Pharmacists: The Silent Heroes of the Health Care System

Bini Susan Isaac*

Senior Clinical Pharmacologist, Kauvery Hospital, Salem

*Correspondence: clinicalpharma.khs@kauveryhospitals.com

Background

World Pharmacist Day is on September 25, with the theme Pharmacists strengthening health systems. This is a celebration for all Pharmacists and others who are part of this field. Four million people are engaged in this profession around the globe. World Pharmacists Day is thus not only a welcome event but also a crucial day to honour the role they play in improving global health outcomes.

History

In 754 AD The first pharmacies were established in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age. On September 28, 1928 Scottish Scientist Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin. CVS, the largest Pharmacy in the US employing 24,000 pharmacists, was opened on May 8, 1963.

After World War II, the role of the pharmacists changed significantly with the science behind drug development beginning to change rapidly.

A Pharmacists tasks involve many essential responsibilities. They are responsible for finding the proper medication for patients, administering, replenishing and refilling medications, and monitoring shelf- life expiration dates. It is most likely for this reason that the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) created Pharmacists Day to recognize all Pharmacists and promote growth in this field. The days creators claimed that they chose September 25, 1912, the day FIP was founded, to celebrate World Pharmacists Day.

Today, the Pharmacist is not responsible for actually making the pills and portions. They are responsible for storing them, fulfilling them with the correct dosage, offering advice to patients, watching for mistakes or drug interactions and other duties.

What is Pharmacist Day?

With the Pharmacists Day coming up on 25th September, the Pharmacy Council of India, State Pharmacy Councils, Pharmacy organizations and professionals are gearing up to promote, plan and implement the programs that advocate the role of the pharmacist in health care.

It is a day to celebrate the one million registered pharmacists in India who work hard to keep the society healthy. As most of these pharmacists work silently behind the scene, there arises a need to recognize their hard work and contribution to the society.

Theme

This year’s theme is Pharmacists Strengthening Health Systems. It aims to present opportunities to increase awareness of pharmacists as an intelligent solution for health services to meet the future needs of health systems around the world after COVID-19 crisis.

Most people are unaware of the range of services offered by Pharmacists and know them only as a person who simply dispenses medicines.

But that is not the only work that the Pharmacist does!

Pharmacists are involved in

Research and Innovation by discovering and developing new Drugs and Devices
Distribution and Dispensing medicines by ensuring that the right medicine, at the right dose and at the right time is dispensed to the patients
Providing primary and community health care by facilitating public health campaigns in local communities
Supporting and educating young Pharmacy graduates on the current trends in Pharmaceutical sciences and helping them be updated
Enforcing Laws and Regulations by regulating the manufacture, distribution, sales and import of medicines and medical devices.

Conclusion

Pharmacists play an essential part in the health care system. In a nutshell, it would be safe to say that the health care system is incomplete without a pharmacist.
On the occasion of National Pharmacist Day, let us
Celebrate this World Pharmacist Day 2023!
Acknowledge the importance of pharmacists!
Appreciate them for rendering doing health care services that are best for society and public health.
Thank the pharmacists who ensure healthy living for us.

Dr. Bini Susan Isaac

Clinical Pharmacist

Pharmacists: The Silent Heroes of the Health Care System