Pharmacy’s potential has not yet been fully recognised

I am writing to express my appreciation for the article entitled ‘How pharmacists can encourage patient adherence to medicines’ (The Pharmaceutical Journal online, 18 August 2018).

As a practising pharmacist, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed in the article that pharmacists play a critical role in improving patient outcomes by promoting medication adherence.

In today’s complex healthcare system, pharmacists are well positioned to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal medication therapy management​[1]​. They have the expertise to educate patients about their medicines, address potential side effects and counsel on lifestyle changes that may be necessary to optimise treatment outcomes.

Pharmacists can also leverage technology to help patients stay on track with their medication regimens. For instance, they can provide patients with medication reminders and monitor patient progress through electronic health records to identify potential issues before they become problems​[2]​.

However, despite the growing recognition of the role of pharmacists in improving medication adherence and patient outcomes, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. These include inadequate reimbursement for pharmacist services, limited access to patient health information and a lack of recognition for the important role that pharmacists play in the healthcare system.

As a pharmacy professional, I urge policymakers, healthcare leaders and other stakeholders to work together to overcome these challenges and fully leverage the expertise of pharmacists to improve patient outcomes. By doing so, we can create a healthcare system that is more effective, efficient and patient-centred. 

Abdul Wasay Sherazi, pharmacist, and Muhammad Fawad Rasool, chair, both at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan