contributed by LLS
Report on current perspectives in drug anti-counterfeiting strategies
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Report-on-current-perspectives-in-drug-anti-counterfeiting-strategies.aspx
.....Parallel trade is a legitimate method of pharmaceutical import and export within the EU zone..and..into the US from Canada.
* Parallel trade is an expanding global sector of industry now that reimportation is permitted in the USA. European parallel trade is set to grow ..
* Counterfeiting is prevalent in higher priced drug markets of developed nations and also in lower priced markets of essential drugs in developing countries.
* The drug distribution routes are the market access points for counterfeits. Parallel traded and non-parallel traded routes are vulnerable to counterfeiting.
* Anti-counterfeiting technologies are being deployed in westernised countries but there are issues that need to be resolved before widespread implementation such as standardization of protocols, technology reliability and validity, and stakeholder funding.
Revised standards for four ingredients widely used in prescription and over-the-counter drugs announced
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Revised-standards-for-four-ingredients-widely-used-in-prescription-and-over-the-counter-drugs-announced.aspx
.....revise the USP Propylene Glycol and Sorbitol Solution standards to include limits for diethylene glycol (DEG).. updated its standard for Glycerin..ensure the absence of DEG and ethylene glycol (EG).. not more than 0.10 percent. ..new standards for USP Sorbitol Sorbitan Solution and Noncrystallizing Sorbitol Solution.
Women may need smaller dose of H1N1 vaccine
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091031/Women-may-need-smaller-dose-of-H1N1-vaccine.aspx
..... women's bodies generate a stronger antibody response than men's do,..so less vaccine may be needed to immunize them. If we could give women a smaller dose, there would be more vaccine to go around. ..women produce as many antibodies in response to a half dose of the seasonal flu vaccine as men make in response to a full dose. Other studies have revealed similar sex differences in response to vaccines for yellow fever virus, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis A and B viruses and herpes simplex virus
Anabolic steroids may cause severe kidney dysfunction
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091030/Anabolic-steroids-may-cause-severe-kidney-dysfunction.aspx
.....Athletes who use anabolic steroids may gain muscle mass and strength, but they can also destroy their kidney function..nine of the ten bodybuilders developed a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of scarring within the kidneys. This disease typically occurs when the kidneys are overworked. The kidney damage in the bodybuilders has similarities to that seen in morbidly obese patients, but appears to be even more severe..When the bodybuilders discontinued steroid use their kidney abnormalities improved,..propose that extreme increases in muscle mass require the kidneys to increase their filtration rate, placing harmful levels of stress on these organs. It's also likely that steroids have direct toxic effects on the kidneys.
Researchers show Simvastatin prevents Parkinson's disease from progressing further
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091030/Researchers-show-Simvastatin-prevents-Parkinsons-disease-from-progressing-further.aspx
......Simvastatin..may prevent Parkinson's disease from progressing further..in mice with Parkinson's disease and found that the drug successfully reverses the biochemical, cellular and anatomical changes caused by the disease..shown that the activity of one protein called p21Ras is increased very early in the midbrain of mice with Parkinson's pathology. Simvastatin enters into the brain and blocks the activity of the p21Ras protein and other associated toxic molecules, and goes on to protect the neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels, and improves the motor functions in the mice with Parkinson's.
High Fructose Intake May Raise Blood Pressure
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20091030/high-fructose-intake-may-raise-blood-pressure?ecd=wnl_day_110709
.....''High fructose intake is linked to high blood pressure..About 2.5 sugary soft drinks a day is enough to elevate the pressure.. several mechanisms could explain the association. ''We know that fructose has the potential to reduce nitric oxide production within the blood vessels,'' .. "Nitric oxide relaxes the vessel and is supposed to lower blood pressure. Fructose reduces the production of nitric oxide and makes it difficult for the vessels to relax and dilate."..Fructose also raises uric acid in the blood, she says, and that could raise blood pressure. "Fructose can tell the kidneys to 'hold onto' more salt, and that can contribute to high blood pressure,"
Diet Sodas May Be Hard on the Kidneys
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20091102/diet-sodas-hard-on-the-kidneys?page=2
.....Women Who Drink 2 or More Diet Sodas Daily Double Their Risk of Kidney Function Decline, ..Women who drank two or more diet sodas a day had a 30% drop in a measure of kidney function.. less than two sodas a day didn't seem to hurt.
Satins May Boost Effects of Prostate Radiation
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASTRO/16824?userid=171072&impressionId=1257489496329&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....Prostate cancer patients had a reduced risk of biochemical failure if they were taking a statin during radiation therapy in a retrospective cohort study, but LDL levels may have been a key factor in that effect..Statin users had a 49% reduction in the risk of biochemical failure, although the benefit proved not to be statistically significant after controlling for LDL level.. an LDL level below the median value reduced the risk of biochemical failure by 62%, independent of statin use..."Lower cholesterol levels may interrupt cell signaling pathways to cause apoptosis and prevent tumor growth."
Retracted Mask Study Adds to H1N1 Confusion
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/IDSA/16745?userid=171072&impressionId=1257230650430&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....The retracted study -- conducted in China by Australian researchers -- originally suggested that the expensive N95 respirators were effective and offered better protection than standard surgical masks....original analysis was in error...no evidence of a benefit" for N95 respirators
New Clues to How Fish Oils Help Arthritis Patients
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=107004
.....converts .. DHA into .. Resolvin D2, which reduces the inflammation ..Unlike current anti-inflammatory drugs, Resolvin D2 doesn't appear to suppress the immune system,
Low-Dose Naproxen Increases Ulcer Risk
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ACG/16621?userid=171072&impressionId=1256621517282&utm_source=mSpoke&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_content=Group1
.....Even at low doses, naproxen ..may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal complications, .. Patients taking a 500-mg/day dose had a 2.5-fold increased risk of hospitalization from complicated gastric or duodenal ulcer, while those on the 750-mg/day dose had almost a threefold increased risk,..The 1,000-mg/day dose carried more than a threefold increased risk of hospitalization.
Heart failure may worsen with statins
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/05/statins.heart.failure/index.html
.....no guidelines on whether patients with heart failure should take statins. Some studies have shown that they can be helpful, while others have found no benefit...Since statins can cause muscle damage, they could theoretically also harm the heart--which is, essentially, a big muscle--although there is no evidence that this is the case..analyzed patients with the two different types of heart failure--systolic and diastolic--..the drugs seemed to help those with the systolic version, and hurt those with diastolic heart failure..speculated that the anti-inflammatory effect of the statins could be helping systolic heart failure patients, while their muscle-weakening effects might impair breathing in those with diastolic heart failure
Thursday, November 19, 2009
HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTION
Highlighted by Mr JC:
At the 2nd HAI (Health-Associated Infection) Forum it was learnt that about seven million medical professionals in the US and Europe are carriers of diseases or are susceptible to diseases, a new research has revealed.
There are three imminent threats to patients across the world. First threat: common bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are now producing enzymes which make the bacteria capable of de-activating all but the antibiotics that specialists reserve as a last line of defense. Second threat: healthcare workers themselves may be contributing to the spread of infections by failing to get flu vaccinations and, in some countries, coming to work when they are ill rather than taking sick days. Third threat: Health ministries are failing to adopt proven health policies that could limit the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare establishments.
Health authorities and healthcare professionals worldwide are called upon to “reduce consumption of antibiotics and act as quickly as possible before some multi-resistant bacteria become endemic.” Many of the experts expressed concern that there is a false impression that HAIs are under control. With new kinds of bacterial resistance (KPC carbapenemases) and new strains (PVL-positive Staphylococcus aureus) appearing, HAI are still a major public health threat.
Healthcare-associated infections are now recognized as a critical public health issue and continue to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare cost. Their prevalence is continually rising due to increasingly sophisticated medical treatment and surgical procedures, international travel and the overuse or misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
>> Read the whole article: http://202.144.202.76/mps/view_file.cfm?fileid=382
Source: Biospectrum Pharma Trend and Analysis 12th Nov 2009
At the 2nd HAI (Health-Associated Infection) Forum it was learnt that about seven million medical professionals in the US and Europe are carriers of diseases or are susceptible to diseases, a new research has revealed.
There are three imminent threats to patients across the world. First threat: common bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are now producing enzymes which make the bacteria capable of de-activating all but the antibiotics that specialists reserve as a last line of defense. Second threat: healthcare workers themselves may be contributing to the spread of infections by failing to get flu vaccinations and, in some countries, coming to work when they are ill rather than taking sick days. Third threat: Health ministries are failing to adopt proven health policies that could limit the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare establishments.
Health authorities and healthcare professionals worldwide are called upon to “reduce consumption of antibiotics and act as quickly as possible before some multi-resistant bacteria become endemic.” Many of the experts expressed concern that there is a false impression that HAIs are under control. With new kinds of bacterial resistance (KPC carbapenemases) and new strains (PVL-positive Staphylococcus aureus) appearing, HAI are still a major public health threat.
Healthcare-associated infections are now recognized as a critical public health issue and continue to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare cost. Their prevalence is continually rising due to increasingly sophisticated medical treatment and surgical procedures, international travel and the overuse or misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
>> Read the whole article: http://202.144.202.76/mps/view_file.cfm?fileid=382
Source: Biospectrum Pharma Trend and Analysis 12th Nov 2009
Consumers Education
The Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) is a leaflet that contains information on the safe and effective use of a medicine. The Australian TGA regulates that the CMI must be made available to consumers either in the pack or in another manner that will enable the information to be given to the person to whom the medicines are administered or otherwise dispensed. To view the CMI of various medication >>> http://www.tga.gov.au/meds/picmi.html
PATIENTS DO NOT TREAT COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS EARLY ENOUGH
A survey conducted in September 2009, on a random sample of 505 pharmacists working in independent and chain pharmacies out of a pool of 68,000 pharmacies found that nine out of 10 pharmacists believe it is important for a patient to seek treatment early to help shorten the duration and severity of a cold.
And 75 percent of pharmacists say most patients should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, while only 26 percent of their patients take this proactive approach.
According to the survey, pharmacists are increasingly playing a more prominent role in patient care due to the anticipated severity of the upcoming cold and flu season and the current state of the economy. The survey also showed:
· 87% of pharmacists anticipate an overall increase in the number of cold and flu patients seeking their counsel
· 85% agree that the economic downturn will specifically lead more patients to first come to their pharmacist rather than a physician
· 81% pharmacists report making five or more recommendations per day for OTC cold and flu products. (Note: These could be Group C items which pharmacists can recommend)
"Early preparedness is going to be more important this cold and flu season; however, even with the threat of stronger, more virulent infections, pharmacists note that patients oftentimes delay treatment allowing a virus to live longer," said Dr. Fred Eckel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy."Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider for patients with cold and flu symptoms and the survey findings emphasize the important role of the pharmacist in educating patients with information about early treatment to shorten the duration and severity of a cold."
The survey, entitled "National Pharmacist O.T.C. (Observations on the Treatment of Colds)" was sponsored by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. an OTC healthcare company.
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/bio/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=A18C035F-A376-405E-B2AD-0D6726A1361D
And 75 percent of pharmacists say most patients should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, while only 26 percent of their patients take this proactive approach.
According to the survey, pharmacists are increasingly playing a more prominent role in patient care due to the anticipated severity of the upcoming cold and flu season and the current state of the economy. The survey also showed:
· 87% of pharmacists anticipate an overall increase in the number of cold and flu patients seeking their counsel
· 85% agree that the economic downturn will specifically lead more patients to first come to their pharmacist rather than a physician
· 81% pharmacists report making five or more recommendations per day for OTC cold and flu products. (Note: These could be Group C items which pharmacists can recommend)
"Early preparedness is going to be more important this cold and flu season; however, even with the threat of stronger, more virulent infections, pharmacists note that patients oftentimes delay treatment allowing a virus to live longer," said Dr. Fred Eckel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy."Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider for patients with cold and flu symptoms and the survey findings emphasize the important role of the pharmacist in educating patients with information about early treatment to shorten the duration and severity of a cold."
The survey, entitled "National Pharmacist O.T.C. (Observations on the Treatment of Colds)" was sponsored by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. an OTC healthcare company.
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/bio/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=A18C035F-A376-405E-B2AD-0D6726A1361D
INFORMATION CENTER FOR H1N1 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC
Highlighted by Assoc Prof Dr Abas Hj Hussin:-
A free, highly interactive searchable resource to obtain information and documents pertaining to H1N1 influenza pandemic is available at http://h1n1.ebrary.com
No password is required
A free, highly interactive searchable resource to obtain information and documents pertaining to H1N1 influenza pandemic is available at http://h1n1.ebrary.com
No password is required
MPS Building at 1-Puchong Business Park
Below are some pictures taken in July 2009 showing the development of MPS new building at 1-Puchong Business Park. The reinforced concrete framework and floor slabs of the first floor is already up.
Expected completion is end 2010 and occupancy is expected to be mid-2011.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Local News To Watch This Week
Health D-G: 1Malaysia clinics to go mobile too :
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3055...
The government has approved an annual allocation of RM10 million to operate 50 1Malaysia static and mobile clinics nationwide.. The static clinics will be opened at shophouses or rented premises .. operate from 10am to 10pm, would provide minor treatment . .. that patients will go to these clinics for minor treatments and procedures
A bitter pill to swallow for govt clinics:
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3057
...allocation for the Health Ministry, particularly for the purchase of drugs and non-drug items for 2010, will be less compared to the current year ...government clinics and hospitals are experiencing a sudden increase of patients... instead of spending money to open 50 1Malaysia clinics, the allocation can be used to meet public demand for medications
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3055...
The government has approved an annual allocation of RM10 million to operate 50 1Malaysia static and mobile clinics nationwide.. The static clinics will be opened at shophouses or rented premises .. operate from 10am to 10pm, would provide minor treatment . .. that patients will go to these clinics for minor treatments and procedures
A bitter pill to swallow for govt clinics:
http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3057
...allocation for the Health Ministry, particularly for the purchase of drugs and non-drug items for 2010, will be less compared to the current year ...government clinics and hospitals are experiencing a sudden increase of patients... instead of spending money to open 50 1Malaysia clinics, the allocation can be used to meet public demand for medications
Medication Error Can Happen Everywhere
Medication error happens everywhere, even in countries that one would think are advanced in their healthcare delivery, what more than in Malaysia.
The USFDA recently launched the Safe Use Initiative to reduce drug-related injuries. Out of some 3 billion prescriptions written each year, millions of people are injured from medication use. This could be the result of people's limited access to adequate information about a drug, its risks, or the patient's condition, misunderstanding of drug instructions, dosing and dispensing errors, and unintentional or intentional misuse of medications.
It is estimated that there could be at least 1.5 million preventable drug-related injuries occur in healthcare settings alone. And it is also estimated that up to half of all medication-related injuries could be prevented. Some steps to overcome this problem may be as simple as providing better information to consumers, improving the dispensing devices that accompany drugs and urging caregivers and patients to follow the directions of the drug maker. One example is the use of teaspoon for medication even if a dispensing device is provided. However teaspoons come all sizes.
In the Safe Use Initiative, the FDA will collaborate with the healthcare community, including healthcare professionals, patients, pharmacies, insurers, and other federal agencies, to effectively reduce mismanagement of medication and prevent harm from medication.
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/711919
The USFDA recently launched the Safe Use Initiative to reduce drug-related injuries. Out of some 3 billion prescriptions written each year, millions of people are injured from medication use. This could be the result of people's limited access to adequate information about a drug, its risks, or the patient's condition, misunderstanding of drug instructions, dosing and dispensing errors, and unintentional or intentional misuse of medications.
It is estimated that there could be at least 1.5 million preventable drug-related injuries occur in healthcare settings alone. And it is also estimated that up to half of all medication-related injuries could be prevented. Some steps to overcome this problem may be as simple as providing better information to consumers, improving the dispensing devices that accompany drugs and urging caregivers and patients to follow the directions of the drug maker. One example is the use of teaspoon for medication even if a dispensing device is provided. However teaspoons come all sizes.
In the Safe Use Initiative, the FDA will collaborate with the healthcare community, including healthcare professionals, patients, pharmacies, insurers, and other federal agencies, to effectively reduce mismanagement of medication and prevent harm from medication.
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/711919
Formulating 10th Malaysian Health Plan
The Ministry of Health is conducting a workshop with the objective of formulating a strategic and integrated health plan for the 10th Malaysia Plan to enable its effective implementation towards 2020 (as a high income advance nation).
As at the writing of this article the workshop is still ongoing (10th -12th Nov) at the Allied Health Science Training College at Sg Buluh.
There are Five Technical Working Groups concentrating on:
TWG 1: Health Sector Transformation ? Delivery
TWG 2: Health Sector Transformation ? Finance & Governance
TWG 3: Health Sector Transformation ? K-economy, Human Capital, Information Technology, Research & Development / Innnovation
TWG 4: Health Awareness and Health Lifestyle
TWG 5: Empowerment of individuals and community to be responsible for their own health.
Stakeholders were invited to provide input to work out the macro plan.
Furthur workshops will be conducted to finetune it before presenting to Parliament and subsequent implementation.
From the headings of the group, pharmacy can and are expected to play a greater role towards the nation healthcare. Pharmacy has to be ready to make the effort for this transformation.
Are you ready ?
Building Blocks to Customer Service Excellence
All other things being equal, customers will make purchases at your pharmacy regardless of how well they are served. However, their loyalty to your pharmacy and the frequency of their visits is forever affected by even one unsatisfactory experience. Customers who are left unimpressed by their experience are less likely to return, and when they do return they tend to purchase fewer items. You and your staff have the ability to influence customers shopping habits simply by the manner in which you conduct yourselves.
You Control the Customer's Experience
Providing good service in the pharmacy can be achieved through two different approaches, both of which you can directly control. One set of standards (Active Standards) has to do with behavior and the other (Passive Standards) relates to the image presented through the pharmacy?s appearance.
Active standards can be summarized by one overriding concept: everything done and said in the pharmacy makes an impression either positive or negative on the customer.
A friendly greeting offered to each customer as he or she enters naturally conveys the appearance that staff is eager to serve, and it sets the customer at ease. If, on the other hand, staff members lean on the check-out counter with an attitude of boredom and fail to acknowledge a customer's presence, the entire pharmacy appears disinterested in making a sale.
Active Standards of Customer Service Excellence, Conveyed by All Staff Members
Attentiveness
> Attitude of genuine caring
> Courtesy
> Pride in doing a good job
> Strong social skills
> Trustworthiness
> Confidentiality
> Knowing what you don?t know
> Professional appearance and demeanor
> Product knowledge
> Strong communication skills
Passive Standards of Customer Service Excellence
> Neatness and cleanliness of pharmacy
> Availability of products, no out-of-stocks
> Store merchandising and display
> Hours of operation
> Access to store personnel
> Convenience of shopping experience
Source: www.medscape.com
You Control the Customer's Experience
Providing good service in the pharmacy can be achieved through two different approaches, both of which you can directly control. One set of standards (Active Standards) has to do with behavior and the other (Passive Standards) relates to the image presented through the pharmacy?s appearance.
Active standards can be summarized by one overriding concept: everything done and said in the pharmacy makes an impression either positive or negative on the customer.
A friendly greeting offered to each customer as he or she enters naturally conveys the appearance that staff is eager to serve, and it sets the customer at ease. If, on the other hand, staff members lean on the check-out counter with an attitude of boredom and fail to acknowledge a customer's presence, the entire pharmacy appears disinterested in making a sale.
Active Standards of Customer Service Excellence, Conveyed by All Staff Members
Attentiveness
> Attitude of genuine caring
> Courtesy
> Pride in doing a good job
> Strong social skills
> Trustworthiness
> Confidentiality
> Knowing what you don?t know
> Professional appearance and demeanor
> Product knowledge
> Strong communication skills
Passive Standards of Customer Service Excellence
> Neatness and cleanliness of pharmacy
> Availability of products, no out-of-stocks
> Store merchandising and display
> Hours of operation
> Access to store personnel
> Convenience of shopping experience
Source: www.medscape.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
What The Pharmacists See On The MMA’S President Desk After 100 Days.
YH connected the various articles that appeared recently:
The Berita MMA publication over the present MMA President first 100 days http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=37&action=view&retrieveid=3053
NST report on “Unfair for hospitals to open feeder clinics” http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3052
What the MMA’s president wrote about us and …. ? In simple words, the answer is, he does not know the difference between chicken and egg, I mean between pharmacist as professional and pharmacy as a profession. Which means, he cannot differentiate between the practitioners, the practice and the territory of pharmacy. When he answered “NO” to separation between dispensing and prescribing citing about the public naïve about the role of pharmacist, this should also include doctor’s naïve about our role and standard of pharmacy practice, what it means by the gold standard in pharmaceutical care.
I have come across many serious incidents in Malaysia, including serious injuries and death, when the doctors denied responsibility for patients who suffered severe side effects from the drugs. We all know that pharmaceutical care advocates the pharmacist to be responsible for the provision of drug therapy for improving the patients quality of life, which means taking responsibility for the decision to supply medicines to the patient including all consequences that can happen to the patients, while to the doctors it is because the drugs that decide to harm the patients, not them.
That is why the MMA’s president simply wrote, while fee splitting is unethical to medical practice, but not pharmaceutical fees. To him pharmaceutical services is no different from the business of selling fruits, that is the reason why the price should be left to the market forces.
Now the GPs are meeting with their own unfortunate fate when the business owners of the private hospitals start downstream to outreach walk-in patients at their own outpatients clinics. They start preaching professional issues like doctors in the clinics are paid to refer patients to their own hospitals, affecting the livelihood of the GPs operating without specialist support and by professional standard the GPs are suppose to act like gatekeepers to keep the patients right to choose hospitals without considering the issue of inconvenience.
Because of this, the GPs incomes have to be reduced by undercutting each other in order to remain competitive. Does this sounds familiar with our won issue with the GPs, when the retail pharmacies have to undercut each other without the support of a system that separates prescribing from dispensing?
Next time, when MPS or pharmacy programs run awareness campaign, the first target group should be the doctors.
The Berita MMA publication over the present MMA President first 100 days http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=37&action=view&retrieveid=3053
NST report on “Unfair for hospitals to open feeder clinics” http://202.144.202.76/mps/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=3052
What the MMA’s president wrote about us and …. ? In simple words, the answer is, he does not know the difference between chicken and egg, I mean between pharmacist as professional and pharmacy as a profession. Which means, he cannot differentiate between the practitioners, the practice and the territory of pharmacy. When he answered “NO” to separation between dispensing and prescribing citing about the public naïve about the role of pharmacist, this should also include doctor’s naïve about our role and standard of pharmacy practice, what it means by the gold standard in pharmaceutical care.
I have come across many serious incidents in Malaysia, including serious injuries and death, when the doctors denied responsibility for patients who suffered severe side effects from the drugs. We all know that pharmaceutical care advocates the pharmacist to be responsible for the provision of drug therapy for improving the patients quality of life, which means taking responsibility for the decision to supply medicines to the patient including all consequences that can happen to the patients, while to the doctors it is because the drugs that decide to harm the patients, not them.
That is why the MMA’s president simply wrote, while fee splitting is unethical to medical practice, but not pharmaceutical fees. To him pharmaceutical services is no different from the business of selling fruits, that is the reason why the price should be left to the market forces.
Now the GPs are meeting with their own unfortunate fate when the business owners of the private hospitals start downstream to outreach walk-in patients at their own outpatients clinics. They start preaching professional issues like doctors in the clinics are paid to refer patients to their own hospitals, affecting the livelihood of the GPs operating without specialist support and by professional standard the GPs are suppose to act like gatekeepers to keep the patients right to choose hospitals without considering the issue of inconvenience.
Because of this, the GPs incomes have to be reduced by undercutting each other in order to remain competitive. Does this sounds familiar with our won issue with the GPs, when the retail pharmacies have to undercut each other without the support of a system that separates prescribing from dispensing?
Next time, when MPS or pharmacy programs run awareness campaign, the first target group should be the doctors.
Implications of Up- or Down- Scheduling of Scheduled Products
The Malaysian Group C schedule items is a blessing to the community pharmacists, with such a wide range of products that can be sold with almost no restrictions.
The only concern is that such products too require diligence when dispensed out. They cannot just be given out without proper and adequate counseling. They are in Group C because they are effective for the approved indications and are relatively safe but at the same time with significantly greater side-effects / precautions require as compare to one that is non-schedule, generally speaking.
Hence if the licence holder were to request for down-scheduling of the products what does this mean? It could be that that they feel that there is a bigger market outside the pharmacy. It could also mean that they want to advertise in the newspaper but due to it being a Schedule Poison, it cannot be done. After down-scheduling the licence holder could either continue to make the product available to pharmacy only or they can now distribute it to the open market to generate more sales.
For Pharmacy Only item, pharmacist has to show that they are doing a good job in handling the product. If indeed it is so safe, so be it that it be down-schedule. But if not, intervention by pharmacist would be the best option for the patient. Intervention here means proper counseling, assessing the patient to determine the best available medication to recommend taking consideration various factors (concomitant medication / drug interactions etc )
This scenario of re-scheduling is not faced by pharmacist locally alone. For example recently the Australian TGA plan to up-schedule the cold and cough medicines for children to be available on Prescription only. But the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President voiced that there is no reason to act in this way and such a move would make the job of pharmacists more difficult. Indeed it would be best to up-schedule up to Pharmacist Only to allow pharmacist to assess the appropriate symptomatic relief. (Source: e-news Pharmacy 27th Oct 2009)
Meanwhile Nov 1st SUN carried an article headlined as “Painkiller Abuse Alert”. It reported that their reporters went to 4 pharmacies to test-buy tramadol. Only 1 refused to sell, whereas the reporter had no problem with the other 3. They contacted the Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAN - President Dr Steven Chow is Chairman) who proposed to make tramadol a ‘controlled drug” so that medical practitioners would exercise caution when dispensing it. (meaning to make it to be controlled like psychotropic).
If one were to talk to other medical practitioners along the conference room corridors in-between meetings there were also mutterings among the GPs that they want to make oral antidiabetic agents to be Group B item. But there were no formal request and there are not enough good reasons. However one need to note that all the newer OAD are Group B items
Earlier last year, the Malaysian Dermatological Society made a proposal to the Poison Board to up-schedule topical corticosteroids to Group B / Group A (unrealistically) but eventually this medicine group finally remain status quo.
There was also a report in Utusan Melayu about the ease of obtaining OC by transvertites and this lead to a call to up-schedule this to Group B.
On the other hand some products were down-schedule, like clotrimzaole dermatological from Group C to non-schedule.
Whether up-schedule or down-schedule, if pharmacy are not intervening to ensure proper drug usage, one will see more such proposals. While MPS is always consulted before such a move, the activity of defending such a move is non-productive and it should not happen in the first place.
The only concern is that such products too require diligence when dispensed out. They cannot just be given out without proper and adequate counseling. They are in Group C because they are effective for the approved indications and are relatively safe but at the same time with significantly greater side-effects / precautions require as compare to one that is non-schedule, generally speaking.
Hence if the licence holder were to request for down-scheduling of the products what does this mean? It could be that that they feel that there is a bigger market outside the pharmacy. It could also mean that they want to advertise in the newspaper but due to it being a Schedule Poison, it cannot be done. After down-scheduling the licence holder could either continue to make the product available to pharmacy only or they can now distribute it to the open market to generate more sales.
For Pharmacy Only item, pharmacist has to show that they are doing a good job in handling the product. If indeed it is so safe, so be it that it be down-schedule. But if not, intervention by pharmacist would be the best option for the patient. Intervention here means proper counseling, assessing the patient to determine the best available medication to recommend taking consideration various factors (concomitant medication / drug interactions etc )
This scenario of re-scheduling is not faced by pharmacist locally alone. For example recently the Australian TGA plan to up-schedule the cold and cough medicines for children to be available on Prescription only. But the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President voiced that there is no reason to act in this way and such a move would make the job of pharmacists more difficult. Indeed it would be best to up-schedule up to Pharmacist Only to allow pharmacist to assess the appropriate symptomatic relief. (Source: e-news Pharmacy 27th Oct 2009)
Meanwhile Nov 1st SUN carried an article headlined as “Painkiller Abuse Alert”. It reported that their reporters went to 4 pharmacies to test-buy tramadol. Only 1 refused to sell, whereas the reporter had no problem with the other 3. They contacted the Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAN - President Dr Steven Chow is Chairman) who proposed to make tramadol a ‘controlled drug” so that medical practitioners would exercise caution when dispensing it. (meaning to make it to be controlled like psychotropic).
If one were to talk to other medical practitioners along the conference room corridors in-between meetings there were also mutterings among the GPs that they want to make oral antidiabetic agents to be Group B item. But there were no formal request and there are not enough good reasons. However one need to note that all the newer OAD are Group B items
Earlier last year, the Malaysian Dermatological Society made a proposal to the Poison Board to up-schedule topical corticosteroids to Group B / Group A (unrealistically) but eventually this medicine group finally remain status quo.
There was also a report in Utusan Melayu about the ease of obtaining OC by transvertites and this lead to a call to up-schedule this to Group B.
On the other hand some products were down-schedule, like clotrimzaole dermatological from Group C to non-schedule.
Whether up-schedule or down-schedule, if pharmacy are not intervening to ensure proper drug usage, one will see more such proposals. While MPS is always consulted before such a move, the activity of defending such a move is non-productive and it should not happen in the first place.
A survey with the primary objective of studying the perception of the general public towards the dispensing doctors’ practice as carried out in Penang recently. Below is the response to various questions
In the table below, SA = Strongly Agree; AG = Agree; DS = Disagree; SD = Strongly Disagree.
Table is courtesy of the authors - see below
An important opinion is that only 26.8% of the respondents said “yes” to the question about whether they agree to the implementation of dispensing separation in Penang. The remaining 73.2% said no. Also only 54.3% of the respondents thought that a pharmacist is more reliable than a doctor in explaining the uses and side effects of medicines and drugs.
Source: Hassali MA, Shafie A A, Palaian S, Awaisu A. (Corresponding author email: azmihassali@usm.my)
Public Opinion on Dispensing Doctors in Malaysia. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 2009 Oct (3): 1776-1778
What Does Patient Want to Know About Medicines
According to a survey conducted recently in UK, patients are more likely to use the internet to learn about a medical condition and its treatment than they are to ask a pharmacist or consult a patient information leaflet (PIL).
6.5% of those questioned would always ask a pharmacist
12.7% would always consult a PIL
30.1% of patients would always look online
32.9% would always ask a doctor
Nearly 18% of respondents said they never ask a pharmacist to learn about a condition and its associated treatment.
Over 43%of those surveyed said that they had previously failed to complete a full course of prescription medicines.
However the survey results on internet usage may not be true for Malaysians, but one should look at the following survey results when a doctor prescribes a medicine for them:
47% of patients said they were very interested in learning about the side effects of the medicine,
27% were very interested in how the medicine worked and
62.4%were very interested in how and when to take the medicine.
Imparting knowledge about medicine is pharmacist job and there is indeed an interest. Pharmacist should not have difficulty in finding patients to listen to them about medicines. But does the pharmacist here have the time or the interest to provide the information. No doubt some do, but what about the others ?
Tell us what is your experience here.
Source: Patient Engagement Research
http://www.kyp.com/ikyp/files/3e/3eaf17dc-56a7-47ac-a253-7ce21db08151.pdf
6.5% of those questioned would always ask a pharmacist
12.7% would always consult a PIL
30.1% of patients would always look online
32.9% would always ask a doctor
Nearly 18% of respondents said they never ask a pharmacist to learn about a condition and its associated treatment.
Over 43%of those surveyed said that they had previously failed to complete a full course of prescription medicines.
However the survey results on internet usage may not be true for Malaysians, but one should look at the following survey results when a doctor prescribes a medicine for them:
47% of patients said they were very interested in learning about the side effects of the medicine,
27% were very interested in how the medicine worked and
62.4%were very interested in how and when to take the medicine.
Imparting knowledge about medicine is pharmacist job and there is indeed an interest. Pharmacist should not have difficulty in finding patients to listen to them about medicines. But does the pharmacist here have the time or the interest to provide the information. No doubt some do, but what about the others ?
Tell us what is your experience here.
Source: Patient Engagement Research
http://www.kyp.com/ikyp/files/3e/3eaf17dc-56a7-47ac-a253-7ce21db08151.pdf
Friday, August 21, 2009
What Pharmacists Can Do To Help Prevent Spread of H1N1
WHAT PHARMACISTS CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF H1N1
The Health Ministry has called upon the public to help stop the spread of the H1N1 disease. From the reports coming in, the control of the spread of the disease seems now to lie in the rakyat’s hands and how much precaution they take. The Ministry of Health is calling for public education.
Pharmacists as healthcare providers is called up to play an important role in this current H1N1 crisis, be it in the community or hospital, in retail or in the trade, academician or even as student. Put forward your professional front to help the people with what they need to do and what you can do for them, or provide them referral to seek further help.
With daily reports of death related to the H1N1, one needs to do whatever one can to help our fellow human being.
The government is trying to tell the public that the situation is still within control but one cannot really read the undertone of such message. They may try to downplay the seriousness of the situation to avoid panic, but at the same time they must also express the seriousness of the situation if the population does not come forward to play their part in prevention.
Community Pharmacists are urged to make time to educate your customers on the ways to contain the spread of H1N1. Being frontliners in dealing with the public everyday, community pharmacists can certainly do this. This also will enhance your image as being caring and professional.
Those not in the community practice can play their role too by interacting with the public in their own immediate surroundings. They could be your neighbours, your PIBG, your sports club, your gym, your favourite banker, your place of worship. You can proactively offer to provide the education by giving talks at their gatherings. Just a 5-minute presentation would help to emphasize the importance of the people’s role in stopping the spread of the disease.
At the same time it is important that pharmacists are equipped with the right knowledge and should impart the same and right message to others. They are lots of myths going around. Please ensure that you read the resources from a reputable source.
Resources for your interaction with your community can be found at the Ministry of Health website whereby you can also keep yourself up to date on the situation. They have a dedicated site on H1N1. The newspaper is also another important source as they published some of the articles from the MoH site.
Below are resources for you to prepare yourself for this social task.
All refer to websites which you have to go online to download / read. There are 2 parts:
1. Resources for Basic Knowledge
2. Materials you can use in your education to the public and materials you can use.
RESOURCES FOR BASIC KNOWLEDGE
A.What is H1N1 ?
a. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
b. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
c. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/index.html
d. High risk groups: >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/highRisk.php
B. Prevention Guidelines for Health Workers: http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/h1n1PreventionGuidelines.php
C. Patient Home Care Advice: >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/PatientHomeCareAdvice.php
D. Algorithm for Treatment if ILI in Adult Patients (You are not to start treatment, but you should know how it is treated and what medications are being used. Reminder that you are not to dispense the anti-viral without a valid prescription) >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/AlgorithmILIAdults.php
MATERIALS YOU CAN USE IN YOUR EDUCATION OF THE PUBIC
1. You can start your presentation by using this as a guide: >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/panduanPenjagaanKesihatanDiriDiRumah.php
2. Taking care of a sick person in your home:
>> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/TakingCareOfSickPerson.php
3. Flyers for public distribution which you can download and Photostat on what is Influenza H1N1, prevention: >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my
i. Leaflets: (cough, Protect yourself – suggest this one, keep your hands clean)
ii. Flyers: (prevent influenza, Know Influenza – depend on your audience)
iii. Posters: (Keep Your Hands Clean, How to wear mask, Prevent Influenza, - Prevent H1N1 – not necessary if you do not want to use these materials)
4. From there, depending on your audience you can explain more. There are various information for different sectors which you can download before making the presentation. It is not a powerpoint, just notes which are easy to read, namely:
i. Public (house, recognizing flu-like symptoms and to stay at home if having ILI, understanding what home quarantine is, washing of hands, wearing of mask, taking care of sick people, precaution for pregnant women, talking to children)
ii.Schools (washing of hands, recognizing flu-like symptoms and to stay at home if having ILI, understanding what home quarantine is)
iii. Tourism sector and public transport (talk about advice while traveling, wearing of masks and usage of hand sanitizers)
5. There are other sectors which are more specialized. If you are speaking to such a group you should speak only on the people aspect. But an understanding of the H1N1 situation can easily help you to talk to these sectors, but if you are not comfortable, then please concentrate your activity in your own surrounding. You may contact MPS if you need support for a bigger group eg corporates, factories, schools and institute of higher learning, shopping malls.
6. If you wish to have computer presentation, they are available at the site in pdf format:
i. On the same site, >> JK Teknikal H1N1 >> “Pembentangan” (but they are outdated)
ii. You can read what is the decision of the Technical Committee for Influenza Pandemic at the same site and click on >> “Keputusan Mesyuarat” (quite up to date, but the newspaper could be more up to date)
7. If you wish to have video, they are also available. To download, click on the video from http://h1n1.moh.gov.my. Click to display the video and you can find a download button. You can screen this at your pharmacy too. Topics available are:
a.Amalkan Kebersihan Diri
b.Gejala H1N1
c.Jika Anda Ke Luar Negara
d.Basuh tangan
e.Guna Penutup Mulut Hidung Dengan Betul
OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOUR READING
I. For the public / Taking care of you and your family
a. http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/How_To_HandWash_Poster.pdf
b. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
c. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/covercough_hcp8-5x11.pdf
II. Numerous resources available at the Ministry of Health Malaysia website:
a. http://www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/newsFull.jsp?action=load&id=446
b. http://h1n1.moh.gov.my
III. Crisis preparedness and response centre (CPRC): Tel: 03-8881 0200 / 0300
IV. National Influenze Pandemic Preparednes Plan (NIPPP)
a. >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/NIPPP.php
COMMUNITY PHARMACIST TO PLACE ETHICS IN FRONT
Do not sell any anti-viral drugs without prescriptions. We have been clearly warned in the media and we should uphold our integrity. Please do not smear the pharmacist reputation. However, we can educate the public about the usage of anti-virals.
Pharmacists are also able to screen and assess if our customer is showing flu-like symptoms and the need to quickly refer them back to their family doctor. You can also work with a few clinics in our area and check out which ones are offering the Rapid Test for H1N1.
Talk to the doctor and tell him about your intentions of referrals of potential patients. The MoH has already given the directive to private doctors to start anti-viral treatments on 3 groups of high risk patients.
Be careful on your pricing of the masks. A reasonable profit is acceptable. Emphasize to your customer about your cost price. Community pharmacy at the tail end of the distribution could easily be blame for hiking up the price by the consumer without knowing that your cost has done up.
A brief survey with retail pharmacists throughout the country shows a price range from 50cents to RM1.00 for a piece of 3 ply mask. We encourage pharmacists not to sell the mask for more than RM1.00 per piece.
OVERALL COMMENTS – A DEVELOPING STRATEGY
Please take note that your efforts here as an individual can add up to a lot. Each one effort will help to emphasize to the public the seriousness of the situation. Help stop the spread of the disease today. This is not to taken lightly as if the rate of infection rise, a crisis will develop and the whole country could come to a standstill. There is actually no time to wait, but to start now.
A side comment is that this issue is not exclusive for anyone, including the doctors. By our actions, they could become envious of us by our concerted actions.
What you have to do could mean committing more time but they are all rewarding professionally. The plan for this is very simple and that is to stir the public to a level of concern and urgency to take prevention measures.
But do realize that the situation is changing daily, so in order to keep updated, you are kindly advised to check at the websites of the MOH and CRC.
A special website is also set up for this where you may post questions and also check for others comments and experience. Do post your experience there too to share with others. You may comment on your experience, on the materials that you use or may need, feedback or questions from your audience and how you handle them. (http://sites.google.com/site/h1n1resources/)
All MPS branch committees are also urged to encourage the pharmacists in your area to take part and can organize meetings to encourage each other.
Pharmacy schools too can pitch in by encouraging the students to hold forums within the campus to speak to students of other faculties.
We hope you can also note or document the activities that you do, eg name of group/organization that you spoke to, number of people who attended, date and time. This is for MPS to collate for statistics purposes. We want to be seen reaching out to as many people as possible and documented statistics will be useful to report to MoH of our activities, and also to document for future references.
Prepared by:
Ms Lee Yee Lan
MPS - Community Pharmacy Chapter
The Health Ministry has called upon the public to help stop the spread of the H1N1 disease. From the reports coming in, the control of the spread of the disease seems now to lie in the rakyat’s hands and how much precaution they take. The Ministry of Health is calling for public education.
Pharmacists as healthcare providers is called up to play an important role in this current H1N1 crisis, be it in the community or hospital, in retail or in the trade, academician or even as student. Put forward your professional front to help the people with what they need to do and what you can do for them, or provide them referral to seek further help.
With daily reports of death related to the H1N1, one needs to do whatever one can to help our fellow human being.
The government is trying to tell the public that the situation is still within control but one cannot really read the undertone of such message. They may try to downplay the seriousness of the situation to avoid panic, but at the same time they must also express the seriousness of the situation if the population does not come forward to play their part in prevention.
Community Pharmacists are urged to make time to educate your customers on the ways to contain the spread of H1N1. Being frontliners in dealing with the public everyday, community pharmacists can certainly do this. This also will enhance your image as being caring and professional.
Those not in the community practice can play their role too by interacting with the public in their own immediate surroundings. They could be your neighbours, your PIBG, your sports club, your gym, your favourite banker, your place of worship. You can proactively offer to provide the education by giving talks at their gatherings. Just a 5-minute presentation would help to emphasize the importance of the people’s role in stopping the spread of the disease.
At the same time it is important that pharmacists are equipped with the right knowledge and should impart the same and right message to others. They are lots of myths going around. Please ensure that you read the resources from a reputable source.
Resources for your interaction with your community can be found at the Ministry of Health website whereby you can also keep yourself up to date on the situation. They have a dedicated site on H1N1. The newspaper is also another important source as they published some of the articles from the MoH site.
Below are resources for you to prepare yourself for this social task.
All refer to websites which you have to go online to download / read. There are 2 parts:
1. Resources for Basic Knowledge
2. Materials you can use in your education to the public and materials you can use.
RESOURCES FOR BASIC KNOWLEDGE
A.What is H1N1 ?
a. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
b. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
c. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/index.html
d. High risk groups: >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/highRisk.php
B. Prevention Guidelines for Health Workers: http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/h1n1PreventionGuidelines.php
C. Patient Home Care Advice: >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/PatientHomeCareAdvice.php
D. Algorithm for Treatment if ILI in Adult Patients (You are not to start treatment, but you should know how it is treated and what medications are being used. Reminder that you are not to dispense the anti-viral without a valid prescription) >> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/AlgorithmILIAdults.php
MATERIALS YOU CAN USE IN YOUR EDUCATION OF THE PUBIC
1. You can start your presentation by using this as a guide: >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/panduanPenjagaanKesihatanDiriDiRumah.php
2. Taking care of a sick person in your home:
>> http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/TakingCareOfSickPerson.php
3. Flyers for public distribution which you can download and Photostat on what is Influenza H1N1, prevention: >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my
i. Leaflets: (cough, Protect yourself – suggest this one, keep your hands clean)
ii. Flyers: (prevent influenza, Know Influenza – depend on your audience)
iii. Posters: (Keep Your Hands Clean, How to wear mask, Prevent Influenza, - Prevent H1N1 – not necessary if you do not want to use these materials)
4. From there, depending on your audience you can explain more. There are various information for different sectors which you can download before making the presentation. It is not a powerpoint, just notes which are easy to read, namely:
i. Public (house, recognizing flu-like symptoms and to stay at home if having ILI, understanding what home quarantine is, washing of hands, wearing of mask, taking care of sick people, precaution for pregnant women, talking to children)
ii.Schools (washing of hands, recognizing flu-like symptoms and to stay at home if having ILI, understanding what home quarantine is)
iii. Tourism sector and public transport (talk about advice while traveling, wearing of masks and usage of hand sanitizers)
5. There are other sectors which are more specialized. If you are speaking to such a group you should speak only on the people aspect. But an understanding of the H1N1 situation can easily help you to talk to these sectors, but if you are not comfortable, then please concentrate your activity in your own surrounding. You may contact MPS if you need support for a bigger group eg corporates, factories, schools and institute of higher learning, shopping malls.
6. If you wish to have computer presentation, they are available at the site in pdf format:
i. On the same site, >> JK Teknikal H1N1 >> “Pembentangan” (but they are outdated)
ii. You can read what is the decision of the Technical Committee for Influenza Pandemic at the same site and click on >> “Keputusan Mesyuarat” (quite up to date, but the newspaper could be more up to date)
7. If you wish to have video, they are also available. To download, click on the video from http://h1n1.moh.gov.my. Click to display the video and you can find a download button. You can screen this at your pharmacy too. Topics available are:
a.Amalkan Kebersihan Diri
b.Gejala H1N1
c.Jika Anda Ke Luar Negara
d.Basuh tangan
e.Guna Penutup Mulut Hidung Dengan Betul
OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOUR READING
I. For the public / Taking care of you and your family
a. http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/How_To_HandWash_Poster.pdf
b. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
c. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/covercough_hcp8-5x11.pdf
II. Numerous resources available at the Ministry of Health Malaysia website:
a. http://www.moh.gov.my/MohPortal/newsFull.jsp?action=load&id=446
b. http://h1n1.moh.gov.my
III. Crisis preparedness and response centre (CPRC): Tel: 03-8881 0200 / 0300
IV. National Influenze Pandemic Preparednes Plan (NIPPP)
a. >>http://h1n1.moh.gov.my/NIPPP.php
COMMUNITY PHARMACIST TO PLACE ETHICS IN FRONT
Do not sell any anti-viral drugs without prescriptions. We have been clearly warned in the media and we should uphold our integrity. Please do not smear the pharmacist reputation. However, we can educate the public about the usage of anti-virals.
Pharmacists are also able to screen and assess if our customer is showing flu-like symptoms and the need to quickly refer them back to their family doctor. You can also work with a few clinics in our area and check out which ones are offering the Rapid Test for H1N1.
Talk to the doctor and tell him about your intentions of referrals of potential patients. The MoH has already given the directive to private doctors to start anti-viral treatments on 3 groups of high risk patients.
Be careful on your pricing of the masks. A reasonable profit is acceptable. Emphasize to your customer about your cost price. Community pharmacy at the tail end of the distribution could easily be blame for hiking up the price by the consumer without knowing that your cost has done up.
A brief survey with retail pharmacists throughout the country shows a price range from 50cents to RM1.00 for a piece of 3 ply mask. We encourage pharmacists not to sell the mask for more than RM1.00 per piece.
OVERALL COMMENTS – A DEVELOPING STRATEGY
Please take note that your efforts here as an individual can add up to a lot. Each one effort will help to emphasize to the public the seriousness of the situation. Help stop the spread of the disease today. This is not to taken lightly as if the rate of infection rise, a crisis will develop and the whole country could come to a standstill. There is actually no time to wait, but to start now.
A side comment is that this issue is not exclusive for anyone, including the doctors. By our actions, they could become envious of us by our concerted actions.
What you have to do could mean committing more time but they are all rewarding professionally. The plan for this is very simple and that is to stir the public to a level of concern and urgency to take prevention measures.
But do realize that the situation is changing daily, so in order to keep updated, you are kindly advised to check at the websites of the MOH and CRC.
A special website is also set up for this where you may post questions and also check for others comments and experience. Do post your experience there too to share with others. You may comment on your experience, on the materials that you use or may need, feedback or questions from your audience and how you handle them. (http://sites.google.com/site/h1n1resources/)
All MPS branch committees are also urged to encourage the pharmacists in your area to take part and can organize meetings to encourage each other.
Pharmacy schools too can pitch in by encouraging the students to hold forums within the campus to speak to students of other faculties.
We hope you can also note or document the activities that you do, eg name of group/organization that you spoke to, number of people who attended, date and time. This is for MPS to collate for statistics purposes. We want to be seen reaching out to as many people as possible and documented statistics will be useful to report to MoH of our activities, and also to document for future references.
Prepared by:
Ms Lee Yee Lan
MPS - Community Pharmacy Chapter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)