Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry: Open Access
Open Access

Roles and Responsibilities of Community Pharmacy

Sumit Tiwari^{* *}Correspondence: Sumit Tiwari, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Email:

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Description

Community pharmacy, also well-known as retail pharmacy, is the most common type of the pharmacy that allows the public access to their medications and the advice about their health. Traditionally known to be as a chemist, it is the healthcare facility which is responsible for the provision of the pharmaceutical service to a specific community group or a region.

Most of the community pharmacies have a commercial store with a combination of the medicinal goods only accessible with a prescription and those with that can be purchased Over-The- Counter (OTC).

Community pharmacists are considered to be the most accessible health professional to the public, as they are available to provide personalized advice about the health and the medicine when it is needed, without the need for an appointment. 89% of the population in the UK can access a community pharmacy within the 20-minute of walk.

Types of community pharmacies

There are different types of the community pharmacies. They range from minor, individually owned pharmacies in the remote rural towns to large chains in main shopping malls and supermarkets.

The types of these community pharmacies also depend on the regulations in that area. For example, in the United States pharmacies in large chains independently owned pharmacies. This is in contrast to many of the countries in Europe that limit pharmacies to be owned by the registered pharmacist, who is restricted to owning less than the certain number of pharmacies, making large chains impossible.

Role of the community pharmacist

Usually, the role of the community pharmacist is to provide the medications to patients based on the prescription from their doctor. However, the role of the pharmacist has progressed greatly and is now deeply involved in the number of other health initiatives. The tasks of a community pharmacist may include:

Processing prescriptions: Examination of the prescription from the doctor and preparing the medication for the patient.

Checking for drug interactions: Making sure that the medications and the doses are appropriate for the patient considering health factors and the other medications.

Dispensing medications: Labeling the medication correctly with the instructions for the patient about how to take the medication.

Disposing of medication: Taking the unneeded medications from the patients and disposing of them safely.

Providing advice: Campaigning the patients to understand their health and the medicines and giving the appropriate advice.

Promotion of healthy lifestyle: Supporting the patients to make healthier choices, such as intake of more nutritious food, exercising more often or stopping smoking.

As the community pharmacist the most frequently the health professional that patients see most often, they play a vital role in the continued healthcare and check-ups for the patients. Moreover, they are in a good position to recommend the routine screenings in appropriate life stages.

Training and education

There are several subject matters that a community pharmacist should have knowledge and familiar with including the chemistry and pharmacology of drugs and formulations and the physiology and pathology of the body.

Depending upon the country, the registration requirements for a community pharmacist may different. A bachelor or a master degree in Pharmacy is required, in addition to the placement and a board examination to become registered. To maintain the registration, continued professional and the development is needed to ensure the practice is kept updating with the new drugs.