From Dr H. H. Ghalamkari, MRPharmS
SIR,—Mr Phillips describes a situation that exemplifies pharmacy's efficiency (PJ, January 15, p95). Both Mr Phillips and the wholesaler must be congratulated for making sure that a patient received a prescribed antibiotic at such short notice on Christmas Eve. At present this represents good pharmacy practice: "The efficient supply of medicines to patients". But it is at odds with suggested extended roles in medicines management where pharmacists are required to make independent decisions regarding drug therapy. A role in medicines management could require pharmacists to take responsibility and substitute an appropriate antibiotic.
The transition from current pharmacy practice to medicines management is not straightforward. For pharmacy to move to a model of medicines management everyday situations which require pharmacists to make independent decisions regarding drug therapy need to be investigated. Knowing how pharmacists justify their actions will uncover the requirements in the transition to medicines management.
Hooman Ghalamkari Worcester