Definition of Pharmaceutical Care
Pharmaceutical care is the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life . These outcomes are
- cure of a disease;
- elimination or reduction of a patient's symptomatology;
- arresting or slowing of a disease process; or
- preventing a disease or symptomatology.
Pharmaceutical care involves the process through which a pharmacist cooperates with a patient and other professionals in designing, implementing, and monitoring a therapeutic plan that will produce specific therapeutic outcomes for the patient. This in turn involves three major functions:
- identifying potential and actual drug-related problems;
- resolving actual drug-related problems; and
- preventing drug-related problems.
Pharmaceutical care is a necessary element of health care and should be integrated with other elements. Pharmaceutical care is, however, provided for the direct benefit of the patient, and the pharmacist is responsible directly to the patient for the quality of that care. The fundamental relationship in pharmaceutical care is a mutually beneficial exchange in which the patient grants authority to the provider, and the provider gives competence and commitment (accept responsibility) to the patient. The fundamental goals, processes, and relationships of pharmaceutical care exist regardless of practice setting. Reference: Helper, D.D. & Strand, L.M., Opportunities and Responsibilities in Pharmaceutical Care, Am.J. Pharm.Educ., 53, 7S-15S(1989).