The Role of Pharmacist today

Pharmacists are now expected by both the public and the government to provide a wider range of services than in the past. We have not attempted to provide here a detailed historical account of the development of pharmacy from its earliest history through to the present day, nor do we provide an exhaustive account of pharmacists’ day-to-day activities.

In 1983 a major review of the pharmaceutical profession was undertaken. The Committee of Inquiry into Pharmacy, commonly referred to as the ‘Nuffield Inquiry’, was an independent investigation into the practice of pharmacy in Great Britain. The Inquiry received submissions from a wide range of sources including pharmacists from all branches of the profession, and representatives of the British Medical Association, the Consumers’ Association, and Societies representing a broad spectrum of other health care professionals. The terms of reference for the inquiry were 'To consider the present and future structure of the practice of pharmacy in its several branches and its potential contribution to health care and to review the education and training of pharmacists accordingly.' The report of the inquiry was published in March 1986 (Nuffield Committee of Inquiry, 1986). Ninety-six conclusions and recommendations were contained in the report, relating to community, hospital and industrial pharmacy, undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education, pharmacy practice research and the Pharmaceutical Society. Pharmacy as a profession is in the process of responding to and implementing these recommendations.

Currently there are over thirty thousand registered pharmacists in Great Britain, the majority working in community or hospital, Consequently, the need has arisen for pharmacists to play a more active and direct role in the provision of pharmaceutical services within hospitals. Thus the concept of 'ward pharmacy' has evolved. Pharmacists at the ward level may be involved in patient medication at the pre-prescription stage, working with physicians, supplying them with pharmaceutical and therapeutic information and assisting in the selection of the appropriate medication. In addition to their activities at ward level, hospital pharmacists are now involved in the supply of drugs (to 'in' and 'out' patients), stock control and prescription monitoring. They may also supply drug information to doctors, nurses and other members of the primary health care team, and, where appropriate, to patients and their relatives.

Упражнение 1. Найдите в тексте информацию о:

1) роли фармацевта в настоящее время;

2) результатах опроса, проведенного Комитетом Информации по Фармацевтике;

3) результатах опроса, данных в отчетах, опубликованных в Марте 1986 года;

4) видах фармацевтической практике в Великобритании;

5) роли фармацевта в больничной практике.

Упражнение 2. Составьте краткое резюме по содержанию текста.