CEBU, Philippines – The International Federation of Pharmacists observed World Pharmacists Day on Friday, September 25, with the theme "Pharmacist: Your Partner in Health."
We have all been to a pharmacy and met this person in white at the counter who is eager to help us with our medication needs. But just what does a pharmacist really do as our partner in health?
The pharmacist is a medication expert, who knows about drugs and everything that has anything to do with it. For instance, he knows the best time for you to take your medication. Or, if you're taking more than one medication, he can advise a way to avoid possible drug-drug interaction; and adverse food-drug interaction, as well. Getting the best out of your medication is the pharmacist's job and main concern. Medicines are chemicals that work in different ways and not always in the same manner, depending on factors such as age, metabolism and fat composition, among others. The presence of another disease can also change how medicines are absorbed, metabolized, and eventually eliminated from the body.
The pharmacist can tell you whether your cough and colds could be self-limiting or may need medical attention. He can also enlighten you on your concern of that recurrent fever. A simple pain medication, like the one advertised in media, is a potential gastric irritant, for which the pharmacist can tell you how to avoid.
For monitoring tips on your medical condition or if wondering whether your medication is working as expected - ask the pharmacist. Those fond of taking food supplements, the pharmacist can give pertinent advice, especially if also taking prescription maintenance medication. Absorption of the medication is at its best with certain diets, just as the avoidance of certain food may be necessary while taking a particular medication; food-drug interaction often being the cause of non-absorption of the drug.
The annual celebration of World Pharmacists Day is intended to make us think of the valuable service that pharmacists provides. Those among us who have not yet had a personal encounter with a pharmacist may look for him on their next visit to the pharmacy. He is always more than willing to help.