Professionalism and public health promotion

Let’s move to Role 3 maintain and improve professional performance

There is only one Function described here: Plan and implement continuing professional development strategies to improve current and future performance – Pharmacists should perceive continuing education as being lifelong and be able to demonstrate evidence of continuing education or continuing professional development to improve clinical knowledge, skills and performance. Pharmacists should take steps to update their knowledge and skills about complementary and alternative therapies such as traditional Chinese medicines, health supplements, acupuncture, homeotherapy and naturopathy. Pharmacists should take steps to update their knowledge and be engaged in implement of new technology and automation in pharmacy practice Pharmacists should take steps to become informed and update their knowledge on changes to information on medical products.

The Role 4 is contribute to improve effectiveness of the health-care system and public health. There are four functions in role 4

Function A: Disseminate evaluated information about medicines and various aspects of self-care Pharmacists should ensure that the information provided to patients, other health professionals and the public is evidence-based, objective, understandable, non-promotional, accurate and appropriate. And should develop or use educational materials for health management, health promotion and disease prevention programmes that are applicable to a wide range of patient populations, age groups and health literacy levels. Pharmacists should educate patients on how to evaluate and use any forms of health-care information and strongly encourage them to be advised by a pharmacist Pharmacists should assist patients and their care providers to obtain and critically analyze information to meet their individual needs.

Function B: Engage in preventive care activities and services Pharmacists should engage in preventive care activities that promote public health and prevent disease, that is in areas such as smoking cessation, infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. As earlier mentioned in role 2, function C, Pharmacists should provide point-of-care testing, where applicable, and other health screening activities for patients at higher risk of disease. Function C is comply with national professional obligations, guidelines and legislations Pharmacists should take steps to ensure that they comply with the provisions of a national code of ethics for pharmacists.

Function D is advocate and support national policies that promote improved health outcomes Pharmacists should contribute to public and professional groups to promote, evaluate and improve health in the community Pharmacists should collaborate with other health-care professionals in their efforts to improve health outcomes.

The guidelines always emphasize that minimum national standards should be established for those above mentioned activities. Specific standards of GPP can be developed only within a national pharmacy professional organization framework. This guidance is recommended as a set of professional goals to be met in the interest of the patients and other key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector. Responsibility for moving the project towards will rest with each national pharmacy professional association. Achieving specific standards of GPP for each nation within these recommendations may require considerable time and effort. As health professionals, pharmacists have the duty to begin the process immediately.