International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Pharmabridge International Exposure Program is providing opportunity for faculty to exchange technical skills and experience of pharmacy practice and pharmacy education from their education systems of developing countries and gain knowledge from advanced countries like USA, Canada and Australia etc. by undergoing exposure. Under this program the authors were able to compare pharmacy practices in India, the US, Canada and Australia. The present review comprises comparing and contrasting the Indian and American pharmacy practice in clinical and community level, key insights of pros and cons of Indian pharmacy practice and ideas for enhancing the significance of pharmacist role in health care system. The main objective of this article is to make recommendations to improve pharmacy practice in India. During Pharmabridge program, pharmacy practice in USA was observed in various perspectives like, clinical pharmacist role in health care, practice of pharmacist in community level and class room education to Pharm. D students. After observations made these were compared and contrasted with Indian pharmacy practice, role of pharmacist. The authors highlight potential expansion in the training and function of pharmacists in India. In United States, pharmaceutical care and medication management is functioning effectively through pharmacist. In contrast, in India, most students and pharmacists alike have never heard of medication management. Senior Professors of Indian health care organizations are currently discussing a medication management project in Saxony. With adequate training and acceptance of new roles, pharmacists in India would be able to correct prescription errors, prevent over dosages, teach patients about contraindications and side effects and answer queries about illness and treatment. The Indian health care system is undergoing a significant transformation in both the finance and delivery of health care services. The aspiration of high quality, cost-effective and accessible health care for patients is yet to achieve in India through inter professional practice. The pharmacy profession has been making attempts, consistently and strongly, in the past three decades, to imbue the sellers in the medical shops with professional values and transform the medical shops into community pharmacies. The time is right for expanding the training and role function of pharmacists.
Loading....