Continue to seize opportunities, remain resolute and resilient
ON BEHALF of the Pharmacy Council of Jamaica, I extend heartiest congratulations to the president and executive members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica as you celebrate Pharmacy Week 2022. This week of activities provides another opportunity for members of the pharmacy profession to showcase their products and services and celebrate the accomplishments and outstanding achievements of its stakeholders.
The theme for this year’s Pharmacy Week, ‘Pharmacists: Trusted, Empowered, United for Action’, addresses some powerful attributes that pharmacy professionals should possess and continue to embrace throughout their professional lives. In the United States, where Gallup polls are conducted annually to determine the ranking of various professionals, pharmacists have consistently ranked among the most trusted professionals, the top professions for honesty and ethics. This standing must be held as a point of pride among pharmacists, and indeed, is quite deserving.
The high rating accorded to pharmacists is a testament to the exceptional level of care they provide to patients, ensuring the needs of the patient is given priority place. Even though, there are no polls to validate the ranking of Jamaican pharmacists, I have no doubt that they do hold a similar pride of place among their patients and clients because the work pharmacists do require them to maintain the highest level of ethical standards and provide service above self.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created several opportunities for pharmacists to redefine their roles and value in patient care and medication management. Pharmacists are being empowered to function in expanding roles. In one of its recent efforts to provide public access to COVID-19related medications, the FDA has authorised state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe the nirmatrelvir and ritonavir combination (Paxlovid), an antiviral treatment with certain limitations. This expansion of access to pharmacists and the broadening of the pharmacist prescribing role is a signal that there is confidence in the pharmacist’ competence to provide unique clinical services and extend primary care services in a wide range of public health areas.
As pharmacists empowered with pharmaceutical knowledge and expertise, I implore our professionals to move into practice areas that will increase the patients access and appreciation of the pharmaceutical care services that pharmacists can provide. Pharmacists must now get more involved in routine health screening and patient education to help reduce the risks of developing chronic conditions. Additionally, they should engage in programmes to promote medication adherence and provide services in chronic care management, focusing on conditions that involve multiple medications.
Jamaican pharmacists are highly trained and skilled to perform in all areas of expanding pharmacy services. However, the slow process of recognition and authorisation to practise in some advanced practice areas by the relevant health and regulatory authorities, has hindered much progress. Despite these challenges, pharmacists are called upon to unite in their efforts to advocate for national recognition to deliver services pharmacist duly provide in other jurisdictions. Continue to seize those opportunities that abound, remain resolute and resilient; a brighter future lies ahead. As accessible and highly trusted health care professionals, you can play an important role in improving the health and well-being of the patients and customers you serve.
The Pharmacy Council stands in solidarity with the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica in its advocacy to gain acceptance to deliver services that will increase access to public health and other clinical services. Once again, I wish all pharmacists and pharmacy stakeholders a successful week of activities as the role of the pharmacist is highlighted and accomplishments are celebrated. Happy Pharmacy Week 2022!
EUGENIE BROWNMYRIE, PharmD, MA (CP), MAR, BH(M)
Chairman Pharmacy Council of Jamaica