Looking good but going nowhere

A doctor asked me the other day, whether I feel frustrated when dispensing. After study so hard for 4 years, I am just dispensing at the counter...

I had mixed feeling when she said that. I told her we are doing many things besides dispensing. Things like TDM, TPN, clinical stuff, controlling stocks, counter checking prescriptions, providing drug information, monitored drug therapy for specific patients and etc.These are important... The doctor doesn't seems to listen. She just shrug her shoulder.

The public sees pharmacist = dispenser. They do now know what are the pharmacist doing. So are many doctors. They thought we are just taking "gaji buta" and sit there doing nothing. They do not see the importance of our job. Without pharmacist, many doctors' license will kena suspend... I am serious.

Healthcare professionals work as a team. The main purpose in the end of the day is to provide good patient care and let them recover from their illness asap.

Dispensing is crucial and it is part of patient care. Pharmacist prepare reliable medications and distribute them to patients, counseling patients about their prescription drugs and how to best use them. I think ensure that the patients are taking medication are as important as writing a precription.

Furthermore, in the ward, clinical pharmacists participate in drug selection, drug Regimen, develop and implement pharmaceutical therapeutic plans, document it and follow-up of outcomes... Since malaysia just start to have pharmacist ward round with doctors, I understand many doctors just cant get used to it. But just remember that we are not finding fault or try to challenge any decisions. We are just there to help. Lets us work hand in hand to provide a better healthcare service for the public.