Seminar on Contemporary Challenges Faced by Pharmacy Graduates in the Hospital Sector – SNSCPHS

On the 27th of January, 2025, at 11:00 AM, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SNSCPHS, hosted a highly insightful seminar titled "Contemporary Challenges Faced by Pharmacy Graduates in the Hospital Sector." The seminar was held in the RM Hall, attracting a significant number of students, faculty members, and healthcare professionals from the institution. The session was conducted by Dr. T.S. Naven Venkatesh, an esteemed Pharmacy Manager and Head of Clinical Pharmacists at SRM Prime Hospital, Chennai.

Introduction to the Session

The seminar commenced with an introduction to the current scenario in the pharmacy field, especially concerning the hospital sector. Dr. Venkatesh, a seasoned professional with years of experience in clinical pharmacy, began by outlining the evolving role of pharmacy graduates in healthcare settings. He highlighted how pharmacists are now more than just dispensers of medicine, but rather vital members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, contributing significantly to patient care, safety, and medication management.

Key Challenges Discussed

Dr. Venkatesh provided a deep dive into the contemporary challenges pharmacy graduates face when entering the hospital sector. He emphasized the following points:

1. Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes

One of the most prominent challenges mentioned was the rapid advancement of technology in the healthcare industry. Pharmacy graduates must continually adapt to new digital tools and automated systems that are integral to modern hospital operations. This includes electronic health records (EHR), automated dispensing systems, and clinical decision support software, which require ongoing learning and adaptability.

2. Expanding Role and Increasing Responsibilities

Pharmacy graduates today are expected to perform far beyond traditional roles. In hospitals, pharmacists are no longer confined to dispensing medications; they play an active role in clinical decision-making, patient counseling, and providing therapeutic recommendations to medical teams. Dr. Venkatesh emphasized that this expanded role requires pharmacy graduates to have strong clinical knowledge, communication skills, and a solid understanding of medical conditions, drug interactions, and patient care.

3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Another challenge highlighted by Dr. Venkatesh is the necessity for effective collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and dietitians. In hospitals, pharmacy graduates must be adept at working within multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal medication management and patient outcomes. This teamwork can sometimes be challenging due to communication barriers, differing priorities, and the hierarchical nature of hospital settings.

4. Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Dr. Venkatesh also discussed the growing expectation for pharmacy graduates to engage in clinical research and contribute to evidence-based practices. As hospitals move towards patient-centric care models, the integration of research into daily practice has become crucial. Pharmacy graduates are expected to contribute to clinical trials, analyze research findings, and implement evidence-based recommendations in patient treatment plans. This requires a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on the latest pharmaceutical research and guidelines.

5. Ethical and Legal Challenges

Ethical dilemmas and legal issues in the hospital pharmacy sector were another key area of discussion. Dr. Venkatesh emphasized that pharmacists often face difficult decisions regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent, and the ethical use of medications. With the increasing complexity of treatments, pharmacy graduates must be well-versed in both ethical and legal aspects of their work to ensure that they provide safe and effective care while adhering to regulatory standards.

Conclusion

The seminar concluded with a Q&A session where Dr. Venkatesh answered various queries from the audience. His insights into the challenges pharmacy graduates face in the hospital sector were invaluable and provided a clearer understanding of the evolving nature of the profession. The session highlighted the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and effective communication within healthcare teams to overcome these challenges.

The seminar was well-received, and students left with a deeper appreciation of the dynamic and challenging environment that pharmacy graduates must navigate in the hospital sector. The event also reinforced the importance of practical knowledge and the integration of academic learning with real-world clinical experience.