LETTERS: Tomorrow is World Pharmacists Day. I am using this occasion to ask the government to empower community pharmacists in the provision of primary healthcare.
For the longest time, pharmacists have been seen as retailers of supplements and other healthcare products.
However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the people have come to recognise the value of community pharmacists.
Very often, patients with multiple non-communicable diseases are given medications by different doctors. They might not be aware of contraindications.
They take the medications to community pharmacists, who explain to them the dosage and possible side effects. Most importantly, pharmacists protect patients from medication errors.
Pharmacies are usually open the whole day, and pharmacists offer informal, appointment-free consultation.
At the height of the pandemic, clinics and hospitals required Covid-19 screening prior to consultation with doctors. And patients avoided going to high-risk places.
Community pharmacists filled the gap by offering advice on Covid-19 and other health-related matters, including basic health screening.
In recent years, many retail pharmacists have transitioned to becoming community pharmacists. They offer solution-based services such as wound care, smoking-cessation and diabetic care.
Community pharmacists have and will influence national healthcare progression in many positive ways.
It is high time the government endorsed them as an integral part of community health and wellness.
The inclusion of community pharmacists in the government's outreach plan will ultimately reduce medical costs, improve population health, boost the quality of healthcare and contribute to the gross domestic product.
Lim En-Ni
Chief pharmacist and director of engagement, Alpro Pharmacy
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times