The World Medical Association (WMA) has rejected any role for pharmacists in prescribing or in monitoring and adjusting patients' treatment.
A unilateral statement issued by the WMA on October 21 following its 1999 general assembly at Tel Aviv, Israel, leaves no room for the practice of pharmaceutical care.
The statement only recognises that pharmacists have responsibilities in relation to: the procurement, storage and dispensing of medicines; providing information to patients on interactions and side effects; reviewing prescriptions for interactions, allergic reactions and contraindications and discussing these with the prescriber; discussing medicine-related problems with patients if they ask; advising patients on non-prescription medicines; and reporting adverse reactions. Responsibilities reserved exclusively to doctors, but which fall within the scope of classic pharmaceutical care, include monitoring the response to treatment and adjusting it accordingly.
The full statement can be accessed on the internet through PJOnline at www.pharmj.com.