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Capt. Adam Hollingsworth, 45th Medical Support Squadron staff pharmacist,
displays the vital role pharmacists play as he discusses medications to take
and which not to mix with a patient.
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Pharmacy Week Fulfills Vital Role
Posted 10/29/2012 Updated 10/29/2012
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by 2nd Lt. Alicia Wallace
45th Space Wing Public Affairs
10/29/2012 - PATRICK AFB, Fla. -- National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Week, Oct. 21-27, provided pharmacists at Patrick and other places around the country the opportunity to underscore the many new and vital roles pharmacists now play in patient care.
"Many consumers are not aware that pharmacists play a critical role in preventing medication errors, advising prescribers on the best drug choices and working directly with patients to ensure they understand how to use their medications safely and effectively," said Capt. Adam Hollingsworth, 45th Medical Support Squadron staff pharmacist. "Pharmacy Week is a great way to educate the public about how pharmacists can help them get the most benefit from their medicine."
During pharmacy week, the Patrick AFB pharmacy provided a patient education booth in the clinic and satellite pharmacies. Pharmacy staff serving at the booth answered drug questions and provided informative handouts. They were also available for patients to bring in their medications and speak directly to the pharmacists.
According to Captain Hollingsworth, pharmacists have moved beyond the role of compounding and dispensing medications to becoming vital members of multidisciplinary patient-care teams. They are experts on thousands of medications available--from how each one works in the body to the ways we use each one safely and effectively.
Pharmacists today received six years of education on medication therapy, and many go on to complete post-graduate residency programs. They advise doctors and nurses on medications, monitor each patient's medication therapy, and provide quality checks to detect and prevent harmful drug interactions, reactions or mistakes.
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