A crazy idea which I never implemented (Sub: Pharmacy)

Background: I own this idea, which I thought of implementing in my State when I was doing my post graduation (2011), and didn't try till now, and now I am not sure, how much it will helpful or ideal for the present market, however please feel free to use this, if anyone found it worth implementing.

Disclaimer : The information is based on my experience in the year 2011, hence, situation mentioned below may not reflect current status of healthcare system of the state.

Abstract: At present pharmacies are not updated to meet the needs of modern society. The proposed mobile application will help to upgrade pharmacies. This application will have features like sending on-line drug orders to pharmaceutical distributors, drug searches, and distributor search. These facilities benefit the entire pharmaceutical chain, especially pharmaceutical distributors and pharmacies. Let us hope for a better tomorrow when our pharmacies function at international standards of dispensing.

Introduction: Pharmacy plays a crucial role in the healthcare system. It is a divine profession that links health sciences with chemical sciences, ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs. This article is about the importance of updating our pharmaceutical chain.

It is high time to introduce our pharmacies to online technologies as the need is on the rise. There are more than 50,000 registered pharmacists, 30,000 pharmacies, and 33 pharmacy colleges in Kerala. Despite these facilities, our pharmaceutical health care system is lagging in aspects like:

1.     Proper patient counseling

2.     Presence of too many brands for a single entity

3.     Lack of updated online technology

1. Patient Counselling

Patient counseling is a prerequisite for better patient compliance.

1.1.Objectives of patient counseling:

·The patient should recognize the importance of medication for his well-being.

· A working relationship and a foundation for continuous interaction and consultation should be established.

·Patient’s understanding of strategies to deal with medication side effects and drug interactions should be improved.

·Better patient compliance should be ensured.

·The patient becomes an informed, efficient, and active participant in disease treatment and self-care management.

·The pharmacist should be perceived as a professional who offers pharmaceutical care.

·Drug interactions and adverse drug reactions should be prevented.

2. Presence of too many brands for a single entity.

In India situation becomes worse when too many brands are marketed for the same medicine. This confuses the entire healthcare chain. And also it is a fact that new brand names are getting introduced very often. Hence chances of misinterpretation of prescriptions are becoming a serious hazard, which can affect our health adversely.

3.Lack of updated online technology

It will not be an exaggeration to say that the pharmacy profession in Kerala is still in its infancy. It is becoming more and more difficult to achieve the right patient care. Lack of awareness about new technologies and updated knowledge in the field of pharmacy is a major lacuna. Surprisingly, our pharmacies are still not equipped with computers. We should take care of our pharmaceutical network so that our population will be touched by the divine hands. At present, the economy of our country also demands it to a greater extent.

The current scenario is that when a patient approaches a pharmacy for a new brand that is not familiar to the pharmacist, he does not know where to get the particular brand from a large number of wholesale pharmaceutical distributors. There is also a chance of giving the wrong medicine to the patients, leading to agony. And of course, we cannot blame anyone for the happenings. Instead, innovations in the field of the healthcare system should be appreciated as they are potential enough to revolutionize society.

4. How does the proposed application works?

Users can register in this application as public, pharmacist, pharmacy, pharmacy college and pharmaceutical distributor.

Features for the public: drug search through online drug inquiry/from saved database etc.

Features for pharmacy: on-line drug order to pharmaceutical distributor search, drug alert etc.

Features for pharmaceutical distributor: they can view/send the orders from pharmacies to mobile/email account.

The present system of healthcare needs the cooperation of the stakeholders of the pharmaceutical business. Therefore we all have to hold our hands together. I believe that your participation can revolutionize the entire system of medicine. Let us hope for a better tomorrow when our pharmacies function at international standards of dispensing.

“Do something today that your future self will thank you for”

Hope you find this useful.

Sincerely,

Alex Thomas?