[e-drug] WHO/FIP Handbook "Developing pharmacy practice - focus patient care"

["Everard, Marthe M." <everardm@who.int>]

WHO/FIP Handbook "Developing pharmacy practice - focus patient care"
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Dear E-Druggers,

We would like to inform you that the recently launched Handbook
"Developing Pharmacy Practice - a Focus on Patient Care" can be accessed
at: http://www.who.int/medicines/ under "latest publications" on the WHO
Medicines home page. The media note is available at

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/new/2006/nw05/en/index.html

The overarching message of this Handbook is that there is an important
and rewarding professional role for pharmacists beyond pharmaceutical
product supply and management. Where medicines are used for the greatest
possible benefit of each individual patient and of society as a whole,
the result will be in improvements in health as well as cost savings.
Newly qualified pharmacists should have the knowledge and skills needed
to take up their new role and responsibilities and to function as
collaborative members of the health care team.

The Handbook defines good pharmacy practice and presents a step-wise
approach to pharmaceutical care within a general practice environment
anywhere in the world.

Founded on the principles of the 'seven-star pharmacist', this
interactive handbook provides practical examples and care models so that
it can be used for self-directed learning. A wide variety of
illustrative case studies are provided to meet the needs of different
users. The book is designed to guide learners towards specific
educational outcomes, and enable them to undertake tasks which require a
combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

The Handbook is written for pharmacists, educators and students
everywhere and in all healthcare settings. 

Part 1 considers some definitions of good pharmacy practice in different
contexts. Underpinning them all is the concept of the seven-star
pharmacist.  The 'seven-star pharmacist' is described as a caregiver,
communicator, decision-maker, teacher, lifelong learner, leader and
manager.  For the purpose of this book, the function of researcher has
been added. 

Part 2 presents a step-wise approach to pharmaceutical care, within a
general practice environment. It also stresses the value of appropriate
referral in overall patient care. It looks at the need to assimilate and
manage information and new developments, some trends in evidence-based
practice, and the use of guidelines to inform medicine selection within
specific contexts. The importance of patient beliefs, preferences,
knowledge, rights and choices is also emphasized. 

A CD-ROM is enclosed in the Handbook and contains the majority of
reference documents cited in Parts 1 and 2. The authors wish to provide
this useful information resource in support of the Handbook and to
assist and guide users of the Handbook to update, revise or adapt
materials for training and information purposes. To reach as wide an
audience as possible the handbook is available in English and a French
version will be available soon in both electronic and print formats.

On behalf of the Handbook authors, The International Pharmaceutical
Federation (FIP) and WHO,

Marthe M Everard
Technical Officer
Policy, Access, and Rational Use (PAR)
Medicines Policy and Standards (PSM) 
World Health Organization 
Avenue Appia 20
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel : # 41 22 791 3835
Fax: # 41 22 791 4167
E-mail: everardm@who.int
www.who.int/medicines