In the April issue of the IPU Review, we reviewed some of the tools available in community pharmacies that will support and promote having a medication safety culture and practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified patients as one of the four domains that play an important role in medication safety. Because of this, we have shifted the focus of this piece towards patients.
At some point in their life, patients will take medicines. Therefore, patient education is critical, and pharmacists, as medicines experts, are there to support this activity while ensuring the rational use of medicines.
Because every contact counts, each interaction that pharmacists have with patients opens an opportunity for communication. By providing counselling, tailored advice according to their needs, and signposting resources available to patients, pharmacists can positively influence patients to actively engage with their health status. Resources such as health information posters can be displayed at pharmacies to support patients on medication safety matters. For example, the following posters are available:
For additional information, the WHO has published a wealth of resources including educational materials, reports, patient stories and videos (available at who.int > About WHO > Initiatives > Medication without Harm).
Lara Marín
Professional Services Pharmacist, IPU
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