.

  • Aim to achieve the goal of rational use of medicines.

III. Pharmaceutical Public Health

  • Application of pharmaceutical knowledge and skills to

    • Prevent disease

    • Prolong life

    • Promote and improve health through organized societal efforts.

  • (R. Walker, 2000)

IV. Pharmaceutical Care

  • Responsible provision of drug therapy aimed at improving patient quality of life.

  • Focused on individual patient level outcomes.

  • (Helper & Strand, 1990)