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Within the healthcare system, clinical pharmacists specialize in the therapeutic use of medications. They routinely provide drug therapy evaluations and recommendations to patients and other healthcare professionals. Clinical pharmacists are a primary source of scientifically valid information and advice on the safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines. Clinical pharmacists are also making themselves more accessible to the public. In the past, access to a clinical pharmacist was limited to hospitals, clinics or educational institutions. However, clinical pharmacists are making themselves available through a medication information hotline and reviewing medication lists, all to prevent medication errors in the near future. In the United Kingdom, clinical pharmacists are routinely involved in the direct care of patients within hospitals and, increasingly, in doctors’ surgeries. They provide post-registration professional education, professional curricula for workforce development, provide expertise on medicines use to national bodies such as NICE, the Department of Health and the MHRA, and develop medicines guidelines for use in therapeutic areas.
Clinical pharmacists interact directly with patients in a variety of ways. They use their knowledge of medications (dosage, drug interactions, side effects, cost, efficacy, etc.) to determine whether a medication plan is appropriate for their patient. If not, the pharmacist will consult with the primary care physician to ensure the patient is on the correct medication plan. Pharmacists also work to educate their patients about the importance of taking and finishing their medications. Studies conducted in pharmacist-led chronic disease management showed that it was associated with effects similar to usual care and could improve achievement of physiologic goals.
In some US states, clinical pharmacists are given prescriptive authority under a protocol with a medical provider, and their scope of practice is constantly evolving. Clinical pharmacists are given independent prescriptive authority in the United Kingdom.
Basic elements of clinical pharmacy practice include prescribing medications, administering medications, monitoring prescriptions, managing medication use, and counseling patients.
