Other Roles of Pharmacist

Apart from drug distribution system and prescription screening, satellite pharmacist also in-charge in giving consultation to other medical staff such as physician and nurses.

Satellite pharmacist is responsible in giving information about drugs that are available in the hospital. If the drug needed by physician is not in the MOH Drug Formulary, satellite pharmacist must make a local purchase order for the pharmacy department to purchase the drug. There are certain forms that need to be filled by satellite pharmacist in order to make the local purchase. The application then must be sent to the Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Service, KKM for approval.

Besides that, physician will also consult satellite pharmacist when they need opinion regarding alternatives of drugs that can be given to the patient. Such as, drugs that have fewer side effects than the one prescribed or when the patient is start to show resistance to the drug prescribed before. Physician normally ask for drug information by making phone call to the satellite pharmacy or asks directly during the ward round.

Satellite pharmacist also need to be alert with the entire drug related problem while screening the prescription especially error involving the dose and interaction between the drugs. If there is any problem regarding the prescription, satellite pharmacist need to consult the physician in order to avoid further complication to the patient.

Satellite pharmacist must also have a good professional relationship with the staff nurses. It is very important in order to make sure that ward supplies can be maintained in an optimal condition. Ward managers, usually the senior nurse of each ward or unit bears the responsibility to develop and implement action plans to rectify any short falls that are identified during each inspection. With the cooperation between pharmacist and staff nurses, ward supplies can be maintained at optimal conditions in a timely manner.

Besides, satellite pharmacist need to remind staff nurses about ‘first expire first out’ (FEFO) in order to manage floor stocks supplies. Since floor stocks are bulk supplies of drugs stored in wards, the potential for unsecured and expired drugs are the highest. There is a tendency for the under-practice of ‘first expire first out’ (FEFO). Hence, nursing staffs are reminded to maintain proper circulations of drugs especially those in tablet forms and kept in plastic or glass bottles. Upon each stock-up, newly indented tablets should be kept at the further end while the previous remainders should be kept further out so that the latter will be easily reached and used first. For each expired drug being detected during ward check, the price of drug will be summed up based on the standard pricing list and a fine will be issued which has to be paid by the nursing staffs in the respective ward.

Hence, throughout ward checks, a good rapport has to be established between the pharmacist and nursing staffs in wards to ensure that all ward environments and staff practices are continuously improved and upgraded to meet the standard benchmarks of quality ward supply management.