World Pharmacist Day – The role of the pharmacist
Modern health systems have become patient-centered and the role of the Pharmacist is essential, as it contributes to providing accurate information, improving the effectiveness of drug use, correct and cost-effective use, and reducing drug side effects.
Pharmacists actively participate in actions aimed at protecting the health of citizens, such as influenza vaccination, vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting antibiotic abuse, preventing overprescription, and ensuring the adequacy of drugs for all citizens.
Furthermore, due to increasing drug shortages, they are exploring solutions for the therapeutic treatment of patients.
On the occasion of World Pharmacist Day, Pharmacists advise you as follows:
- Adhere to the dosage of medications, according to your doctor’s prescription and the pharmacist’s instructions.
- Do not borrow or exchange medications without the doctor’s consent, as this poses a serious health risk (interactions, allergies, side effects, etc.)
- Do not use antibiotics when they are not necessary and without a doctor’s prescription, because microbes acquire resistance to antibiotics, resulting in them not acting effectively when they really need to be administered.
- Keep medications at the correct temperature (cool and dry place or refrigerated, when required).
It is recommended to check the expiration dates of medicines, at home, once a year.
According to the FDA, expired medicine is less effective and can even be dangerous, due to changes that occur over time.
Be careful when disposing of medicines, so as not to pollute the environment. It is important not to throw medicines in the trash, as there are special green bins in pharmacies for expired medicines.
Do not purchase medicines from the internet. The distribution and sale of medicines via the internet is expressly prohibited by the current legislation of our country, as counterfeit, adulterated or falsified medicines are often distributed.
All medicines that are legally distributed in Greece must have an authenticity certificate from the EOF.
Do not neglect the flu vaccination, which is essential, especially for high-risk groups (over 60 years of age, heart patients, pregnant women, people with asthma or chronic lung diseases, diabetes, morbid obesity, children 6 months and older, etc.).
The best period for the flu vaccination is October – November of each year.
If it is not done during this period, it can be done throughout the period when there are flu cases.
Parents, in consultation with the pediatrician, should vaccinate their children according to the National Vaccination Program.
Keep medicines out of the reach of children.
Regarding health issues and taking medications, do not hesitate to seek advice from your pharmacist.
