HEALTH systems around the world are failing to get the most out of pharmacists' medicines safety expertise to health care among elderly patients, according to International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) CEO, Dr Catherine Duggan (pictured).
Speaking at an event hosted by the International Longevity Centre in the UK last week, Duggan said the profession was not being used effectively when it came to prevention, screening and management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), within aged care.
She told attendees that a series of studies had highlighted the benefits pharmacists can provide to both patients living with NCDs and the health service.
"In the context of NCDs, pharmacists use their proven expertise and new technologies to be a valuable part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, making a unique contribution to the clinical results of medicines therapy and consequently to quality of life," she said.
"Despite a rise in medication-related problems, pharmacists are under-utilised and inadequately remunerated for their role in delivering and improving healthcare," adding that pharmacists could supplement existing vaccination services to bolster immunisation rates.
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