National Pharmacy Week recognises the priceless contributions that pharmacists and technicians make to patient care. Pharmacists are visible in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
National Pharmacy week is celebrated the third full week in October. During “Pharmacy Week” is the time to recognise the powerful impact Pharmacists make on their patients. It affords the opportunity to raise the awareness of patients and colleagues with regard to the invaluable role pharmacists play on the healthcare team. It is also possible to confirm, in a meaningful way, the hard work of the Pharmacists to ensure that medication use at their organisation is safe – and patients are achieving the best results from their treatment protocols.
Pharmacists assist their patients by being excellent guides, by giving counsel and advice to patients, by being there during an emergency and empower patients by imparting knowledge.
For example, important information would have already been included in a medication package insert but, for various reasons, many patients benefit from the verbal guidance, given by the pharmacist, which includes the correct dosage, the best ways to consume the product and the potential side effects.
Pharmacists give basic health tips and answer specific questions – and are excellent in giving patients advice regarding healthy lifestyle choices. They offer counsel on mental health, stress management – and suggest consulting the right healthcare professional if needed. Pharmacists can also assist in certain types of medical emergencies which sometimes save lives.
Pharmacists empower patients by helping them to tackle illness and boost their confidence. They impart knowledge, they motivate, they help patients to help themselves, and are many times the first port of call in a health crisis.
According to National Day Calendar, and using the United States of America as an example, an average of one out of every two Americans take at least one prescription drug. With so many Americans taking prescription drugs, pharmacists play a more vital role than ever in that particular healthcare system. Not only do pharmacists provide medicine, but they also provide important information to patients. They need to know everything there is about the prescriptions they fill, which includes knowing how medications interact with one another.
Along with dispensing medication, pharmacists work as researchers, educators, advocates, and counsellors. Some pharmacists also give immunisations and even help patients with weight management and smoking cessation. In addition, pharmacists often work with insurance companies to ensure their patient’s medications are covered by their health insurance plan. National Pharmacy Week recognises all these contributions and so much more.
Pharmacists don’t just work behind the counter. Some of them work in hospitals, nursing homes, and manage care organisations.
National Pharmacy Week is observed annually since it inception in 1924 when it was known as National Pharmaceutical Week. However, the name was eventually changed to National Pharmacy Week.
