Drug Information Pharmacist
The list of FDA approved
medications continues to grow, and medical breakthroughs show us new
types of drug treatments on a daily basis. The pharmaceutical field
experiences advancements at an exponential level, and while a PharmD and
a residency are necessary steps to becoming a pharmacist, it’s also
important to maintain a solid and meticulous knowledge base of the
growing industry.
But the world of pharmaceuticals is aware that
to demand the most current expertise of all recently approved drug
therapies, as well as those in the works, and to treat patients at the
same time is a lot to juggle. That’s why more and more clinics are
staffing a resident expert in all drug related information, and here is
where the drug information pharmacist enters the picture.
What is a Drug Information Pharmacist?
The
drug information (DI) pharmacist is dedicated to specific tasks, and
those tasks include analyzing medication resources and assessing any
concerns, including safety issues, shortages, and prescription
alternatives. They relay this knowledge to the doctor and pharmacist,
and they educate the staff regarding any new intelligence or safety
procedures.
The DI pharmacist is the sole resource for any drug
related questions and concerns. The ultimate goal of the DI pharmacist
is to reduce errors by evaluating previous adverse reactions,
interpreting current literature regarding safety practices, and
referring to statistics to assist pharmacists with safely and
effectively prescribing medications. They may even communicate to the
staff via email campaigns or clinical newsletters, and they may
distribute applicable literature regarding medication updates or
concerns.
Education Requirements
Typically, the
drug information pharmacist must complete the PharmD requirements and a
residency or formal training in a DI setting. The American Society of
Health-System Pharmacists:
http://www.ashp.org/default.aspx offers accredited residencies in drug
information, and as the field continues to grow, more opportunities for
residencies, fellowships, and continuing education will begin to emerge.
What’s in Store?
The pharmaceutical industry is
expanding in ways we never thought imaginable. It is focused on meeting
the needs of patients, and patients are calling for better means of
prevention, for financially sound methods of drug therapy, more options,
and a solid understanding of what goes into their bodies. But as the
need for more pharmaceutical pathways for optimal health arises, so does
the demand for safer measures, and clinics are realizing the necessity
of staffing a resident medication expert.
Drug information
pharmacists play an integral part in improving patient safety and
reducing the amount of adverse reactions. The role requires less patient
interaction but more responsibility for remaining up-to-date on all
medication materials and being able to communicate this with all members
of the pharmacy staff. The position requires meticulous dedication to
research, education, and organization. If this position sounds
intriguing to you, remain alert for more job openings or residencies in
the future.
Sources:
http://www.pppmag.com/article/1229/November_2012/The_Role_of_the_Drug_Information_Specialist/
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