The role of community pharmacies in promoting public health and preventive care

An emerging trend in the medical world today is that of community pharmacies. The role of the pharmacist has always been to dispense medicine and give advice, but this has gradually evolved into a role of basic healthcare, providing services such as vaccinations, patching up minor sports injuries, administering first aid in emergency situations and more.

If you are interested in taking your passion for pharmacy one step further, consider an online pharmacy program with the University of Findlay. This course prepares you for a lifetime of serving your community in your role as a community pharmacist. PharmD graduates can also branch out into pharmaceutical research and academia, where they can make a difference in the field of new medicines and drug therapy.

Convenience and assistance

Community pharmacies offer the convenience of being able to obtain medication reasonably quickly without having to travel long distances. They offer a personalized service, and the patient’s details are treated with confidentiality. Pharmacists give advice and assist patients in managing their medication, helping them understand what their medicines do for them, how to take them, and alerting them to any potential side effects. They educate patients on what to do in the event of an adverse reaction to medicine.

Patients generally don’t need appointments to see a pharmacist, and their hours are generally longer than doctors’ consulting hours. Pharmacies also keep a range of self-medication products as well as skin care and health products, and there is always someone to give advice.

In-pharmacy clinics

Community pharmacies have the facilities to vaccinate patients on a large scale in compliance with regulations and requirements laid down by state or federal departments. Pharmacy clinics perform blood pressure checks, test sugar levels in diabetes patients, nebulize patients, give injections and more.

Many pharmacies offer baby clinic and family planning options. Pharmacists understand the need for alternate health options such as healthy food and exercise and give advice in these areas when required.

Emergency services

Community pharmacies provide first aid assistance in the case of accidents or emergency situations such as asthma attacks or sports injuries and can be dealt with by a pharmacist before the patient is referred to a hospital or medical practitioner.

Managing chronic diseases

When it comes to managing chronic diseases, getting to know one’s pharmacist makes good sense. Elderly people often suffer from three or more chronic diseases at a time, and management of the respective diseases and the medication that goes with them can be extremely confusing.

The community pharmacist gathers knowledge of the patient’s conditions, dispenses medicines and monitors their progress. In life-threatening situations, the community pharmacy will have access to the patient’s details and can provide a timely intervention. By performing frequent health checkups on chronic patients, the community pharmacy can prevent those emergency situations from happening at all.

It is easier for patients to pop into the pharmacy to have their blood pressure checked, get a lung function test done, or have their medication changed, and it can be done when the need arises.

Getting to know the pharmacist

When patients get to know their pharmacist, they are more comfortable discussing personal health issues. The pharmacist will know what medication the patient is taking and what the possible reactions will be when introducing new medication into the mix, and will advise the patient accordingly.

If the pharmacy knows that the patient’s medical insurance is running a bit low on funds, they may assist by finding the best solution to suit their insurance budget while still ensuring optimum treatment.

Patient medical records

Pharmacists need access to patients’ healthcare records to avoid duplication of treatment or adverse reactions to medication. Newly prescribed medication may counteract current medication that the patient is taking, and the pharmacist will pick this up based on the patient’s medical records. Knowledge of previous diagnostic tests, current medications, and information on chronic and current conditions is essential when treating a patient. With the sophisticated methods of communication today, multidisciplinary teams collaborate to set up procedures for treatment and formulate specific healthcare plans for patients.

A release form signed by the patient Is all that is necessary for the pharmacy to obtain the medical records. In turn, the pharmacy can share patient information with the doctor’s rooms. More recently, medical databases containing patient information can be shared among multi-disciplinary teams such as doctor’s practices, hospitals, pharmacies and therapists that are in collaboration with each other. A healthcare plan agreed on by both physician and pharmacist can give permission for the pharmacist to administer treatment, change medication if necessary, and triage the patient to determine whether to refer them to the physician for further treatment. This facilitates fast and efficient treatment of the patient.

Patient safety

It is imperative that the pharmacist administer the correct medication at the correct dosage. The pharmacist should also explain the possible adverse effect of the medication to the patient so that they can react promptly in the event of such an adverse effect. Any uncertainty should be discussed with the physician before administration. Community pharmacies that have a culture of safety are more likely to employ pharmacists who take responsibility for the safe administration of medicines, and have a policy in place, checking patient records with a view to possible abuse or overdosage. In addition, the community pharmacist will be aware of other medicines that the patient is taking and will intervene if there is a clash in medications or the likelihood of an oversupply of particular ingredients.

Adding value

Community pharmacies add value both to patients in terms of convenience and professional medical care, and to medical practitioners who are under immense pressure and not always able to be present when needed. According to a geographical study conducted in 2022, roughly 50% of the population lives within a 10-mile radius of a community pharmacy and many rural communities do not have access to medical care other than a pharmacy. Access to a pharmacy often eliminates the need to involve busy ER services, which, in rural areas, are an expensive exercise and involve long-distance travel.

Community-based pharmacies most certainly have their place in society, and being a pharmacist in this environment is both interesting and rewarding.