How many of us really fight against antibiotic abuse. Stewardship is OUR duty. I'm lenient with young children and the elderly but when anyone else comes with an "Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid/ similar" script for a "cold" I start frowning. SA has one of the worst stats in microbial resistance and we keep daily dispensing as if to ignore those numbers. We pharmacist must be FIRM. Double check, phone the doctor and ask if they've performed culture tests and advise patient to wait/defer before starting antibiotic course.
It's a real problem and it's only getting worse.
Don't turn a blind eye, take an extra minute to ask the right questions.
Don't turn a blind eye, take an extra minute to ask the right questions.
Of course this comes with knowledgeability and confidence. Therefore revise your antibiotic classes and coverage, re-educate and refresh your triage skills. Develop easy-to-use algorithms for your co-workers and yourself to use in the pharmacy.
Changing the face of pharmacy will start with each and every script we scrutinize and the value we add through discussions with patient and health care providers!
Brought to you by:
www.pharmers.co.za
#pharmers
Subscribe!
#BeResponsible
#pharm
#pharm
No comments:
Post a Comment