Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacy’s pivotal roles

COMMUNITY pharmacists have a vital role to play in managing patients and minimising transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Chinese expert says.

Speaking during a webinar hosted by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Peking University Third Hospital Director of Pharmacy, Rongsheug Zhao, urged pharmacists around the world to take proactive measure to protect themselves and their communities.

"Pharmacists have a pivotal role to play, not only in ensuring access to medicines and medical devices, but also in public health," he said.

"Mainly by informing the public about preventative measures, advising about behavioural precautions and the risk assessment, early detection and referral of individuals suspected to be at a high-risk of being infected."

Zhao also stressed the need for pharmacists to play an active part in patient care post-discharge from hospital.

"A retrospective study suggests that 23% of COVID-19 patients have complications based on the characteristics of comorbities of the affected population," he said.

"Clinical pharmacists play a vital role in medication reconciliation, implementation of medication therapy management for patients with chronic diseases to improve medication compliance, accuracy and cure rates."

During the 90-minute webinar on Wed night, highlighting China's experience of the virus, Zhao also stressed the need for pharmacists to be up to date with the latest developments in terms of progress on vaccines and treatments, noting that of 52 candidate vaccinates under development, two have progressed to phase one trials.