[e-drug] Pharmacists in Africa (2)

["Rollo Manning" <rollom@iinet.net.au>]

E-DRUG: Pharmacists in Africa (2)
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Hi Billy (and e-drug listers)

I was interested in the questions posed and would like to make a general point.

This is a discussion that must be had because we in the First World operate under a different set of needs and values to the Third World. Well done Billy for bringing it forward.

When we talk about pharmacists in the developed First World we refer to people who have a degree from a university and have met the requirements for obtaining registration under the relevant legislation that then allows the registered pharmacist to meet the statutory obligations required by law to be done by such a person. For example - opening a retail shop from which medicines are sold and checking that the right label is on a pack of doctor prescribed medicine for the right patient. There are more requirements but these are not enshrined in legislation but rather in professional codes of conduct.

The need for a pharmacist is thus related to the legal obligations of such a person.

In my work with Third World Australia ( remote Aboriginal communities) I often wonder why we get so obsessed with the need for a registered pharmacist when what we really want is a person with the knowledge and ability to act in a way that improves the quality use of medicine.
We should not rule out the fact that there are many nurses, medical scientists and others with the basic understanding and knowledge to do the things that are really needed and may be more committed than a "registered pharmacist" with no previous experience in remote health.
In Africa - look at the legislation that governs the practice of pharmacy, single out the activities that by law require a pharmacist and then decide the qualifications needed to fill the balance of the requirements for improving quality.

Remember that a medicine is just a bottle of chemicals and until information is added and there are many people who can add the information that may not be registered pharmacists. 

What do you think? Are we too hung up on what a pharmacist is in the developed world to deny the people of the Third World quality obtained by other than a registered pharmacist? What about the idea of specific training for the skills and knowledge needed rather than following the developed world tradition?

Don't let the shortage of pharmacists in America put you off finding the best person for the job at hand. There will be people wanting to do a "pharmacists job" without necessarily being registered.

Cheers
Rollo Manning
Darwin NT
Australia
rollom@iinet.net.au