Abstract :
In India, there are around 10 lakh Pharmacists working in various positions, applying their unique knowledge & skills, contributing to the health of the Nation. WHO recommends a ratio of one pharmacist per 2000 population in order for optimal health care to be delivered. The concept of rotational use of drugs is very important because it will allow in prescribing the right drug, in appropriate dose for prescribed duration which is adequate to the clinical needs of the patient at the lowest cost which ultimately will lead to the safe, proper and effective use of drugs. It has been found than 50% of all medicines worldwide are prescribed, dispensed, or sold inappropriately and 50% of patients fail to take them correctly. So efforts are to be taken in order to have a rational use of drugs which in turn will avoid the ineffective and unsafe treatment, distress, prolongation of illness and increase in the cost of treatment. A pharmacist can play a multidisciplinary approach to the promotion of the rational use of medicines by providing proper information, and instruction regarding the adverse drug reactions, dosage schedule of drugs to the patients and warning them about the unwanted effects of medicines and monitoring such unwanted effects. In collaboration with other health care professionals the pharmacist can play a key role in educating the patient about hazards of self medication, over use of drugs and poly-pharmacy. Pharmacist helps in achieving the goal of rational use of drugs by following good pharmacy practices. Thus we can conclude that promoting the rational use of medicines results in improved quality of life for the patient in particular and for the community in general.
Keyword :
WHO, Rational drug use.