Role of the Pharmacist in Patient Care

The present drug distribution system in the United States is, for the most part, physician-oriented. It is the physician who makes all the decisions and everyone else is expected to follow them. Within such a structure, however, there is little room for pharmacist involvement. Therefore, in the past, pharmacists have primarily functioned as "prescription processors." Hence, they have been more oriented towards product than patient. Voluntary actions for the benefit of patients are taken only when time and circumstances permit.

The traditional role of the pharmacist though, is currently undergoing change. In recent years, pharmacy has become much more clinical. One goal of this "clinical model" is to promote rational drug therapy. Clinical pharmacists generally have greater responsibility with respect to their patients than "technical pharmacists." They tend to be more patient-oriented (Schulz & Brushwood, 1991, p. 13).

Although such pharmacists must still encourage compliance with physician instructions, they more fully utilize their potential as both sources of information and patient advocates. It is patient-oriented pharmacists' duty to ensure that their charges are making their own decisions based on clear and thorough understandings of bot

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ts own. At present, pharmacists serve as intermediaries between the physician and the patient. In this position, they make a significant contribution to the total health care system. By compounding and dispensing drugs, pharmacists provide an important element of control over their use. This helps to ensure that the considerable power of the different pharmaceuticals is applied only towards the beneficial purpose of improving patient health. When employed correctly, drugs can be extremely useful in the prevention and treatment of disease. They have the inherent ability to alter the human body's natural processes. For instance, pharmacologic agents may either stimulate or depress the body's biochemical or physiological functions. Very often, such power can often be applied towards the relief of patients' symptoms. In addition, in some cases, providing the right drug at the correct dosage can actually alter the course of a patient's disease. For example, under different circumstances, chemotherapeutic agents can have considerable effects. Their action against disease is generally stronger than their action on the human body. Hence, they are typically used to postpone the consequences of terminal illness. Thirdly,
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