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World Pharmacists Day 2021

Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health

The role of pharmacists in healthcare is dynamic, and continues to evolve. With the onset of COVID-19 spreading fiercely across our globe since 2019, pharmacists have gained some long-awaited recognition as key frontline workers, however, their full inclusion in health systems across the Commonwealth is still a distance away. Pharmacists are appreciated for only a fraction of their true capabilities, not only during an emergency response like a pandemic, but in other disease areas too.

This year, World Pharmacists Day will be celebrated on the 25th of September. This annual event anchors on the demonstrated value that pharmacists continue to deliver in the health sector. It’s a day that highlights their important responsibility to directly serve, not only the medical profession, but patients and the wider public who in many countries turn to pharmacists for various reasons, especially when medical doctors are overwhelmed. 

They are trusted for the wealth of knowledge and care they have to offer when patients have no other place to seek reputable information. In many countries, during the pandemic, these responsibilities expanded out to vaccine administration, which enabled a more rapid response. 

Why does trust matter?

To build trust, three elements required include, positive relationships, competency/expertise, and consistency. Trust is essential to healthcare and improved patient outcomes. 

To celebrate World Pharmacists Day, we asked some of our Commonwealth pharmacists about their memorable experiences and feedback which they felt demonstrated trust. Here are a few that stood out for us:

Lalit Ramchandani, India
My parents were not happy with my profession. They always wanted me to be a Doctor or Engineer. But, one day, at a marriage function, we met one of my customers. I introduced him to my parents. He told my parents, you are lucky to have him as your son. Because of his counselling, my wife is alive. My wife and I are lucky to have him as our pharmacist. That was the best feedback of my life
Nur Faqihah Bakhtiar, Malaysia
Currently, I am working at the Vaccine Administration Centre. After giving vaccination cards to the patients, the most frequently asked questions were, "Can I eat durian after taking the vaccine?" and "Can I take my bath after taking the vaccine?"
Mary Badmus, Nigeria
Most of the community pharmacies were not doing BP Checks due to the pandemic. My premise then was in a low-income area, and many people could not afford to buy a BP Monitor. This middle-aged man came that day and wanted to check his BP. I wore gloves, sanitized the machine, wore a face mask and did the reading. This man's BP was above 200 for the systolic. I was so pleased with myself for making that decision
Yogendra Kanchapu, India
My team and I organised webinars to educate pharmacists about recent trends.
Anita Bhisikar, India
During the 1st lockdown, when the COVID-19 situation was new and people didn't have right education about the topic, my team and I made posters/pamphlets, that educated people about the symptoms, medication, measures, diet, and home remedies suitable for different age groups, and people with co-morbidities.
Rajani Shettigar, India
During the peak of COVID-19, general physicians were not ready to see any patients and there were only online consultations. This was the time when most of the senior citizens were feeling left out and anxious. They had a lot to ask about their health and I used to counsel them with patience and care. Some of them wanted their blood pressure to be checked and I was happy I could do that in my pharmacy. One of the COVID-19 positive senior citizens said he trusted his pharmacist more than anyone else, so he called almost every day to discuss his symptoms and medications. After his quarantine period, he visited with his family with a box of sweets for our staff.
Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Bangura, Sierra Leone
I worked as a pharmacist in Kambia District (DHMT). During the start of COVID-19, I ensured that all PHUs in my district had face masks and liquid soap.
Vijaykumar Madhavrao Ghadge , India
In the months of April and May-second wave of pandemic witnessed unprecedented upsurge in positive cases and deaths (including co-morbids, seniors and young population) . As a frontline health warrior in the first wave, I was mentally prepared for the second wave,but really it was tougher than expected. Maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset helped me to provide uninterrupted service to my clients with due care and vital measures like wearing a mask, keeping my pharmacy sanitized regularly,and maintaining social distance. I found satisfaction in encouraging elderly patients to stay home safe and have their required medicines delivered to them regularly as I had already done during the first wave of the pandemic.
Angeline A/P Francis William, Malaysia
At the peak of COVID-19, there were few patients that didn't had masks and we gave them new ones.
Nik Nur Amirah Binti Nik Ismail, Malaysia
I am currently working in a small district hospital appointed as one of the Vaccine Receiving Centre. Working with my colleagues to receive vaccines and help arrange for distributions to other places is a blessed one for us.
Anna Royer - Edmund , Dominica
I recalled attending to a very disrespectful client as an intern, I received a barrage of insults and verbal abuse. When the client finally left the next client in line said, “Miss I admire your calm and patient demeanor. Most people would have acted differently. You are truly a professional. You served with dignity and professionalism. You are a gem. Keep up this attitude. The world needs more people like you.
Mohanraj Rathinavelu, India
As a pharmacist and academician by profession, a COVID-19 Helpline center was established at our institute in association with the affiliating University and the IPA which was really appreciated by the public and healthcare professionals of our region. Proud to share that I was instrumental to this initiative and our team did well during these challenging times.
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The CPA focuses on empowering pharmacists with the education and support needed to improve the care they provide for their patients. They also support pharmacists towards being more active members of multidisciplinary teams such as where antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is concerned and pharmacy expertise can make a difference to ensuring the right antibiotic or antimicrobial drug is used. The CPA have achieved this through the ongoing success of our Commonwealth Pharmacists for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) programme in partnership with the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET). 

The CPA joins pharmacists all over the world to celebrate their collective efforts and congratulates them for driving change towards achieving global health sustainability by making healthcare more accessible and effective for the patients who rely on it.

Happy World Pharmacists Day!

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