PATIENT-ORIENTED PHARMACY EDUCATION AND REDEFINING ROLE OF PHARMACIST: A CHALLENGE TO EDUCATIONISTS

The primary focus of the profession of pharmacy, the world over, has shifted from a technical, product-oriented to patient-oriented, professional service. Unfortunately, despite India excelling in all other industries, the health care industry has been very slow on the uptake of pharmacist as an integral tool in improving health services. Hence, there is need for a drastic change to make India a healthier nation, a developed nation which could only be happened when all health care professionals work hand in hand. This mainly includes providing the medicines to the public with appropriate advice and professional counseling. To achieve due recognition of pharmacist as a health care professional, pharmacy education and course curriculum at diploma/degree level should be restructured to meet the needs of present day health care. Practical training under the supervision of an experienced clinical pharmacist can help to give good exposure to the students to the real life practical problems as well as to develop confidence and good communication skills in order to solve the medication related problems in future. Thus, it is the responsibility of pharmacy educators to supply professionally and legally qualified pharmacists. For the health care chain to complete, pharmacists need to be competent and ready to embrace new challenges to develop their professional role. Creating a responsible pharmacist through education and community service will go a long way in providing health care to humanity as they offer endless opportunities for serving mankind.