Pharmacists can prescribe

REFERRING to the letter “Medication must not be sold without prescription” (The Star, Aug 29), the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) would like to clear some misconceptions about the role of a pharmacist in the community pharmacy setting as described by the writer. Contrary to certain views, pharmacists in the community pharmacy setting are allowed to prescribe medications sold as a dispensed medicine with entry in the Prescription Book, such as Group C poisons used in the treatment of diabetes. There are many medications that a pharmacist can prescribe for certain minor illnesses and diseases.

The role of a pharmacist in the community setting has evolved. The community pharmacists today assist patients in self-monitoring of their blood glucose levels and blood pressure levels. They also provide medication counselling for non-communicable diseases and help to increase patient compliance and adherence to medication therapy. Pharmacists are no longer mere dispensers of medication, they are also partners in healthcare and providers of care for consumers and patients.