Are you a good pharmacist?

Pharmacists are undoubtedly YOUR DRUG EXPERT. As an expert, you should always have an answer to patients for the queries they put forward. Having said that, it does not mean you need to clear their queries advising this or that drugs. As a pharmacist, what I believe is, pharmacists' objective is to unload patients from load of medicines they have been suggested. What I am trying to indicate is, along with pharmacological treatments, pharmacists should also be well known about non-pharmacological treatments. So what are basic non-pharmacological approach pharmacists should be aware about?

1. Diet and Nutrition:
Multivitamins and nutraceuticals should be a last resort if we have an option of fulfilling those requirements with diet. Disease modifying nutrition is a hot topic of discussion lately. I will discuss it in upcoming post.

2. Physical Therapy:
There are several joint and muscles pain that can be relieved permanently or at least be alleviated to mild to moderate extent with physical therapy. But, this approach should be carried out under qualified physiotherapist.

3. Lifestyle modifications:
Exercise and healthy living modifications can help people have a disease-free life, prevents from progressing acute disease into chronic or comfort people with chronic disease condition.

4.Psychotherapy and counselling:
Psychotherapists or counsellors are integral part of mental health. For good mental health, medicines alone might not help. It is always wise to suggest a counsellor when needed.

Suggesting patients to see dietitian, physiotherapist, lifestyle coach, counsellor or any expert for their well being is never your weakness, but a professional courtesy making you a good pharmacist.