Basic concepts of the session
The studied session deals with the major issue of the role of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry. In particular, the session considers the points of career development and promotion of QUM principles (Quality Use of Medicines) that pharmacists should deal with in their practices (Australian General Practice Network, 2010; General Practice Network South, 2010).
One more important concept covered in the session is the need for pharmacists to conform to the PSA Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003 in their work, and particularly to promote rational drug use, community health, and information dissemination (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2006; 2010). In addition, the session covers the basic points of the National Strategy for Quality Use of Medicines and uses the example of Alphapharm, an Australian pharmaceutical company, to illustrate the major ideas considered (Australian Government, 2010; Alphapharm, 2010; Pearce, 2008).
Critique
Session readings’ critique
Needless to say, several readings were considered for the purposes of covering the discussed session, and the manual of PSA Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003 was one of them. The reading proved to be very detailed and properly organized. Analyzing the reading, one can definitely see the basic pharmacist practice requirements and guidelines concerning their fulfillment (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2010). One more session reading is the National Strategy for Quality Use of Medicines as presented by the Australian Government. The reading provides a clear and detailed insight into the topic of national QUM goals and ways to achieve them (Australian Government, 2010). Finally, the lecture by Mr. Pearce (2008) is one more session reading that allows seeing how a pharmacist’s role in the industry is relevant for QUM values’ promotion on the example of Alphapharm.
Additional readings
For the better support of the session findings, additional readings were considered regarding the major concepts covered in the session, and especially the QUM policy of the Australian government. One of such readings was the analysis of the Quality Use of Medicines carried out and presented by the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN). This reading provided additional information about the QUM and its implications for the various direction of health care, including general practitioners and pharmacists (Australian General Practice Network, 2009). Another additional reading on the session topic was the review of basic QUM-supporting policies presented by the General Practice Network South (GPNS, 2010). Apart from analyzing QUM, this reading provides details on the services used to promote the latter, including Drug and Therapeutics Information Service (DATIS), Home Medicines Review (HMR), etc.
Practical application of session ideas
So, the above discussion reveals that the session under consideration focuses mainly on the issues of QUM and its implementation in the pharmacists’ practice in the pharmaceutical industry. Accordingly, one can see that the role of a pharmacist in the medicines industry is crucial as far as a pharmacist discovers, develops, and prepares medicine for its further distribution among patients. In respect of this crucial role, the idea of QUM becomes crucial, because improper use of medications can have rather harmful consequences. Thus, applying the knowledge in practice, a pharmacist should follow QUM, which means that he/she should select medicine management options, choose the correct medicine from a variety of possible ones, and use the chosen medicines effectively and, most importantly, safely for the patients.
References cited
Alphapharm. 2010. Welcome to Alphapharm. Web.
Australian General Practice Network (AGPN). 2009. Quality Use of Medicines. Web.
Australian Government. 2010. National Strategy for Quality Use of Medicines. Web.
General Practice Network South (GPNS). 2010. Quality Use of Medicines. Web.
Pearce, G. 2008. Pharmacists and the Medicines Industry, 8: 1 – 8.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). 2006. Guidelines and Standards for the Collaborative and Pharmacist Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) Program and Associated Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Services. Web.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). 2010. PSA Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003. Web.