Clinical Pharmacy may be defined as
“ The discipline that embodies the application & development (by pharmacist) of scientific principles of pharmacology, toxicology, therapeutics, and clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacogenomics & other allied sciences for the care of patients”.
Reference: American college of clinical pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacist: -
A Pharmacist who is involved in clinical pharmacy practice, research & /or education.
Pharmaco-genomics: -
It is a branch of pharmacology that deals with study of genetic makeup of the individuals to discuss the gene variations, which are associated with goal or poor therapeutic response of an individual to a particular drug & this genetic information is utilized to guide the choice of drug therapy on an individual basis.
Pharmaco-economics: -
It is a branch of pharmacology that deals with study of health economics that aims to quantify in economics terms the cost & benefit of drugs used therapeutically.
Pharmaco-epidemiology: -
It is the study of drugs effects at population level. It is concerned with the variability of drug effects between individuals, in a population & between populations. Pharmacoepidemiological studies also take into account patient compliance that applies when the drug is used under real life conditions.
Development of Clinical Pharmacy (in UK)
Until the mid 1960’s pharmacists were almost only involved in the manufacturing, purchase & supply of medicines. The development of clinical pharmacy started in U.S.A, more & more clinically oriented curricula were designed with the award of PHARM -D degree. These developments in U.S.A influenced the practice of pharmacy in U.K.
Initially prescription & drug administration records were introduced followed by an increasing pharmacy practice in hospital wards. Master degree programs in clinical pharmacy were introduced for first time in 1976. A textbook supported this master degree program.
The progress of clinical pharmacy development remained at low profile in the first decade after its birth in U.K. However Nuffield report in1986 geared up the momentum for progression of clinical pharmacy. Many of the current developments & proposed future development programs are result of high profile critical incidents, studies, reports & difficulties & challenges encountered in planning & providing pharmaceutical care. Until today the clinical pharmacy practice in ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN is in embryonic stage.
Types of Medicines : -
The access to medicines by general public varies according to the laws of every country. In UK the medicines are classified into following three categories
- GSL (general sales list)
- Pharmacy medicines (P)
- Prescription only medicines (POM)
(Medicines act 1968)
1. General Sales List
Medicines are available to general public through many retail outlets like super stores, filling stations etc. These medicines are treatment of minor ailments /conditions & have history of being safe & effective e.g. Paracetamol tablets, mafenamic acid tablets
2. Pharmacy medicines
Pharmacy medicines are only available from the pharmacies & are sold under the supervision of a pharmacist; some deregulated prescription only medicines (POM) are also included in this list.
- Prescription only medicines (POM)
Prescription only medicines (POM) are only available from pharmacies on the prescription from an authorized & licensed prescriber.
Medicines used for the treatment of animal diseases (veterinary medicines) follow a similar pattern of regulations.
Lectures By Dr. Bashir
Courtesy:
Compiled and Shared By: Habib Anwar
habib.anwar@hotmail.com
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