Handbook of Medicine for Pharmacists

by Mohanta Guru Prasad, Tavva Praveen Kumar NVR
The pharmacists’ role has been changing from a mere dispenser to a provider of pharmaceutical care and this is gradually becoming a reality even in the developing world. In order to perform the expanded role, the pharmacists do not only need the education and training but they do also need ready reference resource. This handbook aims at empowering the pharmacy students and professional pharmacists with comprehensive information on medicine use and related pharmaceutical aspects to follow good pharmacy practices in providing professional services in their set up. The handbook contains valuable practical information in a precise manner to help the pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists while ensuring appropriate use of medicines and optimum pharmacotherapy at various levels. The handbook has basically two parts: The first part covers the general topics of pharmacy practice: Common medical terminologies and abbreviations, common laboratory (Pathological) data, sources of drug information, concept of eight star pharmacists, patient counseling, regulations relating to pharmacy practice, rational use of medicines, good pharmacy practices, new drugs, fixed dose combinations, pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring, drug use in pregnancy and breast feeding, storage of medicines, and dose calculations in children and in renal impairment etc, The second part covers the essential information like therapeutic indication, dose, dosage forms and strength, special precautions required during its use and patient advice instruction of all medicines listed in World Health Organization and Government of India’s current essential medicines list. In short, the handbook of medicine is a comprehensive guide for the pharmacists to acquire the skill and competencies of eight star pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care. The key features of this book are that it is the first of its kind in India and no such book is available in India. It covers all the essential information required to develop competency to provide pharmaceutical care. It is a valuable companion for pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists and the topics in the book are written in a very simple and easy language.