[e-drug] pharmacist v/s physician? (cont'd)

["M. Haniki Nik Mohamed" <haniki@usm.my>]

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Dear all,

The advise by Dr Offerhaus  for pharmacists "If they want to treat 
patients, alright, but then go back to the university and study medicine, 
as the British apothecaries did in the 19th century" is not the answer. 
Pharmacists are trained to identify, solve and 
prevent drug-related problems, through provision of pharmaceutical care vs. 
physicians who are trained mostly to diagnose and treat, thus providing 
medical care. The roles are to compliment each other for the patient 
benefits. Maybe not in Holland, but in Malaysia the pharmacists are 
rounding with the medical team and they do actually see "really sick 
people" as mentioned.  Pharmacists here are also active in public health 
issues, for example treating patients regarding smoking cessation, in both 
hospital and community settings. Pharmacists are picking up various roles 
and responsibilities where physicians fail to do.

Regards,

Assoc. Prof. M. Haniki Nik M, PharmD
USM, Penang
Malaysia
haniki@usm.my