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Author: Uday Venkat M*
*Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maniapl, India-576104.
Hospital Pharmacy: Pharmacists practicing clinical pharmacy in hospitals may obtain medication histories, counsel patients, review treatment regimens, monitor drug therapy, supply drug information, report ADRs, conduct drug-use evaluations, prepare monographs for formulary consideration, and provide poison control services. Many of the advances in clinical pharmacy in India were initiated in hospitals—particularly teaching hospitals—just as in many other countries.
Community Pharmacy: Clinical pharmacy practice is not well established in the community setting in India, because most pharmacists practicing there have only minimum qualifications, principally only a two-year program leading to a diploma degree in pharmacy. Students are now beginning to recognize the exciting opportunities available in patient counseling and disease management in the community setting and are more likely to set higher educational goals for themselves.
Pharmaceutical Industry: Clinical trial coordination, medical information and education, and medical writing are all areas for which pharmacists are suited to work in the pharmaceutical industry. More clini cal trials are being conducted within the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research organizations. Medical writing and education in the area of marketing allow pharmacists to apply their background in drug information and literature evaluation.
Academia: Training well-qualifiedclinical pharmacists requires wellqualified faculty. The demand for qualified faculty has been met mostly from other countries. However, Indian-trained faculty members are needed who understand the population and are interested in conducting research within India.
Conclusion: Clinical pharmacy education programs have taken root in India. Much work will be needed to expand and improve these programs to bring the benefits of clinical pharmacy practice to the great swath of Indian society.
Reference
Parthasarathi G, Ramesh M, Nyfort-Hansen K et al. Clinical pharmacy in a south Indian teaching hospital. Ann Pharmacother. 2002; 36:927-32.
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