ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the contribution that can be made by community pharmacists in health care and in self-care. There is a view that community pharmacists are underused. Human beings are resistant to change, and, that is the case in community pharmacy. Community pharmacy is also suffering an identity crisis. There are certain compliance issues as well – health gain through compliance enables pharmacists to assist people in self-care. The role of the pharmacist is evolving in the primary health care team. Pharmacists can also provide support in the area of drug interaction, not only those that arise through prescribing but particularly drug interactions between prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicine. The pharmacist has a personal responsibility to ensure that such sales are appropriate, to prevent harm coming to the patient or missing cases for referral to the General practitioners. Community pharmacists can assist in training carers, patients in residential homes, carers in the patient's own home and home helps.